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Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane Attorneys Successfully Quashed Subpoena for the Deposition of an Investigating Attorney in the US District Court of Massachusetts

 

 

Recently, MHTL attorneys, Kier Wachterhauser and Kevin Freytag, successfully quashed the deposition of an investigating attorney in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in ongoing employment-related litigation. Given the fact-gathering nature of investigative work, it is not uncommon for attorneys who conduct workplace investigations and internal reviews to be the subject of discovery inquiries in litigation. Nevertheless, the attorney client privilege is not automatically waived. Courts will generally look at the nature of the investigation, the nature of the underlying legal representation, the purpose and need for the underlying discovery inquiry, and the course of discovery to date in assessing whether depositions or similar discovery should be allowed. Careful thought should be given to how investigative reports are presented and to whom, as well as the nature of communications surrounding investigations and how the material is subsequently used. Working with experienced legal counsel is a must.

 

Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane LLP is also known throughout New England for its labor and employment practice as well as its extensive business litigation and advising employers on internal reviews and strategic legal approaches when dealing with the government. The firm also has an extensive education law practice representing public, private, and nonprofit educational institutions from pre-K through the college and university level.

Latest News

Statutory Regulations Released for Interagency Review of Complex Cases

On March 1, 2024, EOHHS and DESE released the long-awaited, final adoption of the regulations governing the Interagency Review of Complex Cases (published as 101 CMR 27.00). These regulations had been anticipated since the Massachusetts Legislature passed “An Act Addressing Barriers to Care for Mental Health” in August, 2022. The purpose of the law is the establishment of a team that will collaborate on complex cases where there is an urgent need to address a lack of consensus between state agencies about the service needs or placement of an individual. This replaces what was known as the Unified Planning Team, or “UPT”. The co-chairs of the IRT will be the secretary (or a designee) from EOHHS and the commissioner (or a designee) of DESE.

Legal Updates

Statutory Regulations Released for Interagency Review of Complex Cases

On March 1, 2024, EOHHS and DESE released the long-awaited, final adoption of the regulations governing the Interagency Review of Complex Cases (published as 101 CMR 27.00). These regulations had been anticipated since the Massachusetts Legislature passed “An Act Addressing Barriers to Care for Mental Health” in August, 2022. The purpose of the law is the establishment of a team that will collaborate on complex cases where there is an urgent need to address a lack of consensus between state agencies about the service needs or placement of an individual. This replaces what was known as the Unified Planning Team, or “UPT”. The co-chairs of the IRT will be the secretary (or a designee) from EOHHS and the commissioner (or a designee) of DESE.

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