Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

12/16/2024

A jury verdict finding a defendant guilty under the threatening to commit a crime statute (G.L.c. 275, §2) has been vacated by the Supreme Judicial Court because the jurors were not instructed that they were required to find that the defendant acted with the mens rea necessary to convict him.

A jury verdict finding a defendant guilty under the threatening to commit a crime statute (G.L.c. 275, §2) has been vacated by the Supreme Judicial Court because the jurors were not instructed that they were required to find that the defendant acted with the mens rea necessary to convict him.

12/13/2024

After a party is required to make a payment for failing to comply with the Prompt Pay Act, an arbitrator is not allowed to let the party seek recoupment of a portion of that payment, a Superior Court judge has decided.

After a party is required to make a payment for failing to comply with the Prompt Pay Act, an arbitrator is not allowed to let the party seek recoupment of a portion of that payment, a Superior Court judge has decided.

12/13/2024

An attorney should not accept a payment for referring a client to a software company unless the lawyer obtains the client’s informed consent in writing, the Massachusetts Bar Association Committee on Professional Ethics has advised.

An attorney should not accept a payment for referring a client to a software company unless the lawyer obtains the client’s informed consent in writing, the Massachusetts Bar Association Committee on Professional Ethics has advised.

12/12/2024

The Governor's Council on Dec. 11 unanimously minted three new judges and scheduled hearings for three more judicial candidates extending into 2025.

The Governor’s Council on Dec. 11 unanimously minted three new judges and scheduled hearings for three more judicial candidates extending into 2025. On 6-0 votes, the council confirmed two State House attorneys to the Superior Court bench: Adam Hornstine, who is Gov. Maura T. Healey’s deputy leg...

12/11/2024

Two Massachusetts-based Volvo dealerships were not entitled to statutory rates of reimbursement for their servicing of customer vehicles pursuant to prepaid maintenance contracts offered by the auto maker, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has held.

Two Massachusetts-based Volvo dealerships were not entitled to statutory rates of reimbursement for their servicing of customer vehicles pursuant to prepaid maintenance contracts offered by the auto maker, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has held.

12/11/2024

The Superior Court Rules and Forms Committee is soliciting comments on proposed amendments to Superior Court Rule 9A(b), “Procedure for Serving and Filing Motions.”

The Superior Court Rules and Forms Committee is soliciting comments on proposed amendments to Superior Court Rule 9A(b), “Procedure for Serving and Filing Mot

12/10/2024

Ellen J. Zucker and her team of litigators had the chance to go the route of many of their former Burns & Levinson colleagues. But as flattering as discussions with “some really terrific firms” were, a merger was not the answer, they decided.

Ellen J. Zucker and her team of litigators had the chance to go the route of many of their former Burns & Levinson colleagues. But as flattering as discussions with “some really terrific firms” were, a merger was not the answer, they decided.

12/10/2024

The police department in Worcester allowed officers to engage in s*xual contact with women suspected of being involved in the commercial s*x trade, according to a report the U.S. Justice Department released on Dec. 9 following a two year investigation.

The police department in Worcester allowed officers to engage in s*xual contact with women suspected of being involved in the commercial s*x trade, according to a report the U.S. Justice Department released on Dec. 9 following a two year investigation.

12/10/2024

A District Court judge dismissed criminal charges on Dec. 9 against a backer of Karen Read who admitted placing dozens of yellow rubber ducks and fake $100 bills around town in support of Read.

A District Court judge dismissed criminal charges on Dec. 9 against a backer of Karen Read who admitted placing dozens of yellow rubber ducks and fake $100 bills around town in support of Read. Richard Schiffer Jr. had argued in Stoughton District Court that he had a First Amendment right to support...

12/09/2024

The signals may be loud, but law firms and their clients are likely to continue to keep their own counsel when it comes to what figures to be an invigorated attack on diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the workplace, attorneys say.

The signals — whether coming from President-Elect Trump or a large national corporation like Wal-Mart — may be loud, but law firms and their clients are likely to continue to keep their own counsel when it comes to what figures to be an invigorated attack on diversity, equity and inclusion progr...

12/09/2024

As an intellectual property attorney who represents clients competing in the frequently unforgiving hi-tech and biotech sectors, Boston’s David J. Powsner has seen his fair share of hits and misses.

As an intellectual property attorney who represents clients competing in the frequently unforgiving hi-tech and biotech sectors, Boston’s David J. Powsner has seen his fair share of hits and misses.

12/06/2024

A Chapter 13 debtor’s failure to strictly comply with the Massachusetts Homestead Act by not naming his non-titled spouse on his declaration did not render his plan unconfirmable, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge has determined.

A Chapter 13 debtor’s failure to strictly comply with the Massachusetts Homestead Act by not naming his non-titled spouse on his declaration did not render his plan unconfirmable, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge has determined.

12/06/2024

Gov. Maura T. Healey on Dec. 5 nominated four attorneys for judgeships, including a former deputy legal counsel to Gov. Charlie Baker.

Gov. Maura T. Healey on Dec. 5 nominated four attorneys for judgeships, including a former deputy legal counsel to Gov. Charlie Baker.

12/06/2024

Have you watched it yet? Our on-demand webinar, 3 Proven Strategies to Unlock 3x ROI with B2B Content Marketing, is now available!

Hosted by Kurt Hawks, Chief Digital and Revenue Officer at our parent company, BridgeTower Media, this free 30-minute session is packed with insights to elevate your content marketing strategy. As the leader of authoritative content in our region, we understand the power of quality, relevant content—watch now and take your strategy to the next level! https://bridgetowermedia.com/3-proven-strategies-to-unlock-3x-roi-with-b2b-content-marketing/

12/05/2024

A Concord criminal defense attorney who also has experience as a prosecutor has been confirmed for a seat on the District Court bench.

A Concord criminal defense attorney who also has experience as a prosecutor has been confirmed for a seat on the District Court bench. The Governor’s Council voted unanimously on Dec. 4 to approve the nomination of Mary “Polly” Phillips, who had earned praise during an interview with councilor...

12/05/2024

The eyes of the cannabis industry in Massachusetts and beyond will be on the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Dec. 5 as a group of businesses tries to revive a case premised on the belief that it is long past time for the federal government to exit the realm of regulating cannabis as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

The eyes of the cannabis industry in Massachusetts and beyond will be on the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Dec. 5 as a group of businesses tries to revive a case premised on the belief that it is long past time for the federal government to exit the realm of regulating cannabis as a Schedule....

12/05/2024

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12/04/2024

A 77-year-old Trader Joe’s employee who was fired after purchasing beer for her 19-year-old grandson from the store where they worked could not sue the grocery chain for age discrimination, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has determined.

A 77-year-old Trader Joe’s employee who was fired after purchasing beer for her 19-year-old grandson from the store where they worked could not sue the grocery chain for age discrimination, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has determined.