PRACTICE AREAS

As counsel to cities, towns and other Governmental entities throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the firm assists and advises public officials and committees with respect to matters of day-to-day management, as well as initiating or defending litigation on their behalf.

In recent years, the legal representation of Governmental entities has become a more complex and demanding undertaking. Restrictive economic conditions, increasing state and federal regulations of city and town affairs, and sophisticated municipal litigation issues ranging from land use to liability indicate that this trend will continue.

On a daily basis, the firm deals with virtually all areas of governmental law including zoning and land use issues, environmental issues, civil rights claims, employment discrimination, tort claims, workers’ compensation, collective bargaining, contract negotiation, bidding, procurement, licensing, public utilities, taxation, drafting of ordinances and by-laws, state and federal legislative issues, and every aspect of the town meeting process. The firm fully understands the ramifications of zoning by laws within a town government in general and a land use framework in particular.

Our firm’s public sector litigation experience is similarly comprehensive. The firm represents municipal clients before the state and federal court systems and all administrative agencies in trial, appellate and other proceedings in zoning matters and all other areas.

The firm has the expertise, experience and resources to handle the full range of labor relations, employment and related litigation matters confronting the Governmental units. The firm serves as general and special labor counsel to municipalities, housing authorities, school systems, public retirement boards and other governmental entities throughout the Commonwealth. The firm counsels in all aspects of labor relations, employment, employee benefits and related litigation.

The firm has served as the chief representative for management in the negotiation of more than a thousand public sector labor agreements over the last 30 years, and has also handled numerous arbitrations administered through the American Arbitration Association and otherwise. The firm has had extensive experience with dispute resolution procedures administered through the JLMC as well as the Massachusetts Board of Conciliation and Arbitration and private mediators. Additionally, the firm has handled the full range of Labor Relations Commission administered proceedings including unit definition and clarification, unfair labor practice hearings, appeals, strike investigations and enforcement.

The firm has represented public sector employers in administrative proceedings before the MCAD, Civil Service Commission, Massachusetts Board of Conciliation and Arbitration, EEOC, U.S. Department of Labor, and other administrative agencies concerned with administering and overseeing the labor laws and the employment relationship. Moreover, this firm has substantial and extensive experience in litigation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and numerous other statutory enactments which affect upon the workforce.

Through many years of providing counsel to governmental entities, the firm understands not only the range of labor relations and employment issues they must address, but also the economic issues which today are more pressing than ever. By combining the personalized attention and economy of a solo practitioner with the expertise and depth of resources of a major law firm, we provide the highest caliber of legal representation and responsiveness, utilizing a broad base of experience, legal resources and advanced technology to ensure that our clients are served as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.

Tax Title Services

The firm offers comprehensive and aggressive tax title litigation services, resulting in a precipitous drop in the delinquent real estate tax liability in Massachusetts communities. In addition to the timely filing of Land Court Foreclosure proceedings, our strategies include: Direct and intermediate contact with delinquent taxpayers; Research of lien holder interests; and Securing equitable remedies in the Land Court process.

Our office is prepared to track each case through the Land Court process and obtain timely judgment to foreclosure an owner’s right of redemption, and ultimately achieve sale and recovery of tax deficiency amounts if necessary.

In tandem with tax title recovery services, our office is able to provide litigation services in seeking relief from automatic stay in bankruptcy and other bankruptcy litigation services.

Contact us today if you have questions about Governmental, Municipal & Regulatory Services

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