Massachusetts Court Rules Engagement Rings must be Returned if the Engagement is Terminated, Regardless of Fault On November 8, 2024, the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled in the case of Caroline Settino (Caroline) and Bruce Johnson (Bruce) that engagement rings must be returned to the person who provided them if the anticipated wedding does not come...Read More

Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Celebrates 40th Anniversary October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and October 12, 2024 marked the 40th anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). This monumental piece of federal legislation has transformed the landscape for crime victims in the United States, providing a foundation for services, compensation, and advocacy that...Read More

Understanding Coercive Control: The New Addition to MGL 209A This past summer, Massachusetts made a significant step forward in protecting victims and survivors of domestic abuse by including coercive control in Chapter 209A of the Massachusetts General Laws (“MGL 209A”). This addition to the definition of domestic violence reflects a growing recognition of the complex...Read More

Double Dipping Explained in New Massachusetts Appeals Court Case By Hannah Lejter The Appeals Court highlighted an issue in divorce matters called “double dipping”, also known as “double counting,” reversing the Probate and Family Court’s decision in a new Massachusetts Appeals Court case, Michael A. Trethewey v. Rosalia F. Trethewey. In  Trethewey, the husband, Michael,...Read More

New Rule from FTC Bans Noncompete Agreements  By Hannah Lejter  On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a new rule in a 3-2 vote which bans noncompete clauses between employees and employers. The FTC labeled noncompete agreements as an “unfair method of competition and therefore a violation of Section 5 of...Read More

Teddy Bear’s Custody Triumph In the March 7, 2024 ruling of Lyman v. Lanser, the Appeals Court affirmed the agreement to share custody of Teddy Bear. You might find it odd that a teddy bear would be at the center of a custody dispute, and you’d be right: Teddy Bear is not a stuffed animal,...Read More

On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, the Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts issued a landmark decision to disbar attorney James Hayes, a practitioner at City Hayes & Dissette PC. The case highlights a series of egregious ethical violations, leading to his disbarment. We will delve into the details of the...Read More

In a shocking turn of events, a recent Appeals Court decision has sparked considerable debate within the realm of family law and separation agreements. Following the incident where a man’s ex-wife attacked him with a hatchet, the court ruled that he was excused from further payments under their separation agreement. This decision, based on a...Read More

Levine-Piro Law, P.C. is proud to announce that four attorneys of the firm (Melissa Levine-Piro, Katie (Kathleen) Murphy, Christine Boutin and Amanda Castro) were all named top 2021 attorneys by Boston Magazine. Only 1,099 attorneys were chosen. To read more on the selection process and see other attorneys who made the list, please click here.Read More