Recent Legal News & Firm Updates

The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (“ABCC”) recently shared two key updates on license applications and the Massachusetts laws governing alcohol licensing. The first update is that the latest state budget includes three updates to General Law Chapter 138’s provisions on the definition of “licensed premises,” the time to appeal local decisions, and automatic disqualifications for…

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Since covering the passage of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 138, Section 12D in September, the Boston Licensing Board (the “Board”) has now clarified one of the most important elements of Section 12D. Businesses that upgrade from a Wine and Malt Beverage License to a Non-Transferrable All Alcoholic Beverages License retain the underlying beer and wine…

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Developers and contractors should be aware of indemnity provisions within their construction contracts that may unintentionally expand their liability beyond the regular six-year tort statute of repose. Massachusetts law sets time limits, known as statutes of limitation and repose, for when one party may sue another over construction defect claims. These time limits depend on…

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On June 30, 2025, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed a new law that allows restaurants and bars to convert their existing Wine and Malt Beverage License to a Non-Transferrable All Alcoholic Beverages License. The conversion option will be available in cities and towns throughout the state that choose to implement the new law. The Legislature’s…

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We have previously reported on the Legislature’s August 2024 amendments to the Massachusetts Zoning Act, G.L. c. 40A, which significantly limit the right of abutters and others to challenge special permits and other zoning relief awarded by local zoning and planning boards. The 2024 amendments include a new requirement in Section 17 of Chapter 40A…

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