Greater Newburyport

Bar Association

2024 Schedule

​

 Standing Orders and Supplemental Rules – What You Don’t Know Can Harm You

Tuesday, October 1, 4:30-6:30

Zoom

 

Most family law practitioners are well versed in the Rules of Domestic Relations Procedure, but there is a second set of rules and standards that is not as well publicized or known.  For many, the existence of Standing Orders and Supplemental Rules comes into being when they are faced with it for the first time:  either a judge mentions that something has to comply with Standing Order 1-17, another lawyer says you aren’t complying with Rule 410 properly, or, as most of us saw, the rules all changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In this seminar, participants can expect to obtain an in-depth discussion on the existing Standing Orders and Supplemental Rules of the Probate & Family Court as it pertains to their practice.  The discussion will include rules regarding the training and use of Guardians ad Litem and parent coordinators, impoundment, document production, what is and isn’t visible to the public, litigation practice in the Probate and Family Court and what rules remain after COVID that can be used in your practice.  

​

Massachusetts Probate and Family Court Standing Orders | Mass.gov

Massachusetts Supplemental Rules of the Probate and Family Court | Mass.gov

 

About the Faculty

Honorable Frances M. Giordano, First Justice, Essex Probate & Family Court

Attorney Donald L. Pitman III, The Pitman Law Offices LLC, Newburyport

Attorney Theresa R. Reade, Reade Law Firm, LLC, Peabody

​​

To Register: https://gnba.ticketbud.com/standing-orders-and-supplemental-rules-what-you-don-t-know-can-harm-you

​

New Revenge Porn Law,

Tuesday, October 22, 4:30-6:30, Newburyport District Court

On June 20, Gov. Maura Healey signed into law H. 4744: An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation. This new law closes a legal loophole by prohibiting non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit images. It also expands the definition of domestic abuse to include non-physical acts of violence, known as coercive control. The new statute is very detailed as to what constitutes coercive control: In addition to three specific acts of abuse (harm to children, abuse of animals, and publishing of explicit sexual images of family or household members), coercive control is “a pattern of behavior intended to threaten, intimidate, harass, isolate, control, coerce or compel compliance of a family or household member that causes the family or household member to fear physical harm or have a reduced sense of physical safety or autonomy.” The law gives specific examples of coercive control tactics, including but not limited to intentionally isolating a family member from support; depriving a family member from basic needs; threatening to harm a child, family member or pet; threatening to release sensitive images or information; and more.

Attend & Learn:

How has the definition of domestic abuse changes
What constitutes coercive control
What does the new law say about coercive control tactics
How are laws on dangerousness and bail affected
How might the expanded definition of abuse implicate parenting decisions that many consider “basic”
Faculty

Gary O. Todd, Todd & Weld, Boston, Moderator

Hon. Mary F. McCabe, District Court

Martha Bagley, Brigantine, PC, Topsfield

Patty Davis, Davis & Davis, North Reading

Nicole Reilly, Law Office of Nicole Reilly, Topsfield

​

To Register:

https://gnba.ticketbud.com/new-revenge-porn-law

​

Challenging Evidentiary Issues

Thursday, November 14, 4:30-7:00

Newburyport Superior Court & Streaming

The Massachusetts Guide to Evidence is regularly updated. The most recent update was adopted on February 1, 2024. Attend this program and you will learn from our experts about the latest developments in the law of evidence as well as how to get your evidence admitted. The focus will be on:

How to get past the initial hurdles of relevance and hearsay
What you should know about the Best Evidence Rule
How to effectively present electronic evidence
The distinctions between Disqualification and Privilege
How to avoid common trial mistakes
Expert Faculty

Hon David Lowy, Supreme Judicial Court, (ret.), General Counsel, University of Massachusetts, Boston

Hon. Gregory I. Massing, Appeals Court, Comm. of MA

Hon. Jennifer M. Allen, Probate & Family Court

Attorney Gary O. Todd, Todd & Weld, Boston

​

To Register: https://gnba.ticketbud.com/challenging-evidentiary-issues

​

​