Public and Municipal Law

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Our Public and Municipal Law Group represents towns, cities, districts, and agencies throughout Massachusetts. We take pride in our ability to provide cost-effective, objective, and pragmatic representation to our public sector clients.

Town Counsel and Special Municipal Counsel Services

As Town Counsel and Special Municipal Counsel, our attorneys advise municipalities in all areas of municipal law, including the Open Meeting Law, Public Records Law, Conflict of Interest Law, municipal governance, home rule, town meeting procedure, elections, land use, real estate, eminent domain, municipal finance, taxation, special legislation, contracts, school building projects, procurement, and public construction.

We work closely with municipal officials to avoid litigation whenever possible or desirable. However, if litigation becomes unavoidable, we are ready to provide vigorous advocacy in any forum. Mirick O’Connell has a team of litigation attorneys with extensive experience representing municipalities, municipal officials, and boards.

Labor Counsel Services

As Labor Counsel to cities and towns, we serve as counselors, negotiators and litigators. In doing so, we routinely render advice on the full array of employment laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, wage and hour laws, and anti-discrimination laws. We also advise our municipal clients on laws unique to the public sector, such as the civil service and the public sector collective bargaining statutes.

In addition to our role as advisors, we represent our clients in collective bargaining. Our role in collective bargaining varies depending upon the client. Some clients prefer that we handle negotiations from beginning to end, consulting with them throughout the process. Others have us take the role of lead spokesperson among a team of town officials comprising the town’s bargaining team. Still others ask that we act in a consultative role by preparing proposals and recommending strategies.

In today’s world of labor relations, litigation is an unfortunate reality. We have an extensive track record of success in representing clients before the Civil Service Commission, Department of Labor Relations, Joint-Labor Management Committee, and Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, as well as state and federal courts. In addition, we regularly represent clients at grievance arbitrations.

Legal Updates and Training

Our attorneys vigilantly monitor legal developments and changes to the law, and provide our public sector clients with electronic updates on legal developments that may affect them. We provide in-house training programs to public officials on the Open Meeting Law, Conflict of Interest Law, and Public Records Law, and our labor attorneys provide workplace trainings on all aspects of labor and employment law, including harassment prevention training. Mirick O’Connell also provides an Annual Labor and Employment Law Update Seminar.
 

28 Mirick O'Connell Attorneys Named to 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List

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Brian Falk quoted in "Council gets a look at the Armory at French Hill project"

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2024 Best Lawyers Awards Announced

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27 Mirick O'Connell Attorneys Named to 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List

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25 Mirick O'Connell lawyers recognized as 2023 Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2023

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Amanda Baer quoted in UNLEASH article, "Should employers cut sick pay for the unvaccinated?"

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e-Alert: Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave - Benefits Extended

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e-Alert: What Employers Need to Know about President Biden's "Path Out of the Pandemic" COVID-19 Action Plan

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PODCAST: Jonathan Sigel discusses the MA Paid Family and Medical Leave

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e-Alert: Remote Public Meetings Authorized Through April of 2022; New Law Extends Additional COVID-19 Emergency Rules

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Amanda Baer will be on Worcester County Bar Association panel "Maximizing your Remote Stenography and Videography Services now and Post-Pandemic"

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Amanda Baer interviewed by Spectrum News 1 "Back to the Office: What Employers and Employees Can Expect with a Return to Work"

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Amanda Baer quoted in Workest by Zenefits article "Can Small Businesses require COVID Vaccines in the Workplace?"

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e-Alert: COVID-19 and Masks: Updated Guidance from OSHA and Massachusetts

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Best Lawyers release the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers in New England

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Kim Rozak quoted in Telegram, "Can employers mandate vaccine? Experts discuss strategies to maintain workforce health and safety in the era of COVID-19"

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PODCAST: Amanda Baer discusses American Rescue Plan Act and FFCRA

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David Surprenant was quoted in Telegram & Gazette article "Mirick O'Connell signs 10-year lease renewal with Mercantile Center in downtown Worcester"

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Mirick O'Connell Wins First Place for Law Firms in Worcester Business Journal Best of Business

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e-Alert: New Gathering and Capacity Restrictions Effective December 26; SJC Upholds Governor's Authority to Issue COVID-19 Orders

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Brian Falk Named Partner

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PODCAST: Rich Van Nostrand discusses Non-Competition Agreements Act of Massachusetts

Rich Van Nostrand provides background of the Non-Competition Agreements Act of Massachusetts and its impact on businesses since its passing.

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PODCAST: John Shea discusses Mediation in Divorce Cases

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e-Alert: Governor Updates Restrictions on Gatherings and Restaurants

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e-Alert: Federal Court in New York Strikes Down Parts of the Department of Labor's Regulations Interpreting the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

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e-Alert: COVID-19: OSHA's Updated Guidance - Face Masks in the Workplace/ United States Supreme Court Issues Historic Decision Protecting LGBT Workers from Employment Discrimination

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PODCAST: Reid Wakefield discusses Fair Housing and Housing Discrimination in Massachusetts | Recorded 6.10.20

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e-Alert: Quorum at Town Meeting may be Reduced During State of Emergency

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e-Alert: New PPP Flexibility Act Extends Forgiveness Period and Maturity Date Among other Benefits

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We Stand in Solidarity: A message to our clients and our community.

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PODCAST: Brian Casaceli is joined by Stephen Graham of CEA to discuss reopening your business or building operations while minimizing the risk of becoming a COVID-19 Hot Spot | Recorded 6.2.20

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e-Alert: Municipalities May Allow Outdoor Dining for Restaurants During COVID-19 Re-Opening

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e-Alert: Update on COVID-19 Workplace Health and Safety Enforcement by OSHA and the Massachusetts Attorney General

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PODCAST: Bob Kilroy discusses issues employers may face upon re-entry into the workplace during the COVID-19 Pandemic | Recorded 5.15.20

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E-Alert: Considerations for Employers Resuming On-Site Operations During COVID-19

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PODCAST: Jonathan Sigel discusses re-entry into the workplace after the COVID-19 pandemic

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PODCAST: Rich Van Nostrand discusses Diversity & Inclusion

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PODCAST: Brian Falk discusses local government during the COVID-19 emergency.

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PODCAST: Nick Anastasopoulos discusses employer-union relations during COVID-19

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e-Alert: Governor Baker Signs New Municipal Relief Bill

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WEBINAR: Latest DOL Guidance regarding Families First Act

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PODCAST: Amanda Baer talks about the Emergency Sick Leave Act (3.25.20)

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e-Alert: Long-term Care and Estate Planning/ Coronavirus Impact on the Workplace/ Construction Industry

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Mirick O'Connell recognized as "Best Law Firm" for business by Worcester Business Journal

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Many Towns Demand Extra Payments from Pot Shops Despite Law's Restrictions

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Brian Falk quoted in Telegram, "Central Mass. draws interest as hub of marijuana business"

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Mirick O'Connell Ranked Largest Law Firm in Central MA

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Mirick O'Connell Voted Best Law Firm For Business

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Draft Marijuana Regulations Released

The state's Cannabis Control Commission released its draft regulations today. Once finalized, the regulations will govern the licensure of recreational marijuana establishments in Massachusetts, a process intended to start this spring.

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Mirick O'Connell Voted Best Law Firm

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Mirick O'Connell Featured in Worcester Telegram

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Worcester Chamber Salutes Mirick O'Connell on 100 Years of Excellence

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Mirick O'Connell Celebrates 100th Anniversary!

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14 Attorneys selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America

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Public and Municipal Law Update: "Supreme Court Decision Addresses When Government Officials May Block Social Media Users"

03/19/2024[ read full story ]

Public and Municipal Law Update: "Remote Public Meetings Extended Through March 31, 2025"

04/04/2023[ read full story ]

Public and Municipal Law Update: "SJC Finds Public Meeting Comment Restrictions Unconstitutional"

03/13/2023[ read full story ]

Public and Municipal Law Update: "Recent Court Decision Clarifies the Massachusetts Independent Contractor Law Does Not Apply to Public Employers"

09/26/2022[ read full story ]

Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits Legal Update: "Massachusetts "CROWN" Law Prohibits Discrimination Based on Hairstyle"

07/28/2022[ read full story ]

AG Issues Guidance on Gun Licensing Following Supreme Court Decision

07/14/2022[ read full story ]

Public and Municipal Law Update: "Massachusetts "POST" Commission Enjoined From Requiring Police Officers to Answer Certain Questions on New Questionnaire relating to Police Officer Recertification"

06/29/2022[ read full story ]

Public and Municipal Law Update: "Remote Public Meetings Authorized Through July 15, 2022"

2/22/22[ read full story ]

Court Lifts Stay on OSHA's Emergency Temporary Standard Regarding COVID-19, OSHA Exercising Discretion in Enforcing ETS Until January 10

12/20/2021[ read full story ]

OSHA's COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) - Temporarily Blocked

11/08/2021[ read full story ]

e-Alert: Should Employers Consider Surcharges for Unvaccinated Workers?

9/14/2021[ read full story ]

e-Alert: Remote Public Meetings Authorized Through April of 2022; New Law Extends Additional COVID-19 Emergency Rules

6/18/2021[ read full story ]

Employer Tax Credits for Employee Paid Leave Due to COVID-19 Applies to Government Entities

4/29/2021[ read full story ]

DOL Publishes Model Notices for COBRA Subsidies

4/9/2021[ read full story ]

Extension of 2020 Massachusetts Tax Return Filing and Payment

03/22/2021[ read full story ]

Extension of 2020 Federal Tax Return Filing and Payment

03/19/2021[ read full story ]

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Contains New COBRA Subsidies

03/16/2021

American Rescue Plan and Paid Leave: What Employers Need to Know

03/12/2021[ read full story ]

e-Alert: New Gathering and Capacity Restrictions Effective December 26; SJC Upholds Governor's Authority to Issue COVID-19 Orders

12/23/2020[ read full story ]

Governor Updates Restrictions on Gatherings, Masks, and Business Hours

11/03/2020[ read full story ]

Governor Files Bill to Help Delay Town Meeting Season During COVID-19 Emergency

03/16/2020[ read full story ]

The Coronavirus and Its Impact on the Workplace

03/11/2020[ read full story ]

SJC Upholds Wayland OML Violation and Rejects AG's Guidance on Performance Evaluations

4/5/18[ read full story ]

Final Marijuana Regulations Released

03/12/2018[ read full story ]

New Open Meeting Law Regulations Take Effect October 6th

10/3/2017[ read full story ]

Governor Signs Marijuana Law Rewrite

07/28/2017[ read full story ]

New Open Meeting Law Regs Available for Comment

06/26/207[ read full story ]

Local Planning for Recreational Marijuana

11/18/2016[ read full story ]

Supreme Judicial Court's Decision in Somerville v. Commonwealth Employment Relations Board Represents Big Win for Municipalities on Retiree Health Insurance Benefits

02/11/15[ read full story ]

Open Meeting Law: Remote Participation & Proposed Definition of "Knowing" Violations

December 20, 2011[ read full story ]

Executive Order Loosens Open Meeting Law Requirements During Coronavirus Emergency

03/13/2020[ read full story ]

2023 Employment Law Seminar

05/04/2023[ read full story ]

WEBINAR: OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard

08/05/2021[ read full story ]

Spring Webinar Series: Workplace Investigations in Today's World

5/21/21[ read full story ]

Spring Webinar Series: Paid Family Medical Leave: Are We Having Fun Yet?

04/29/2021[ read full story ]

Spring Webinar Series: What Employers Need to Know About the American Rescue Act of 2021 and the anticipated MA COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave

04/16/2021[ read full story ]

Spring Webinar Series: Should Employers Mandate Vaccinations and Mandate Remote Workers to Return to Working On Site?

03/31/2021[ read full story ]

POSTPONED: Employment Law Conference 2020

04/16/2020[ read full story ]

Employment Conference 2020

04/16/2020[ read full story ]

Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits Seminar

04/04/2019[ read full story ]

OSHA and MA DSL Compliance and Workplace Safety Seminar

02/15/2019[ read full story ]

Mirick O'Connell sponsors Safe Homes Gala & People Of Courage Awards

4/9/2021[ read full story ]

Mirick O'Connell participates in National Wear Red Day

2/6/2021[ read full story ]

Mirick O'Connell sponsors Worcester Chamber of Commerce 145th Annual Meeting

12/4/2020[ read full story ]

Mirick O'Connell sponsors the 12th Annual UMass Winter Ball

12/4/2020[ read full story ]

Mirick O'Connell sponsors Massachusetts Bar Association 2020 Annual Dinner

5/6/2020[ read full story ]

Mirick O'Connell sponsors the Worcester Regional Research Bureau 34th Annual Meeting

10/10/2019[ read full story ]

Mirick O'Connell Sponsors Massachusetts Municipal Association 2018 Annual Meeting

01/19/2018[ read full story ]

Combating COVID-19-Related Fraud Starts with Training Employees

12/01/2021[ read full story ]
 

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