Former Massachusetts Senate President Tom Birmingham joined Palmer & Dodge LLP in June. Birmingham will apply his 12 years experience as a legislative leader to assist clients served by Palmer & Dodge.
Birmingham was elected to serve as a Massachusetts state senator in 1990 and was elected president of the State Senate in 1996. He has practiced law since 1978, and was most recently a partner in the law firm of Krakow Souris & Birmingham.
Former Women's Bar Association President Beth I. Z. Boland, an experienced litigator in securities disputes and consumer/shareholder class actions, has joined Bingham McCutchen LLP as partner in the firm's securities litigation/corporate governance groups.
Boland currently serves as lead counsel for several of the nation's largest retail chains in multi-party class action litigation over pricing policies. She joins the firm after 14 years with Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. Co-author of the WBA's report on part-time work, "More Than Part-Time," Boland also is co-chair of the Massachusetts Superior Court Business Litigation Session Resource Committee.
Wesley S. Chused, a partner at Looney & Grossman LLP, was awarded the Transportation Lawyers Association's 2003 Distinguished Service Award. The award, recognizes Chused "in appreciation of his countless hours of unselfish dedication and many contributions to the betterment of the Association," the country's leading transportation bar association.
Chused's achievements have earned him a reputation as one of the country's leading transportation lawyers. He manages the firm's transportation law practice group.
Jerry Cohen, a partner at Perkins, Smith, & Cohen, received the Clients' Security Board's William J. LeDoux Award in recognition for his extraordinary efforts in helping a client recover significant financial losses resulting from the misuse of funds by an attorney. The Clients' Security Board selected Cohen for his work in helping a minor, who received a financial award from the board.
Cohen, who specializes in intellectual property law, is chair of the firm's science and technology group. He has served as chair of the MBA's Business Law Section and as editor-in-chief of the Massachusetts Law Review.
Jean M. DeLuca has recently joined Mirick O'Connell, LLP as a partner in its public law practice. DeLuca, formerly a partner at Palmer & Dodge LLP and Fitch, Miller & Tourse, will focus her practice on municipal finance, public procurement and privatization projects.
DeLuca recently completed a year serving as special counsel for Vivendi Water, a division of Vivendi Environment headquartered in Paris, France, in connection with its bid for a major privatization contract for water and sewer operations in Puerto Rico. With the addition of DeLuca, Mirick O'Connell has added significant bond counsel expertise to its existing public finance practice.
Responding to Boston Mayor Thomas Menino's Plea for a Day of Community Service titled "Boston Shines 2003," Goulston & Storrs pledged to contribute 100 volunteers for a day of service on June 14 dedicated to helping the city with various beautification projects. Goulston & Storrs has approximately 400 staff members in Boston, making the volunteer group a quarter of the firm's size.
Thomas D. Block, formerly of IllusionFusion!, has joined Foley Hoag LLP as its new executive director. Block has had extensive experience serving as chief operating officer of various companies. He began his career with Bain & Company, Inc., as a senior consultant/case team leader, where he honed his skills working on operational matters in larger U.S. and international companies. Block then served as executive vice president/chief operating officer at Ingalls, Quinn & Johnson for six years and as chief operating officer at IllusionFusion! for two years.
To recognize outstanding commitment to volunteer legal services for the poor and disadvantaged, the Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial presented the Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards to attorney Michael G. Paris of Newton, the New Bedford law firm of Stanford & Schall and the Women's Bar Foundation.
Stanford & Schall, a firm with bankruptcy, domestic relations, estate planning, taxes and real estate as principal areas of practice, includes MBA members Roger Stanford and Irene Schall, who are credited with making an exceptional commitment to pro bono activities.
B. J. Krintzman, an attorney with a solo general practice in Newton, was awarded the Red Carpet Award of Excellence in the category of Best Program Host by Newton public access television station NewTV. The award was announced at the station's 10th Anniversary Celebration on May 1 and was given to Krintzman for her "presence, good preparation, personality and good performance" in hosting "LawLine," which is seen on Channel 10 in Newton.
Over the past eight seasons, guests have included a veritable Who's Who of attorneys, politicians and court personnel from the area including MBA members Lauren Stiller Rikleen, Daniel Goldberg, Henry Comstock, Rudge McKenney, David Hoffman, Susan Crockin, Jim McGuire, Tony Scibelli, Richard Alfred, Stacey Cushner, Douglas Sweet, Barry Shelton, Martin Ebel, Jay Shepherd, Martin Aronson, Marjorie O'Reilly, Thomas Sartory, Jeffrey Stern, Michael Appel, Jack Concannon, Ellen Kearns, Carol Starkey, Doug Reynolds, William Troupe, Paul Perocchi, the Hon. E. Chouteau Merrill, Judge Carolynn Fischel, Sen. Cynthia Creem, Scott Fitzgibbon, Richard Perlmutter, David Yas and Paul Martinek.