Social Law Library

The first session will explore the scope and impact of substance use disorders within the legal profession. Current research, trends, and contributing factors unique to legal culture will be discussed. An Attorney with lived experience will offer a powerful story of struggle and recovery.

Part 1: Understanding the Legal Landscape & Part 2: Treatment, Healing, and Renewal

During the Salem Witch Trials more than 300 years ago, Salem was a small town without enough government officials or resources to conduct mass trials. Boston, the capital of the province, and Bostonians inevitably got drawn into the frenzy. Defendants from Salem were sent to, escaped from, and died in Boston’s jail. Bostonians were accused of witchcraft.

Join our panel of seasoned judges and experienced lawyers in a discussion of new developments in administrative law, trends and practice tips, together with the always popular “view from the bench.”

Join us for a webinar to learn more about using your Social Law Library membership to do online legal research. Access Massachusetts court and agency decisions through Social Law's own databases, or search primary law for all 50 States and Federal on VLex Fastcase.

This series is taken from the 2025 "You Be the Judge" all-day training session for judges sponsored by the Flaschner Judicial Institute. The instructors are judges, experienced practitioners, and law professors from the Supreme Judicial Court's Advisory Committee on the Law of Evidence.

This series is taken from the 2025 "You Be the Judge" all-day training session for judges sponsored by the Flaschner Judicial Institute. The instructors are judges, experienced practitioners, and law professors from the Supreme Judicial Court's Advisory Committee on the Law of Evidence.

This series is taken from the 2025 "You Be the Judge" all-day training session for judges sponsored by the Flaschner Judicial Institute. The instructors are judges, experienced practitioners, and law professors from the Supreme Judicial Court's Advisory Committee on the Law of Evidence.

This series is taken from the 2025 "You Be the Judge" all-day training session for judges sponsored by the Flaschner Judicial Institute. The instructors are judges, experienced practitioners, and law professors from the Supreme Judicial Court's Advisory Committee on the Law of Evidence.

As in his past lectures, Judge Stearns will focus on the criminal law decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court with occasional comparisons with the few pertinent U.S. Supreme Court cases decided in this last term. While (as of the time of this description) Judge Stearns has not singled out any of what he would consider “blockbuster” cases, he has identified several procedural and legal decisions taken by the Court that he believes are of enduring significance.

A focused overview of animal law in Massachusetts, highlighting how attorneys and courts address complex legal issues involving animals across civil, criminal, housing, probate, family, municipal, and legislative contexts. Panelists will explore both transactional tools—such as pet trusts, protective orders, and divorce agreements—and adversarial proceedings, including pet custody disputes, dangerous dog hearings, housing court challenges, and animal cruelty cases.

Chapter 93A is complex and often confusing. This two-hour program will not only cover the statutory framework, leading cases, the hottest new cases, but the judges will also provide insightful practice tips and pointers addressing issues that frequently arise during the course of litigation.

Artificial Intelligence is transforming search engines, marketing, and client acquisition. But how can lawyers, law librarians, and legal professionals navigate the hype versus the reality?

Divorce involving older individuals — those over 68 years of age — presents unique challenges. Issues of support, retirement, business succession planning, health, capacity, trust and estate planning, gifting and future long-term care all become relevant issues in the divorce and have game-changing legal significance. This program provides strategies for representation of older individuals, and concerns that are unique to this group.

Dates & Times:  Day 1 – Wednesday, October 8, 2025 – 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET  Day 2 – Tuesday, October 14, 2025 – 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET  Webinar Fee: $100 - to attend BOTH DAYS These programs are online only and will be recorded. All who register will receive a link to the video recording. DAY 1 - Divorce of Aging Individuals: Trusts & Estates, Fiduciaries and Long-Term Care: Divorce involving older individuals — those over 68 years of age — presents unique challenges. Issues of support, retirement, business succession planning, health, capacity, trust and estate planning, gifting and future long-term care all become relevant issues in the divorce and have game-changing legal significance. This program provides strategies for representation of older individuals, and concerns that are unique to this group. Among the highly critical topics discussed will be the Alimony Reform Act’s treatment of individuals over 68 years of age, the impact and accommodation of diminishing capacity, Medicaid/MassHealth planning, gifting and trusts. This program will also discuss relevant caselaw and statutory law regarding divorce, inheritance, intestacy, spousal election, death during the pendency of a divorce, MassHealth Planning as part of the divorce process to protect a community spouse from impoverishment, as well as fiduciary laws such as conservatorship, guardianship and the limits of a Chapter 208 Section 15 guardian. Faculty Hon. Lee Peterson, Probate & Family Court Lisa Cukier, Esq., Rubin & Rudman LLP Jessica Demmerly, Esq., Rubin & Rudman LLP DAY 2 -Buy Low, Sell High | Marry High, Sell Low -- Navigating Property Division and Alimony in the Volatile Market of 2025 In 2025, economic volatility -- driven by fluctuating real estate values, stock market instability, and shifting interest rates -- has introduced complex variables into family law. Massachusetts’ equitable distribution and alimony frameworks require practitioners to integrate market-savvy analysis into their legal strategies. This program provides guidance for family law attorneys on how market shifts affect property division and alimony determinations, and how to prepare arguments and settlements that reflect today’s economic uncertainty. Under M.G.L. c. 208, §34, courts must consider the fair market value of assets as of the time of divorce. In volatile markets, that value is a moving target. Real estate instability Property valuations swing monthly Days on market has increased given the sluggishness of the real estate market in certain geographies. Retirement and Investment Accounts: Account balances may not reflect true or stable value Consider tax implications of liquidating in a down market Time QDROs carefully to avoid inequitable gains/losses Business Valuations: Certain valuation approaches or dates may produce different results and may feel unreliable Under the Alimony Reform Act (M.G.L. c. 208, §§48–55), alimony is based on the payor’s ability to pay and the recipient’s need. Both are now subject to unpredictable change. Income Instability: Professionals in tech, finance, and real estate face erratic earnings. Consider variable support structures tied to bonuses or commissions. Consider review triggers for significant economic shifts. Consider using CPA’s, forensic accountants, and valuation experts who understand modern asset classes and compensation structures.  Anticipate future modifications due to inflation, job changes, or economic upticks and downturns. In settlement agreements, build in flexibility   The intersection of economic volatility and equitable distribution demands technical fluency and strategic foresight. This program will provide you with the ability to anticipate, strategize, and plan the course of your client representation in the 2025 financial market. Faculty Hon. Jennifer Bingham, Probate & Family Court Lisa Cukier, Esq., Rubin & Rudman LLP Gabrielle Denby, Esq., Rubin & Rudman LLP Robert Sanders, CFA, Senior Vice President, Woodstock Lisa Supple, MS, Vice President, Woodstock The views and opinions expressed in programs offered by the Social Law Library are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Library. Online registration is encouraged. For assistance, questions on group discounts, accommodations requests, special billing, program content, out-of-state CLE credits, and general contact CLE Coordinator, Michael Saporito by email at msaporito@socialaw.com. Registrations accepted in order of receipt. Registration fees are non-refundable. Most Social Law Library CLE events are recorded and recordings are sent to all who are registered. The recording is available by digital download, generally within a week after the program date. CLE credit, when applicable, is only granted when 80 % of the live webinar is attended. To insure getting the video, please register.

In 2025, economic volatility -- driven by fluctuating real estate values, stock market instability, and shifting interest rates -- has introduced complex variables into family law. Massachusetts’ equitable distribution and alimony frameworks require practitioners to integrate market-savvy analysis into their legal strategies.

Topic: Succession Planning - as it relates to Guardianship and Conservatorship, Estate Planning and Financial Planning for Individuals with Special Needs

Topics: Succession Planning and Mental Health and Guardianship

The second session will focus on treatment, recovery, and the process of returning to personal and professional well-being.

This series is taken from the 2025 "You Be the Judge" all-day training session for judges sponsored by the Flaschner Judicial Institute. The instructors are judges, experienced practitioners, and law professors from the Supreme Judicial Court's Advisory Committee on the Law of Evidence.

This series is taken from the 2025 "You Be the Judge" all-day training session for judges sponsored by the Flaschner Judicial Institute. The instructors are judges, experienced practitioners, and law professors from the Supreme Judicial Court's Advisory Committee on the Law of Evidence.

Join us for a webinar to learn more about using your Social Law Library membership to do online legal research. Access Massachusetts court and agency decisions through Social Law's own databases, or search primary law for all 50 States and Federal on VLex Fastcase.

Date & Time: Thursday, October 23, 2025, 9:00 A.M. to Noon Webinar Fee: $95 (Day 2 only) This program is online only and will be recorded. Anyone who registers will receive a link to the video recording. 3.0 credits on Day 2 for Mental Health Trials and Appeals and Parole/Medical Parole panels. Also, 1.0 credit has been approved on Day 2 for the Criminal Trials panel. MGA members will receive a coupon code to get a $25 discount off either of these prices. For information on joining MGA visit: http://www.massguardianshipassociation.org/ Presented by the Massachusetts Guardianship Association  and the Social Law Library   Topic: Succession Planning – a discussion on mental health, substance abuse, developmental disabilities and more as it relates to guardianship, alternatives to guardianship, extraordinary treatment, holistic approaches, legal standards, and what to do in a crisis. Faculty: Hon. George Phelan, Probate and Family Court Lisa Cukier, Esq. Rubin and Rudman LLP Zachary Faas, Psy.D., M.A. - Vice President of Clinical Operations of Intent Clinical Gene Hollenbach, LMHC - Eliot Community Human Services Melissa A. Howitt, Esq., Doherty, Dugan, Cannon, Raymond & Weil, P.C. The views and opinions expressed in programs offered by the Social Law Library are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Library. Online registration is encouraged. For assistance, questions on group discounts, accommodations requests, special billing, program content, out-of-state CLE credits, and general contact CLE Coordinator, Michael Saporito by email at msaporito@socialaw.com. Registrations accepted in order of receipt. Registration fees are non-refundable. Most Social Law Library CLE events are recorded and recordings are sent to all who are registered. The recording is available by digital download, generally within a week after the program date. CLE credit, when applicable, is only granted when 80% of the live webinar is attended. To insure getting the video, please register.

This series is taken from the 2025 "You Be the Judge" all-day training session for judges sponsored by the Flaschner Judicial Institute. The instructors are judges, experienced practitioners, and law professors from the Supreme Judicial Court's Advisory Committee on the Law of Evidence.

This series is taken from the 2025 "You Be the Judge" all-day training session for judges sponsored by the Flaschner Judicial Institute. The instructors are judges, experienced practitioners, and law professors from the Supreme Judicial Court's Advisory Committee on the Law of Evidence.