News
The Passing of a Giant of a Lawyer, Michael C. Lehane
Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP is deeply saddened to announce that one of the founding partners of the firm, Michael C. Lehane, passed away on January 11, 2021. Mr. Lehane was a giant of a lawyer, an incredible mentor and friend to all who worked with him. He was highly respected by his colleagues, whether it be his fellow partners, judges, clients or friends. Renowned for his quick wit and intelligence, grace under pressure, sense of humor and gentlemanly courtesy, never an ill word was said of him. Mr. Lehane was an instrumental asset in originating and building this firm. While still in law school, he worked as an aide at the Metropolitan State Hospital and proudly said “it was an ideal job, as so many people needed help”. He devoted so much time to helping others in as many ways as he could.
Mr. Lehane spent most of his forty-year legal career in labor and employment law and related litigation, representing private and public entities. Mr. Lehane served as the Town Counsel to a variety of communities throughout the state of Massachusetts. He also served as special counsel to numerous private sector and government entities in litigation and fact-finding areas. Mr. Lehane was an exceptionally capable and versatile trial lawyer and successfully handled a wide variety of matters including commercial litigation, land use and zoning, eminent domain, environmental protection issues, construction contract disputes, housing authority acquisitions and hundreds of employment and labor relations issues. He was admitted to practice before all Massachusetts courts, the Federal District Court of Massachusetts, the United States First and Second Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. Mr. Lehane graduated from Boston University and the Boston University School of Law and was a recipient of the Cushing Gavin Award.
Mr. Lehane was an integral part of the firm and will be missed dearly by all. “People have said that the bond between friends is beyond the mortal world. Mike, we and so many will miss you, your humor, humbleness intelligence, mentorship and loyalty, we are incredibly grateful for the memories we have of you.” – Arthur Murphy
https://memorials.kuhnfuneralhomes.com/Lehane-Michael/4488775/
Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP Partner Prevails in U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Attorney Felicia Vasudevan, a partner at Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP, received a favorable decision on behalf of her client, Marshfield Public Schools. The Plaintiff appealed the district court’s judgement that upheld a decision of the Massachusetts Bureau of Special Education Appeals (“BSEA”). However, as the notice was filed more than 30 days after entry, the First Circuit ultimately dismissed the appeal for being untimely. The Plaintiff also appealed the district court’s order, denying her motion to vacate. Read More
New Features of Public Participation at School Committee Meetings
Following our Alert from March 16, 2023, Civility is Dead – The Supreme Court Rules Municipal Control of Public Speak Limited to Reasonable Time/Place/Manner Restrictions, which discussed the holding to the Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in Barron v. Kolenda and the Town of Southborough (SJC-13284), we promised to bring you more detailed guidance on developing a Public Speak policy for your public body or municipality. The Barron case involved a constitutional challenge to the Town of Southborough’s public comment policy, which attempted to impose a code of civility on members of the public who participated in public comment before public bodies. In Barron, the court interpreted the state constitution to mean that public bodies may request, but not require, that public commentators be respectful and courteous. Instead, a public body may set restrictions on reasonable time, place, and manner comments to ensure that the meeting retains an orderly and peaceable manner.
Braintree, MA
50 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 410,
Braintree, MA 02184
Boston, MA
75-101 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110
Tel: (617) 479-5000
Tel: (888) 841-4850
Fax: (617) 479-6469
Quincy, MA
Crown Colony Plaza
300 Crown Colony Drive, Suite 410
P.O. Box 9126
Quincy, MA 02169-9126