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. 

Students, Mayor Provide Perspective on 'Every Vote'

Speech contest winner, Sage Couture, with Hon. Lynn Rooney

The Lawrence Bar Association hosted a celebration of the law in society at this year's Law Day on May 1, 2014. This year's theme, as selected by the American Bar Association was "American Democracy and the Rule of Law: Why Every Vote Matters".  Six students competed in a speech contest on the theme in front a three judge panel, including Hon. Lynn Rooney, Hon. Mark Newman, and Hon. Peter DiGangi. The students were: Sage Couture, Lawrence High School; Ibrahim Ibrahim, Lawrence High School; Leticia Valentin, Lawrence High School; Irene Gu, Andover High School; Alexandra Hogan, Central Catholic High School; and Sebastian Lopez, Presentation of Mary Academy. 

The students were also honored at a dinner sponsored by the LBA where the winner of the speech contest, Sage Couture, was awarded a $500 scholarship. The featured speaker for the evening was Hon. Daniel Rivera, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, who gave his own perspective on the importance of voting rights, having himself won the mayor's office by a mere 80 votes.  See more photos from the event >

Brennan Speaks to Sold Out Crowd at Spring Dinner

Over 100 people packed the North Andover Country Club for the Lawrence Bar Association's annual Spring Dinner. The program began by honoring Tom Caffrey with the organization's most valued award for 50 years of distinguished service. Tom was introduced by his son and former partner, Matt Caffrey. The LBA also awarded this year's Leadership Award to Dick Consoli, who attended with his wife and children, for his many years of service not only to the bar but also to the community as a businessman, lawyer, and mentor. 

The evening's featured speaker was Hank Brennan, who served as co-counsel to infamous Bostonian, James "Whitey" Bulger. Hank riveted the attendees with stories from inside the jail cell, and with how the trial was as much an indictment of the FBI and the federal government for the criminal environment it helped facilitate in Boston. See photos from the event >

LBA Scholarships Announced for 2014

The Lawrence Bar Association will once again be awarding scholarships to law students. This year there will be two awards: one for $5,000 and one for $4,000. The applicants must be residents of one of the towns of Lawrence, Andover, North Andover, or Methuen and be currently attending law school in the United States. 

For more information or to download a copy of the application form, please visit the scholarships page. The deadline for applications is June 1, 2014, and late submissions cannot be accepted, so submit your application today!