MassBar Beat

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.)

Appealing a judge's divorce or custody ruling can be fraught with challenges, particularly when children are involved. In this episode, host Jordan Rich interviews attorney Matthew P. Barach, author of "The Family Law Guide to Appellate Practice" (2019, ABA Book Publishing), about what makes family law appeals unique and why alternatives to an appeal are often better options.

Not all legal malpractice insurance policies are created equal. Does your policy protect against cybercrimes? Are you covered when you retire? Does the fine print include a so-called hammer clause? In this episode, MBA Insurance Agency President Terry Welsh talks with host Jordan Rich about what to look for — and what to look out for — when choosing the right legal malpractice insurance coverage for your practice.

In the world of dispute resolution, restorative justice flips the script on punitive justice and instead asks: Who has been harmed, what are their needs and who has the obligation to fix the harm? The restorative justice model has been catching on as an alternative form of dispute resolution even beyond the criminal justice arena, as more schools and companies, particularly in the #MeToo era, shift the focus to the victim's perspective. In this episode, Attorney Sarah Worley, chair of the Mass. Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution section, talks with host Jordan Rich about the advantages of a restorative-justice approach, and when it might be appropriate.