e-Journal
07-19
Legislative News
Habitual Offender Bill heads to the Senate
Following House approval yesterday, the Senate is today expected
to take up long-awaited habitual offender legislation.
The compromise was brokered over eight months by a joint
conference committee of the House and Senate, charged with
negotiating the differences between the bills passed by both
branches in late 2011. The compromise language calls for a
reduction in school zones from 1,000 to 300 feet, which the
Massachusetts Bar Association supports. It also alters mandatory
minimum sentences for certain non-violent drug offenses by raising
drug amounts and lowering some of the sentences -- but falls short
of the additional mandatory minimum reform being sought by the MBA
and many others. Several key legislators have indicated their
desire to revisit mandatory minimum sentences in the new
legislative session beginning in January including House Judiciary
Chairman and Conference Committee Co-Chair Rep. Gene O'Flaherty
(D-Chelsea), Rep. David Linsky (D-Natick) and Rep. Brad Hill
(R-Ipswich) as well as Gov. Deval L. Patrick.
The habitual offender piece of the bill covers approximately 40
crimes. Felons sentenced for at least three years for one of the
qualifying crimes would trigger the three strikes provisions. For
felons serving two life sentences or for felons who get a third
strike, parole eligibility will be eliminated.
Following the anticipated passage by the Senate today, the bill
will head to Patrick's desk. In an appearance on WHBH's Greater
Boston, Patrick said "It is not a bad bill, it's just not as good
as it could have been."
To see the conference committee's
report,
click here.
Featured member benefit: Casemaker upgrade provides state-of-the-art search capabilities
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Casemaker has released the newest version of its legal research
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Tell us why you belong to the MBA
Criminal Justice Section Vice Chair Natarajan has developed strong relationships as an MBA member. Share your story.
Engaging conferences. Inspiring pro bono work. Welcoming
networking events. You belong here, at the Massachusetts Bar
Association.
Tell us why YOU belong. E-mail us at
ibelong to share your story and be entered to win a FREE
2013-2014 MBA membership. E-mails must be received by Dec. 31,
2012. A winner will be selected on Jan. 14,
2013.
The MBA offers the legal community a wide array of professional
development and volunteer opportunities.See why others belong.
NOTE: All testimonials shared by
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publications, posted on the MBA web site and its social media
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or for other related endeavors.
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YLD hosts final 2011-12 networking event on the Boston waterfront
Members of the Massachusetts Bar Association's Young Lawyers
Division gathered for a final 2011-12 association year networking
reception on July 12 at M.J. O'Connors Irish Pub at the Westin
Boston Waterfront.
The event provided attendees with an opportunity to mingle with
fellow attorneys and members of the bar.
Click
here to view event images.
LPM Tip
Go on vacation and shut off your smartphone
In my
last LPM Tip, I wrote about the importance of keeping up your
marketing momentum during the summer months. While it is true that
you do not want to start the fall season with zero momentum, summer
is also a great time to take breaks and enjoy the limited months of
good weather that we have in the Northeast. Your brain also needs a
rest.
One of the great things about mobile technology is that we can
physically leave the office but still keep in touch. At the same
time, 24/7 connectivity is a terrible occupational hazard for most
professionals. Vacation is supposed to be a time to enjoy yourself
and recharge. Summer is a great time to do that (at least for a
portion of the summer).
But if you go on vacation and constantly check your e-mail and
voicemail, you are depriving yourself of an important mental break
from your work.
For those of you who run your own practice and do not have
anyone covering for you, then it may not be possible to ignore
messages for several weeks; however do not underestimate the value
of shutting your phone off for a day or two or at the very least,
only checking your messages at the end of the day.
Law is a stressful business and your mind needs a chance to
rest. In fact taking breaks throughout the year will enable you to
better handle the pressures that come with representing clients in
difficult situations (i.e. it will make you a better lawyer).
So take a break, shut off your phone and enjoy the outdoors.
Especially if the temperature ever drops below 90°.
Tip courtesy of Stephen Seckler, president, Seckler Legal
Consulting and Coaching.
Published July 19, 2012
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To learn more about the Law Practice Management
Section, which is complimentary for all MBA members,
contact LPM Section Chair Thomas J. Barbar or Vice
Chair Stephen
Seckler.
News from the courts
SJC approves amendments to Rules 14 & 23 of the Mass. Rules of Criminal Procedure; SJC amends Rule 1:19
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SJC approves amendments to Rules 14
& 23 of the Mass. Rules of Criminal Procedure
The Supreme Judicial Court has approved changes to the Rules 14
and 23 of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure effective
Sept. 17, 2012.
Click
here to view the changes.
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SJC amends Rule 1:19
The Supreme Judicial Court has approved changes to Rule 1:19
effective Sept. 17, 2012.
Click
here to view the rule change.
Upcoming CLE seminar and program schedule
Register for the Sept. 19 "Trust Administration for Disabled Minors and Adults" seminar and check out FREE MBA On Demand programs.
To register for the following
programs, call MBA Member Services at (617) 338-0530,
[e-mail membership] or visit the
CLE Web site. Scroll down for program
details, including dates and registration details.
Recorded session available for purchase
after live program through MBA On Demand.
Real-time webcast available for purchase
through MBA On Demand.
UPCOMING FALL PROGRAMS
Trust
Administration for Disabled Minors and Adults 
Wednesday, Sept. 19, noon-4 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston
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Have free time this summer? Catch up on the MBA educational
programs you missed this year at www.massbar.org/OnDemand. FREE series
include:
Health Law Legal Chat Series
Learn more about federal and state health care reform in this
six-part series.
Law Practice Management Section Educational
Series
Get tips on how to professionalize and modernize your practice
to make it more profitable. Programs include:
Property Law Legal Chats
Review the latest developments in Property Law.
To
view a listing of current programs offered on MBA On Demand, click here.