PRACTICE AREAS
Litigation
The firm’s highly-regarded litigation practice is accomplished and experienced in representing clients in complex civil, commercial and criminal matters at all levels of the state, federal courts and administrative bodies.
The firm’s attorneys have extensive courtroom experience. The firm has developed a corps of skilled trial lawyers including two former Assistant Attorneys General, a former Assistant United States Attorney and two former Assistant District Attorneys as well as a team of highly experienced litigators with strong paralegal support. Through this integrated capability, the firm is well-prepared to advocate in any forum where litigation is in the client’s best interest. The firm takes an aggressive approach to dealing with the legal complexities of our clients by providing highly responsive, personalized service by combining our specialized expertise with a highly interactive style. From initial contact through final decision, clients receive consistent, common sense advice and representation on all litigation matters.
The firm’s litigation services also include a strong appellate practice. With the experience gained through having managed cases from local hearings to the state and federal courts, we offer results-oriented representation for our clients at all stages of appeal.
The following is a selected list of sample types of cases in which the firm has experience:
- Construction
- Fiduciary/Trust
- Class Actions
- Civil Rights
- White Collar Criminal Matter
- Labor and Employment
- Professional Malpractice
- Product Liability Defense
- General Liability
- Director and Officers Liabil
- Environmental/Land Use
- Contracts
- Commercial Litigation
- Constitutional
- Education
- Special Education
- Municipal
- Election Law
- Real Estate
- Zoning and Conveyancing
- Non-Competition and Trademarks
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
Contact us today if you have questions about Litigation
Clifford R. Rhodes
Attorney
crhodes@mhtl.comMr. Rhodes received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa where he was a University Honors Scholar. In 1992, Mr. Rhodes received his. J.D. from the University of Iowa, College of Law graduating with distinction, and serving as a member of the Iowa Law Review. He obtained his MBA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and received his LLM in Taxation, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Alabama School of Law. He has extensive experience in health care compliance Read More
Peter L. Mello
Attorney
(617) 479-5000 pmello@mhtl.comMr. Mello represents clients in a robust range of civil litigation and regulatory matters, including in the areas of construction, land use and zoning, employment, contract matters, and disputes involving state and local governmental entities, among others. He has practiced before state and federal courts and state agencies in Massachusetts, and has successfully represented clients at trial and in appeals. He has advised private clients and governmental entities alike regarding myriad and diverse issues, including with respect to construction, zoning, Read More
Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP Partner Presents on Manifestation Determination
The MCLE (Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education) sponsored an eLecture where Mary Ellen Sowyrda, a partner with Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP, presented. Alongside Ms. Sowyrda was Daniel Ahearn, Esq., and Marlies Spanjaard from the Committee for Public Counsel Services. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), school authorities are required to conduct Manifestation Determination when it comes to discipling a student with disabilities. Their presentation, titled “How to Handle Manifestation Determination Reviews for Students with Disabilities”, focused Read More
The American Rescue Plan Act’s Aid Allocations to State, Local Governments, and Schools
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) which provides for a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package. State and local governments, and also many educational entities, will receive substantial funding. Having endured the last year of the global COVID-19 pandemic, both states and local governments, as well as schools, have experienced unexpected expenses, losses in revenues, and budgetary burdens. The purpose of this Client Alert is to explain generally how funds from the ARPA relief aid have been designated to alleviate those COVID-19-related challenges.

Quincy, MA
Crown Colony Plaza
300 Crown Colony Drive, Suite 410
P.O. Box 9126
Quincy, MA 02169-9126
Boston, MA
75-101 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110
Tel: (617) 479-5000
Tel: (888) 841-4850
Fax: (617) 479-6469
Springfield, MA
One Monarch Place, Suite 1310R
Springfield, MA 01144