Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

07/29/2025

A would-be school superintendent could not pursue a claim for violation of due process based on the School Committee’s withdrawal of its job offer over a perceived “unprofessional microaggression” in an email he sent requesting changes to the proposed employment contract, a U.S. District Court judge has ruled.

Federal judge dismisses due process suit by educator, finding no valid contract existed for Easthampton school superintendent position.

07/29/2025

Bar advocates said on July 28 that they have not been involved in any conversations with legislative leadership about a resolution to the labor crisis that has resulted in more than 100 court cases being dismissed, even though top House and Senate Democrats suggested the situation could be fixed "soon."

Bar advocates said on July 28 that they have not been involved in any conversations with legislative leadership about a resolution to the labor crisis that has

07/29/2025

🏆 Nominations are OPEN for our Legal Luminaries awards! 🏆

This program celebrates legal professionals who have shaped the community and advanced the practice of law across central Massachusetts.

Nominations 🔗: https://bit.ly/46nlDTP

07/28/2025

Help power data-driven decisions behind 200+ events across the country. BridgeTower Media is seeking an Event Analytics & Operations Specialist to support strategy, standardization, and success.

Apply here: https://bridgetowermedia.isolvedhire.com/jobs/1540823

07/25/2025

A former head of the Judicial Nominating Commission and two trial attorneys, including one who is an aide to U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, are in line for seats on the bench after Gov. Maura T. Healey nominated them for District Court judgeships.

A former head of the Judicial Nominating Commission and two trial attorneys are in line for seats on the bench after Gov. Maura T. Healey on July 23 nominated them for District Court judgeships.

07/25/2025

A Boston lawyer was charged on July 24 with defrauding two clients of more than $2 million, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced.

A Boston lawyer was charged on July 24 with defrauding two clients of more than $2 million, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. Patrick J. Dolan, 60, of North Attleboro, was charged with four counts of wire fraud. According to the charging documents, between November 2018 and November 2024, Dola...

07/24/2025

On a single day earlier this month, a pair of land use attorneys brought home appellate wins in three separate cases for clients whose planned improvements to their Barnstable waterfront properties had been stymied by regulatory overreach.

Appeals Court reverses Barnstable rulings in three pier permit cases, citing overreach by conservation commission beyond wetlands law authority.

07/24/2025

A defendant convicted of first-degree murder should have been granted a hearing on his motion for a new trial, the Supreme Judicial Court has ruled.

A defendant convicted of first-degree should have been granted a hearing on his motion for a new trial, the Supreme Judicial Court has ruled.

07/23/2025

A patient who brought negligent supervision claims against his medical providers after being sexually assaulted by a medical assistant was subject to the requirements of the state’s medical-malpractice tribunal statute, a Superior Court judge has found.

A judge ruled that med-mal tribunal rules apply to a patient’s lawsuit over sexual assault by a medical assistant, calling it a matter of medical negligence.

07/22/2025

A local zoning board improperly denied a special permit for a large-scale ground-mounted solar energy system because it was contrary to the legislative goal of promoting solar energy and rested primarily on one board member’s subjective beliefs, the Appeals Court has decided.

Appeals Court rules Petersham zoning board wrongly denied permit for large-scale solar project, citing statutory solar energy protections.

07/21/2025

🏆 Have you submitted a nomination for our Top Women of Law awards? 🏆

These awards celebrate the achievements of exceptional women lawyers who are pioneers, educators, trailblazers and role models.

Nominations 🔗: https://bit.ly/4f9DiiU

07/21/2025

A newly issued American Bar Association ethics opinion makes clear that attorneys who use peremptory challenges to exclude prospective jurors on the basis of race or other unlawful factors are violating professional conduct rules.

ABA Formal Opinion 517 says lawyers may face discipline for discriminatory peremptory challenges, even if acting on client, consultant, or AI advice.