News

Cliff Ruprecht & Gavin McCarthy Present at MSBA Litigation Institute

Mon, 06 May 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood partners Cliff Ruprecht and Gavin McCarthy were panelists on Saturday, May 4 at the Maine State Bar Association’s Litigation Institute in Augusta. The topic of the panel was “Business Torts.” The fellow panelists included:

Hon. John Nivison, Maine Superior Court, Business & Consumer Docket
Hon. Ann Murray, Maine Superior Court
Lee Bals, Esq., Marcus, Clegg & Mistretta
Paul Chaiken, Esq., Rudman Winchell

Bruce Miller to Present at "Not Just Another SBA Seminar"

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood's Bruce Miller will be presenting a special SBA seminar on financing as well as today's most dynamic and timely marketing platform available to all businesses. Alongside Liza Alberti, Bank of America, Laurie Driscoll, SEED Corporation, and John McGovern, C. P. A., this expert panel will be answering any and all questions concering SBA loans and much more.

This seminar is taking place on May 14th from 7:30am-9:30am at The Eastern Nazarene College, 180 Old Colony Ave, Quincy, MA. Cost is free and space is limited. If you would like to attend please contact Jay Nuss Reality Group at jay@jaynussrealtygroup.com by May 3rd.

Ken Gray Presented at the Environmental Business Counsel of New England's Social Media Marketing Program

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood partner Ken Gray presented along with other environmental and social media professionals at the Environmental Business Counsel of New England’s Social Media Marketing Program, 'The State of Social' in the Environmental Industry. The group of presenters covered issues regarding getting leadership buy-in, setting up a corporate Social Media policy, how social media is integrated into an overall marketing program, and how to deliver measurable ROI.

View Ken's presentation, State of Social Media: Even Law Firms Do It.

William Taylor to Present at NEWEA 2013 Spring Meeting

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:00 AM PST

William Taylor will be a presenter at this year's New England Water Environment Association's Spring Meeting: Legal and Regulatory Update: Stormwater Management being held June 2-5 at the Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster, MA.

Click here for more information and to register.

Cliff Ruprecht to Join Panel on Privacy Class Actions at ABA Section of Litigation Annual Meeting

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:00 AM PST

Cliff Ruprecht will be a panelist at the Annual Meeting of the ABA Section of Litigation on Friday, April 26th in Chicago, Illinois.

The panel will discuss the challenges privacy class actions present for businesses, their customers, and the judicial system during the program, Is Your Life An Open Book? Privacy Class Actions in the Age of Social Media. Companies now identify cyber risk as their number one concern. They increasingly face class actions based on privacy claims, as governments ratchet up their regulation of data use, and hackers threaten as never before.

Cliff will be joined on the panel by:

Hon. Rebecca Pallmeyer, US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Margaret Lyle, Jones Day, Dallas, TX
Christopher Dore, Edelson LLC, Chicago, IL
Monique Bhargava, Winston & Strawn, Chicago, IL

For more information on the Annual Meeting, click here.

Governor LePage Names Daniel Wathen as Co-Chair of Unemployment Investigation Commission

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:00 AM PST

Gov. Paul LePage named former Maine Supreme Judicial Court Justice and Pierce Atwood attorney, Daniel Wathen, and George Jabar, a Kennebec County commissioner and Waterville attorney as co-chairmen of the commission that will investigate Maine's unemployment compensation system. The full press release can be read here.

In announcing LePage's appointments, a press release issued by the governor's office stated the commission's goal "is to ensure Maine's unemployment insurance system provides benefits for workers who are rightly entitled to them, while ensuring businesses are not charged when they appropriately let employees go. Additionally, the commission will review the rules and laws governing the system to assure Mainers they are consistently applied."

William Taylor to Speak at NHMLA Seminar Stormwater Management

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:00 AM PST

Partner William Taylor will be speaking at the New Hampshire Municipal Lawyers Association CLE seminar on Stormwater Management.

Click here for more details and registration information.

John Gulliver Discusses Alternative Energy on WGAN News Radio Program

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood partner John Gulliver recently appeared on the WGAN-560AM News Radio program Inside Maine to discuss alternative energy with hosts Ken Altshuler and former Governor John Baldacci.

To listen to the segment, click here.

Time for Maine Employers to Get Busy With ACA Compliance

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:00 AM PST

Joanne Pearson published Time for Maine Employers to Get Busy With ACA Compliance in IMPACT: The Newsletter of Legislative and Regulatory Issues Facing Maine Business.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("ACA ") creates multiple responsibilities that affect employers. These responsibilities include new reporting and notice obligations, and they start to take effect soon. This article is the first in a series explaining the most important of these requirements.

Stay tuned for more updates on the ACA from Joanne and our Healthcare Services practice.

National Law Journal Names Pierce Atwood to its "Midsize Hot List" for 4th Year in a Row

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood is pleased to announce that the National Law Journal has named the firm to its “Midsize Hot List” for the fourth year in a row. We are the only New England based law firm to be recognized for four consecutive years. By selecting Pierce Atwood for its 2013 list, the NLJ recognized the firm for its “keen business strategy” and “forward-thinking attorneys” who are guiding their practices in new directions, strengthening their mainstay practices and spreading into new regions. The Midsize Hot List is the NLJ’s annual ranking of the top 20 firms across the country with 51 to 150 lawyers.

This year, the NLJ’s write-up on Pierce Atwood highlights the expertise of its 100 year old energy practice, the national and global growth of that practice; and the success of the firm’s Financial Marketers Coalition, which is designed to give electric energy clients a say on regulatory controversies and a voice in the regulatory process.

The article also highlights the growth of the firm’s Boston office, led by burgeoning practices in intellectual property and technology; litigation; and midmarket mergers and acquisitions work, and recognizes the firm’s commitment to putting clients first.

“It’s exciting to learn that the NLJ still thinks we’re hot,” Managing Partner Gloria Pinza said. “It’s a terrific testament to have the hard work and creativity of our attorneys and staff recognized in a prominent publication like the National Law Journal.”

To read the full article, click here.

Pierce Atwood LLP is one of the l

Ruta K. Skučas Joins Pierce Atwood's Washington, DC Energy Group

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood LLP is pleased to announce that attorney Ruta K. Skučas has joined the firm as counsel in its Energy Group. Ruta will work out of the firm’s Washington, DC office where she will counsel clients on energy issues, primarily electric and natural gas matters, before state and federal entities, including fedeal courts and state public utility commissions. Her clients range from financial institutions and lender-owned merchants to independent power producers and transmission line owners.

Ruta's clients benefit from her years of experience working at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). She served as law clerk to several FERC Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) after law school and then returned after 8 years of private practice. At FERC, Ruta worked in the Office of General Counsel where she drafted orders relating to PJM, MISO, reliability and natural gas. She also served as Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur’s legal advisor, focusing particularly on PJM, MISO and natural gas issues.

In addition to Ruta's time at FERC she also practiced energy law at White & Case LLP, with a focus on the regulatory aspects of project finance transactions, as well as mergers and acquisitions.

Ruta earned her J.D. from Boston University School of Law and her B.A. from Boston College. She is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Maryland, and is a member of the Energy Bar Association.

Pierce Atwood LLP is one of the leading regional law firms in New England and the largest in northern New England with 135 attorneys who serve regional, national and international clients from offices in Portland and Augusta, Maine; Portsmouth, New

Brooks Magratten and Byrne Decker to Speak at DRI's Life, Health, Disability and ERISA Seminar

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood is proud to sponsor DRI's Annual Life, Health, Disability and ERISA Seminar being held at The Westin Copley Place downtown Boston starting Wednesday, April 24th at 12:30pm and commencing on Friday, April 26th at 12:30pm.

This year's agenda features an impressive mix of ERISA and non-ERISA programs. Sessions, led by seasoned in-house and outside counsel, will address the latest in ERISA, state law claims, and litigation issues also current developments in litigation and regulatory arenas.

Byrne Decker will be presenting on Retained Asset Accounts: Challenges to the Checkbook which will cover the controversy concerning Retained Asset Accounts (RAAs) having broad implications with respect to state contract and escheatment law, ERISA applicability, and Rule 23. He will also highlight their most recent developments, including several important class action decisions.

Brooks Magratten will also be addressing the crowd as a member of the DRI Law Institute, former DRI board member, and past chair of the DRI Life, Health and Disability Committee.

Click here for more information or to register for the seminar.

Major Victory for Bob Stier's Community Bank Clients against Patent Troll

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:00 AM PST

A group of New England community banks won a major victory Monday against a patent troll that has been filing patent infringement lawsuits against dozens of individual banks, claiming that they infringe patents covering ATMs that not only carry out banking services but also perform retail transactions on the Internet.

In response to ongoing threats by the patent troll, Automated Transactions LLC, a group of New England banks banded together in 2012 to form a defense group to resist what their attorney characterized as a “shakedown”. As seasoned patent litigator Bob Stier explained: “None of these ATMs can be used to buy airline tickets or send flowers, so my clients don’t need a license under the patents. But they’re still threatened with expensive patent litigation if they don’t pay. Unless they join together, it’s very, very expensive to stand up for their rights. Of course, the troll knows this, and until now, it has managed to intimidate more than 140 banks into settling.”

The situation changed Monday, however, when the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, a special federal tribunal that oversees related lawsuits pending in different federal courts, granted a motion by community banks in Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts to consolidate their patent lawsuits with related cases already pending in Delaware. “This is a huge win for my clients,” said Stier. “So long as the troll could divide and conquer, banks were at a disadvantage. Today’s ruling is a game-changer because it unites the banks against their common enemy.”

The lawsuits will now be heard by U.S. District Judge Sue Robinson, a Delaware jurist experienced with patent cases, who previously invalidated one of Automated Transactions’ basic pat

Governor LePage Nominates Pierce Atwood's Tim Schneider to Serve as Maine's Next Public Advocate

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood LLP is pleased to announce that today Governor Paul LePage nominated attorney Timothy R. Schneider to serve as Maine’s next Public Advocate. The Office of the Public Advocate represents Maine utility consumers in proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission, regionally and before FERC.

“I’m honored to be nominated by the Governor to this important post, and look forward to the opportunity to put my energy experience to work on behalf of Maine ratepayers,” said Tim Schneider.

Tim is a member of the firm’s Energy Group. His practice includes a wide range of matters before state and federal regulators, in addition to energy-related transactions. He is a graduate of Harvard University and received his law degree from New York University School of Law. Prior to attending law school, Tim led youth programs for the Maine Sea Coast Mission in Washington County.

“Tim is a valuable member of our energy practice and we’re sorry to see him leave, but his appointment as the next Public Advocate will be excellent for Maine’s energy consumers,” said Gloria Pinza, Pierce Atwood’s Managing Partner. “Tim will bring his sharp mind, keen interest and expertise in energy policy to this important position that impacts the lives and pocketbooks of every Mainer on a daily basis.”

Pierce Atwood LLP is one of the leading regional law firms in New England and the largest in northern New England with 135 attorneys who serve regional, national and international clients from offices in Portland and Augusta, Maine; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Boston, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; Stockholm, Sweden; and Washington, D.C. Follow us on Twitter @PierceAtwoodLLP.

Pierce Atwood Business Counselor Q1 2013

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:00 AM PST

By: Robert Ravenelle and Kris Eimicke

Since the rise of limited liability company laws in the late 1990s, closely held businesses typically have operated as “S” corporations or limited liability companies to obtain pass-through income tax treatment, thereby avoiding two levels of income taxation. Often (perhaps too often) the choice between the two has come down to the issue of employment taxes. The Affordable Care Act imposes new Medicare-related taxes effective this year which may further muddle the choice of entity decision. In this article, Pierce Atwood’s Rob Ravenelle and Kris Eimicke discuss these new taxes and how they impact “S” corporation shareholders and limited liability company members.

Read Full Article

Pierce Atwood Business Counselor is a quarterly publication covering current developments and issues of interest in the business community. For more information about the topics covered in this edition of the Pierce Atwood Business Counselor, please contact the article’s author or a member of our Business Practice Group.

Pierce Atwood Partners Gayle Ehrlich & Jeffrey Francis Granted $17M Summary Judgment on Behalf of Major U.K. Financial Institution

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood LLP partners Gayle P. Ehrlich and Jeffrey E. Francis were granted a significant Summary Judgment on behalf of their client, a major U.K. financial institution, in the amount of (U.K.) £9,500,000 (approximately $14.7M) plus default interest of (U.K.) £1,550,344.53 (approximately $2.3M) and continuing to accrue at £1,431.57 per day, on breach of contract/breach of guaranty claims against real estate developers Bernard Wasserman, David Wasserman and Richard Wasserman. The dispute arose out of a loan made in connection with a real estate development to build a luxury resort behind the eighteenth green of the world famous golf course in St. Andrews, Scotland. The case was litigated before the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island and the Honorable John J. McConnell, Jr., District Judge.

The Court also granted summary judgment dismissing the defendants’ lender liability counterclaims for more than $19,000,000, which purportedly arose, in part, from the defendants’ claim that the lender failed to negotiate in good faith with purported, potential buyers for the property, including Donald Trump and Dermott Desmond.

The decision is significant to lenders as it rejects lender liability, oral modification and similar arguments that developers often use to avoid entry of summary judgment and enforcement of lending documents.

The Court’s decision can be accessed here.

A transcript of the oral argument on the summary judgment motion can be accessed here.

About Gayle Ehrlich, Litigation, Bankruptcy and Creditors’

Louise Thomas to Present at Maine Bankers Association Bank Expo 2013

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 12:00 AM PST
On April 11, Louise Thomas will present at the Maine Bankers Association Bank Expo 2013. Her presentation, “Managing Cyber Risk In The 21st Century Electronic World” will cover the risks banks face in the digital world and how banks can best protect and insure themselves in today’s environment.

Partner Robert Stier, Jr. Working to Fight ATM Patent Trolls Effectively By Mobilizing A Joint Defense

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 12:00 AM PST

Robert H. Stier, Jr., a seasoned trial lawyer with over 30 years experience handling patent infringement cases, has built a nationwide practice representing biotech, semiconductor and other high tech clients. He never expected to be applying his skills in defense of banks. But when Automated Transactions LLC ("ATL") began threatening community banks in New England with expensive lawsuits unless they licensed a portfolio of 13 ATM patents, he saw a problem in need of a solution. For any individual bank confronted with such a demand, there was no real choice: it was more expensive just to study the patents and analyze their claims than it would be to pay the nuisance-value licensing fees and make the hassle go away. Bankers felt extorted, and they were justifiably upset with our legal system and its perverse incentives.

Read more about how Bob is helping small banks harness the power of a joint defense against ATM patent trolls.

If your bank has received a threat letter from ATL or you would like more information regarding the ATL litigation or the NATO joint defense, contact Bob Stier at 207.791.1163 or rstier@pierceatwood.com.

Mark Beliveau Presents at New Hampshire Water Laws and Regulations Seminar

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood environmental attorney, Mark Beliveau, presented at the New Hampshire Water Laws and Regulations seminar hosted by HalfMoon Education, Inc. in Manchester, NH on March 6, 2013.

His presentation was entitled Understanding Water Rights, and focused on the:

Ownership of groundwater;

Regulation of groundwater rights;

Understanding the New Hampshire Groundwater Protection Act Regulatory constraints on surface water withdrawals – instream flow;

Bottled water regulation;

Current issues in groundwater and surface water rights.

To learn about purchasing a recording of this presentation, click here.

Pierce Atwood Sponsors SBANE's Cutting Edge Series

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:00 AM PST

Tim Maguire, partner at Pierce Atwood, served as the moderator at SBANE's panel discussion, Masters of the M&A Universe, held on February 27, 2013. Pierce Atwood was proud to be the premier sponsor of this event that was attended by over 100 professionals.

The market for merger and acquistion activity has heated up in Massachusetts considerably over the past year. The panelists illuminated the tangible and intangible characteristics of how investment bankers prepare companies for sale. The panel was made up of area investment bankers and Tim facilitated the discussion.

Tim is a member of SBANE's High Tech Committee and is a member of Pierce Atwood's business practice group specializing in public and private financings, securities law and mergers and acquistions.

View Tim's presentation from SBANE's Masters of the M&A Universe.

Partner Meg LePage to Speak at Maine Restaurant Association's Expo 2013

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood partner Meg LePage will speak at the Maine Restaurant & Lodging Expo 2013 on April 3, 2013 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Her workshop session is entitled "The Top Ten Human Resource Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them." She will discuss how running a hospitality-based business is rife with human resource issues. It’s important to understand potential pitfalls to avoid labor-related problems in your workplace. Meg will offer a primer on the most common human resource troubles experienced by restaurateurs and hoteliers and how to avoid them.

Pierce Atwood Attorneys Featured in Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly Article Regarding New Maritime Rules

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood attorneys Michael Daly and Sam Blatchley were featured in the 2/4/2013 Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly article entitled "Lawyer: new maritime rules may mean more work for the bar."

Mike and Sam took leading roles in the drafting of these new local admiralty rules for the Rhode Island Federal District Court.

The Judges of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island approved the rules and they went into effect on January 15, 2013.

Katherine Kayatta Joins Pierce Atwood's Boston Office

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood LLP is proud to announce that attorney Katherine Kayatta has joined the firm as an associate in its Litigation Group. Katherine will work out of the firm’s Boston office where her practice will focus on all aspects of business and commercial litigation in federal and state courts.

Katherine assists her clients with a range of business matters, including breach of contract claims, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and intellectual property claims. Prior to joining Pierce Atwood, Katherine was an associate with Robinson & Cole LLP in Boston and also served as a judicial intern for Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

Katherine earned her J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law, cum laude, and her B.A. from Boston College, cum laude.

She is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, Maine, the U.S. District Courts in Maine, Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First and Second Circuits.

Pierce Atwood LLP is one of the leading regional law firms in New England and the largest in northern New England with more than 130 attorneys who serve regional, national and international clients from offices in Portland and Augusta, Maine; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Boston, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; Stockholm, Sweden; and Washington, D.C. Follow us on Twitter @PierceAtwoodLLP.

U.S. Senate Confirms Pierce Atwood Attorney, William J. Kayatta, Jr., to Serve on First Circuit Court of Appeals

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:00 AM PST
Pierce Atwood is pleased to announce that William J. Kayatta, Jr., Special Counsel, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as a Circuit Judge on the First Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals. Mr. Kayatta was originally nominated by President Obama in January 2012 and was re-nominated on January 3, 2013.

In reaction to the confirmation news, Gloria Pinza, Managing Partner, said “While we are sorry to lose Bill Kayatta, as lawyers and citizens we are happy that the First Circuit Court of Appeals is getting a first rate person who is an excellent lawyer, highly regarded for his judgment and ethics. As much as we will miss Bill, we have continued to attract, retain and inspire a large group of similarly talented lawyers who will continue our proud tradition of helping our clients create opportunities and meet challenges. Bill has been a key player in these efforts and we are a stronger firm as a result of his tutelage and coaching."

"In addition to the depth of his legal skills and the professional respect he has earned over the years, Bill is a devoted mentor and coach to others in the firm and the legal profession. At Pierce Atwood, he devoted a considerable amount of time to recruiting and training attorneys who are now top trial and appellate counsel in their own right, with proven records of handling complex high stakes litigation both in New England and across the country. He is also one of the most conscientious and caring professionals when it comes to client service and tending to the particular needs of individual clients. As a result, he has their complete confidence and trust. Nowhere has this been more apparent than his counsel and guidance to our clients over the past year to assure that they are comfortable with this transition, and I know that all of those clients wish him the very best in h

Meg LePage Presents at Kennebec Valley Human Resources Association's Employment Law Update

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:00 AM PST

Employment partner Meg LePage was invited by the Kennebec Valley Human Resources Association (KVHRA) to present their Annual Employment Law Update to its members. The program provided attendees with HRCI recertification credits.

Meg provided the KVHRA updates on recent developments in the areas most likely to cause HR professionals problems including FMLA, ADA and FLSA; EEOC Compliance; Workplace Investigations and staying current on the newest legal hot spots, such as Maine’s new definition of Independent Contractors and The Maine Law Court speaks: No supervisor liability for discrimination and harassment.

Clients look to Meg for help on a wide range of workplace disputes and seek her counsel when looking to minimize legal risks in connection with hiring, discipline and discharge, discrimination and harassment complaints, family medical leave requests, wage payment disputes and a wide variety of other employment issues. She also presents for groups regularly on a variety of employment issues and provides workplace training programs for employers on a variety of issues, including unlawful harassment and discrimination, workplace diversity, performance management, accommodating disabilities, attendance and leave management and individual and group terminations.

Jon Block and Kris Eimicke to be Panelists at MEREDA Breakfast Seminar - Leveraging Public Dollars for Real Estate

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood tax attorneys, Jon Block and Kris Eimicke, will be panelists at MEREDA's Portland Area Breakfast Seminar to be held Tuesday, February 12th, 2013 from 7:30am - 9:00am.

This breakfast will cover federal, state, and local government incentive programs designed to stimulate job growth and development. They will be discussing federal EDA programs along with State of Maine New Market Tax Credits, Maine Seed Capital Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, Tax Increment Financing, amoung other important development programs.

The panel will be moderated by Bob Baldacci and Tony Armstrong. Jon and Kris will be joined by Alan Brigham. Alan is Maine and New Hampshire's Economic Development Representative to the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration

For more information or to register for this program, click here.

Partner Tim Maguire to Moderate Panel at Upcoming SBANE Cutting Edge Series

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood is happy to sponsor the Small Business Association of New England's upcoming panel discussion, Masters of the M&A Universe. Partner Tim Maguire will moderate the panel of investment banking professionals who will discuss their recent experiences with business owners and their understanding of the nuances of acquisition transactions.

This program will held Wednesday, February 27th at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Waltham, MA from 11:45AM-2PM. We highly recommend registering for this event soon! For more information on the event, click here.

Bill Taylor and Brian Rayback to Speak at Stormwater Management in New England Seminar

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood partners, Bill Taylor and Brian Rayback, both members of the environmental practice group, are set to speak at Law Seminars International seminar Stormwater Management in New England on Friday, April 19th, 2013 from 8:00am - 5:00pm at the Seaport Boston Hotel World Trade Center.

Bill Taylor, who is program co-chair, will be opening this seminar and Brian Rayback will be concluding it by discussing legal issues, court challenges, and tips for adapting the ordinance to fit local conditions amd objectives.

The objective of this seminar is to provide educated suggestions in facing the local, state, and federal governments growing interest in stormwater as a critical water quality issue.

Pierce Atwood Attorneys Support Equal Justice Coalition's 14th Annual Walk to the Hill

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood is proud to announce that 10 of its attorneys from its Boston office participated in the Equal Justice Coalition’s 14^th annual Walk to the Hill yesterday. The event is one of the largest lobby days at the Massachusetts State House and drew 650 attorneys. The goal is to urge lawmakers to protect state funding for programs that provide civil legal aid to low-income Massachusetts residents.

Pierce Atwood LLP is one of the leading law firms in New England and the largest law firm in northern New England with more than 130 attorneys who serve regional, national and international clients from offices in Portland and Augusta, Maine; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Boston, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; Stockholm, Sweden; and Washington, DC. For more information, follow us on Twitter @PierceAtwoodLLP.

Don Frederico to Speak at Boston Bar Association's CLE on Class Actions Landscape

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 12:00 AM PST

Pierce Atwood partner, Don Frederico, whose practice focuses on class actions and mass tort litigation, will be part of a Boston Bar Association panel entitled Class Actions Landscape on Monday, February 11, 2013 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

The discussion will cover the number of important developments in the law concerning class actions, including the Supreme Court’s recent Wal-Mart v. Dukes and AT&T v. Concepcion decisions.

Don is a past president of the BBA and also the co-author of the blog, First Class Defense, which focuses on class action decisions of the state and federal courts within the boundaries of the First Circuit.