e-Journal

MBA collects hundreds of cell phones as part of Lawyers Eco-Challenge recycling program

In celebration of Earth Day, the Massachusetts Bar Association is wrapping up its Lawyers Eco-Challenge cell phone recycling program, which collected hundreds of cell phones and accessories from the legal community in the state over the past year.

The MBA has collected and recycled 239 phones, 254 phone chargers and 90 other accessories that would have otherwise been tossed in garbage cans since starting the cell phone recycling program in February 2009. The program was launched in conjunction with Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program.

"Our cell phone recycling program kept hundreds of cell phones out of landfills that contained dangerous hazardous chemicals, and it provided a service to our members who sought a way to recycle their unwanted phones," said Nancy B. Reiner, co-chair of the Energy and Environment Task Force, which oversees the Eco-Challenge. Reiner co-chairs the task force with Susan Reid, senior attorney and director of the Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Change Initiative for the Conservation Law Foundation, which partnered with the MBA in 2007 to launch the Lawyers Eco-Challenge.  

The phones and accessories were collected at five locations:

• MBA headquarters, Boston;
• MBA Western Mass. office, Springfield;
• CLF Massachusetts headquarters, Boston;
• The Green Roundtable's NEXUS Green Building Resource Center, Boston;
• Seyfarth Shaw, Boston.

HopeLine has collected more than 7 million phones and kept more than 200 tons of electronic waste and batteries out of landfill since the national recycling program began in October 2001. The proceeds - including more than 7.9 million in cash grants - benefit organizations running domestic violence awareness and prevention programming, including YWCA of Western Massachusetts, the Norfolk County Sheriff's Department and Boston Area Rape Crisis Center.

Since the 2007 launch of the Eco-Challenge, the MBA and CLF have issued the MBA Lawyers Environmental Pledge, and published Green Guidelines for the office, home and landscaping. More than 100 firms, attorneys or organizations throughout the state have joined to become Pledge Partners.

For more information on the MBA Lawyers Eco-Challenge, click here.

From top to bottom:

Left to right: Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA), MBA President-elect Denise Squillante, ABA Board of Governors member Lauren Stiller Rikleen, BBA President-elect Don Federico and BBA President Jack Regan

Left to right: MBA President-elect Denise Squillante with U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) at the ABA Day Welcome Dinner held at the Canadian Embassy on April 20. Lewis, a noted Civil Rights leader, was one of four honored with an ABA Congressional Award for his efforts to improve the American justice system.

Left to right: BBA President Jack Regan, ABA Board of Governors member Lauren Stiller Rikleen, BBA President-elect Don Federic, Congressman James McGovern (D-MA), Congressman William Delahunt (D-MA) and MBA President-elect Denise Squillante


Photos by Lee Constantine.

MBA participates in ABA Day in Washington

April 22 meeting focused on finding funding and reauthorization for Legal Services Corporation

Massachusetts Association President-elect Denise Squillante, along with Jack Regan and Don Federico from the Boston Bar Association, and Lauren Stiller Rikleen from the American Bar Association Board of Governors, participated in this week's American Bar Association Day in Washington, D.C. The ABA hosts the annual gathering, which attracts bar associations throughout the country to advocate on issues of common interest. This year's focus was funding and reauthorization for the Legal Services Corporation, the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Civil Rights Tax Relief Act.

For additional information about MBA lobbying efforts, see future issues of Lawyers Journal.

Back by popular demand

Annual Conference 2010's Dustin Cole returns with "Building Business in the Post-Crash Economy"

Law Practice Advisor Dustin Cole is returning to offer once again his insightful program, "Building Business in the Post-Crash Economy: Crucial Marketing Skills for Success in the New Economic Reality." The half-day program will take place on Wednesday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the MBA, 20 West St., Boston. Back by popular demand, Cole's program was featured at the MBA's Annual Conference 2010 in March.

In this rapid-fire program, the nationally-recognized master practice advisor draws from his more than 20 years of experience in legal marketing to pinpoint the new economic realities, identify what has changed, and offer both marketing fundamentals and new, more effective solutions. Attendees will leave with tools and specific action plans to increase revenues through more active, focused and effective marketing. Topics include:

• What has changed in client expectations and demands and how to adapt successfully;
• How to move up the "value" curve for increased revenues;
• How to "change the game" to retain clients;
• Techniques to combat price resistance and price undercutting;
• The four simple principles that create a powerful business stream;
• How to dramatically increase your marketing efficiency and results;
• Powerful communications that turn prospects into clients; and
• Innovative approaches to fees and collections.

Click here to review a program testimonial.
Click here to register for the program.

Unable to come to Boston? This program is available as a real-time Webcast. When registering, participants can choose to attend "virtually" from your home or office computer. If you choose to attend the program via real-time Webcast, space is limited. Registrants will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

MBA member and crime novelist Raffi Yessayan’s second book, 2 in the Hat, came out this week. It is one of several books written by local attorneys.

Read a good book lately? Written one?

Help Lawyers Journal put together a summer reading guide

This summer, Lawyers Journal will include a summer reading guide and a feature about local attorneys-turned-authors. Also planned are reviews of books that attorneys are raving about and would recommend to their colleagues.

If you're interested in writing a short review of a recent read (fiction or nonfiction, legal or not), contact Lawyers Journal Editor Bill Archambeault at [e-mail barch] with "Summer Reading" in the subject line.

Also, if you write professionally (other than legal textbooks), or know a Massachusetts attorney who does, send contact information to the address above.

MBA section news

Employment Law open forum; The Greater Boston Food Bank volunteer opportunity; Municipal Tax and State Tax practice groups joint open meeting; Individual Rights & Responsibilities open meeting

Employment Law open forum: Advocating for and representing transgender clients

A training workshop presented by MLGBA's Committee on Transgender Inclusion
Tuesday, April 27, noon-1:30 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

You are about to meet with a transgender client for the first time. Could you answer the following questions? What sorts of challenges might this person have faced, and how will they shape the way you interact?

• What preconceptions might you be bringing with you, consciously or unconsciously?
• How will the client's gender identity or expression affect the case?
• Is his or her transgender status even relevant? If so, how is it relevant, and what questions should you ask? How do you decide?
• Bring your lunch and join us at the MBA's Employment Law open forum where these, and other questions, will be discussed. Drinks and snacks will be served.

Program speakers include M. Barusch, who has served as one of the advocates for Massachusetts Transgender Legal Advocates and on the Steering Committee of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, and Catherine E. Reuben, a partner at Hirsch, Roberts Weinstein LLP in Boston, who concentrates her practice in labor and employment law.

Click here to R.S.V.P.

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Volunteer opportunity

The Greater Boston Food Bank
Wednesday, April 28, 9 a.m.-noon
70 South Bay Ave., Boston

The Business Law Section Council will host a volunteer opportunity at The Greater Boston Food Bank on Wednesday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to noon at 70 South Bay Ave., Boston just off the X-way. Volunteers will help out by inspecting, sorting and repacking donated food and grocery products and labeling boxes. Volunteers can come alone or bring family members to help out.

The Greater Food Bank has distributed over 31 million pounds of food and grocery products to almost 600 hunger-relief agencies throughout eastern Massachusetts and serves over 394,000 people annually.

Click here to R.S.V.P. to volunteer.

Space is limited. Only 20 spots are available. Click here to learn more about the work of The Greater Boston Food Bank. Contact Christine O'Hurley at [e-mail ohurleylaw] with any questions.

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Municipal Tax and State Tax Practice Groups open meeting

Thursday, May 6, 5-6:30 pm
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

The Taxation Law Section's Municipal Tax Practice Group and State Tax Practice Group will host a joint open meeting on Tuesday, May 6. The business meeting will begin at 5 p.m. and the guest speaker at 5:30 p.m. will be Mark Defrancisco, chief counsel to the Appellate Tax Board's legal department. Defrancisco advises the board on legal, evidentiary and related issues; reviews and advises the board on motions heard before the board; and drafts, edits and approves the board's findings of fact and reports. With experience in state and local taxation, in both the public and private sector, Defrancisco has spoken frequently on matters relating to Massachusetts taxation at conferences sponsored by MCLE, Massachusetts Association of Assessing Offices, county assessors associations, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and the MBA and Boston Bar Association's taxation committees. This meeting is free.

To R.S.V.P., click here.

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Individual Rights & Responsibilities open meeting

Guantanamo Bay: Opened - Closed, Why and When
Thursday, May 27, 4-6 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

This open meeting presentation will explore the legal issues relating to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as well as legal, ethical and political principles relating to detainees.  

The panel will explore whether and to what extent Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, should be opened or closed, and the faculty will suggest what role citizens and legal practitioners can have as to the legal and political process. Topics include:

• Representation of detainees;
• The legal, ethical and political issues involved in representation of detainees;
• The role of citizens and lawyers as to Guantanamo Bay; and
• Selected syllabus of Supreme Court decisions regarding detainees.

Faculty:

Frank A. Smith, III, Esq., program co-chair, Law Office of Frank A. Smith III, Boston; Buz Eisenberg, Esq., Weinberg & Garber PC, Northampton; Shiva Karimi, Esq., Karimi & Associates PC, Boston; Kevin G. Powers, Esq., Rodgers, Powers &  Schwartz LLP, Boston; Robert Roughsedge, Esq., Lawson & Weitzen LLP, Boston

To R.S.V.P., click here.

Upcoming CLE seminar and program schedule

Register for the "Planning with LLCs" seminar

To register for the following programs, call MBA Member Services at (617) 338-0530, [e-mail membership] or visit the CLE Web site. To download a PDF of the May/June CLE brochure, click here.

Recorded session available for purchase after live program through MBA On Demand.

Real-time Webcast available for purchase through MBA On Demand.

APRIL CLE PROGRAMS

Drafting the Simple Will
Tuesday, April 27, 4-7 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

Building Business in the Post-Crash Economy
Wednesday, April 28, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

Estate Planning Techniques to Avoid or Survive Probate Litigation
Wednesday, April 28, 4-7 p.m.   
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

How to Probate an Estate - Part II
Wednesday, April 28, 4-7 p.m.    
Massachusetts School of Law, 500 Federal St., Andover

Planning with LLCs
Thursday, April 29, 4-7 p.m. 
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

The Anatomy of Enforceable Ante-Nuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements
Monday, May 3, 4-7 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

Veterans Benefits: Aid & Attendance Eligibility and the Application
** Note: This particular CLE program does NOT meet the training guidelines set forth by the Veterans Administration with regards to the accreditation procedure.
Tuesday, May 4, 4-7 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

Alternative Careers in Development: Planned Giving, Major Gifts, Corporations and Foundations
** Sponsored by the Lawyers in Transition Committee
Wednesday, May 5, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

Representing the OUI Client
Wednesday, May 5, 4-7 p.m.
Massachusetts School of Law, 500 Federal St., Andover

How to Use the Mortgage Discharge Statute to Improve Your Real Estate Practice
Wednesday, May 5, 4-7 p.m.
Registry of Deeds, 90 Front St., Worcester

Intellectual Property Basics for the Non-Specialist
Thursday, May 6, 4-7 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

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Unable to attend these seminars? Purchase the recorded session available after the live program through MBA On Demand and watch the presentation from the comfort of your home or office.

To view a listing of current programs offered on MBA On Demand, click here.

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SAVE THE DATE

31st Annual Labor & Employment Law Spring Conference
Tuesday, May 11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Colonnade Hotel, 120 Huntington Ave., Boston
**Click here to view the full conference schedule.

9 a.m.: Discrimination: Survey and Hot Topics
10:15 a.m.: Discrimination: Practice Tips and Technology Issues
11:15 a.m.: Break
11:30 a.m.: Wage and Hour Update and Practice Tips on Collective Actions
12:10 p.m.: Lunch featuring Keynote Speaker Stuart J. Ishimaru, acting chairman, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
1 p.m.: Arbitration of Statutory Claims in a Union Environment
2 p.m.: Break
2:10 p.m.: Practice Issues Employment Lawyers Face
3:10 p.m.: Summary Judgment: The Real World featuring the Hon. William G. Young
4:10 p.m.: Reception

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DISCOUNTED PROGRAM FOR MBA MEMBERS

Detours & OnRamps: Trying to Make Work, Work for You?
Tuesday, May 4, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Bentley College, 175 Forest St., Waltham

Make plans to go to Detours & OnRamps, a one-day event focused on work/life balance, restarting a career or making a career work for your family. Mention the Massachusetts Bar Association to save $25 off the day's $125 registration fee (which covers sessions, meals, and a great "Goody Bag" of books, magazines, discounts, and more). Simply enter "MassBar" on the registration page where it asks "Where did you hear about us?" and you'll get a $25 credit within a day of registration.

Click here for a complete agenda and for registration information.

Featured member benefit: Hertz Rental Car

Hertz specializes in local car rentals, leasing of heavy equipment, the sale of one year vehicles for their rental fleet claim management services for liability exposure, moving assistance, and advisement on corporate telecommunications and management information services.

MBA member benefits

• 15 percent discount on Hertz daily member benefit rates;
• 10 percent off Hertz standard daily, weekend, weekly, and monthly rates and
• 5 percent off vehicle promotional rates (all 50 states).

** International renters will receive discounts only where discounts are permitted by law, a 20 percent discount in Europe, and a 10 percent discount at all other participating international locations on Published "Basic Time and Kilometer Rates" or "Sum Daily Rates" and a 5 percent discount on non-prepaid Hertz Affordable Europe weekly rates.

** Members renting in Canada receive a 10 percent discount on Hertz standard daily, weekend, weekly and monthly rates (all car classes).