The Latest on the Law: Updates from the Boston Bar

The Supreme Court Speaks on Chapter 11: Reflections on the Implications of Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P.

The Supreme Court on June 27, 2024 issued its long awaited decision in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P., holding 5-4 that a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization that releases claims against nondebtors without the consent of the claimants is prohibited by the Bankruptcy Code.  Come hear the petitioner himself, William K. Harrington, United States Trustee for the New England states and New York, discuss the opinion with other experts and consider its likely effects on future Chapter 11 practice.

 

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Trenon Browne at tbrowne@bostonbar.org

 

Bar Coaching Series: Essay Workshop

Are you looking to improve your essay writing skills in preparation for the bar exam? Join this workshop and receive some best tips and practices before you head into the exam. Don't miss out on a great opportunity to improve your score! 

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Trenon Browne at tbrowne@bostonbar.org

Bar Coaching Series: Stress Management

The BBA extends an invitation to all bar exam takers to attend a stress management workshop. Led by Shawn Healy, a Clinical Psychologist from Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, this workshop aims to provide valuable insight and guidance on navigating the pressures and expectations associated with bar exam preparation.

 

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Trenon Browne at tbrowne@bostonbar.org

Expert Witnesses in Business Litigation

An expert witness can make the difference between success and failure in business litigation. Join us to explore the role of experts throughout the business litigation process and how proper management of the attorney-expert relationship can create admissible and effective testimony. Three experienced trial attorneys will provide their insight and strategies on engaging and working with experts, expert-related discovery issues, and the admission and exclusion of expert testimony, in light of recent changes to FRE Rule 702.

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Trenon Browne at tbrowne@bostonbar.org

Medical-Legal Partnerships for Immigrants: Helping Immigrant Patients Access Healthcare in Massachusetts

Historically, the climate of fear within low-income immigrant communities and the uncertainty around healthcare benefits have deterred immigrants from seeking medical care. Anxiety over immigration status and other socioeconomic barriers contribute to poorer health outcomes among those in the immigrant community. Medical-legal partnerships for immigrants (MLPIs) are designed to address these health disparities. By connecting immigrant patients with immigration and health law attorneys, medical institutions have noted improved access to health care and health outcomes. This training aims to provide an overview of some of the most common types of immigration issues that arise in the MLP context, and how pursuing appropriate immigration pathways can in turn allow patients to qualify for more comprehensive health care coverage. The program aims to empower attorneys to explore these types of partnerships for themselves, thereby playing a pivotal role in improving access to health care in vulnerable communities through legal representation, community outreach, and policy advocacy. 

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Trenon Browne at tbrowne@bostonbar.org

Trusts & Estates End of Year Review 2024

An annual event not to be missed, the Trusts & Estates End of Year Review covers recent federal and state case law, legislation and tax law matters.  This year’s program will touch on:  

New Developments Committee:  The committee will review recent cases regarding the Massachusetts anti-lapse statute, a conservator’s authority to create a will for an incapacitated person, undue influence, and the ongoing litigation over land gifted to the City of Quincy for the creation of a school.

Public Policy Committee:  The committee will report on various bills filed and pending during the current legislative cycle, including legislation pertaining to decanting, digital assets, unitrusts, and special needs trusts for seniors. The committee will also discuss other topics of interest to Trusts & Estates practitioners. 

Tax Law Updates Committee: The committee will report on recent developments in federal and Massachusetts tax law including recent challenges and guidance related to the Corporate Transparency Act and cases, private letter rulings and other written determinations in the estate, gift, GST, retirement benefits, and income taxes and tax compliance realms. 

 

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Trenon Browne at tbrowne@bostonbar.org

Divorce Fundamentals: Post Judgment Issues, Division of Retirement Assets, Contempts & Modifications

In this session, the panelist will discuss:

1. The process for dividing retirement accounts, including when to use QDRO’s and Letters of Instruction.
2. Contempt actions and the process for enforcing the terms of the Judgment of Divorce including when an award of attorney’s fees is appropriate.
3. Modification actions and the process for modifying the terms of the Judgment of Divorce Nisi.

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Trenon Browne at tbrowne@bostonbar.org

Office of Bar Counsel Trust Account Training

The Office of the Bar Counsel, the Board of Bar Overseers, and the Boston Bar Association are co- sponsoring a free one-hour program on trust account record keeping.  The program will provide guidance for attorneys, paralegals, bookkeepers, or other law office support staff interested in receiving training on the requirements of Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.15, as revised effective July 1, 2015.

This program will provide participants with a detailed review of the records required to be maintained for IOLTA accounts and other trust accounts.

 

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Trenon Browne at tbrowne@bostonbar.org

Trusts & Estates Practice Fundamentals: Introduction to Revocable Trusts

This program will provide an introduction to revocable trusts in estate planning and review the key components of trusts, including funding formulas, marital provisions, structures for children and other beneficiaries, and trustee provisions. The program will provide drafting suggestions and advice when advising clients on establishing revocable trusts. 

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Trenon Browne at tbrowne@bostonbar.org

Development of AI Policies and Procedures for In-House Counsel

The opportunities for growth in leveraging artificial intelligence technologies has changed the legal landscape for businesses.

This panel presentation will discuss:

 

· AI considerations for commercial agreements

· AI impacts on the practice of law

· How to effectively use generative AI to optimize tasks and increase efficiency

· AI's swift evolution and how it's reshaping intellectual property practices

· Best practices for leveraging AI given the current state of the law

· Development of internal policies with respect to AI

 

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Trenon Browne at tbrowne@bostonbar.org