info@desautelbrowning.com
38 Bellevue Avenue Unit B Newport, RI 02840
 

OUR TEAM

Kerin Browning, Esq.

Partner

E-mail
kerin@desautelbrowning.com
Telephone
401.477.0023

Attorney Kerin Browning practices real estate development and environmental law with an emphasis on zoning, land use, development rights, and analysis of property development.

Kerin has 20 years of experience advising large and small real estate developers, property owners, renewable energy firms, and other businesses on land use issues, planning and zoning regulations, and environmental matters. She also advises clients on real estate closings, easements, title issues, purchase and sale agreements, leases, state and local property tax incentives, and condominium law.

Her experience is centered in evaluating the development potential of properties to increase development opportunities, as well as conducting land use due diligence and representing clients with all types of land use approvals, and at hearings, including but not limited to variances, zone changes, special permits and comprehensive plan amendments and appeals.

Kerin has extensive experience in Rhode Island state and local government. She has overseen permitting for major development projects. She is well versed in the practices and procedures of state and local approval agencies, and she leads our Land Use Practice Group.

She evaluates development proposals with clients early in the process and by doing continues to shape successful property development on behalf of clients in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Marisa Desautel, Esq.

partner

E-mail
marisa@desautelbrowning.com
Telephone
401.477.0023

Attorney Marisa Desautel has been practicing law in Rhode Island and Massachusetts since 2006 and has 16 years of experience as an environmental and regulatory professional throughout New England.

Marisa focuses on state and federal environmental and utility/energy statutory and regulatory compliance, civil litigation, and municipal and regulatory zoning and permitting.

She leads our Energy and Environmental Practice Group. She brings extensive experience, having served as Senior Legal Counsel to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for more than eight years and has an advanced degree in marine and coastal policy.

Marisa currently serves as Legal Counsel to the Rhode Island Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture.

Michelle Hawes, Esq.

Senior Associate

E-mail
michelle@desautelbrowning.com
Telephone
401.477.0023

Attorney Michelle Hawes has been practicing law in Rhode Island for more than 10 years.

She graduated from the University of Connecticut and went on to Roger Williams University Law School where she earned her juris doctorate cum laude. During her time in law school, she distinguished herself as a member of the Roger Williams University Law Review, as well as being on the Moot Court Board.

Michelle was admitted to the Rhode Island state bar in November of 2008, the Massachusetts state bar in December of 2008, and the Connecticut state bar in June of 2009.

She was admitted to the United States District Court, District of Rhode Island bar in February 2009, and the United States District Court, District of Massachusetts bar in July 2009.

Michelle has actively practiced in all the states in which she is admitted but has currently focused her work in Rhode Island.  Michelle has a special interest in appellate advocacy, especially from the time she spent in an externship at the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

She has experience in many different areas of civil litigation, including product liability, personal injury, corporate collection practice, and property disputes.

Patrick Sullivan, Esq.

of counsel

E-mail
patrick@desautelbrowning.com
Telephone
401.477.0023

Attorney Patrick Sullivan has tried cases for plaintiffs and defendants in District, Family, Superior and Supreme Courts in Rhode Island for more than 23 years.

Sullivan brings extensive experience in land use law, civil litigation, and municipal law. He graduated from Roger Williams University and went on to earn his juris doctor from New England Law School in Boston, MA.

He was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar in 1995 and the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island in 1996. He is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association and sits on the Executive Committee of the Kent County Bar Association.

Patrick was duly admitted and qualified as an attorney and counselor of the United States Supreme Court on 2000. He tries cases for plaintiffs and defendants in District, Family, Superior and Supreme Courts in Rhode Island. 

He also leads our Civil Litigation Group and is currently legal counsel to the Kent County Water Authority.

Kalen Arreola

marketing + pr

E-mail
KALEN@DESAUTELBROWNING.COM
Telephone
401.208.2632

 

Kalen Arreola has more than 19 years of experience in communications and marketing.

Her experience ranges from in house corporate communications, small business marketing and public affairs for the Department of Defense.

Her focus is digital marketing and public relations for the firm.

 

Kendra Quewezance, Esq.

Associate Attorney

E-mail
kendra@desautelbrowning.com
Telephone
401-477-0023
Attorney Kendra Quewezance is a first-year associate practicing environmental, land use, and zoning law. Kendra assists clients with a variety of legal issues related to land development, environmental compliance, zoning regulations, permitting, and civil litigation.
She graduated from the University of California, Riverside and went on to earn her Juris Doctor from New York Law School, where she received the Dean’s Leadership Award for the Class of 2023. She is licensed to practice law in both Rhode Island and New York.