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Wynn vs. Mayor Walsh
"We're talking about two public figures, both highly visible in
the political and business world. In order to prove a defamation
claim, it's a high hurdle when you're a person in the public realm.
... I doubt the very public
issue of casino gaming would qualify
for someone to sue successfully. ... It sounds like the further
escalation in the war of words."
MBA Chief Legal Counsel and
Chief Operating Officer Martin W. Healy, Boston Herald, July 7
Healy was quoted in a story about a potential lawsuit by Wynn
Resorts against Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh for defamation unless
Walsh apologies for "false statements and untrue innuendo" used in
subpoenas that were recently issued as part of the City of Boston's
ongoing suit against the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
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Spanking debate
"It's
important to still remember what this case is saying and what it's
not saying. It's not saying, 'Spanking is the way to discipline
your kids and it's the best way to discipline your kids.' It's
saying: 'Here's what you do that's against the law. Here's what
crosses the line. Here's what is going to put you in jail. This is
a crime. Here's what is not going to put you in jail. Here
is what is defensible. Here is what you cannot be held criminally
responsible for.' And I think there is a big difference there"
MBA President Marsha V.
Kazarosian, WBUR, July 6
Kazarosian was a guest on Radio Boston, where she spoke about a
recent Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision, which held
that parents may not be held criminally liable for the use of
"reasonable" force in disciplining their children. The ruling is
the first time the court has recognized a "parental privilege
defense."
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Of note: Department of Correction
security procedures
- MBA President Marsha Kazarosian was quoted in a July 5 Worcester Telegram & Gazette article
about the Executive Office of Public Safety's newly released,
improved procedures regarding attorney searches in Department of
Correction facilities, saying, "These are long-in-coming changes
balancing the need for security with the needs of attorneys and
clients." MBA Chief Legal Counsel and Chief Operating Officer
Martin W. Healy was quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly on the same
topic, saying: "The MBA was highly concerned about long-standing
DOC policies and the discriminatory treatment of women attorneys.
We are pleased to see that the new regulations will be uniform and
hopefully eradicate any future disparate actions against our sister
practitioners."