MassBar Beat

If you’re working in the legal profession and struggling, it’s OK to ask for help. In this episode, host Jordan Rich moderates an important discussion about lawyer well-being with Amanda Rowan, an assistant clerk magistrate and co-chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Lawyer Well-Being Committee; Rebecca Green Neale, an attorney in private practice; and Shawn Healy, PhD., a clinical psychologist with Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers. Hear personal accounts about some of the ways that lawyers and law students experience burnout, stress, vicarious trauma and other challenges, as well as some of the helpful resources available to lawyers and law students in Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission is charged with creating a mandatory certification process for police officers, as well as processes for decertification, suspension of certification, and retraining in the event of certain misconduct. In this episode, POST Commissioner Marsha Kazarosian, a past Massachusetts Bar Association president, speaks with host Jordan Rich about the POST Commission's formation and ongoing work.

The Supreme Judicial Court’s Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being (“SJC Committee”) has released the 2020-21 Lawyer Census Report – the first lawyer census report ever conducted in Massachusetts. The census was based on results of the Attorney Demographic and Law Practice Survey, which is now a mandatory part of the registration process. In this episode of the MassBar Beat, Heidi Alexander, the director of the SJC Committee, talks with host Jordan Rich about the results of the census and what it means for lawyers going forward. To access the census, visit: https://lawyerwellbeingma.org.

In this episode host Jordan Rich speaks with Massachusetts Bar Association Mock Trial Committee members and co-chairs, teacher coaches, student participants and judges. Each of them offer a keen perspective of their involvement in the MassBar’s High School Mock Trial Program with the hope that others will volunteer and participate in this year’s program and future competitions.

Continuing its commitment to cultivating leaders who work diligently toward the improvement of our profession and our society, the Massachusetts Bar Association developed a Leadership Academy to better prepare young attorneys to assume leadership roles at the bar, in their firms or organizations, and in government. In this episode, host Jordan Rich talks to Nicole Cocozza, an attorney at Prince Lobel, about the practical skills and insights she learned as a graduate of the most recent MBA Leadership Academy class.

In this episode, MBA Lawyer Well-Being Committee Co-chair Marianne C. LeBlanc and lawyer-turned-therapist Andrew Kang, JD, LICSW, talk with host Jordan Rich about the increased stress and pressure that lawyers feel generally and especially around the holidays. In addition to offering coping strategies, they encourage lawyers to seek help when needed and embrace individual wellness as a normal and necessary part of their professional journey.

The Massachusetts Bar Association celebrates Conflict Resolution Week from Oct. 18-22. On this episode hosted by Jordan Rich, Dispute Resolution practitioners and program co-chairs Julie R. Bryan (chair of the MBA's Dispute Resolution Section) and Michael A. Zeytoonian preview the MBA's free Conflict Resolution Day webinar on Oct. 21 (4-6 p.m.), "Reimagining the Dispute Resolution Frontier: How Technology and the Pandemic Have Triggered A DR Evolution." You'll get insight into how virtual technology has changed the landscape, expanded the toolbox and affected the future outlook for dispute resolution. You'll also hear about what DR practitioners are doing to maintain wellness in the profession, as well as recommendations for those looking to get started in the field of dispute resolution.

Learn about short statutes of limitations, sticky statutes of repose and many other insidious malpractice hazards found in the newly expanded Seventh Edition of "Traps for the Unwary," the Massachusetts Bar Association’s award-winning malpractice prevention handbook. The e-publication is now available to all MBA members as an exclusive member benefit during the 2021-22 association year. In this episode, host Jordan Rich talks with O’Malley, Harvey and Brosnan LLP attorneys James E. Harvey Jr. (editor-in-chief) and John F. Brosnan (senior editor) about what's inside "Traps" and why it's a must-read for Massachusetts lawyers in civil practice.

The Massachusetts Bar Association Clemency Task Force was formed to review the clemency process in Massachusetts (commutations and pardons), and to propose changes in areas that have resulted in denial of equal justice under the law and undermined public trust and confidence in our criminal legal system. In March 2021, the task force issued a report (www.massbar.org/ClemencyReport) recommending a series of reforms to be adopted by state leaders. In this episode of the MassBar Beat, host Jordan Rich talks with MBA Clemency Task Force members, including retired Supreme Judicial Court Justice Robert J. Cordy and attorneys Sabrina E. Bonanno (co-chair) and Patricia A. Dejuneas, about the task force’s recommendations and why these changes are necessary.

In this episode, host Jordan Rich talks with Jill Joyce, HUD Certified Housing Counselor and Certified HECM Counselor, and attorney Stephen Pepe, an HECM Loan Specialist at Reverse Mortgage Funding LLC, about the benefits of using reverse mortgages, as well as what to look out for when applying for one. This is one of three companion MassBar Beat podcast episodes released in conjunction with the publication of the 2021 edition of the Elder Law Education Guide (ELG), the 12th edition of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s resource guide on a wide range of legal issues affecting the lives of older adults, which is available for free at www.massbar.org/ElderLaw.

In this episode, host Jordan Rich talks with attorney Alex L. Moschella, chair of the MBA's Elder Law Advisory Committee, and Nicole McGurin, Director of Family Services, Alzheimer's Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter, about the common questions that arise when older adults experience physical or cognitive impairments later in life that could affect their driving, as well as resources available to help. This is one of three companion MassBar Beat podcast episodes released in conjunction with the publication of the 2021 edition of the Elder Law Education Guide (ELG), the 12th edition of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s resource guide on a wide range of legal issues affecting the lives of older adults, which is available for free at www.massbar.org/ElderLaw.

In this episode, host Jordan Rich talks with attorney Josephine Babiarz, a member of the MBA's Elder Law Advisory Committee, about frequently asked questions related to Medicare, including who is eligible; how to enroll; and the differences between parts A, B, C and D. This is one of three companion MassBar Beat podcast episodes released in conjunction with the publication of the 2021 edition of the Elder Law Education Guide (ELG), the 12th edition of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s resource guide on a wide range of legal issues affecting the lives of older adults, which is available for free at www.massbar.org/ElderLaw.

Finding a lawyer to take your case can be daunting if you’ve never hired a lawyer before. In this episode, host Jordan Rich helps demystify the process as he talks with Andover attorneys Paul J. Klehm of Krasnoo, Klehm & Falkner LLP and Edward Denn of Denn Law Group LLC about what information attorneys look for when determining whether to take a case and how clients can best prepare for the initial meeting with their attorney.

The decision to stop working is just one of many important decisions you'll have to make when thinking about retirement. In this episode, learn the steps to take when you're considering retirement as host Jordan Rich talks with attorney Patrick Curley of the Curley Law Firm in Wakefield, Mass. In addition to answering some common retirement questions about Social Security, 401Ks and IRAs, Medicare/Medicaid, and taxes, Curley discusses the importance of having an estate plan and how planning documents, such as wills, trusts, health care proxies, durable powers of attorney and others, should be part of your retirement planning.

Hackers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing the cybersecurity risks for many people — especially those working remotely. In this episode, host Jordan Rich talks with Eric and Lisa Shorr, co-owners of Secure Future Tech Solutions, who share recommendations for protecting your technology, software and data, whether at home or in the office. Tune in to learn more about cloud-versus-local data storage, anti-virus software, password managers, email encryption, and more, including how to protect yourself from phishing scams.

A fresh start for individuals who find themselves burdened with unmanageable debt is one potential benefit of filing for bankruptcy. But there are also significant consequences for those who decide to take that step. On this episode, host Jordan Rich talks with MBA members and bankruptcy lawyers Jordan Shapiro and Richard Ravosa about the ins and outs of filing for bankruptcy, the options available for consumers, and the considerations to keep in mind when looking for debt relief.

Remote depositions remain the norm more than half a year since COVID-19 safety measures were put in place. In this episode, host Jordan Rich talks with attorney Julianne Fitzpatrick of Kenney & Sams PC, Court reporter Laurie Berg and Kenny Zais, the owner and president of O’Brien & Levine Court Reporting Solutions, about their recommendations for conducting a successful remote deposition.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to alter employment relationships in Massachusetts, which is still grappling with high unemployment rates as many companies are forced to adapt their practices or close. In this episode, hear answers to some frequently asked questions about employment and unemployment as host Jordan Rich interviews attorney Kavita Goyal, a partner at the firm of Rosen & Goyal P.C. in Andover and chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Section.

The 2020 Elder Law Education Guide, the Massachusetts Bar Association’s 11th Annual resource guide on a wide range of legal issues affecting the lives of older adults, is now available for FREE at www.massbar.org/elderlaw. In this episode of the MassBar Beat, host Jordan Rich talks with two members of the MBA's Elder Law Advisory Committee, attorneys Alex L. Moschella (chair) and Josephine Babiarz, about the guide's COVID-19 Checklist -- a new addition this year, which offers important recommendations on the forms and decisions older adults should have ready in case they are sidelined with COVID-19 or any other potentially serious illness.

How should companies prepare for the coronavirus (COVID-19)? In this episode, host Jordan Rich speaks with Jaclyn McNeely, an employment law attorney at Morgan, Brown & Joy in Boston, about some of the issues employers should consider as they balance health and safety obligations with privacy and anti-discrimination laws. (Interview conducted Friday, March 6.)