Cohen Kinne Valicenti Cook LLP Welcomes Partner

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Cohen Kinne Valicenti Cook LLP announced that Jaan Rannik has joined the firm as a partner, effective January 1, 2026.
 
Rannik is an experienced civil and commercial litigator who handles a range of disputes, including contractual matters, business torts, real estate disputes, intellectual property issues, and construction litigation.  He has obtained more than $20 million in judgments and awards for his clients.
 
Prior to joining Cohen Kinne, Rannik practiced in Charleston, South Carolina, where he was a partner in the boutique commercial litigation firm Epting & Rannik.  Over the past decade, he has successfully tried cases in state and federal courts in South Carolina and handled arbitrations and appeals across the country.
 
"We feel incredibly fortunate to welcome Jaan to the firm," said Kevin Kinne, partner at Cohen Kinne. "Not only because Jaan is an outstanding attorney, but also because he is a wonderful person who will fit in well with our firm culture and in the community.  We are pleased our clients will have the opportunity to work with another first-class litigator and trial attorney."
 
Rannik brings with him an established client base and will also support Cohen Kinne existing clients in complex litigation and trial matters.
 
Before pursuing a legal career, Rannik was a performing classical guitarist.  He met his wife, Lydia Chernicoff, while attending music conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland.  Lydia grew up in the Berkshires, and the couple has long hoped to make the region their home. 
 
"It's a dream to be living and working in the Berkshires.  I'm thrilled to have joined such an outstanding group at Cohen Kinne, who are great human beings in addition to being great professionals, and look forward to our work together to serve our clients."
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield School Building Committee OKs PHS Statement of Interest

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield High, the city's oldest school, will be the subject of the next funding request to the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

During a special meeting on Monday, the School Building Needs Commission voted to move forward with a statement of interest. The City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved submitting a PHS statement of interest.

Mayor Peter Marchetti said that if they don't get in the queue, they could be talking an eight-year wait rather than a four-year wait. The deadline for submission is April 17. 

"To underscore the discussion today, which would be one of many by multiple bodies, any action taken today by us is not a funding commitment, is not a project commitment. It's a concept commitment," Finance Director Matthew Kerwood said. 

Focus areas include the renovation and modernization of the heating system and the replacement or addition to obsolete buildings for educational offerings. 

The school was built in 1931 and is about 163,600 square feet. It was renovated in 1975 to add nearly 40,000 square feet, including the theater and gym, the Moynihan Field House. 

Vocational spaces have been added and upgraded over the years, and laboratories have been improved, along with periodic updates to building elements. Security systems were modernized, and a couple of years ago, the school's three inefficient, original-to-the-building boilers were replaced

"It's a 95-year-old school, and there are things that are going to come up with a 95-year-old school," Commissioner Brendan Sheran said while giving a presentation. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories