Reduce emissions by becoming a member of the MBA Lawyers Eco-Challenge's Carbonrally team

The Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyers Eco-Challenge has joined Carbonrally, an online community where teams complete challenges that result in a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. The MBA urges lawyers and firms across Massachusetts to join the Eco-Challenge team as a way to invigorate energy conservation.

"CarbonRally is a fun, easy way for Massachusetts attorneys to keep track of the ways they are reducing their energy consumption," said Nancy B. Reiner, co-chair of the Energy and Environment Task Force, which oversees the Eco-Challenge.

"From agreeing to cut back on office paper use, to committing to utilize reusable bottles and containers, lawyers can choose the level of participation that makes the most sense for their situation," said Reiner, executive director of Counsel on Call in Boston.

Carbonrally, created in Massachusetts, proposes challenges for its teams to participate in, and enables individuals to suggest new  challenges. Working on an honor system, the site tallies each teams' total reduction in carbon dioxide emissions based on the challenges each agree to participate in and complete.

"By joining our team, lawyers can choose challenges that abide by the tenants of the MBA Lawyers Eco-Challenge and its Green Guidelines," 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. "We hope that by joining our team the legal community in Massachusetts will be energized to consider new ways of being Earth conscious."

There are currently more than 1,000 Carbonrally teams worldwide encompassing dozens of companies including Boston University, Intel, Google and NBC.

For more information on the MBA Lawyers Eco-Challenge, visit www.massbar.org/ecochallenge.

To visit the MBA Lawyers Eco-Challenge Carbonrally team, visit www.carbonrally.com/teams/1027.

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.

Top from left to right: Hon. William G. Young and 31^st Annual Labor & Employment Law Spring Conference Keynote Speaker Stuart J. Ishimaru.

Bottom from left to right: Labor & Employment Section Council Co-Chair Dahlia C. Rudavsky, Labor & Employment Section Council Co-Chair Thomas J. Gallitano, 31^st Annual Labor & Employment Law Spring Conference Keynote Speaker Stuart J. Ishimaru, 31^st Annual Labor & Employment Law Spring Conference Co-Chair David E. Belfort, 31^st Annual Labor & Employment Law Spring Conference Co-Chair Catherine E. Reuben.

Photos by Tricia Oliver.

Judge Young, Former EEOC Acting Chair Grace L&E Faculty

Nearly 120 attorneys attended the MBA's 31^st Annual Labor & Employment Law Spring Conference held at the Colonnade Hotel in Boston on Tuesday.

Luncheon keynote speaker Stuart J. Ishimaru, former acting chairman of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, reflected on his year and a half as acting chair and spoke about the future of the commission.

Ishimaru discussed his role in building a platform for the recently appointed chair to "put her stamp on." Jacqueline A. Berrien, a longtime civil rights attorney and litigator, is the new chair of the EEOC. "We are excited about the possibilities that she brings to the EEOC," said Ishimaru.

In addition to Berrien's arrival, the commission welcomed a new general counsel, P. David Lopez, as well as two new commissioners in April. Ishimaru characterized these as "huge changes" for the commission that employs 2,500 staff across the country.

Ishimaru's address complemented the educational panel presentations held throughout the day-long conference. The closing panel addressed summary judgment and was led by The Hon. William G. Young with the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, who was joined by David C. Casey of Littler Mendelson PC and Robert S. Mantell of Rogers, Powers & Schwartz LLP.

The conference was well received by attendees. "This is one of the best CLE programs I've been to," said Fatema Fazendeiro, an attorney with the Boston Public Health Commission.

Committee for Public Counsel Services selects Anthony Benedetti as next chief counsel

The Committee for Public Counsel Services has recently selected Anthony Benedetti to be its next chief counsel, beginning on Monday, August 2.

Benedetti currently serves as CPCS General Counsel, a position he has held since 1998. Prior to that Benedetti spent five years as a public defender trial lawyer in the CPCS Brockton office where he represented hundreds of clients and tried 40 cases in the District and Superior Courts.

Benedetti grew up in West Roxbury and graduated from Boston College (1987) and Suffolk University Law School (cum laude, 1993). While in law school, Benedetti worked as an audit specialist in the CPCS Audit and Oversight Unit; and between college and law school he worked as a Fiscal and Policy Analyst for the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Benedetti is an active, long-time member of the Massachusetts and the Boston Bar Associations and currently serves on the MBA House of Delegates and on its Executive Management Board, and he is a member of the BBA Criminal Law Section Steering Committee.  

On the national level, Benedetti is the Massachusetts representative on the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) State Legislative Network, and he has twice been elected to the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) Board of Directors (through 2011). Benedetti is also a member of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Massachusetts Citizens Against the Death Penalty. Finally, Benedetti has served as an adjunct professor at Suffolk University in the Criminal Justice Masters Program since 2002.

Join the MBA at The Federalist Society's Shakespeare and the Law on June 15

The MBA is proud to co-sponsor, with McCarter & English LLP, the Boston Lawyers Division of the Federalist Society's presention of a staged reading of Henry V, as part of the 10^th year of the Shakespeare and the Law series on Tuesday, June 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cutler Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont St., Boston. The staged reading will be followed by a panel discussion of the law and war -- including the role of patriotism, the treatment of enemy combatants, the trial of foreign terrorists, and torture.

This event is free and will be hosted by Andrew H. Card Jr., former White House chief of staff. Participants include:

• Jay B. Stephens, Esq., general counsel, Raytheon Co., Waltham, as Henry
• Hon. Nathaniel M. Gorton, U.S. federal judge
• Hon. George A. O'Toole, U.S. federal judge
• Hon. Patti B. Saris, U.S. federal judge
• Hon. Douglas P. Woodlock, U.S. federal judge
• Hon. Rya Weickert Zobel, U.S. federal judge
• Michael Avery, professor of law, Suffolk University
• J.W. Carney Jr., Esq., Carney & Bassil, Boston
• Kerry M. Healey, Ph.D., former lt. governor of Massachusetts
• Jeff Jacoby, syndicated columnist
• John T. Montgomery, Esq., managing partner, Ropes & Gray, Boston
• Jennifer Nassour, chair, Mass. GOP
• Michael Sullivan, Esq., former Mass. U.S. Attorney and former acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• John Yoo, professsor of law, Berkeley Law, U. Cal.

The reading will be directed by Steven Maler, artistic director of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (producers of free Shakespeare on Boston Common). The panel discussion will be moderated by Lawyers Division Chair and McCarter & English Partner Daniel J. Kelly, and will feature John Yoo, professsor of law, Berkeley Law, U. Cal. and Michael Avery, professor of law, Suffolk University.

R.S.V.P. to Dottie Moore at (617) 449-6617 or via e-mail at [e-mail dmoore].

Photograph by Tricia Oliver

MBA to hold free Visiting Lawyer Program for veterans in Western Mass. counties

The Massachusetts Bar Association will offer a free Visiting Lawyer Program to veterans in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties as part of our Serving Our Veterans in the Law initiative. The program will be held on Thursday, June 17 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Soldiers' Home, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke.

All veterans who reside in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties are eligible for the free program. Veterans will be matched with attorneys based on their legal concerns. Each in-person meeting will last 15 minutes. If you are an attorney and you would like to volunteer at the Visiting Lawyer Program, contact MBA Director of Community and Public Services Elizabeth A. O'Neil at (617) 338-0560 or via e-mail.

To participate, veterans can either call for an appointment or register online. The deadline for appointments is Friday, June 4. Walk-ins will not be accepted.

To schedule an appointment, call:

Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services Paralegal Gail Cavanaugh-McAuliffe
Toll free 888-844-2838, Ext. 5782, or (617) 210-5782

Click here to register online and click on the "Visiting Lawyer Program" button on the top right hand side of the page.
The event is co-hosted by the MBA, the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) and Shelter Legal Services.

The Visiting Lawyer Program is provided at no charge as a public service of the MBA with the financial support of the Massachusetts Bar Foundation, the philanthropic partner of the MBA. The MBA acknowledges its partnership DVS and thanks them for their important role in the success of the program.

The MBA's Serving Our Veterans in the Law initiative also includes a free weekly call-in service for veterans struggling with state and federal benefit appeals. Call (617) 338-0572 on Mondays from 3 to 5 p.m. Qualified veterans will be matched up with attorneys who agree to represent their case free of charge.

The Winsor School celebrates its 11^th place finish.

The Winsor School places 11th at Mock Trial nationals

Following its March 26 triumph over Pioneer Valley Performing Arts High School at the twenty-fifth annual Massachusetts Mock Trial finals in Boston, The Winsor School advanced to the National High School Mock Trial Championship held May 6-9 in Philadelphia.

The Winsor School placed 11^th in the 44-team tournament.

The team's travel expenses to Philadelphia were paid for in part by a $2,500 stipend donated by the Massachusetts Bar Foundation, the philanthropic partner of the MBA. The MBA Mock Trial program is made possible by the international law firm of Brown Rudnick through its Center for the Public Interest in Boston. The center has contributed $25,000 per year to the program since 1998.

Click here for more information on the MBA Mock Trial program.

MBA section news

Criminal Justice Section Council open meeting with U.S. Atty. Carmen Ortiz; Property Law open meeting: Working with Realtors and Increasing Your Business; A View from the Bench; Individual Rights & Responsibilities: Guantanamo Bay Panel; Juvenile & Child Welfare open meeting with Hon. Gail Garinger; Rescheduled: Young Lawyers Division open meeting

Criminal Justice Section Council open meeting

Featuring U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz
Tuesday, May 18, 5:30-7 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

The Criminal Justice Section Council will host an open meeting featuring guest speaker U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz on Tuesday, May 18. Prior to her confirmation as U.S. Attorney, Ortiz was an assistant U.S. attorney for twelve years, most recently in the Economic Crimes Unit. Before joining the U.S. Attorney's Office, Ortiz was a senior trial attorney at the law firm of Morisi & Associates PC from 1995 through 1997, working exclusively on civil, criminal and governmental agency litigation.

A former assistant district attorney in Middlesex County, Ortiz was also a member of the "October Surprise" team for the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in 1992, during which she investigated allegations that the Reagan/Bush campaign of 1980 sought to delay the release of the hostages in Iran to affect that year's election. She was also a program associate and training coordinator at Harvard Law School's Center for Criminal Justice from 1989 through 1991, working on the Harvard/Guatemala Criminal Justice Project, which entailed collaborating with the judiciary of Guatemala and other legal professionals to implement criminal justice reforms in that country.

In 1991, on behalf of the National Football League, Ortiz investigated allegations of sexual harassment that were made by a sports writer against the New England Patriots. Ortiz started her legal career as a trial attorney in the Honors Program at the U.S. Department of Justice's Criminal Division.

To R.S.V.P., click here. Space is limited.

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Property Law Section open meeting

Working with Realtors and Increasing Your Business
Tuesday, May 18, 5:30-7 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

The Property Law Section will host an open meeting with Mike Krone, vice president and chief operating officer of Kriss Law, a high volume real estate conveyancing firm headquartered in Newton, and currently overseeing the management and operations of title and escrow services with over $2.5 billion annually in real estate closing transactions. Prior to joining Kriss Law, Krone was the vice president, special counsel and Massachusetts state manager for First American Title Insurance Company, managing the Massachusetts operations and 1800 attorney agents with annual gross premium revenue of $125 million.

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

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A View from the Bench

Tuesday, May 18, 4-7 p.m.
Middlesex Juvenile Court, 110 Mt. Wayte Ave., Framingham

The MBA is proud to co-sponor the 14^th Annual "A View from the Bench: The Juvenile Court Justices of Middlesex County" on Tuesday, May 18 with the Juvenile Bar Association.

Faculty:
Michael Kilkelly, Esq., program co-chair
Kilkelly Law Offices, Malden

Debra L. Smith, Esq., program co-chair
Attorney at Law, Watertown

Hon. Jay D. Blitzman, First Justice
Juvenile Court

Hon. Margaret S. Fearey, Associate Justice
Juvenile Court

Hon. Kenneth J. King, Associate Justice
Juvenile Court

Cost:
$50             

Register by mailing your check to:
Juvenile Bar Association,
101 Tremont St., Suite 1100
Boston, MA 02108

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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; Jonathan Mannina, Esq., program co-chair, Legal Assistance Corp.of Central Mass., Worcester; 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.

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Juvenile & Child Welfare Section Council open meeting

Featuring Hon. Gail Garinger
Tuesday, June 22, 6-7 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

The Juvenile & Child Welfare Section Council will host an open meeting with guest speaker Hon. Gail Garinger on Tuesday, June 22. Garinger was appointed by Gov. Deval Patrick as The Child Advocate for the Commonwealth on April 28, 2008. Before her appointment, she served as a juvenile court judge for thirteen years, and from 2001-08 she was the first justice of the Middlesex County Division of the Juvenile Court Department. Prior to becoming a judge, Garinger served as general counsel at Children's Hospital in Boston. During that time, she also directed an NIMH-funded research project at The Judge Baker Guidance Center investigating decision making in the handling of child abuse and neglect cases.

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

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Rescheduled: Young Lawyers Division
open meeting

This program will be now held on Thursday, June 17 and NOT Thursday, May 20
Thursday, June 17, 6 p.m.
MBA 20 West St., Boston

Mark your calendar and join members of YLD for a lively and informative panel discussion on starting and maintaining a solo practice. Details of this event will be forthcoming. Check the Young Lawyer's Division Web page and the MBA's Web calendar for updates.

Upcoming CLE seminar and program schedule

Register for the "Innovative Trial Techniques" 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.

MAY CLE PROGRAMS

Same-Sex Marriage: New Protections and New Planning Challenges
Monday, May 17, 4-7 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

Forming a Business Entity
Tuesday, May 18, 4-7 p.m.
Holiday Inn, 700 Myles Standish Blvd., Taunton

Innovative Trial Techniques
Tuesday, May 25, 4:30-6:30 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 DATES

Fourth Annual Public Law Conference
Wednesday, June 2, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

Criminal Justice Conference - Doing Time: Effective Advocacy at Sentencing and in the Parole Process
Tuesday, June 15, 2-6 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

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