15 Cottage Avenue, Fourth Floor
Quincy, MA 02169
Telephone: (617) 773-6662
Fax: (617) 479-9042

 

News / Resources

At Graeber, Davis & Cantwell we encourge and are proud of the contribution of our attorneys and staff to the legal profession and our community. Our team of professionals and support staff participate in various organizations and continuing education programs for the legal community and are involved in our communities at home. Some of those ongoing commitments are highlighted in the Announcements, Newsletter Articles and Our Community links listed below.

Jay Davis Elected Councillor for Ward 4


May 5, 2005

Attorney Jay Davis was elected to the Quincy City Council to represent Ward 4 which includes west and south Quincy. He is one of nine city councillors. Jay has been busy in his first year in office, focusing on such important issues as public safety, public works, and constituent services. He is very proud of the hundreds of residents he’s been able to help. He says it is always enjoyable knowing he has helped someone, whether it is working on a parking issue, a tree that needs to be trimmed orgetting answers to questions that cause concern for a neighbor. Jay takes great pride in working for the people of Ward 4 and the City of Quincy.

Been ‘Slapp’d’?

Imagine that you have received a notice that the land across from your house is to be developed into a five-story condominium complex containing 100 units. Justifiably concerned, you attend a local government meeting by the board that reviews the proposed plans. After stating your concerns about the project, you return home, comfortable in the belief that you have done something to contribute to your local government, environment and community.

...Then you receive notice that the developer is contemplating a suit against you – in the amount of $500,000 – for an alleged“interference of business contracts.”

In legal terms, you have just been SLAPP’d. A SLAPP suit is aStrategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. Such lawsuits have been identified by the Legislature and defined by the courts as meritless and intended to prevent others from exercising their rights to become involved in the government process. Unfortunately, they are also very common.

A recent case won by Graeber, Davis & Cantwell involved an interesting variation of a SLAPP suit. The case, Hersch v. S&S Publications, Inc., involved a Hull Selectman (Hersch) who suedthe editor of the local paper, The Hull Times, asserting, among other things, that the editor’s support of a recall petition for the removal of the Mr. Hersch violated the Selectman’s rights.

Defending the newspaper was Attorney Jim Cantwell, himself a former Selectman who faced a SLAPP suit for his opposition to the development of the Daniel Webster Estate in Marshfield.

Attorney Teaching Attorneys: Jeff Graeber Facilitates Legal Education Course

Jeff Graeber was a faculty presenter again last fall for the MCLE(Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education) seminar on “How to Make Money and Stay Out of Trouble.” The seminar is designed to assist new and experienced attorneys in their efforts to start and maintain a law practice. Jeff has participated in this law practice management seminar for several years and has also lectured forMCLE on evidence, discovery practice and professional malpractice claims. He views these seminars as an opportunity to not only share his ideas and experiences, but also to learn from his peers.

Attorneys Complete Certification Program to Handle Court-Appointed Criminal Defense Work

The partners at Graeber, Davis & Cantwell are pleased to announce that three of their attorneys have recently become certified ascourt-appointed criminal defense attorneys. Karen LaFond, Dominic Pang and Brian Ward completed the extensive training program to become certified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to do court-appointed criminal defense work.



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