updated: June 22, 2009
Boston Bar Association        
   

Section & Committee Descriptions 2008 - 2009

Section and Committee Co-Chair Handbook

This new online resource is designed to answer many of the questions you may have as a Chair or Co-Chair of a BBA Section or Committee.  The handbook breaks the role down into three main sections: Educational Program Planning, Public Policy, and Pubic Service/ Pro Bono.  Included within those sections are all of the policies and forms that you may need throughout the year.

Administration of Justice Section
Description

Co-Chairs

The Administration of Justice Section brings together members of the Massachusetts judiciary and practicing attorneys to address important joint bench-bar concerns. Through its regular monthly meetings and its special programming events, the AoJ Section serves to facilitate discussion on a host of issues involving the improvement of the legal system and the administration of justice.

Edward S. Cheng
Sherin and Lodgen LLP
101 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 646-2019
escheng@sherin.com

Julie A. Frohlich
Goulston & Storrs - A Professional Corporation
400 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA
02210-3333
(617) 482-1776
jfrohlich@
goulstonstorrs.com
   
Bankruptcy Law Section
Description/Committees

Co-Chairs

The Bankruptcy Law Section focuses on all facets of bankruptcy law and practice. Its monthly luncheon meetings feature discussions of developments and issues affecting practice. In addition to hosting social receptions every year, the Section convenes an annual Bankruptcy Bench Meets Bar Conference in the spring. The Section publishes a substantive quarterly newsletter with case summaries and original articles.

CLE Committee
Commercial Finance Committee
(joint with Business Law Section)
Consumer Bankruptcy Committee
Membership Committee
Newsletter & Information Services Committee
Practice & Procedure Committee
Pro Bono Committee
Young Lawyers Committee

Donald R. Lassman
Law Office of
Donald R. Lassman
P.O. Box 920385
Needham, MA 02492
(781) 455-8400
Don@Lassmanlaw.com

Adrienne K. Walker
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo P.C.
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 542-6000
awalker@mintz.com
   
Business Law Section
Description/Committees

Co-Chairs

The Business Law Section actively participates in the consideration and enactment of laws relating to corporations, banking, business practice and commercial laws. It also seeks to improve the climate within Massachusetts for these and other business practice areas.

Antitrust Committee
Banking & Financial Services Committee
Commercial Finance Committee
(joint with Bankruptcy Law Section)
Communications Committee
Corporate Counsel Committee
Corporate Law Committee
Energy & Telecommunications Law Committee
Immigration Law Committee
(joint with International Law Section)
Insurance Law Committee
Investment Companies & Advisers Committee
Legal Opinions Committee
Mergers & Acquisitions Committee
Pro Bono Committee
Public Policy Committee
Securities Law Committee
Tax-Exempt Organizations Committee
(joint with Tax Section)

Richard N. Kimball
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP
111 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA  02199
(617) 239-0473
RKimball@eapdlaw.com

Paula K. Andrews
Hinckley, Allen &
Snyder LLP

28 State Street
Boston, MA
02109-1775
(617) 345-9000
pandrews@haslaw.com
   
Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Section
Description

Co-Chairs

The Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Section, formerly known as the Individual Rights & Responsibilities Section addresses civil rights issues such as affirmative action, the right to vote, and same-sex marriage. It also addresses civil liberties concerns like the right to privacy, the balance between liberty and security, and freedom of speech.  The Section engages in advocacy and hosts monthly programs.


Randall E. Ravitz
Office of the
Attorney General

One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 963-2852
randall.ravitz@
state.ma.us

Jonathan M. Albano
Bingham
McCutchen LLP

One Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 951-8000
jonathan.albano@
bingham.com
 
College & University Law Section
Description

Co-Chairs

Meets monthly to discuss issues faced by practitioners in the field of college and university law, such as student affairs, labor and employment, regulatory issues, intellectual property, internal governance and tax. Members include in-house counsel at large and small institutions of higher learning in Massachusetts, as well as lawyers who practice college and university law at firms in and around Boston.
Deirdre Heatwole
University of
Massachusetts

225 Franklin Street
12th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 287-7030
dheatwole@
email.umassp.edu


Steven S. Locke
Brandeis University
415 South Street
Waltham, MA 02254
(781) 736-3017
slocke@brandeis.edu
   
Criminal Law Section
Description

Co-Chairs

Addresses criminal law practice issues that affect its members, including changes in criminal law and procedure. Its periodic meetings provide training in trial technique and skills to criminal defense lawyers and prosecutors, as well as opportunities to meet judges, clerks, probation officers and other court personnel. It sponsors several CLE programs a year.
Christina Ely Miller
Suffolk County District Attorney's Office
One Bulfinch Place
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 619-4049
Christina.Miller@
state.ma.us

Diana K. Lloyd
Choate Hall &
Stewart LLP

Two International
Place
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 248-5163
dlloyd@choate.com
   
Delivery of Legal Services Section
Description

Co-Chairs

Explores, assesses and works to improve existing and possible alternative modes of dispensing legal services. Although it is interested in the quality and value of legal services throughout the entire client population, the section pays particular attention to services available to the moderate and low-income community. The section works to encourage and facilitate involvement of the private bar and to identify and satisfy unmet needs in delivering services to the indigent within the judicial system and in the community. The section meets monthly.
Daniel T. S. Heffernan
Kotin, Crabtree
& Strong, LLP

One Bowdoin Square
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 277-7031
dheffernan@
kcslegal.com


Barbara H. Mitchell
Community Legal Services and
Counseling Center

1 West Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 661-1010
(617) 661-1010
bmitchell@clsacc.org

   
Diversity & Inclusion Section
Description
Co-Chairs
The Diversity & Inclusion Section provides oversight of activities and programs pursuant to the BBA Diversity Leadership Task Force’s recommendations and other diversity initiatives of the BBA.  It will address race, ethnicity, gender, and GBLT issues through education and outreach programs.  In addition to implementing the recommendations of the Task Force, the Section will explore other means to enhance diversity in the legal profession.

Brent L. Henry
Partners HealthCare
50 Staniford Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 278-1065
bhenry1@partners.org

Jack Cinquegrana
Choate Hall & Stewart
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 248-5000
rcinquegrana
@choate.com
   
Environmental Law Section
Description/Committees

Co-Chairs

Addresses all substantive areas of environmental law. The section and its committees hold monthly luncheon meetings featuring guest speakers. Section members have also been active in implementing innovative projects such as the establishment of the Massachusetts Environmental Justice Assistance Network, which provides pro bono services to low income communities and communities of color. Members also participate in shaping environmental policy through the section's close working relationship with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

Air Quality & Climate Change Committee
Environmental Litigation Committee
(joint with Litigation Section)
Hazardous & Solid Waste Committee
International Environmental Law Committee
(joint with International Law Section)
Wetlands, Waterways & Water Quality Committee

Benjamin Ericson
Office of the
Attorney General

One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-2200
Benjamin.Ericson@
state.ma.us

Stephen M. Leonard
Law Office of
Stephen Leonard

Two Park Plaza
Suite 610
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 426-3932
sleonard@
stephenleonardlaw.com
   
Family Law Section
Description

Co-Chairs

Considers matters regarding care and protection of children and other family-related legal issues.

The section studies existing statutes, and drafts and submits proposed legislation in the area of family law. It concerns itself with procedural and administrative matters relating to the Probate and Family Court, and maintains a continuing dialogue and liaison with the probate judges regarding these matters, with a view toward improving procedures and the law.

The meetings of the section consist of discussion of current issues and problem areas, educational programs and general sharing of experiences.

Gayle Stone-Turesky
Stone, Stone & Creem
One Washington Mall
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 523-4567
gstone-turesky@
sscattorneys.com

Steven E. Gurdin
Sally & Fitch LLP
One Beacon Street
16th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 542-5542   
seg@sally-fitch.com
   
Health Law Section
Description

Co-Chairs

Meets monthly to address a broad range of health law practice issues. The section's activities appeal most to lawyers with five or more years of experience. The section publishes a regular newsletter with articles on recent developments in health law, case summaries, and other items of interest to health law practitioners.
Matthew H. Herndon
Harvard Pilgrim
Health Care, Inc.

93 Worcester Street
Wellesley, MA 02481
(617) 509-3077
Matthew_Herndon@
harvardpilgrim.org

David S. Szabo
Nutter McClennen &
Fish LLP

World Trade
Center West
155 Seaport Boulevard
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 439-2000
dszabo@nutter.com
   
Intellectual Property Law Section
Description/Committees

Co-Chairs

Addresses all facets of intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, with a special focus on the legal issues facing businesses and individuals in IP-intensive fields, such as the Internet, computers, biotechnology, publishing, arts, entertainment and sports. The members are experienced IP lawyers, transactional attorneys and litigators in private practice as well as in-house lawyers at businesses, educational and research institutions and government agencies.

Arts, Entertainment & Sports Law Committee
Computer & Internet Law Committee
Intellectual Property Law Committee
Intellectual Property Litigation Committee
(joint with Litigation Section)
International Intellectual Property Law Committee
(joint with International Law Section)
Life Sciences Committee
Privacy Law Committee

David McIntosh
Ropes & Gray LLP
One International Place
Boston, MA 02110-2624
(617) 951-7000
dmcintos@
ropesgray.com

Lee T. Gesmer
Gesmer
Updegrove LLP

40 Broad Street
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 350-6800
lee.gesmer@
gesmer.com
   
International Law Section
Description/Committees

Co-Chairs

Deals with both private and public international law, including U.S. and foreign aspects of international business transactions, taxation of foreign income, foreign investment laws, treaties, the United Nations, and other international organizations. The section's main activities include sponsoring talks, symposia, and conferences on current issues.

Foreign Lawyers Committee
Immigration Law Committee
(joint with Business Law)
International Environmental Law Committee
(joint with Environmental Law Section)
International Intellectual Property Law Committee
(joint with Intellectual Property Law Section)
International Public Law, Policy & Human Rights Committee
International Transactions Committee

Mark C. Fleming
WilmerHale LLP
60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 526-6000
mark.fleming@
wilmerhale.com

Gaytri D. Kachroo
McCarter & English, LLP
265 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 449-6506 gkachroo@
mccarter.com
   
Labor & Employment Law Section
Description/Committees

Co-Chairs

Concerned with courts, arbitration, and state and federal agencies in the areas of labor and employment, labor-management relations and employment discrimination. The section also focuses on practices and procedures before state and federal agencies relating to labor in all cases arising out of an employer-employee relationship.

Labor Law Committee

Jody L. Newman
Dwyer & Collora, LLP
600 Atlantic Avenue
12th Floor
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 371-1000
jnewman@
dwyercollora.com

Jay  Shepherd
Shepherd Law
Group, PC

One Beacon Street
16th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 439-4200
js@sheplawgroup.com
   
Litigation Section
Description/Committees

Co-Chairs

Composed of civil litigators sharing a common interest in trial advocacy before the courts. It serves as a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas leading to the improvement of individual trial skills.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
Business Litigation Committee
Class Actions Committee
Construction Law Committee
(joint with Real Estate Section)
Environmental Litigation Committee
(joint with Environmental Law Section)
Federal Practice & Procedure Committee
Intellectual Property Litigation Committee
(joint with Intellectual Property Law Section)
Massachusetts Practice & Procedure Committee
Pro Bono Committee
Professional Liability Committee
Securities Enforcement & Litigation Committee
Tort Committee

Maureen Mulligan
Ruberto, Israel &
Weiner, P.C.

100 North
Washington Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 742-4200
msm@riw.com

Dustin F. Hecker
Posternak Blankstein
& Lund LLP

800 Boylston Street
33rd Floor
Prudential Tower
Boston, MA 02199
(617) 973-6131
dhecker@pbl.com
   
New Lawyers Section
Description

Co-Chairs

Assists attorneys of all ages in their first decade of practice. Members practice in every professional setting and in every area of law. The section's activities include: social and networking programs, cultural events, informal discussion series, CLE's, structured opportunities for pro bono service and other professional development programs. The Steering Committee for the Section meets the first Wednesday of every month at 8:30 a.m. at the BBA. All are welcome. Please join us for our next meeting.
Jacy L. Wilson
Law Office of
Stephen D. Silveri

Eastbrook
Executive Park
30 Eastbrook Road
Suite 301
Dedham, MA 02026
(800) 961-0437, x 23 jwilson@silverilaw.com

Tanya K. Oldenhoff
Sloane and Walsh, LLP
Three Center Plaza
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 523-6010  
toldenhoff@
sloanewalsh.com
   
Real Estate Section
Description/Committees

Co-Chairs

The section addresses specific substantive areas of real estate law ranging from bankruptcy to zoning, including land use, environmental, development, financing, and eminent domain matters.

Affordable Housing Committee
Construction Law Committee
(joint with Litigation Section)
Land Use & Development Committee
Leasing Committee
Legislation & Public Policy
Pro Bono Committee
Real Estate Finance Committee
Title & Conveyancing Committee

Bruce Tribush
Goodwin Procter LLP
53 State Street
Exchange Place
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 570-1959
btribush@
goodwinprocter.com

Geoffrey A. Howell
DLA Piper LLP (US)
33 Arch Street
26th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 406-6008
geoff.howell@
dlapiper.com
   
Senior Lawyers Section
Description

Co-Chairs

Addresses professional and other subjects of interest to lawyers over 55 years old, or with 25 years or more of practice, with a focus on addressing and identifying issues which are or will be relevant to their careers. In addition, the Section hosts presentations with leading speakers on current legal issues, provides input to the BBA concerning public policy positions and publicizes pro bono opportunities. Most programs occur during regularly scheduled lunches.
Frederick S.
Paulsen

Burns & Levinson LLP
125 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 345-3000
fpaulsen@
burnslev.com


James J. Marcellino
Hanify & King, P.C.

One Beacon Street
21st Floor
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 226-3413
jjm@hanify.com

 

   
Solo & Small Firm Section
Description
Co-Chairs
Provides information and resources to lawyers who practice either by themselves or in firms with fewer than ten lawyers. In its efforts to help solo and small firm practitioners maximize opportunities for success, the section concentrates on three areas: management, marketing, and technology. Its monthly gatherings usually feature a guest speaker and opportunities for discussion of topics of interest. Membership in the section is free of charge to all interested BBA members.
Rodney S. Dowell
Law Office
Management
Assistance Program

31 Milk Street
Suite 810
Boston, MA  02109
(857) 383-3250
rodney@
masslomap.org

Lori  Yarvis
Schlesinger and
Buchbinder, LLP

1200 Walnut Street
Newton, MA 02461
(617) 965-3500
lyarvis@sab-law.com
   
Tax Section
Description/Committees
Co-Chairs

Provides a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas and information concerning federal and state tax laws and regulation. The section is involved in efforts to improve and clarify the tax laws and the procedures for their implementation, and to improve the administration of the tax law as it affects tax practitioners and the public at large.

ERISA Committee
Federal Tax & Business Transactions Committee
International Tax Committee
State & Local Tax Committee
Tax-Exempt Organizations Committee
(joint with Business Law Section)

Nicola M. Lemay
Foley Hoag LLP
Seaport World Trade Center West
155 Seaport Boulevard
Boston, MA 02210-2600
(617) 832-1169
nlemay@foleyhoag.com

Steven P. Eichel
Choate Hall &
Stewart LLP

Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 248-5000
seichel@choate.com
   
Trusts & Estates Section
Description/Committees
Co-Chairs

Covers a broad range of substantive legal topics and practice concerns of interest to Massachusetts trusts and estates lawyers at all experience levels. Among the subjects on which the section focuses are: probate law, pre-mortem and post-mortem estate planning considerations, drafting wills and trusts, estate and gift tax planning, estate and trust administration, guardianships, and miscellaneous issues in personal and family counseling. The section's monthly meetings have an active agenda, and usually feature a guest speaker. The section has numerous active ad hoc committees that work on proposed legislation. The section annually conducts CLE programs.

Elder Law & Disability Planning Committee
Estate Planning Committee
Estate Planning Fundamentals Committee
Fiduciary Litigation Committee

Nancy Ellen Dempze
Hemenway &
Barnes LLP

60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 557-9726
ndempze@hembar.com

Anne Marie  Towle
Athena Capital Advisors
55 Old Bedford Rd
Lincoln, MA 01773
(781) 274-9300  
amtowle@
athenacapital.com
   
 


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