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Section Spotlight

Issue May 2011

Young Lawyers hosts speed networking event

The Young Lawyers Division sponsored a speed networking session at the MBA's Boston office on March 24. After young lawyers met with a number of experienced attorneys and MBA leaders, they mingled at a cocktail reception.

Labor & Employment Section hosts MCAD leaders

MCAD Commissioner Jamie Williamson and MCAD Deputy General Counsel Yaw Gyebi were guest speakers at a Labor & Employment Section open meeting on March 16 at Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas LLP's office in Springfield. Williamson and Gyebi spoke about new procedures in the Springfield office and legislative issues.

Immigration Law hosts Padilla discussion

More than 60 people attended the Immigration Law Section Council's open meeting to discuss the first anniversary of Padilla v. Kentucky.

The forum, which was held April 5 at the Massachusetts Bar Association's Boston headquarters, discussed ongoing litigation in Massachusetts, how appellate courts around the country have interpreted the Padilla decision, and filing post-conviction motions based on ineffective assistance of counsel.

CPCS Staff Attorney Adam Birnbaum moderated the panel: Wendy Wayne, director CPCS Immigration Impact Unit; nationally known expert Dan Kesselbrenner, executive director, National Immigration Project; and Susan Church of Demissie & Church.

YLD panel advises on starting a practice

The Young Lawyers Division hosted a panel discussion, "Hanging A Shingle With a Focus on Traps for the Unwary," on April 6 at the University of Massachusetts School of Law - Dartmouth.

The panel gave new practitioners advice on setting up a practice, including how to obtain malpractice insurance, deciding on practice areas, avoid ethics issues and figuring out how to market on the modest budget. It also included a networking reception for new and experienced lawyers.

The panel included: MBA President Denise Squillante, Law Office of Denise Squillante; Terence Welsh, Massachusetts Bar Association Insurance Agency; Christine A. Anderson, Anderson Law Office; Terrence David Pricher; Office of the Bar Counsel; and Julie A. Lynch, Law Offices of Turcotte & Lynch PC.

Final juvenile bench-bar forums to be held in Worcester, Boston

The Juvenile and Child Welfare Section Council will host the final two Juvenile Court/MBA Bench-Bar forums, on Wednesday, May 4, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Worcester Law Library, 50 Harvard St., Worcester, and on Monday, June 6, in Boston, at the Massachusetts Bar Association headquarters at 20 West St., Boston, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Juvenile Court Chief Justice Michael F. Edgerton and MBA President Denise Squillante are scheduled to speak at the Boston forum.

The forums are free to all attorneys interested in the practice of juvenile and child welfare. The Section Council's business meeting will be held directly following the Bench-Bar Session.

If you are interested in attending any of these sessions, please check the MBA's Juvenile and Child Welfare MBA web page and master calendar for more information and registration. Space is limited and there will be no ability to attend by conference call.