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Campbell, Catalano join officer slate for 2009-10 term

Issue Sept/Oct 2009

Two new officers - Vice President Richard P. Campbell and Secretary Jeffrey N. Catalano - join the 2009-10 leadership team as Valerie A. Yarashus begins her term as Massachusetts Bar Association president.

Richard P. Campbell is the founder and chairman of Campbell, Campbell, Edwards & Conroy PC, which specializes in trial practice, with offices in Boston and Philadelphia. He represents individuals and corporations in personal injury matters, commercial disputes, multi-district litigation, class actions, aviation disasters, toxic tort and products liability disputes.

He also organizes and leads his firm's pro bono project, educating parents, students and school administrators about civil and criminal social host liability laws. A past MBA secretary, Campbell has served on the MBA's House of Delegates, for more than five years, the Criminal Justice Section Council for four years and currently serves as a trustee for the Massachusetts Bar Foundation.

Campbell is a past chair of the 34,000-member Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association. Campbell was honored by Boston College Law School with its highest award for dedication to the law - the Founder's Medal. Campbell was the 2009 recipient of the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section Andrew C. Hecker Memorial Award, in recognition for his leadership, outreach, enthusiasm, professionalism and pride. He lives in Cohasset.

"The MBA's mission addresses two interlinked communities: member lawyers and the public," Campbell said. "As an officer, I am blessed with the opportunity to add building blocks to the rule of law, to demonstrate the fundamental importance of our profession to society, and to help our members achieve the professional success they deserve in these difficult times."

Jeffrey N. Catalano, secretary, is a partner at Todd & Weld LLP in Boston, where he specializes in representing victims of catastrophic injuries in the areas of medical negligence, product liability, auto accident, class action and other personal injury cases.Boston magazine in 2005. He lives in West Roxbury.

A past chair of the MBA's Civil Litigation Section, Catalano has served on the MBA's House of Delegates since 2006 and is a member of its Executive Management Board. A Massachusetts Bar Foundation Fellow, he is also a member of the executive committee for the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys.

Catalano is on the board of directors for the nonprofit law firm Health Law Advocates Inc., where his pro bono work includes patient advocacy and representing chronically ill and impoverished people who are denied access to health care services. In 2008, he was recognized by Health Law Advocates for his exceptional pro bono representation. Catalano was selected as a New England "Super Lawyer" in 2009 and a "Rising Star" by

"As an officer of the MBA, I feel privileged to assist in its future so that it remains a strong, respected and important contributor to the law," Catalano said. "I look forward to promoting the many opportunities the MBA offers to build friendships and personal connections that are so vital to maintaining the civility and dignity of our great profession."

Returning as officers for the 2009-10 term are:

President Valerie A. Yarashus, a principal with Meehan, Boyle, Black & Bogdanow PC in Boston.

President-elect Denise Squillante returns for her fifth year as an officer of the MBA. Long active in the MBA House of Delegates and the MBA's Family Law Section and its associated committees, she was instrumental in establishing the association's General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section and well as leading MBA's efforts for lawyers transitioning in and out of practice. Squillante is a solo practitioner in Fall River.

 "Every lawyer is facing economic strains, work/life balance challenges and other difficulties in their everyday practice. I look forward to helping lead the MBA to continually identify the needs of our members and provide services and resources that support and enhance their practice.

Douglas K. Sheff follows his 2008-09 year as MBA secretary to serve as MBA vice president in 2009-10. He is a past chair of the MBA's Civil Litigation Section and a former regional delegate to the association's House of Delegates. Sheff is a senior partner at Sheff Law Offices in Boston.

"I am truly proud to serve as vice president of the MBA this year. In addition to working with our team of talented officers, I am honored to chair the MBA's Membership Committee. We will hit the ground running with new services and products as well as events and activities statewide which are certain to grow and strengthen our great organization."

Treasurer Robert L. Holloway Jr. begins his third term as an officer. He has served as secretary and vice president. Holloway has also served on the Ethics Committee, as chair of the Civil Litigation Section and as a regional delegate to the Association's House of Delegates. He is a shareholder and president of MacLean, Holloway, Doherty, Ardiff & Morse PC in Peabody.

"I am honored to serve as treasurer of the MBA, following the superb leadership of (2008-09 Treasurer) Denise Squillante. I look forward to the challenge of building on Denise's accomplishments, working with an excellent Budget and Finance Committee, MBA leadership and staff. I welcome suggestions from all MBA members regarding budget and finance matters."