Erin Nunes is thinking of the 20-years-from-now you
Erin Nunes wasn’t always an attorney. The road that led her to the law was born from another birth (literally!)
By Erin Nunes
My journey into law began in a way I never could have predicted. Before I was an attorney, I was the nanny for the four wonderful children of Michelle Beneski, a woman who would become my partner in law.
I had developed a close and trusting relationship with Michelle. When the kids no longer needed me, Michelle offered me a position in her law firm. I began at Surprenant and Beneski as a legal secretary and pursued an undergraduate degree. I became a paralegal, assisting Michelle, her father, Bob, and her brother, Dan. Their clients were navigating the tricky task of aging well. That is to say, with dignity and a plan. I was inspired by their work and wanted to do more. The path to “more” was law school. It wasn’t easy balancing law school with full-time work, but the firm supported me every step of the way. I’ve touched almost every role in this business, from legal secretary and paralegal to associate attorney.
What started as a job quickly became a calling. I discovered a profound love for helping people navigate some of life’s most complex transitions. That passion fueled my path to becoming a partner and, in April of 2025, an owner of what is now Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes.
As a mom to a son and twin daughters, I understand the deep-seated desire to protect what matters most. Our firm’s specialization in elder law was born from a similar personal place. Our founder and Michelle’s father, Robert Surprenant, faced a dementia diagnosis with his own mother. He said he quickly realized the complexities of caring for her while navigating her diagnosis, medical needs, financial needs, and having the necessary estate planning documents. These complexities were challenging and scary. Robert says he learned that people need trustworthy, sincere, educated professionals to guide them through this chapter of their lives, both as patients and as caregivers. He says he learned quickly that “general law” wasn't enough to protect a lifetime of hard-earned assets from the “big three” estate taxes, long-term care costs, and probate.
From that challenge, the firm refocused its practice. His daughter, Michelle, a former tax attorney seeking more fulfilling work, joined her father. Robert’s son, Dan, a former assistant district attorney and medical malpractice attorney, rounded out the team, lending his energy and passion to the firm and helping grow it into what it is now.
Today, I am incredibly proud to lead this team alongside my partners, Dan Surprenant and Michelle Beneski. We are dedicated to community education, moving beyond legal jargon to provide clarity and confidence through workshops and seminars. We strive for continuous improvement, and I am personally committed to ongoing education to ensure our firm evolves to meet the changing needs of our neighbors. We are accessible, whether in one of our four office locations, virtually, or in a private residence; we meet you where you are.
We’ve built a multi-generational bench of talent, including specialists like Senior Associate Attorney Rebecca S. Spinner, to ensure that when a family asks, "Will you be there for us twenty years from now?" the answer is a resounding “yes!”
Our reputation as attorneys is built on each family we work with, through empathetic listening and clear communication. My goal is to ensure that every client leaves with a plan and a proven path toward their goals. And the peace of mind that comes with it.
We are honored to be part of your story.
Erin L. Nunes is a Partner at Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C., and the team leader for the firm’s legal operations. Erin helps her clients cut through the noise, narrow their goals, and create and implement solutions that bring peace of mind and value beyond dollars and cents. Every prospective client she meets is someone’s mother, father, sister, brother, or child, and she treats them the way she would want her own family treated—with respect, courtesy, understanding, and patience.
