Judge Whitehead to be honored by the LBA

The LBA will recognize Associate Justice Howard J. Whitehead, who retired from the Superior Court on October 5 after 21 years on the bench, with its Distinguished Service Award.  

Judge Whitehead's distinguished career as a judge was preceded by over 20 years as a prosecutor, both with the Attorney General's office, and in the office of the Middlesex District Attorney.  Honored in 1993 as Prosecutor of the Year by the group "Parents of Murdered Children," Judge Whitehead prosecuted a number of high-profile cases as Middlesex First Assistant District Attorney, including the nationally-televised trial of Jamie Fuller, who was convicted in 1992 of killing his girlfriend Amy Carnevale.  Appointed to the bench by Governor William Weld in 1993, Judge Whitehead has been known for his fairness, courtesy and compassion as a jurist.  

The LBA will present Judge Whitehead with a Distinguished Service Award at its Fall Dinner, which will be held on October 23 at the Andover Country Club. Reservations are still being accepted to the dinner by either registering online or by downloading and mailing the attached flyer. 

Meet Judge Sahagian and the HBA

The Haverhill Bar Association and the Lawrence Bar Association are joining together for this special event next Thursday, October 9. See the events page for more details!

ACJM Now Available in Probate Court for Informal Reviews

Commencing in September 2014, an Assistant Judicial Case Manager will be available at the Lawrence Probate and Family Court clerk's office each Wednesday for the purposes of reviewing and allowing Informal Petitions for Probate of Wills and/or Appointment of Personal Representatives. Please be sure to submit a proposed informal decree at the time of filing.  Forms are available on the Probate Court website.

Attorney Michael Torrisi Honored by WILG

On August 8, 2014, Attorney Michael A. Torrisi of Torrisi & Torrisi, PC, North Andover, MA was selected as one of the Nation's Top Injured Workers' Attorneys by the Workers' Injury Law and Advocacy Group (WILG). 

Attorney Torrisi has been practicing law for 31 years together with his brother, Marc M. Torrisi. The law firm concentrates its practice in the areas of Workers' Compensation and Social Security Disability. 

WILG is a national non-profit organization dedicated to representing the interests of workers and their families who, each year, suffer the consequences of work related injuries or occupational illnesses and who need legal expert assistance to obtain medical care and other relief under Workers' Compensation Programs. The Executive Director is Jennifer Comer, formally of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys. For more information, go to www.wilg.org. 

Probate and Family Court Bench/Bar Meeting

Lawrence Probate and Family Court Bench/Bar 
Thursday, October 2, 2014  |  4:30 p.m.

Please join us for a bench bar meeting with the Honorable Mary Anne Sahagian, the Honorable Peter DiGangi, and other honored guests for a bench/bar meeting to discuss the assignment of judges as a result of Judge Blake’s appointment to the Appeals Court, the pro bono conciliation program, and any other issues of interest to the bench and the bar.  The Judges have specifically asked that you bring your questions, comments, and concerns so that we may have a lively discussion.  If you are unable to attend, or prefer to share your question or comment anonymously, you may send your questions in advance to Debbie Anthony (danthony@attyanthony.com) or Cyndi Grover Hastings (cgh@nalegal.com).

The LBA Launches New Google Group

The Lawrence Bar Association is proud to announce the launch of its very own Google Group.  This email based communication will allow LBA members to exchange ideas and information, refer cases, and discuss other legal related issues and concerns.   If you want to send a question or refer a case to a fellow LBA member, all you do is send an email to lawrence-bar@googlegroups.com. 

Please note that as an LBA member, effective September 17, 2014, you will automatically be added to this listserv and you will begin to receive emails from fellow LBA members who use the group.  If you do not wish to receive such emails, please contact Kavita Goyal at kgoyal@rosenlawoffice.com to be removed from the list.

Networking with Cell Phone Searches

Welcome the fall season by coming to one of our ever-popular meet ups on Wednesday, September 24.  Come join us in the bar area of Salvatore’s, 34 Park Street, Andover for a cash bar and great opportunities to meet and network with your fellow LBA members.
 
You may notice that this is the same date and place as the LBA’s upcoming seminar program “Cell Phone Searches and Beyond: Supreme Court Teachings in Riley and Wurie”.  The seminar program begins at 5:30pm.  Join us for the seminar, then stay for some additional socializing with your fellow LBA members.  Alternatively, if you cannot make it to the program, feel free to join us after the program! We expect to be around until at least 8pm (or later if people are so inclined).
 
Whether you have been to one of our meet ups in the past or are planning to come for the first time, we look forward to seeing you there! This event is open to all, so please feel free to bring a friend or two, whether or not they are already LBA members.

Other seminar programs this fall will include updates on the Uniform Probate Code and how to navigate civil cases in District Court. Watch future news posts for more information. 

Judge Blake Appointed to Appeals Court

Judge Amy Blake

Tuesday, September 9, 2014
3:00 pm
John Adams Courthouse
Great Hall
Pemberton Square
Boston, Massachusetts

Judge Amy Blake from the Essex Probate and Family Court has been appointed as an Associate Justice to the Massachusetts Court of Appeals. The LBA invites anyone who would like to attend the swearing in ceremony to see the attached invitation from Gov. Deval Patrick.

Summer Outing on August 7!

Leave the ties at home and get ready to enjoy the warm days of summer! The LBA Summer Outing is being held on August 7, 2014, at the North Andover Country Club. Both members and non-members are invited to join for a round of nine holes of golf in the afternoon, or just come for the social hour and dinner. Either way, it is a great opportunity to meet with LBA members, spouses, and friends in a casual atmosphere. 

Find out more information on our Events page, or just head to the LBA Store to register online with a credit card!

Free Landlord-Tenant Training

Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. and North Shore Community Action Programs will be sponsoring a free half-day Landlord-Tenant Training on May 28, 2014, from 12:00pm to 4:30pm. The training will be held at the Northeast Housing Court, 4th floor of the J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center, 56 Federal Street, Salem. The program will also feature the Honorable Timothy F. Sullivan who will be providing a "View from the Bench". For more information or to register, contact Neighborhood Legal Services.