Massachusetts

Is calling litigation ‘without merit’ actually without merit?

Scan corporate financial filings, and it doesn’t take long to notice that companies often dismiss legal actions brought against them as being “without merit” or “meritless.” But a federal court ruling suggests that reliance on such phrases can backfire when it comes to litigation disclosures.

Feb 2, 2024 10:06 AM CST

Mexico’s suit accusing gun-makers of facilitating gun trafficking isn’t barred by immunity shield, 1st Circuit says

A federal appeals court ruled Monday that Mexico may proceed with its lawsuit alleging that gun-makers are liable for facilitating the trafficking of guns used by drug cartels.

Jan 23, 2024 9:44 AM CST

Defendant with sleeping lawyer entitled to new trial, ‘emerging adults’ entitled to parole possibility, top state court rules

A murder defendant whose lawyer slept during parts of the trial was denied his right to counsel under the state constitution, entitling him to a new trial, the top court in Massachusetts has ruled.

Jan 16, 2024 1:21 PM CST

BigLaw firm’s motion was copied ‘nearly verbatim,’ boutique firm alleges in copyright lawsuit

Updated: A boutique law firm alleges that Winston & Strawn infringed its copyright by filing a motion to dismiss that has a “striking resemblance” to the boutique firm’s motion.

Jan 2, 2024 12:15 PM CST

K&L Gates reportedly cuts associates in at least 4 cities

Some associates at K&L Gates are reportedly out of a job, despite a continued increase in revenue at the law firm.

Dec 11, 2023 12:31 PM CST

Politics are at play in states seeking to rein in ‘progressive’ prosecutors

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is targeting “progressive” prosecutors—a broad term that carries different meanings in different jurisdictions and frequently signals support for policies aimed at reducing mass incarceration. But it’s not just happening in Florida.

Dec 6, 2023 2:50 PM CST

Trying to kill ex-husband with hatchet violates separation agreement’s covenant of good faith, state appeals court says

Updated: A husband does not have to make continued payments to his ex-wife under a separation agreement after she tried to kill him with a hatchet, the Massachusetts Appeals Court has ruled.

Nov 27, 2023 8:42 AM CST

Lawyer reprimanded for feeding deposition answers to vulnerable client who had to be hospitalized afterward

A Massachusetts lawyer who said he whispered deposition answers to a client out of concern for her well-being has received a public reprimand.

Nov 16, 2023 3:11 PM CST

Proskauer settles suit claiming 1 contract clause caused client’s $636M loss

Proskauer Rose has settled a lawsuit claiming that a clause that the law firm added to a contract in a “botched cut-and-paste” caused a client’s losses of around $636 million.

Sep 27, 2023 11:21 AM CDT

Failure to euthanize suffering dog isn’t animal cruelty, appeals court rules

An animal cruelty law does not reach a dog owner who ignored a veterinarian’s recommendation to euthanize her suffering, terminally ill dog, the Massachusetts Appeals Court has ruled.

Sep 19, 2023 8:57 AM CDT

Who’s at fault when engagement ends? Appeals court considers issue in suit for return of $70K ring

A man who called off his engagement is entitled to the return of a $70,000-plus engagement ring and a wedding band, the Massachusetts Appeals Court has ruled in a 2-1 decision.

Sep 14, 2023 10:48 AM CDT

Top court in Massachusetts permits use of shock devices on institutionalized patients

The top court in Massachusetts has ruled that a school for developmentally and intellectually disabled people can continue to use electric skin shock therapy as permitted by a 1987 consent decree.

Sep 11, 2023 9:00 AM CDT

Ex-prosecutor disbarred for disclosure failures in drug-lab scandal; supervisor, underling get different sanctions

A former assistant attorney general who oversaw the investigation and prosecution of a drug-using chemist at a Massachusetts crime lab has been disbarred for failing to disclose the full extent of the worker’s potential misconduct to affected drug defendants.

Sep 5, 2023 9:07 AM CDT

Weekly Briefs: SCOTUS asked to hear high school admissions case over race; utility company faces suit after Hawaii wildfires

Supreme Court could hear high school admissions case involving race The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday was asked to hear a Virginia high school admissions case over race. The Coalition for TJ, a group of parents and students, filed the petition for writ of certiorari in response to the Fairfax…

Aug 25, 2023 2:09 PM CDT

What state has the best work-life balance? New report explores

Aspiring lawyers will find the best work-life balance in these top three states, according to a new report from presettlement loan company Uplift Legal Funding.

Aug 23, 2023 9:35 AM CDT