The Latest on the Law: Updates from the Boston Bar

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 Alan I. Johnson at ajohnson@bostonbar.org

Affordable Housing Acronyms

Anyone who lives or works in Boston can attest to the dire need for more affordable housing. But putting together the financing for an affordable housing development is a complicated mix of institutions, programs, and funding sources. All of the acronyms used to shorthand these aspects can make working on an affordable housing transaction feel like diving into alphabet soup. We put together a list of commonly used acronyms to help attorneys get started or improve their in this practice area and help address our severe affordable housing shortage.

 

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Alan I. Johnson at ajohnson@bostonbar.org

Digital Forensics for Criminal Practitioners 2.0: Compelled Decryption & Biometrics

This program will briefly review the historical origins of the compelled production of physical evidence from targets in criminal investigations to set the stage for applying this doctrine to compelled production of passcodes to digital devices and compelled use of biometrics to similarly facilitate access to digital devices.  The program will then explore the primary challenges courts have faced when applying compelled production principles in the digital space, highlighting the issues driving splits in authority nationally.  Finally, the presenters will discuss some practical considerations for employing these techniques in investigations and litigating the issues that arise as cases progress.

 

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Alan I. Johnson at ajohnson@bostonbar.org

Crimmigration Basics in Post-Conviction Practice

Panelists will explain the legal framework for challenging criminal convictions based on immigration consequences, and give attendees a brief introduction to the impacts that criminal convictions can have on non-citizens.

 

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Alan I. Johnson at ajohnson@bostonbar.org

Planning for Persons with Disabilities: Special Needs Trusts

Attorney Sarah Hartline, along with Kathy Vitello, LSW and Joan McGrath of PLAN of MA and RI will discuss special needs trusts as a planning tool for people with disabilities. The program will cover considerations for both establishing and administering special needs trusts. This discussion will be beneficial for those caring for loved ones with disabilities, estate planning practitioners and Trustees. (5/30/2023)

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Alan I. Johnson at ajohnson@bostonbar.org

 

The Role of the Law in Cleaning Up the Charles River

Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) was founded in 1965 to demand action to clean up the Charles River and has played a leadership role in improving water quality and reducing pollution ever since. The Clean Water Act and other environmental laws have provided important leverage for CRWA’s efforts to reduce sewage discharge into the Charles, prod EPA to impose stronger limits on cities and towns to reduce polluted stormwater runoff and ensure compliance with those limits, prevent roadway intrusion into the river, and require commercial and institutional landowners to pay their fair share when it comes to reducing phosphorus pollution. 

CRWA has a long history of successful legal intervention to protect the Charles, but our work isn’t done yet! Join us to learn more about past accomplishments and the road ahead.

 

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Alan I. Johnson at ajohnson@bostonbar.org

Navigating the Massachusetts Court System in a Language Other than English

Are you interested in language access in the Massachusetts Court System and how the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing population are being served? Do you have a client that is limited English proficient or a member of the deaf and hard of hearing community?  Have you ever had an opposing party who requires the assistance of a court interpreter and did not know how to properly communicate with the party? Did you know that translation and interpretation have two different meanings and should not be used interchangeably?  Are you interested in knowing how to request court interpreters for non-English speakers? 

If so, please join the Delivery of Legal Services Section for an informative training on how to work with court interpreters and individuals who require the assistance of court interpreters. Most lawyers are unfamiliar with how to work with court interpreters, or the rules of professional conduct associated with them. This is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge. 

 

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Alan I. Johnson at ajohnson@bostonbar.org

Estate Planning in Massachusetts in 2023 – It’s Not One Size Fits All

Don’t miss this deep dive into estate planning in Massachusetts in 2023. Our expert panel will cover planning techniques in light of the Massachusetts millionaire’s tax, the Corporate Transparency Act, SECURE 2.0, the federal “sunset” in 2025-26, rising interest rates and volatile markets, and more!

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Alan I. Johnson at ajohnson@bostonbar.org

Voir Dire in Federal Court

What is voir dire and why is it important? Is there a standard process to conduct voir dire in Federal Court? What are useful sample juror questions to identify potential bias, social desirability bias, explore juror backgrounds, and how to effectively determine how a juror might view your legal theory?

For both prosecution and defense lawyers, voir dire can work to identify jurors who can be fair and impartial, rather than unfair and biased. Join our distinguished panel to learn best practices, and common mistakes to avoid and to hear about their experiences conducting voir dire in Federal Court.

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Alan I. Johnson at ajohnson@bostonbar.org

The Promise and Peril of Generative AI

Artificial intelligence applications that can generate original images, natural language documents, and other content are receiving significant press attention, but are they worth the hype? In this program, our expert panelists will discuss generative AI’s capabilities and the problems it may create. 

Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Alan I. Johnson at ajohnson@bostonbar.org