Father's Day Gift From the MCAD

Just in time for Father's Day, and much to the apparent dismay of employers, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination recently gave a surprise gift to working fathers in this state. It seems the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination is now really getting serious about the issue of discrimination against men, and has abruptly decreed that the Massachusetts Maternity Leave Act

Divorcing, But Still Living Together, in a Bad Housing Market

There's a great article in today's Boston Globe Sunday Magazine, by Lisa Prevost, about the effect of the declining housing market, and the credit squeeze, on divorcing couples, many of whom are now forced to stay together longer than they may have wanted or intended: Two Exes, One Roof - The Boston Globe ("Two Exes, One Roof - What happens when a divorcing couple meet a slow housing market?

The Alternative to CORI Reform: Let's Just Order Them to Re-Offend

Thanks to John Monahan and the Worcester Telegram and Gazette for an excellent article yesterday about the fact that CORI reform is now unlikely. The CORI reform proposals, introduced and backed by Governor Patrick, and as discussed and strongly supported by me here at this blog,have run aground in the House Judiciary Committee, and the chances of the law covering criminal records being reformed

Joint Custody Presumptions - And Now For The Opposing View

While we in Massachusetts are debating, most recently in the Boston Globe, the wisdom of the proposed joint custody presumption here in Massachusetts, it seems the legislature of Minnesota is studying a similar proposal in that state. In Minnesota Divorce and Family Law Blog: Joint Physical Custody Presumption Subjected to Study, Minnesota divorce lawyer Gerald Williams points out many reasons

Fairness for Fathers -The Boston Globe Weighs In, But Doesn't Really Get It

The Boston Globe yesterday opined on the shared parenting bill, introduced by State House Representative Colleen Garry, a Dracut Democrat, and cosponsored by about 50 other legislators, including many of the legislature's most thoughtful and courageous members, as well as the progressive Fathers & Families organization. In A fair role for fathers - The Boston Globe, the Boston Globe

Indigent Parents In CHINS Cases Now Get Free Attorneys

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) recently looked at two CHINS (children in need of services) cases, one from Worcester County and the other from Essex County, in both of which a juvenile court judge had denied a mother legal right to court-appointed counsel. The SJC ruling in this consolidated case In the Matter of Hilary has now established that parents in these cases do indeed

New England Patriots' Randy Moss Hit With Restraining Order

This just in from Ned Holstein, of the Fathers and Families Blog, and as reported just several hours ago by various news sources in Florida: Randy Moss, our star wide receiver on the New England Patriots, has just been hit with a restraining order by a Florida woman: Fathers & Families Blog: New England Patriots’ Super Bowl Chances Imperiled by Restraining Order. Ned Holstein, the tireless

Governor Patrick Makes First Good Move Toward CORI Reform

Governor Patrick has now decided what to do with CORI reform, as indicated in this press release issued yesterday by the Governor's office. He has filed legislation, which of course has to be acted upon, but has also implemented some changes through executive order. The best article I've seen on this so far is from the Worcester Telegram: CORI Reforms Bill Filed; Changes to Help Ex-Cons Get Jobs,

Access to Justice Commission Proposes Role for Non-Lawyers as Advocates in Court

This just in from the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, concerning a well-intentioned, but not so well-reasoned or articulated, proposal for permitting the use of non-lawyers as advocates in certain civil cases, including domestic violence/restraining order cases: 'Access' panel favors use of non-lawyers in some civil cases ('Access' panel favors use of non-lawyers in some civil cases; Bar leaders

Reported Domestic Assaults Are Up in Worcester This Year

The Worcester Telegram informs us that reported domestic assaults are up this year in Worcester. LINK to Worcester Telegram Article By Scott J. Croteau TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF, Tuesday, October 30, 2007: Domestic assault numbers rising"WORCESTER— Reports of domestic assaults in the city are up this year, an increase police officials say shows the need for a continued working partnership with a

No Longer Mere Chattel: The Rising Status of Pets in Family Law

I am surprised it hadn't happened before, but I'm certainly not surprised that it now appears to have finally happened in California: as reported a few days ago by California lawyer John Harding in his post California Divorce Blawg: Power To The Pets, Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed into law, on September 11, 2007, a California statute that gives pets a status somewhat similar to that of

CORI Reform Urged By Worcester Telegram, But Caution Urged

LINK to Worcester Telegram Editorial: CORI reformTuesday, October 23, 2007 "CORI reform: Fix it, but not at the expense of public safety""Gov. Deval L. Patrick has called upon the Legislature to reform the state’s Criminal Offender Record Information Act this year. Any changes should be approached with caution. Mr. Patrick has not filed new legislation. Instead, he is urging lawmakers to work out