Legal Department

Team > Legal
Darya smiling with dog

Darya Zappia

Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel

Blue shape
Female veterinarian posing in a grass field with long-haired black dog

Teammates? We Like the Sound of That

If you’re looking for practice support, unmatched employee benefits, and a family-like working environment, we might be for you. 

Taylor smiling with a dog

Taylor Talmage

Corporate Attorney

Fun Fact: Taylor served as lead counsel in his first jury trial prior to even graduating law school.

Pet in Photo: Gus

Taylor comes to Rarebreed after working as a commercial transactional attorney at a Portland law firm where he assisted clients with mergers and acquisitions, commercial lease negotiations and the purchase and sale of real estate. Prior to that, he worked at the Maine Business Court where he advised judges on issues arising during complex commercial litigation. He also worked at a local district attorney’s office where he prosecuted criminal cases. Taylor is excited to join Rarebreed and continue building its collaborative and partnership-oriented approach to providing the best veterinary care to its patients.

Out of the office, Taylor enjoys the never-ending struggle to become a competent guitar player and spending time with his family.

Kelly smiling and holding a cat

Kelly Slocomb

Legal Assistant

Fun Fact: The first time Kelly got on a plane, it was to jump out and skydive.

Pet in Photo: Vayda

Before joining Rarebreed Kelly worked at Norman, Hanson & DeTroy law firm where she supported three attorneys in the Commercial Group. Her job included overseeing the formation of LLC corporations, organizing closing documents and keeping companies in good standing. Kelly has an associate degree in marine biology from Southern Maine Community College and is passionate about marine life, with a special interest in sharks. One day she hopes to fulfill her dream of swimming or cage diving with them.

In her free time, Kelly enjoys amateur photography, gardening, kayaking, playing kickball and spending time with her family and friends, which includes her four cats, Destiny, Oreo, Cayde and Vayda. She enjoys traveling and would love to visit Australia.

Darya smiling with dog

Darya Zappia

Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel

Fun Fact: Darya is an avid ocean swimmer.

Pet in Photo: Allagash

Prior to joining Rarebreed as its general counsel, Darya was a partner at a prominent Portland law firm where she specialized in mergers and acquisitions, corporate and intellectual property laws. During that time, she had served as Rarebreed’s outside general counsel since its founding in 2018. While in private practice, Darya focused her pro bono efforts on helping immigrants and churches, and for many years was involved with the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project. Darya is a published author and was consistently selected by her peers for inclusion in the Super Lawyers and Rising Stars publication. She received a J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Minsk State Linguistic University.

Sam smiling with a cat

Sam Thibault, CVT

Area Manager

Fun Fact: Sam is an avid antique collector and enjoys woodworking and restoring furniture..

Pet in Photo: Ollie

Sam is a native of the Syracuse, New York, area where she began her career as a kennel attendant at a local shelter. She found her purpose there and pursued her passion for animals by attending Mount Ida College to obtain her veterinary technology degree. She moved to Nantucket where she excelled in general practice and became a member of the New England Aquarium Marine Mammal Field Response Team. After leaving Nantucket, Sam worked for an emergency and referral hospital where she spent time in the ER/ICU and in dermatology and later worked as a supervisor. Taking a step out of practice, she refined her skills as a practice consultant.

Sam lives in the hamlet of Leeds, New York, with her wife, her dog, Petunia, three cats, Gilly, Max, and Tomato, and 15 chickens. She enjoys homesteading and restoring her 1890 farmhouse.