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Section Spotlight

Issue May 2009

MBA sections occasionally hold open meetings that feature guest speakers and various topics of interest to members. Look for meetings in e-Journal and e-blasts sent to section members.

Upcoming
30th Annual Labor & Employment Law Spring Conference
Tuesday, June 2
The Colonnade Boston Hotel, 120 Huntington Ave., Boston


Demystifying the Federal Court — Western Style Justice
Tuesday, June 9, 3-5:30 p.m.
U.S. Courthouse, 300 State St., Springfield


The Civil Litigation Section is hosting a tour of the new federal courthouse. Participants will receive practical information from the bench about litigating a civil case in the Springfield Federal Court.

Third Annual Public Law Conference
Wednesday, June 10
MBA, 20 West St., Boston


Annual Solo & Small Firm Law Practice Management Symposium: Keeping Competitive in Uncertain Times
Thursday, June 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Courtyard by Boston Marriott, Marlborough


Recent
On April 8, the Lawyers in Transition Committee hosted Paul Scapicchio as a luncheon speaker at the MBA’s offices at 20 West St. in Boston. Scapicchio, a senior vice president of government relations at ML Strategies and a former Boston city councilor, discussed the challenges of moving between the public and private sectors in different roles.

He also spoke about the field of government relations: how one breaks into it, how it differs from traditional practice and how success is measured.

The Juvenile & Child Welfare Section held an open meeting on April 16 at Western New England College School of Law in Springfield that included two judges from Hampden County Juvenile Court.

The program, titled “What You Need to Know About School Discipline and the Juvenile Court,” included: the Hon. James G. Collins; the Hon. Daniel J. Swords; state Sen. Gale D. Candaras; Marlies Spanjaard of the EdLaw Project in Boston; Clare L. Thompson of Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy PC in Springfield; and was moderated by Peter A. Hahn of Hilton, Sindelar & Hahn in Newton.

The panel discussed the law of school suspension and expulsion, the relationship between Juvenile Court cases, education law and student discipline, advocacy tips for attorneys, policy issues and proposed legislation.