MCLE ThisWeek Podcast Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE │ New England)

Buy-sell agreements are key foundational documents in any business venture. Whether the entity is a limited liability company, partnership, or corporation, a well drafted buy-sell agreement can fill in the statutory gaps and provide a roadmap for unforeseen events.

A representative from the Massachusetts Probation Service discusses the probation officer’s role at sentencing and how to leverage new programs and services in sentencing arguments, including an understanding of compliance credits. Highly experienced attorneys who work in the corrections system discuss the execution of sentences, particularly the computation of sentences, sentence deductions, parole eligibility, and jail credits. Finally, the chair of the Massachusetts Parole Board discusses parole decision making, the legal standard for parole, factors that make a candidate suitable, aspects of parole supervision, programming innovations, graduated sanctions, parole revocation hearings, medical parole, release to supervision, parole compliance credits, and the Parole Board’s role in the pardon, commutation, and termination process.

Obtaining out-of-state discovery for Massachusetts state court cases can be a cumbersome and expensive process. Despite the costs involved, securing deposition testimony or documents from third-party witnesses in foreign states may be necessary. Counsel must understand the steps needed to obtain deposition testimony from individuals outside of Massachusetts because they will not be subject to a state court trial subpoena. Do not wait until discovery has closed; learn the steps to obtain out-of-state discovery for actions pending in the Commonwealth.

Understanding the precise details of guardianship and conservatorship law is extremely important to estate planners, elder law lawyers, and other professionals in this area. Knowing the basics, however, can be a challenge in this evolving field for both new and experienced guardianship and conservatorship practitioners. Additionally, the subtleties of dealing with individuals who may lack capacity remain as complex as ever. The major changes to applicable laws as well as newer reforms and additions keep occurring and lawyers need to know the rules and how they impact their practice.

The program begins with a discussion about how to define income for support purposes and how that can differ from taxable income. We teach you how to read a personal tax return, focusing on how to identify components of income, and the meaning behind tax credits, deductions, and the alternative minimum tax.

For practitioners new to the Land Court, this podcast provides an invaluable introduction to Land Court practice and procedure. For those already familiar with the court, the program offers a peek behind the curtain and a unique opportunity to hear directly from the judges and staff about what it means to practice in the Land Court.