Civil suit for shooting incident reaches settlement 
Published: January 4, 2013
Tags: civil suit, Massachusetts, shooting
The day before Robert O’Connell was paroled, his lawyer and the man he pleaded guilty to shooting signed a deal to quash a civil lawsuit seeking $1.5 million in damages.
Defamation case exposes social media controversy 
By:
David Frank
Published: December 27, 2012
Tags: defamation, Facebook, First Amendment, Massachusetts, social media, Twitter, wrongful termination
A Massachusetts judge’s refusal to issue an injunction in a suit involving a car dealership allegedly defamed by the relatives of an ex-employee demonstrates the struggle for courts that are asked to strike a balance between the First Amendment and social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Biotech co. can sue competitor over product claims 
By:
Eric T. Berkman
Published: December 26, 2012
Tags: biotech, false claims, Massachusetts, prescription drugs, press release
A biotech company could sue a competitor under the Lanham Act for distributing a press release that allegedly made false claims about a drug both companies manufactured and sold, a U.S. District Court in Massachusetts has ruled.
First lawsuits filed over meningitis outbreak 
By:
Lisa Keen
Published: October 24, 2012
Tags: contamination, infection, Massachusetts, meningitis
The first lawsuits have been filed by plaintiffs claiming they have experienced symptoms of meningitis or contracted the bacterial infection after receiving contaminated steroid injections distributed by a Massachusetts-based company.
Club reaches $4 million settlement with waitstaff over unpaid tips 
Published: September 21, 2012
Tags: Massachusetts, misleading ads, tips, unpaid wages
The Harvard Club has reached a tentative $4 million settlement with its waitstaff over a dispute about tipping, according to a letter the exclusive alumni club sent its members earlier this week.
1st Circuit to take up DiMasi honest services appeal 
By:
David Frank
Published: August 8, 2012
Tags: 1st Circuit, honest services fraud, Massachusetts
The stage is set for the 1st Circuit to hear the appeal of ailing former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi and issue a ruling that promises to significantly impact honest services fraud prosecutions across the country.
Arbitration clause doesn’t cover applicant seeking job 
By:
Eric T. Berkman
Published: July 26, 2012
Tags: 1st Circuit, job applicants, mandatory arbitration, Massachusetts, pregnancy discrimination
A mandatory arbitration clause in an employment application was unenforceable against a pregnant woman who brought suit after being denied a job, the 1st Circuit has ruled.
Explosion victim’s family to receive $7.5 million settlement 
Published: July 9, 2012
Tags: EnergyUSA, gas explosion, Massachusetts
The family of a Blackstone, Ma. electrician killed in a propane blast two years ago will get a $7.5 million settlement.
Fatal fall into septic system results in $21.5M award 
Published: June 1, 2012
Tags: Children, Massachusetts, septic system, wrongful death
A Quincy, Mass. attorney who has secured what is believed to be the state’s largest judgment for the death of a child is hoping that the eight-figure damage award in the case will prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
‘Risky’ defense opening sets stage for acquittal 
By:
David Frank
Published: May 25, 2012
Tags: Massachusetts, prosecutor, sexual assault
Brockton, Mass. attorney Kevin J. Reddington’s opening statement in the recent trial of a prosecutor accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in a courthouse conference room was as unusual as the case itself.
The seasoned defense lawyer promised the jury that his client would waive his right to remain silent and tell his story from the witness stand.
