Representation of Law Firms
We have represented many Boston law firms in a wide variety of matters, including claims for discrimination, breach of contract and fiduciary duty, malpractice, excessive fees, and insurance coverage issues. We have also counseled law firms and law firm partners on sensitive issues involving departing partners, allegations of employment discrimination and harassment, business disputes with clients, and ethical and partnership law issues.
We have:
- obtained summary judgment on an employment discrimination claim brought against a large Boston firm by a former non-equity partner. The dismissal was affirmed on appeal (Dziamba v. Warner & Stackpole, LLP, 56 Mass. App. Ct. 397 (2002), further appellate review denied, 438 Mass. 1106 (2003));
- obtained summary judgment for a Boston law firm against a leading professional liability insurer on a declaratory judgment claim, thereby triggering malpractice insurance coverage; and
- secured the dismissal of two malpractice suits brought by criminal defendants against their former criminal defense counsel. One case was withdrawn while the appeal of the dismissal was pending and the other case was affirmed by the Massachusetts Appeals Court (Fireman v. Dwyer & Collora, LLP, 57 Mass. App. Ct. 1107 (2002), further appellate review denied, 439 Mass. 1101 (2003)).
We have also handled fee disputes between lawyers and former clients, compensation disputes between firms and former associates and partners, and negotiated financial severance agreements between departing partners and their former law firms.
Alan D. Rose was appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers for a four year term effective January 1, 2003, and he served as Chairman of the Board of Bar Overseers from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2006.