Strict Compliance Required: Federal Court Dismisses Mechanic’s Lien Claim for Failure to Record an Attested Complaint
A recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts underscores the unforgiving nature of Massachusetts’ mechanic’s lien statute. In Norco Construction, Inc. v. Regency Park Condominium Trust, the Court dismissed a contractor’s lien enforcement claim because the contractor recorded a copy—rather than an attested copy—of its complaint at the registry of […]
“You Can’t Yank the Low Bid Over Submittals” AG Sides with Contractor on Roof Project Award
Contractors bidding public building projects in Massachusetts should take note of a recent Attorney General bid protest decision involving the Lincoln D. Lynch School Roof Replacement Project in Middleborough. The ruling reinforces a critical principle: if your bid is responsive and eligible on its face, an awarding authority cannot rescind an award later based on […]
Massachusetts Employers Take Note: Pay Transparency Law’s Pay Range Disclosure Requirements Are Now In Effect
By: Michelle M. De Oliveira, Esq.
The Massachusetts Pay Transparency Act’s pay range disclosure requirements for employers with 25 or more employees are now in effect. Businesses should ensure that they understand their obligations and comply with the new requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Effective Date: Pay range disclosure requirements took effect on October 29, 2025.
- Covered Employers: Pay range […]
Employer Roadmap for Reasonable Accommodations
By Michelle De Oliveira, Esq. & Collin Murdock, Esq.
Encountering reasonable accommodation requests and employee disability disclosures appears inevitable; and employers of all sizes are destined to encounter these at one point or another. For this reason, having the preliminary roadmap below with important employer considerations is a sound business practice given the legal exposure that may result from […]
NIL Agreements: What Student-Athletes Need to Know in Rapidly Changing World of College Sports
By John F. Nagle & Matthew C. Welnicki
Over the past several years, the landscape of college athletics has changed dramatically, and it has created significant confusion and uncertainty for institutions, coaches, student-athletes, and their families. We have been keeping a close eye on these developments, and are ready and well-informed to help with navigating this challenging environment.
The recent […]
Massachusetts Legal Update: What You Should Know About Accessory Dwelling Units
On February 2, 2025, the Affordable Homes Act of 2024 (G.L. c. 40A s. 3) went into effect in Massachusetts, amending the pre-existing Zoning Act and expanding housing opportunities across the state with the goal of addressing the affordable housing crisis. A central piece of the new law is the statewide legalization of Accessory Dwelling […]
AI Evidence – Potential New Rules, Same Responsibilities
The legal landscape surrounding artificial intelligence and evidentiary standards has quickly evolved. Conceptual proposals have now entered the formal rulemaking process. In particular, the Federal Advisory Committee on Evidence Rules has advanced Proposed Rule 707 for public comment.1 The proposal is designed to address the admissibility of “Machine-Generated Evidence,” including outputs from AI systems that are […]
Rhode Island Amends Its Prevailing Wage Law to Create New Obligations for Contractors and Subcontractors Related to Retirement and Pension Fringe Benefits
By Greg Vanden-Eykel
For the second time in two years, the Rhode Island General Assembly amended the state’s prevailing wage law (R.I. Gen. Laws, § 37-13-7) and created new obligations for certain contractors and subcontractors related to fringe benefits. In 2024, the General Assembly prohibited contractors and subcontractors from making a cash equivalent payment to employees for health care benefits instead […]
Rhode Island Amends Two Existing Employment Laws Regarding Hiring Documentation and Menopause-Related Protections
By Greg Vanden-Eykel
On June 24, 2025 and July 1, 2025, the Rhode Island General Assembly amended two existing employment-related statutes to provide employees with additional workplace rights and protections. These amendments directly impact employer hiring and workplace policies. Specifically, the General Assembly amended the existing statute concerning payroll records (R.I. Gen. Law, § 28-14-12) to create new information sharing and […]
Court Finds that Pre-Judgment Interest Accrues from Date of Improperly Denied Claim
By John F. Nagle
On April 25, 2025, in Peoplesbank v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London, the Massachusetts Court of Appeals found that statutory pre-judgment interest had begun to accumulate on the date that an insurer (Lloyd’s) had improperly denied a claim by a lender (Peoples) under a builder’s risk policy. The decision added nearly 3 years of additional interest […]