Liability of Landlords to Tenants/Visitors in Commercial Property

In March, 2011, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, in the case of Bishop v. Tes Realty Trust, entered a decision clarifying and establishing new law concerning the obligation and liability of a landlord/owner of commercial property for personal injuries sustained by tenants and visitors.  In this case the plaintiff tenant operated a tanning...
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Drug Related School Expulsions: A Parent’s Guide to the Discipline Process

If your child is charged with possession of drugs on school premises or at a school sponsored event, preparation for the events that will follow is essential in protecting your child’s education.  State law specifically provides that a student may be expelled from school if he is found in possession of drugs...
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Failure to Meet Timing Deadlines in the Administration of Title IV Funds

In a recent matter, an SFAP assessment of liability was upheld by a Department of Education Administrative Judge pertaining to a proprietary school of higher education, which required the School to reimburse $71,742 to the Department of Education. The school allegedly failed to provide to the Department the necessary...
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The Consequences of a Failure to Meet Timing Deadlines in the Administration of Title IV Funds

In a recent matter, an SFAP assessment of liability was upheld by a Department of Education Administrative Judge pertaining to a proprietary school of higher education, which required the School to reimburse $71,742 to the Department of Education. On July 27, 2009, the proprietary school was issued a Final...
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Foreign Account Reporting Redux

The US Treasury requires certain individuals and entities to report the existence of certain foreign financial accounts and entities (the “foreign reporting rules”).  Since the foreign reporting rules became an area of focus for Treasury, there has been uncertainty regarding specifically who is obligated to file.  Given that the penalties for non-compliance...
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The Schoolyard Lawyer: Parents’ Right to Recover Expert Witness Fees

Although parents who prevail at a Special Education hearing in front of the Massachusetts Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA) may be able to recover all or a portion of their attorneys’ fees, they are unable to recover fees for expert witnesses. This has placed families at an even greater disadvantage than...
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The Schoolyard Lawyer: An Introduction to the Massachusetts Law on Bullying

In light of recent incidents involving bullying in schools in Massachusetts and all over the country, Governor D Patrick signed an anti-bullying bill into law on May 3, 2010 making Massachusetts the 42nd state to pass such a law. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives unanimously passed the bill, and it...
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2011 Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative – There’s a New (FBAR) Game in Town

CAUTION:  This Update is only a superficial summary and may not be relied upon for guidance as to any particular, real life situation.  We have included links to information on the IRS web site about the 2011 IRS “Voluntary Disclosure” program discussed in this Update.  Nevertheless, we think it is imperative to seek...
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