LBA's Annual Meeting Launches New Era

Outgoing President, Paul Klehm, addresses the LBA members at the organization's annual meeting.

The Lawrence Bar Association celebrated its 110th anniversary at Tuesday's Annual Meeting by installing new officers, electing new members of the Executive Committee, approving a new member, and making the first major change to its charter.

Going forward, the organization will officially be reorganized as the Greater Lawrence Bar Association, as recognition of the fact that many of its lawyers now serve in the surrounding communities of Andover, North Andover, and Methuen. The organization also updated its bylaws to allow local law students to join the Association as non-voting members. 

Outgoing President Paul Klehm receives the presidential plaque from the LBA's new president, Mark Machera.

Outgoing President Paul Klehm reflected on the many accomplishments of the Association over the past year and some of the members of the Association who gave considerable time and effort to the group and the community. Those included successful events, law student scholarships, and a new website.

Newly-installed President, Mark Machera, noted that while just about everyone in Lawrence is a character, "those characters are so generous with their time, and very willing to help out a younger lawyer. [The LBA] provides opportunities to raise standards of practice and come together in an informal way ... and it benefits all of us." One of the goals of the Association this year will be community service. 

In addition to President Mark Machera, the LBA welcomed new officers for the year: President-Elect, Matt Ginsburg; Vice President Cynthia Grover Hastings; Treasurer Samer Obeid; and Secretary Hayne Barnwell.

The Executive Committee for 2015 includes immediate past-Presidents, Paul Klehm, James Krasnoo, and Deborah A. Anthony, as well as at-large members Socrates de la Cruz, Carol Cahill, John Fraser, Kavita Goyal, David Haynes, Janine Lepore, Michael Raabe, Jesse Redlener, Joanna Rodriguez, Joel Rosen, Daniel Ryan, Ellen Shimer-Brenes, and Salim Tabit. 

See more photos of the event in the photo gallery on the left. 

The LBA's Fall Dinner a Successful Celebration of Honorees

Almost 120 members of the Lawrence Bar Association gathered Thursday night at its annual Fall Dinner to reconnect and to celebrate outstanding service within both the legal and greater community. Throughout the evening, the LBA highlighted both those who have made valuable contributions over many years of service, and those who have the potential to do the same.

The featured speaker of the evening was Jeff Jacoby of The Boston Globe, who spoke about the current nature of politics both in the region and in the nation in this election year. No matter what side of the political spectrum you find yourself, Mr. Jacoby noted the changing politics in our country, and implored attendees to find those bridges that allow us to still be good to each other. 

The Lawrence Bar Association also presented several awards and honors to both distinguished lawyers and those who serve the greater community. 

Hon. Howard J. Whitehead

The LBA presented a Distinguished Service Award to the Honorable Howard J. Whitehead, Associate Justice of the Superior Court, who retired on October 5 after 21 years of service on the bench. His 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's Sheila Casey awarded this year's Liberty Bell Award to Juan Bonilla, Deputy Director of Lawrence Community Works

The LBA also honored Juan Bonilla, Deputy Director of Lawrence Community Works, with its Liberty Bell Award for distinguished service to the community. Mr. Bonilla, accompanied by his family, spoke passionately about the importance of working with the people of Lawrence who suffered at the hands of exploitative mortgage lenders, and how helping them navigate those complex waters allowed many to not only keep their homes but to help improve the community.

Scholarship award winners Romanus C. Madabchi and Abigail Chmielecki with the head of the LBA Scholarship Committee, Samer Obeid. 

Also honored last night were the winners of scholarships awarded to two law students from the Merrimack Valley. The Lawrence Bar Association Education Trust Scholarship was presented to Abigail Chmielecki and the Sargent Battershill Scholarship was presented to Romanus C. Maduabchi. Congratulations to both winners!

LBA President Paul Klehm presents a 50-year distinguished service award to former president, Jim Krasnoo

But the biggest moment of the night went to former LBA president James Krasnoo, who was honored for 50 years of distinguished service to the LBA and the people of the Merrimack Valley. Paul Klehm brought down the house with a hilarious and touching tribute to his partner, mentor, and friend. And Jim was treated with a well-deserved standing ovation from all of the people in the room whom he had touched over the years. Click on the video link for highlights from the Paul's and Jim's speeches - it's three minutes well worth your time - and click on the dinner photo to see a gallery of images from the special evening. 

Gallery of images from Fall Dinner 2014

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.