In the recent matter of Bellalta v. Zoning Board of Appeals of Brookline 481 Mass. 272 (2019), the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (the “SJC”) ruled that a variance was not required for a homeowner to add a dormer to their roof (only a special permit) despite the additional living space increasing a nonconforming Floor Area […]
Blog
Giving Notice on Lien and Bond Claims We expect that some of the construction projects which have already been or may be shut down will not resume so quickly. Many construction contracts have provisions in them allowing the general contractor (or owner) to terminate or suspend the contract for convenience. Keep in mind that, although […]
The outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted all of our lives and generated numerous questions on various employment and other legal issues. We are working diligently to counsel our clients as issues arise throughout these uncertain times. This article is intended to provide answers to some of the most common legal issues related to COVID-19 […]
The Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (“SBRA”) (H.R. 3311) is one of three bills, which made significant changes to the bankruptcy code in February 2020. The other two bills include The Honoring American Veterans in Extreme Need Act of 2019 (the HAVEN Act) and the Family Farmer Relief Act of 2019. The HAVEN Act […]
The Massachusetts “Lemon Law,” G.L.c. 90, Section 7N ½, obligates an auto manufacturer or dealer to repair any “nonconformity” to express or implied warranties – in other words, any defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, market value or safety – that arises within one year or 15,000 miles of the purchase of a new […]
by Robert Rudolph Massachusetts Minimum Wage Effective January 1, 2020, the Massachusetts Minimum Wage will increase from $12.00 per hour to $12.75 per hour. The Massachusetts Minimum Wage will continue to increase in yearly increments until it reaches $15.00 per hour on January 1, 2023. In Massachusetts, all workers are presumed to be employees, and […]
An old adage that hardy New Englanders have grown up hearing holds that if you do not like the weather conditions around here, “just wait a day or two and they will change.” A recently issued Massachusetts Superior Court decision has called into question a legal doctrine that has long shielded premises owners from liability […]
On October 1, 2018, lost in the deserved fanfare that the passing of the Massachusetts Noncompetition Agreement Act garnered, Massachusetts also became the second-to-last state to adopt the Uniform Trade Secrets Act (UTSA) (only New York remains). In doing so, Massachusetts statutorily updated both its 80-year-old definition of “trade secret” and legal remedies for misappropriation […]
