Rory Parnell

Rory Parnell is a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University and New England Law – Boston. Rory worked full-time, for the then Law Offices of Parnell & McKay, every year he was in law school, and has been working at Parnell & McKay and then Parnell, Michels & McKay since 2002. Rory has been a partner at the firm since 2017, and dedicates his practice primarily to civil litigation.



Rory has been admitted to the New Hampshire and Massachusetts Bar Associations since 2011, and is licensed to practice in the United States District Court of New Hampshire. Rory works primarily in the areas of Injury (including motor vehicle collisions, motorcycle collisions, slip and falls, dog bites, trip and falls, and other injuries), Workers Compensation, Real Estate Litigation, Landlord/Tenant, Disability, and General Litigation areas.



Awards and Recognition's:

2021 Forty Under 40 Honoree from the Union Leader

2020 Pro Bono Distinguished Service Award

2017 New Hampshire Bar Foundation -Robert Kirby Award

2014 Pro Bono Rising Star Award

L. Jonathan Ross Award Winner for 2024

  • Walking the Line: Understanding Pedestrian Laws in New Hampshire

    ByRory Parnell Hours

    Pedestrian accidents in New Hampshire can present complex legal challenges, often involving questions of fault, insurance, and compensation. Understanding the state’s traffic laws, negligence principles, and insurance requirements is crucial for both pedestrians and motorists to navigate these incidents effectively. Having an experienced law firm can make the difference between being able to recover and being denied compensation. Legal Framework Governing Pedestrian Rights and Motorist Responsibilities New Hampshire law mandates that drivers yield the right of way to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections with traffic control devices. This obligation extends to situations where a vehicle is stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross; overtaking such a vehicle is prohibited. Additionally, drivers must exercise heightened caution when approaching children. Conversely, pedestrians are required to…

  • Parenting Issues: Common Challenges Post-Divorce

    ByRory Parnell Hours

    As a marriage breaks down, divorcing parents have their family dynamics fundamentally change. The parties’ children bear the brunt of this impact. As their parents try to navigate the end of a phase of their lives, the children often get swept up in changes of what they have known their entire life. Co-parenting requires a thoughtful approach rooted in communication, flexibility, and a commitment to the well-being of the children when parties aren’t getting divorced. After divorce, these principles must be considered even more. 1. Communication Arguably the most common post-divorce parenting issue is poor communication between co-parents. When conversations are argumentative, strained or avoided, misunderstandings and resentment occur. It’s essential to maintain open, respectful, and child-focused communication. This blog has emphasized the use of…

  • New Hampshire’s Elimination of the Civil Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault: A Landmark Change for Survivors

    ByRory Parnell Hours

    In a significant legislative shift, New Hampshire has abolished the civil statute of limitations for sexual assault cases, offering survivors the opportunity to seek justice at any time, regardless of when the assault occurred. This change, effective since September 18, 2020, marks a pivotal moment in the state’s commitment to supporting victims and holding perpetrators accountable. Understanding the Previous Limitations Before the enactment of House Bill 705, the statute of limitations for civil sexual assault cases in New Hampshire varied based on the victim’s age and the timing of the assault: The Impact of House Bill 705 Signed into law by Governor Chris Sununu, House Bill 705, known as the “Crime Victims’ Rights Enhancement Act of 2020,” introduced several key changes. Broader Implications for Survivors…

  • Beyond the Game: How ‘Assumption of Risk’ Shapes Injury Lawsuits in Sports and Recreational Activities

    ByRory Parnell Hours

    Injuries often happen in sports, and the majority of the time they are contemplated by the participant before they play the sport. For example, someone that plays high school or college football knows when they sign up that they may get a concussion due to the violent nature of the sport. However, where does someone cross the line from being “Part of the game” to being actionable negligence? The term “assumption of the risk” has been used to express distinct common law theories, derived from different sources, which apply when a plaintiff has knowingly exposed themselves to particular risks. See Bohlen, Voluntary Assumption of Risk, 20 Harv. L. Rev. 14, 15-30 (1906); see also W. P. Keeton, Prosser and Keeton on Torts § 68,at 480-98…

  • What is an Appeal?

    ByRory Parnell Hours

    People who are unhappy with their trial court decision frequently say they are going to appeal the ruling. In doing so, people assume the appeal functions as a form of “retrial” or a way to have the judge come to a different conclusion by rehearing their case. However, this is not the function of an appellate court. To better understand this, it’s best to start with the question: what is an appeal? An appeal is a formal request for a higher court to review a decision made by a lower court. An appeal is not a new trial. Instead, it’s a legal process focused on identifying errors of law that may have affected the outcome of the original case. The appellate court looks at whether…

  • Child Support – Modification and Private Agreements

    ByRory Parnell Hours

    Child support is a very common area of conflict in family law cases. Whether you are an unwed parent, or whether the parties have been married, so long as parents have minor children, the court must address the financial component of the children’s welfare. Whether by agreement, or after a final contested hearing, child support is ordered through a form called the Uniform Support Order. Child support can be modified for a substantial change in circumstance or every three years from the date of the last order. However, child support cannot legally change without creating a new Uniform Support Order. Remember, a Uniform Support Order is still a court order. It cannot be simply disregarded by the parties without the Court’s consent. This is especially…

  • If I suffer an injury that causes permanent damage at work, am I entitled to compensation?

    ByRory Parnell Hours

    In Workers’ Compensation, it is commonly misunderstood by most people what an injured person is entitled to. In previous blog posts, we talked about how an injured worker unable to work is entitled to 60% of their average weekly wage while they are out of work. They are also entitled to have all medical bills that are incurred due to the work injury that are “reasonable” and “necessary” medical treatment paid by the workers’ compensation insurance carrier. Yet, what happens when a person has a permanent injury? First, it is important to separate that an injury that causes someone to be permanently and totally disabled entitles them to continuing wage (indemnity) benefits from the insurance carrier. If they can never work again, they are entitled…

  • What Did You Put in My Pumpkin Spice Latte?

    ByRory Parnell Hours

    It is October, so it’s Pumpkin Spice Latte time. But what happens when that Pumpkin Spice Latte contains a plastic piece that enters your bowels? Or if the Pumpkin Spice latte has peanut butter in it and you are allergic? Severe injuries from eating food are generally not common. Sometimes a chipped tooth can happen, which while frustrating, is often a relatively easy fix at the dentist. Likewise, if a sharp tortilla chip slices your gum, it’s annoying, but doesn’t lead to long term damage. There are two general types of more severe injuries that come from food borne issues. The first is when a foreign object is in your food that should not be there. Generally, the law recognizes that certain foods will have…

  • Why Should I Choose a Collaborative Divorce?

    ByRory Parnell Hours

    A Collaborative Divorce is an out of court settlement process which helps separating couples to work through the issues with the assistance of Collaboratively trained professionals. We are often asked why a client should choose a Collaborative Divorce process. This blog will help to answer that question with 10 reasons why you should consider this process. All issues in the divorce or parenting case are resolved through a series of meetings between you, your spouse, and your Collaborative Team. These meetings are held in private offices – not in public courtrooms! During the meetings, you and your spouse will gather information, identify your goals and concerns, and negotiate a settlement that works for both of you and your children. You will control the pace at…

  • Bike Week, Motorcycle Road Safety, and You

    ByRory Parnell Hours

    Among the many events New Hampshire is famous for, Bike Week in Laconia is surely among the most well renowned. Dating back to 1916, the Laconia Motorcycle Rally is the oldest running motorcycle rally in the world. The event draws hundreds of thousands of motorcycles to the Granite State. This week is a major tourism week for the state, and one that New Hampshire is quite proud of. Along with all of the motorcycles, you have likely seen dozens of signs reminding vehicles to watch out for motorcycles to avoid potentially fatal collisions. With hundreds of thousands of bikes on the road, interactions between cars and motorcycles become more common, and drivers need to watch out. Because Parnell, Michels & McKay can assist with motorcycle…