In this episode, host Jordan Rich talks with attorney Josephine Babiarz, a member of the MBA's Elder Law Advisory Committee, about frequently asked questions related to Medicare, including who is eligible; how to enroll; and the differences between parts A, B, C and D. This is one of three companion MassBar Beat podcast episodes released in conjunction with the publication of the 2021 edition of the Elder Law Education Guide (ELG), the 12th edition of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s resource guide on a wide range of legal issues affecting the lives of older adults, which is available for free at www.massbar.org/ElderLaw.

Medicare Explained

Learn about short statutes of limitations, sticky statutes of repose and many other insidious malpractice hazards found in the newly expanded Seventh Edition of "Traps for the Unwary," the Massachusetts Bar Association’s award-winning malpractice prevention handbook. The e-publication is now available to all MBA members as an exclusive member benefit during the 2021-22 association year. In this episode, host Jordan Rich talks with O’Malley, Harvey and Brosnan LLP attorneys James E. Harvey Jr. (editor-in-chief) and John F. Brosnan (senior editor) about what's inside "Traps" and why it's a must-read for Massachusetts lawyers in civil practice.

'Traps for the Unwary' Handbook Warns of Malpractice Hazards

In this episode, MBA Lawyer Well-Being Committee Co-chair Marianne C. LeBlanc and lawyer-turned-therapist Andrew Kang, JD, LICSW, talk with host Jordan Rich about the increased stress and pressure that lawyers feel generally and especially around the holidays. In addition to offering coping strategies, they encourage lawyers to seek help when needed and embrace individual wellness as a normal and necessary part of their professional journey.

‘Tis the Season for Stress Reduction

Continuing its commitment to cultivating leaders who work diligently toward the improvement of our profession and our society, the Massachusetts Bar Association developed a Leadership Academy to better prepare young attorneys to assume leadership roles at the bar, in their firms or organizations, and in government. In this episode, host Jordan Rich talks to Nicole Cocozza, an attorney at Prince Lobel, about the practical skills and insights she learned as a graduate of the most recent MBA Leadership Academy class.

MBA Leadership Academy: Insights and Opportunities

In this episode host Jordan Rich speaks with Massachusetts Bar Association Mock Trial Committee members and co-chairs, teacher coaches, student participants and judges. Each of them offer a keen perspective of their involvement in the MassBar’s High School Mock Trial Program with the hope that others will volunteer and participate in this year’s program and future competitions.

Mock Trial 360: Inside the MassBar High School Mock Trial Competition

The Supreme Judicial Court’s Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being (“SJC Committee”) has released the 2020-21 Lawyer Census Report – the first lawyer census report ever conducted in Massachusetts. The census was based on results of the Attorney Demographic and Law Practice Survey, which is now a mandatory part of the registration process. In this episode of the MassBar Beat, Heidi Alexander, the director of the SJC Committee, talks with host Jordan Rich about the results of the census and what it means for lawyers going forward. To access the census, visit: https://lawyerwellbeingma.org.

Massachusetts Lawyers Census - What the Results Mean

The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission is charged with creating a mandatory certification process for police officers, as well as processes for decertification, suspension of certification, and retraining in the event of certain misconduct. In this episode, POST Commissioner Marsha Kazarosian, a past Massachusetts Bar Association president, speaks with host Jordan Rich about the POST Commission's formation and ongoing work.

Inside the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission

If you’re working in the legal profession and struggling, it’s OK to ask for help. In this episode, host Jordan Rich moderates an important discussion about lawyer well-being with Amanda Rowan, an assistant clerk magistrate and co-chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Lawyer Well-Being Committee; Rebecca Green Neale, an attorney in private practice; and Shawn Healy, PhD., a clinical psychologist with Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers. Hear personal accounts about some of the ways that lawyers and law students experience burnout, stress, vicarious trauma and other challenges, as well as some of the helpful resources available to lawyers and law students in Massachusetts.

Let's Talk About Lawyer Well-Being

“How Did I Get Here?” is a new series on the MassBar Beat podcast exploring the path from new lawyer to partner through in-depth interviews with lawyers at law firms, solo practitioners, in-house counsel and government employees about their unique path to a partner-level position. For the first episode in the series, host Jordan Rich talks with Massachusetts Bar Association Civil Litigation Section Chair Michael D. Molloy about his path to becoming a partner with Marcotte Law Firm in Lowell.

How Did I Get Here? Ep. 1: Michael D. Molloy, Partner, Marcotte Law Firm, LLC

“How Did I Get Here?” is a new series on the MassBar Beat podcast exploring the path from new lawyer to partner through in-depth interviews with lawyers at law firms, solo practitioners, in-house counsel and government employees about their unique path to a partner-level position. In this episode, host Michael D. Molloy, who is chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, talks with attorney Michael J. Leard about his path to becoming a partner with Nutter in Boston.

How Did I Get Here? Ep. 2 Michael J. Leard, Partner, Nutter

“How Did I Get Here?” is a new series on the MassBar Beat podcast exploring the path from new lawyer to partner through in-depth interviews with lawyers at law firms, solo practitioners, in-house counsel and government employees about their unique path to a partner-level position. In this episode, host Michael D. Molloy, who is chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, talks with attorney David Greco about his path to becoming Chief Compliance Officer at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services for the commonwealth of Massachusetts.

How Did I Get Here? Ep. 3: David Greco, Chief Compliance Officer, Massachusetts EOHHS

“How Did I Get Here?” is a series on the MassBar Beat podcast exploring the path from new lawyer to partner through in-depth interviews with lawyers at law firms, solo practitioners, in-house counsel and government employees about their unique path to a partner-level position. In this episode, host Michael D. Molloy, who is chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, talks with attorney Liz Dillon about her path to becoming Assistant General Counsel at Simmons University in Boston.

How Did I Get Here? Ep. 4: Liz Dillon, Assistant General Counsel, Simmons University

“How Did I Get Here?” is a series on the MassBar Beat podcast exploring the path from new lawyer to partner through in-depth interviews with lawyers at law firms, solo practitioners, in-house counsel and government employees about their unique path to a partner-level position.

In this episode, host Michael D. Molloy, who is chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, talks with attorney Michelle M. Byers, who is vice chair of the MBA's Civil Litigation Section, about her path to becoming a member of Campbell Conroy & O'Neil, P.C.

Their discussion touches on such topics as using a firm clerkship as a springboard to full time work, the importance of mentors, the advantages of belonging to bar associations like the MBA, overcoming setbacks while practicing law, and more.

How Did I Get Here? Ep. 5: Michelle M. Byers of Campbell Conroy & O'Neil, P.C.

“How Did I Get Here?” is a series on the MassBar Beat podcast exploring the path from new lawyer to partner through in-depth interviews with lawyers at law firms, solo practitioners, in-house counsel and government employees about their unique path to a partner-level position.

In this episode, host Michael D. Molloy, chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, talks with Kevin Lewis, a lawyer who works as a managing director at Alvarez & Marsal Tax in Boston (A&M). They discuss Lewis' nontraditional career path from law school to his current role, including what it was like to get an LLM in Tax and work alongside CPAs and fellow tax lawyers at a Big 4 accounting firm along the way.

How Did I Get Here? Ep. 6: Kevin Lewis, Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal Tax

“How Did I Get Here?” is a series on the MassBar Beat podcast exploring the path from new lawyer to partner through in-depth interviews with lawyers at law firms, solo practitioners, in-house counsel and government employees about their unique path to a partner-level position.

In this episode, host Michael D. Molloy, who is chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, talks with attorney Joseph Molina Flynn, who established his own firm after law school (Molina Flynn Law Offices) and practices immigration, criminal law and family law in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He was also appointed as a Municipal Court Judge for the City of Central Falls (Rhode Island) in 2021.

Their discussion touches on Flynn’s unique path to becoming lawyer after initially living in the United States as an undocumented immigrant, the challenges he faced starting up his firm after law school, and the importance of mentors and maintaining professional relationships.

How Did I Get Here? Ep. 7: Joseph Molina Flynn, founder, Molina Flynn Law Offices

September is Suicide Prevention Month and also National Recovery Month. In this episode, host Jordan Rich talks with Amanda Rowan, chair of the MBA’s Lawyer Well-Being Committee and an assistant clerk magistrate in Middlesex Superior Court; Dr. Shawn Healy, PhD., director of administrative operations and a clinical psychologist at Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers in Massachusetts (LCL); and Massachusetts Bar Association President Victoria M. Santoro about the importance of de-stigmatizing conversations about suicide and recovery -- and how community support is critical for both of these well-being issues.

Help and Hope for Suicide Prevention, People in Recovery

“How Did I Get Here?” is a series on the MassBar Beat podcast exploring the path from new lawyer to partner through in-depth interviews with lawyers at law firms, solo practitioners, in-house counsel and government employees about their unique path to a partner-level position.

In this episode, host Michael D. Molloy, who is chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, talks with attorney Steven M. Ayr, who is a partner at Casner & Edwards LLP where he handles corporate law, including helping early-stage companies and founders get their businesses off the ground, serving as outside general counsel to his corporate clients, and handling sell-side M&A work. Their discussion touches on how Ayr became a partner at an established Boston law firm several years after opening his own practice, and some of the events and mentors that helped along the way.

How Did I Get Here? Ep. 8: Steven M. Ayer, Partner, Casner & Edwards LLP, Boston

“How Did I Get Here?” is a series on the MassBar Beat podcast exploring the path from new lawyer to partner through in-depth interviews with lawyers at law firms, solo practitioners, in-house counsel and government employees about their unique path to a partner-level position.

In this episode, host Michael D. Molloy, who is chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, talks with attorney Anne Selinger, who is the executive director of system services operations at Beth Israel Lahey Health. They discuss how Selinger obtained her current position and prior roles, which have included serving in Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration, working at a prestigious law firm and clerking for the U.S. District Court in Springfield. Selinger also talks about the importance of mentors in her career.

How Did I Get Here? Ep. 9: Anne Selinger, Beth Israel Lahey Health

The second of a two-part series, attorney Thomas M. Bond, chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association's Judicial Administration Section, talks with host Jordan Rich about appearing as an attorney in state court (Superior Court, in particular) in Massachusetts. You'll learn about the benefits of having your case in state court, get an overview of some of the most important rules, and hear insights on courtroom etiquette. Massachusetts Bar Association members can also access related materials on the topic in the Judicial Administration library on My Bar Access: https://is.gd/MBA_CourtRules.

ABCs of State Superior Court Rules and Practice in Mass.

¿Cómo puede encontrar un abogado que hable su idioma cuando su inglés es limitado? ¿Qué pasa cuando va a la corte? En éste episodio, que también está disponible en Español, conozca los recursos disponibles para ayudar a los que no hablan inglés a tener éxito en los tribunales de Massachusetts. La anfitriona, Iliana Burton,  habla con la abogada Melissa A. Juárez sobre los recursos multilingües ofrecidos por el Servicio de Referencia de Abogados de la Asociación de Abogados de Massachusetts, y los servicios de traducción que ofrecen las cortes. También aprenderá sobre algunas ideas nuevas para aumentar el acceso a la justicia en Massachusetts, incluídos Las cortes de drogas en Español. (This podcast is also available in English.)

El lenguaje de la ley: Recursos de Massachusetts para personas de inglés limitado

Do you need a license to drive a boat? Can you swim on a private beach? Are you allowed to have a fire pit or serve alcohol at your backyard BBQ? In this episode, host Jordan Rich talks with Boston attorney Samuel A. Segal, chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division, about the Massachusetts laws governing everyone's favorite summertime activities.

The Laws of Summer: Beaches, Boats and BBQs

If you're fortunate enough to hit the jackpot in Massachusetts, you'll quickly find that winning the lottery is more than just a question of numbers. There are several considerations to think about before you're able to enjoy your winnings. Who claims the prize? Who signs the winning ticket? Should you take a lump sum or installment payments? Should you go public with your good news? In this episode, Nancy Weissman, an attorney whose practice includes representing lottery winners, talks with host Jordan Rich about what to expect if you win the lottery in Massachusetts.

Lottery Law: Winning is Just the Beginning

For attorney Lynne Parker, the 20th Annual Walk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid on Jan. 24 at the Massachusetts State House will be her first as the new executive director of the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC). But Parker is no stranger to the world of legal aid, having worked more than three decades advocating on behalf of low-income residents, most recently in New Hampshire. In this episode, Parker talks with host Jordan Rich about MLAC’s role as one of the primary funders of civil legal aid organizations in Massachusetts and why funding for legal aid — the drive behind the Walk to the Hill event — is so vital to low-income Massachusetts residents facing life-changing legal challenges. For more information on the Walk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid, see www.equaljusticecoalition.org.

New MLAC Leader Talks the Legal Aid ‘Walk’

The traditional “deny and defend” attitude to claims of medical malpractice may be changing as doctors and hospitals embrace transparency, disclosure, and even apologies following medical errors. In this episode, host Jordan Rich talks with Boston attorney and patient-safety advocate Jeffrey Catalano of Todd & Weld LLP about how medical transparency in med-mal cases is gaining traction in Massachusetts and elsewhere, as medical professionals work more openly with patients to prevent problems in the future.

Transparency: The New Normal in Medical Malpractice?

The new Massachusetts law governing noncompete agreements went into effect in October 2018, bringing a new measure of fairness to the workplace. In this episode, host Jordan Rich interviews attorneys Dahlia C. Rudavsky and Ellen J. Messing of Messing, Rudavsky & Weliky PC, about the protections for employees included in the new law.

Employees and the New Massachusetts Noncompete Law

The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel for criminal defendants who cannot afford to pay for an attorney. But a shortage of lawyers able to represent indigent defendants in Western Massachusetts is again placing a burden on public defenders and the courts. In this episode, host Jordan Rich speaks with Anthony Benedetti, chief counsel of the state Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), about the factors contributing to this recurring problem, and how an increase in the hourly rate for private bar advocates could be part of the solution.

Public Defense Shortage Resurfaces in Western Mass.

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.)

Coronavirus and the Workplace

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.

Remote Depositions: Best Practices and Pitfalls

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.

Consumer Bankruptcy Basics

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.

Protect Your Tech: Cyber Safety Tips for Home and Office

MassBar Beat is the podcast of the Massachusetts Bar Association -- the preeminent voice of the legal profession in Massachusetts.

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