Andra J. Hutchins has 30 years of experience representing students, individuals, families,
employees, health care professionals, and small business owners in the areas of education
law, domestic relations, child protection law, employment law, litigation, and professional licensure matters. Ms. Hutchins’ practice is focused on helping people in complex legal and emotionally charged situations receive fair and equitable treatment. She is a strong advocate for her client in both the courtroom and the negotiating table. Ms. Hutchins is also part of the leadership team at Coren Lichtenstein LLP.
Representative Experience
- Negotiated a significant monetary settlement for a student against a prominent
Massachusetts college - Convinced a highly regarded public school district to overturn suspension
based on a violation of due process - Obtained a settlement from a private high school that wrongfully expelled a student
- Obtained a significant settlement for a terminated school district superintendent
- Obtained a large attorney’s fees award for client after muti-day divorce trial
Education
- Member of Massachusetts Bar (state and federal) and New Hampshire Bar (state and
federal) - Suffolk University Law School, Juris Doctor, 1995
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, BA, 1992
Community Involvement
- Co-founder, Old Ern/Gay Family Memorial Scholarship; awarded to financially
disadvantaged college bound seniors in Owen, Wisconsin - Volunteer (former), Boston Bar Association Law Day in the Schools
- Treasurer (former), Friends of Westwood Public Library
- Volunteer (former), Girls Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts
Awards Received
- Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly Go To Lawyer Higher Education 2024
Publications/Interviews
- Wall Street Journal, online, June 5, 2012, “Schools Get Tough on Pranks”
- Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, July 5, 2021, “Junior Varsity Blues” regarding the U.S. Supreme Court case Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L.
- The Boston Globe, June 27, 2022, “School bathroom closures statewide drive rising tensions, pushback”
- Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, August 19, 2022, “Plaintiff homeowner not bound by agreement to $65K settlement”
- Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, February 8, 2024, “Student’s use of cellphone becomes flashpoint for lawsuit”
- Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, November 4, 2024, “Bar: Hingham High AI case may be just the beginning”
Publications:
- “Unraveling the Requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act” and “Protecting the Rights of Children with Special Needs” Massachusetts Special Education Law, National Business Institute, 2006
- “Students Records” and “Privacy Implications of Social Networking Sites,” Student Privacy: The Top Hot Button Legal Issues, National Business Institute, 2011
- Featured in “Salute to Women in Leadership”, Time Magazine, December 15, 2008 issue; audio interview for Sky Radio, featured on American Airlines, December, 2008