The Latest on the Law: Updates from the Boston Bar

Negative Capital and the Freeze Partnership Solution: Estate Planning with Leveraged Low Basis Real Estate

Although business or investment held real estate can be a significant driver of wealth accumulation, incorporating an owner’s interests in industrial, commercial and/or multi-family properties into a comprehensive wealth plan can present unique challenges.  In this session, the speaker will explore considerations in planning with these properties, which may have “negative capital” attributes, and how the freeze partnership could be an effective tool to accomplish an owner’s highest priority tax, wealth, and succession planning goals. (05/09/2023)

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

The Epidemic of COVID Vaccine Litigation

Panelists will discuss the latest developments in litigation over COVID-19 vaccine technology playing out in the United States in Europe, including the technology and the unique policy considerations related to these cases. (05/05/2023)

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

“Reliable and Relevant”: Preparing and Challenging Expert Evidence

It is never too early to consider whether your case will require expert evidence.  This course will cover the considerations of whether expert evidence is necessary and if so, what steps are needed to ensure that your expert’s testimony will survive a Daubert/Lanigan challenge.  In addition, this course will also cover the steps needed to develop a challenge to the other side’s expert evidence.  Lastly, this course will address the December 2023 amendment to Federal Rule 702 and recent federal case law and how to best prepare for the Court’s reclaiming of its “Gatekeeper” role.  (5/4/2023)

 

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

 

Rule 4 and Proper Service of Process in Family Court: A Crash Course for Immigration Practitioners

Service of process can be a challenge for immigration attorneys practicing before the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court. This webinar will touch on the types of cases immigration attorneys bring before the state court when seeking special findings in Special Immigrant Juvenile Cases, and then take a deep dive into Domestic Relations Procedure Rule 4 and Massachusetts Civil Procedure Rule 4. The webinar will address what constitutes proper service and the instances where it may be appropriate to serve by alternate means. (5/4/2023)

 

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

 

Impact of Mifepristone Legal Challenges in Massachusetts

Recent cases have challenged the approval of FDA’s expanded access to mifepristone, the first pill taken in a two-drug regimen to terminate pregnancy. The Supreme Court issued a decision on April 21 that maintained FDA’s approval while an appeal moves forward. Panelists will discuss the recent mifepristone cases and the impact of the legal challenges on providers in Massachusetts. (5/4/2023)

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

 

What You Need to Know About Litigating Under 28 U.S.C. § 1782

Section 1782, a once-obscure path to U.S. discovery in aid of foreign and international proceedings, has gone mainstream. In this webinar, you will hear from international litigators and in-house counsel about the scope of section 1782 following last year’s Supreme Court decision in ZF Automotive and the mechanics of pursuing and opposing 1782 discovery. (5/3/2023)

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

Representing Veterans in Discharge Upgrades: the Alternate Path of a VA Character of Discharge Determination

This program will offer an in-depth training about the VA COD process. All veterans, regardless of their discharge status, are eligible for a VA COD review. While only discharge upgrades can change a veterans discharge status, COD cases are an alternative route to VA access for less-than-honorably discharged veterans. Both types of cases involve similar evidence and fact development and can be brought simultaneously.

A panel of experts will share their experiences and offer best practices for representing veterans in VA COD cases. The program will also offer updates on discharge upgrade law including the recent class action settlements against the Army, Naval, and Air Force DRBs. The information will benefit both attorneys new to discharge upgrade practice and attorneys with some prior experience. (5/3/2023)

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

Construction Dispute Resolution: Making the Most of Your Mediation & Arbitration

Mediation and arbitration have become the most common (and often mandatory) methods of resolving construction disputes.  The complexity and document-dependent nature of construction litigation poses special challenges in presenting cases effectively in these ADR forums.  In this program, one of the industry’s most accomplished construction neutrals, Wally McDonough, Esq. of ELK Consulting Services, LLC, will offer his experienced perspective on how construction lawyers can make persuasive and efficient presentations at both mediation and arbitration. Join us for a valuable discussion moderated by Jon Elder, Esq., of Anderson Kreiger LLP. (5/2/2023)

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

Jack Daniels v. Bad Spaniels – A Discussion Regarding the Intersection Between the First Amendment and Trademark Infringement

Please join the Boston Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Section as we hear from leading industry professionals in a discussion on the Jack Daniel’s Properties, Inc., v. VIP Products LLC case which was argued in front of the Supreme Court on March 22, 2023. Our panelists will provide an overview of the case and the Supreme Court oral arguments, discuss the possible effects and implications of the Supreme Court decision, and highlight other similar cases that have been decided in the past. (4/27/2023)

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

Police Reform and Accountability in Massachusetts

Please join members of the BBA’s Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Section and experts in police reform to discuss state and national efforts to prevent and address police misconduct and patterns or practices of racially biased or unconstitutional policing. (4/27/2023)

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