Boston Bar Association

Last month, BBA sponsor firm Goodwin announced that Boston-based Carl Metzger is stepping into the Chair position for its global litigation department. In this role, Carl will oversee the firm’s litigation strategy, the department’s continued growth, and client relations. We had a quick chat with Carl about his new role, what he’s seeing in the litigation space, and his outlook for the years ahead. Here's a preview - you can read the full interview at the link below: BBA: How do you support new lawyers on your team interested in gaining essential practice skills and litigation experience at the junior level? Carl: Great question, and one that, in my opinion, doesn’t get asked enough in our industry. It starts with our firm having a genuine commitment to developing that talent and creating those opportunities for younger litigators. We can’t rely on “ad hoc” learning opportunities that may vary depending on what cases a junior litigator gets staffed on. You need a level of intentionality for designing those learning opportunities if you want to develop skills on a sustained and consistent basis. We strive for “best-in-class” training programs but that, too, is not enough. We have to provide hands-on litigation work, and actual client engagement. We have a number of ways in which we achieve that, and we need to continue to stay focused on providing those opportunities. Full interview: https://lnkd.in/e3kktMnQ

The digital landscape is evolving fast—are you ready? Join us on Thursday, December 5, for the BBA Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Digital Law Conference at 16 Beacon Street, where we’ll unpack the latest trends, legal updates, and challenges shaping the future of digital governance, privacy laws, AI solutions, and cybersecurity. Here’s a glimpse of what’s on the agenda: - International Cybercrime: What to Be Alert for in 2025 With cyber threats growing more sophisticated by the day, hear from top prosecutors and legal experts about how nation-state attacks, crypto fraud, and hack-to-trade conspiracies are shaping the future of international law. - Contracting for AI Solutions As AI continues to transform industries, don’t miss the conversation on navigating complex AI contracts and ensuring compliance in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. Learn from experts how to balance innovation with responsibility. - Big Data and Privacy Laws: What You Need to Know With 19 states adopting new privacy laws by 2026 and increased enforcement at both the federal and state levels, get the latest updates on how privacy regulations are changing the game for businesses and legal professionals. This is your opportunity to stay ahead of the curve, network with other industry leaders and make sure your organization is prepared for 2025 and beyond. Learn more and register below: https://lnkd.in/ejXi6tdU

What are the latest trends in legal malpractice and ethics claims? On Thursday, November 21, join our panel of experts, including Afton Pavletic, Jennifer Mikels (Goulston & Storrs), Mike Mooney (USI Affinity) and Richard Rosensweig (Goulston & Storrs), to learn about current issues faced by lawyers and practitioners, including what areas of practice generate more claims, who is bringing claims, what types of allegations are common in these cases, and Massachusetts developments on the law of causation. We’ll discuss how malpractice and ethics claims have evolved in recent years and the rising focus on claims of ethical breaches in malpractice cases. The panel will also address the most common types of ethical complaints and the new challenges lawyers face in a world where every day is met with new information concerning generative AI and other tools available to the legal profession. This program is designed for a wide range of legal professionals who navigate malpractice risk and ethical issues, including firm general counsels, loss prevention attorneys, practitioners who bring and defend cases against lawyers, and conflicts counsel. Attorneys working in law firms and solo practitioners will find this discussion especially relevant. Register now! https://lnkd.in/egsJsmqP

Many thanks to the Boston Bar Association for hosting and to Kirkland & Ellis for sponsoring last night's inaugural 1L Opportunities & Diversity Clerkships event. This event was aimed at sharing information about 1L opportunities in Boston early so that students can learn about the deadlines and materials needed to apply before they enter finals. Thanks to the BLG members that participated and to the BBA for sharing info about its DEI Summer Fellowship program. Kirkland & Ellis Ropes & Gray LLP State Street Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP WilmerHale Foley Hoag LLP Goodwin Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Cooley LLP Todd & Weld LLP Proskauer Rose LLP

The 2024 Fall edition of the Boston Bar Journal is now available! Check it out for tips for surviving summary judgment, the latest on campus free speech concerns, advice for law students and new lawyers, and much more! https://lnkd.in/epjJixeG

Looking for a chance to exhale this week? On Thursday, join us for an energizing Community Connections Breakfast, hosted by the BBA's Well-Being Advisory Committee. Start your morning in a welcoming space designed for you to relax, recharge, and make meaningful connections. This isn’t just any breakfast—it’s a chance to share ideas, explore ways to build your professional network, and kickstart your day. https://lnkd.in/eh3SYZAh

We congratulate Justice Amy Blake on her history-making confirmation as chief justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court! We look forward to working with the Chief—a former co-chair of the Boston Bar Journal's Board of Editors—in her new role. https://lnkd.in/dbwDxWce

Join us on Thursday, November 14 for The "Me" in Mediation | Part 2! Jeff Soilson and Ashleigh Louis, PhD, LMFT, RYT, co-founders of Quantum™ ADR, will lead a workshop on their unique approach to values-based mediation. Quantum ADR employs an innovative two-coach approach to mediation, with a focus on developing personal growth to resolve conflict. This workshop will address strategies for overcoming obstacles with value-alignment in both your personal and professional life, and how your values impact your decision-making.         While this program is a continuation of an introductory workshop held in Spring 2024, all are welcome to attend. Attendees who did not attend Part 1 of the workshop will be brought up to speed quickly. https://lnkd.in/e49fWM5U

Thank you again to Lawyers for Civil Rights for coming to the BBA last week to train volunteers for Election Protection! Attendees left with with a foundation in election law and equipped with all of the tools necessary to volunteer on Election Day.

Senior associates: Join us for an open meeting of the Senior Associates Executive Steering Committee on Zoom on Thursday, November 7 at noon! Whether you're passionate about educational and networking programs for senior attorneys or eager to expand your connections with current legal professionals, this is the space for you. Everyone is welcome here to meet members of the Senior Associates Network Committee and learn how you can get involved! Register below to receive a Zoom link for the meeting. https://lnkd.in/eq3CC_Tn Questions about joining? Email Caitlin at cblanchette@bostonbar.org for more information.