Recent Legal News & Firm Updates

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) recently issued an important decision concerning the limits of municipal discretion when considering special permit applications for the development of solar energy systems. In Sunpin Energy Services, LLC v. Zoning Board of Appeals of Petersham, the SJC made clear that the denial of such an application cannot be premised…

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Darshana Indira recently joined the firm as a shareholder in the Corporate Department. She is an accomplished employment and business lawyer advising company owners, organizational leaders, and C-suite executives across a broad spectrum of employment and commercial litigation matters. Learn more about her below! Why did you become a lawyer? As an immigrant, I watched my…

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On February 26, 2026, the National Labor Relations Board (NRLB) published a new final rule that  made significant changes concerning the joint employer test (“Final Rule”). The Final Rule reverses the broader, worker-friendly standard established in October 2023 and reinstates the narrower, employer friendly test established in 2020. This Final Rule became effective on February…

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On April 27, 2026, a Suffolk Superior Court jury issued what appears to be the first plaintiff-side verdict validating a retaliation claim under the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA). In Boyle v. Wayfair, the jury awarded Plaintiff Mary Boyle approximately $4.7 million on her retaliation claims under the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices…

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Last week’s much anticipated Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision in J.C. Cannistraro, LLC v. Columbia Construction Co. failed to deliver the clarity sought by the construction industry with respect to MGL c. 149, §29E, the Massachusetts Prompt Payment Act. While those ardent defenders of the sanctity of arbitration may have found solace in the SJC’s…

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Failing to clearly define a bonus’s measurable and objective requirements can have significant consequences for employers. This article examines a recent court decision in which an employee successfully argued that a quarterly bonus constituted “wages” under the Massachusetts Wage Act, underscoring the importance of understanding what qualifies as “wages” under the Act, and importantly, why…

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Employment law is constantly evolving as courts issue groundbreaking decisions and new statutes are enacted at both the state and federal level.  As a result, regularly conducting employment-related risk management training has become increasingly important for employers. Areas that warrant particular attention include, among others, management best practices, wage-and-hour compliance, workplace harassment prevention, and personnel…

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Governor Maura Healey signed Chapter 96 of the Acts of 2026, a temporary measure that lets Massachusetts cities and towns opt in to extended liquor-license hours and outdoor public consumption districts, effective June 8, 2026 and expiring on July 31, 2026. The Legislature moved quickly to give the restaurant and hospitality sector added flexibility ahead…

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Congratulations to RIW attorney Adam Barnosky on his nomination to the Massachusetts Restaurants United Board of Directors! The board plays an important role in shaping a mission that began in 2020, when MRU emerged as the voice for independent restaurants during COVID. As the Massachusetts affiliate of the Independent Restaurant Coalition, MRU continues to elevate…

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Congratulations to RIW client The Mount Vernon Company on their recent acquisition of the Inn on the Square in Falmouth, MA. Adding to their expanding hospitality portfolio, this 82-room Cape Cod inn underscores Mount Vernon’s ambitious and vision-driven approach to real estate investment. RIW’s Michael Rosen represented Mount Vernon in this transaction, with assistance from…

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