Partner Andrew Hyams Appointed Chairperson of the Business Law and Employment Law Practice Group

Posted on September 12, 2011

Congratulations to Partner Andrew Hyams who was recently appointed Chairperson of the Business Law and Employment Law Practice Group at KCL!

The Schoolyard Lawyer: Who has Access to Student Records?

Posted on September 6, 2011

Many parents wonder who can access their child’s school records. This is regulated by both federal law and state law. Under federal law, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulates all issues regarding student records. Under state law, the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) controls this area.

Foreclosure of Mortgage and Eviction Proceedings

Posted on August 23, 2011

In the recent decision of Bank of New York v. Bailey, issued by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the court held that a homeowner whose mortgage was foreclosed by a lender could raise as a defense, in a subsequent eviction proceeding filed against the homeowner, that the lender had failed to properly conduct...

The Schoolyard Lawyer: Who Attends a Team Meeting?

Posted on August 8, 2011

As the 2011-2012 school year approaches, it is time to start thinking about your child’s educational needs. If you are just starting the special education process and have been contemplating an uation or you are further along in the process, you will soon be meeting with others to discuss your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

New Mass – Israel Partnership- Good Business for Massachusetts

Posted on July 28, 2011

Massachusetts Governor D Patrick is to be congratulated for his continued efforts to promote business relationships between Massachusetts and the State of Israel. This June, Massachusetts and Israel launched a new partnership designed to finance joint R&D projects in the life sciences, clean energy and technology industries. Please see, Massachusetts and Israel Unveil...

The Schoolyard Lawyer: Reflections on the Massachusetts Anti-Bullying Law

Posted on July 25, 2011

It has been just over a year since Governor Patrick enacted the Massachusetts law on bullying, making Massachusetts the 42nd state to pass such a law. The law quickly became known as one of the strictest anti-bullying laws in the country, and the 2010-2011 school year was the first test run for school districts,...

The Schoolyard Lawyer: Summertime Bullies

Posted on July 18, 2011

Summer is sadly almost half way over and kids are off at summer camps throughout the state and country. It is important to remember that bullying can occur at camp just as easily as it can occur at school. If you are concerned that your child will be bullied while away at...

The Schoolyard Lawyer: The Bullying Law Protects Special Education Students

Posted on July 11, 2011

A recent Schoolyard Lawyer blog entry, Special Education Students and the Bullying Law, discussed how the Massachusetts bullying law provides additional protections to students with disabilities. The law defines bullying as: “The repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression or a physical...

When can a Donor Rely upon the Charity’s Statement that Donations are Tax Deductible?

Posted on July 9, 2011

Donations to many tax exempt organizations (for example, charities to help the poor, schools, hospitals, museums, and youth organizations) are usually thought of as being deductible on the donor’s US income tax return. (If the taxpayer is an individual or married couple, the taxpayer must itemize deductions in order to claim...

IRS Not to Pursue Airline Passengers for Retroactive Ticket Taxes

Posted on July 4, 2011

Due to retroactive tax legislation, airline passengers who purchased tickets between July 23rd through and including August 7th may not have been charged for certain Federal ticket taxes that the airlines should have charged. On a per passenger basis, the taxes (if properly charged) would have been: 7.5%...

How to Challenge Extrapolation of a Payor Audit

Posted on June 27, 2011

At some point in your professional health career, you might be the recipient of a dreaded post-audit letter like the following from the fictional “PayLess Health Plan”: Dear Doctor, Thank you for your cooperation with our recent audit of our payments to you. We reviewed 20 of...

The Schoolyard Lawyer: Protecting Those Unfairly Labeled as a Bully

Posted on June 20, 2011

It has been just over a year since Governor Patrick signed the Massachusetts law on bullying into effect, and now that the 2010-11 school year is coming to an end, it is appropriate timing to discuss what I believe to be a major issue with the law. The law was enacted to...