On Friday, September 18, 2026, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (the “SJC”) affirmed the dismissal of the Town of Marshfield’s challenge to the MBTA Communities Act (the “Act” or “Section 3A”).[1] The decision confirms that covered municipalities must adopt and maintain zoning that permits multifamily housing as of right in at least one district. It also rejects Marshfield’s four principal theories for avoiding that obligation, which are explored in more

On September 16, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued two proposals that, if adopted, would represent significant changes to the federal proxy rules for U.S. public companies. The first proposal would eliminate Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). Rule 14a-8 currently requires companies to include qualifying shareholder proposals in their proxy materials and has been part of the federal proxy rules for more than

Molly Depew will co-present “Estate Tax and the Gross Estate,” a webinar hosted by the American Bar Association’s Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law, on October 8, alongside Preston Channing Demouchet. The first session in the ABA’s “Basics of Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax” webinar series will review the application of the federal estate tax. Topics will include the tax rate and unified credit for residents and non-residents,

Michael Palmisciano will return to Bentley University on October 8 to deliver a guest lecture on intellectual property law and emerging AI-related issues. The session will provide students with a practical introduction to trademarks, copyrights, and the role intellectual property plays in building and protecting valuable business assets. Drawing on real-world examples from his practice, Mike will discuss brand protection, copyright ownership, licensing and commercialization strategies, and the enforcement of intellectual

Richard Jones will speak on a panel discussion titled "Practitioner Feedback" on October 8, 2026, at the 46th Annual National Conference of State Tax Judges at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Conference meets annually to review recent state tax decisions, consider methods of dealing with complex tax and valuation disputes, and share experiences in case management. Rich's practitioner-focused panel will explore practical strategies and best practices

First, a crucial clarification. While The Princess Bride (the wonderful movie) has the frame narrative of a grandfather who reads the book to his grandson, The Princess Bride (the wonderful book) has the frame narrative of a man whose father read it to him, and who wants to share it with his own son. The book is out of print, and the man sends his lawyer to a used bookstore

Alexandra (Ali) Wannop, counsel in Sullivan’s Real Estate Practice Group, was featured in the New England Real Estate Journal’s “2026 Women in CRE: CREW Boston Member Spotlight.” In the feature, Ali reflects on how advice from an early mentor shaped her approach to resolving complex title issues. She emphasizes the value of looking beyond conventional interpretations and questioning assumptions to find solutions in challenging transactions. “I’ve learned that what looks like a dead

The Massachusetts Appeals Court recently issued a useful reminder that aggressive discovery positions risk negative consequences far beyond facing motions to compel. In Old Ironsides Energy LLC v. Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC[1], the court affirmed summary judgment against a plaintiff seeking approximately $20 million in damages after concluding that the plaintiff lacked admissible expert testimony necessary to prove its claimed damages. The $20 million kicker? Expert testimony would have been admissible

Geoffrey Wynne was quoted in the article "When the Price Is High and There’s Limited Supply," published in Financial World [sub. req'd], the monthly digital magazine of Walbrook Institute London, in October 2026. The article discusses growing concerns over access to critical raw materials and other essential goods, and how those concerns are reshaping global supply chains. It also explores how trade finance can be used to support supply chain resilience and help

On Friday, September 18, 2026, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (the “SJC”) affirmed the dismissal of the Town of Marshfield’s challenge to the MBTA Communities Act (the “Act” or “Section 3A”).[1] The decision confirms that covered municipalities must adopt and maintain zoning that permits multifamily housing as of right in at least one district. It also rejects Marshfield’s four principal theories for avoiding that obligation, which are explored in more

On September 16, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued two proposals that, if adopted, would represent significant changes to the federal proxy rules for U.S. public companies. The first proposal would eliminate Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). Rule 14a-8 currently requires companies to include qualifying shareholder proposals in their proxy materials and has been part of the federal proxy rules for more than

Molly Depew will co-present “Estate Tax and the Gross Estate,” a webinar hosted by the American Bar Association’s Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law, on October 8, alongside Preston Channing Demouchet. The first session in the ABA’s “Basics of Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax” webinar series will review the application of the federal estate tax. Topics will include the tax rate and unified credit for residents and non-residents,

Michael Palmisciano will return to Bentley University on October 8 to deliver a guest lecture on intellectual property law and emerging AI-related issues. The session will provide students with a practical introduction to trademarks, copyrights, and the role intellectual property plays in building and protecting valuable business assets. Drawing on real-world examples from his practice, Mike will discuss brand protection, copyright ownership, licensing and commercialization strategies, and the enforcement of intellectual

Richard Jones will speak on a panel discussion titled "Practitioner Feedback" on October 8, 2026, at the 46th Annual National Conference of State Tax Judges at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Conference meets annually to review recent state tax decisions, consider methods of dealing with complex tax and valuation disputes, and share experiences in case management. Rich's practitioner-focused panel will explore practical strategies and best practices