Boston, MA Lawyers

International Law

201 Washington St, Boston, MA 02108, USA

Carson Burnham Chairs the International Practice Group of Ogletree Deakins. She is a shareholder based in the Boston office. Carson and her global team manage worldwide labor and employment matters for clients and offer practical solutions to employment law issues in over 100 countries. Carson’s expertise includes multijurisdictional investigations into employment law and compliance matters including sexual harassment, bullying, assault, breach of finance and sales protocols, kickbacks and compensation fraud and other employment-law matters of particular importance to US headquartered multinationals. Carson also specializes in a practical and efficient approach to sensitive, executive-level negotiations, assisting her clients with hiring, management, and terminations worldwide. Carson has unique experience with labor and employment issues in cross-border M&A from a multidisciplinary perspective, and is often called upon to partner with corporate firms to assist from the kickoff of a transaction through post-close integration. Carson designs and implements global ethics protocols for US-headquartered multinationals and enables her clients to implement compensation plans and harmonized benefits practices with a solutions-oriented approach that maintains efficiency at the global level and compliance at the local level. Carson also manages employment litigation for clients abroad, most recently in the Netherlands, Spain and France. She is frequently asked to speak about addressing the challenges of effectively managing a global workforce. In addition to her own practice, Carson established and manages the International Practice Group of Ogletree Deakins, a team of international attorneys based in five countries with experience handling employment-law matters worldwide. Some recent representative projects handled by Carson and the team include global restructurings ; overtime and wage/hour compliance in multiple jurisdictions; investigating allegations of sexual harassment and criminal assault (France, UK, Brazil, Thailand); investigating allegations of abuse of financial protocols, including benefits fraud, unauthorized discounting and alleged kickbacks (Japan, France, Brazil); drafting and coordinating the rollout of global sales compensation plans, retention bonus plans, codes of conduct and electronic communications policies; advising concerning choice of law, the enforceability of US judgments overseas and the extraterritorial application of US laws applicable employees employment laws to foreign decision makers; managing disability issues; preparing and delivering comparative anti-harassment trainings; measures to mitigate the multidisciplinary risks associated with Global Mobility assignments; negotiating executive terminations as well as handling performance and conduct-based terminations. The International Practice Group consists of lawyers with in-house experience working for multinationals, lawyers experienced in cross-disciplinary matters such as white collar crime, M&A, immigration and tax; lawyers with educational and language experience in a multitude of foreign countries including China, Cuba, Brazil, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Austria, and Ireland; and German, Japanese, Chinese and Korean lawyers with experience working in the United States. Prior to joining Ogletree, Carson was the Vice President of Global Employment Law for Novell, Inc. In that capacity, Carson managed a global team of attorneys, oversaw worldwide employment litigation and separation negotiations, served as counsel to the company’s Compliance and Ethics Committee, held responsibility for the employment-law aspects of the company’s transactional activity (including post-close integration) , chaired its Global Policy Committee, served as counsel to its Global Sales Incentive Compensation Committee, and regularly advised Internal Audit concerning international labor and employment matters, signature authority protocols, pricing review procedures, separation costs and incentive compensation issues. In this role, Carson frequently participated in the company’s Board and Audit Committee meetings and worked on a daily basis with the company’s executive team. Carson is best known for finding creative, simple and efficient solutions for her clients’ complex employment law problems around the world.

Civil Litigation

800 Boylston St #2500, Boston, MA 02199, USA

Christopher Sullivan has more than 40 years of experience practicing law. He focuses on the civil jury trials of complex litigation matters, such as financial and securities cases and intellectual property matters. Through trials, motions practice, or settlements, Mr. Sullivan, who oversees the commercial litigation practice in the firm’s Boston office, has resolved more than 300 lawsuits in a wide range of substantive areas of litigation. He is actively involved in numerous professional organizations, including various leadership roles, such as serving as the President of the Massachusetts Bar Association. Before entering private practice, Mr. Sullivan served the State of New York as a Special Assistant Attorney General, where he was as a trial attorney with the Office of the Special Prosecutor during its investigation and prosecution of official corruption within the criminal justice system of New York City.

Corporate and Transactional Law

303 Congress St suite 200, Boston, MA 02210, USA

David J. Chavolla is a partner in the Business Law Practice Group. He concentrates in the representation and counseling of privately held business organizations in all aspects of their legal affairs. David has served as outside general counsel to a wide range of clients, including manufacturers and distributors of commercial and consumer products and services, software developers and providers, energy management firms, communications companies, consulting firms, and professional organizations. He is responsible for all aspects of clients’ corporate legal affairs including organizational, capital structure and stockholder issues, employment matters, protection of intellectual property, borrowing relationships, real estate, and contract issues. David regularly represents corporate and other business clients in complex business transactions including mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, and joint ventures involving U.S. domestic and international business entities. He is also frequently involved in representation of public and private companies in overseas transactions and representation of foreign entities in U.S. activities, both as U.S. general counsel and special counsel in connection with specific transactions. David has extensive experience with financial transactions, including private placements and other capital formation activities, secured and unsecured banks, and other institutional financing and credit facilities. He has represented firms in initial public offerings and ongoing SEC compliance work. His experience includes counseling on issues involving the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisors Act.

Personal Injury Law

10 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108, USA

Bio - Douglas Sheff is the only attorney in Massachusetts’ history to have held the positions of President of the Massachusetts Bar Association, President of Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, Governor of the American Association for Justice and Trustee of the National College of Advocacy, highlighting his local and national accomplishments and commitment to the betterment of the practice of law and public service. He has extensive experience in all aspects of personal injury law and has earned a reputation for obtaining consistent, superior recoveries for his clients. He focuses his practice on representing victims of traumatic brain injury, wrongful death, construction site, trucking accidents, workplace accidents, and defective products. He has received numerous honors and awards for his work as a lawyer, a consumer advocate and an educator. He is a nationally renowned brain injury litigation expert. An accomplished writer and speaker, Mr. Sheff regularly educates other attorneys,

Personal Injury Law

10 Tremont St, STE 700, Boston, MA 02108

Bio - Frank J. Federico, Jr. has been practicing in the area of personal injury litigation since 1987. Attorney Federico has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in serious personal injury matters in many areas including, but not limited to, motor vehicle collisions, construction site accidents, premises liability claims, medical malpractice matters and insurance coverage disputes. Attorney Federico is admitted to practice in all Courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Federal District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the Federal 1st Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Attorney Federico is a long term member of both the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys (MATA) and the American Association for Justice (AAJ). In addition to his law practice and public service commitments, Attorney Federico has volunteered his services coaching for several youth sports organizations in his community.

Personal Injury Law

44 School Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02108

Real Estate Law

176 Federal St, Boston, MA 02110

As a co-founder for his own real estate development company, Jim understands firsthand how to start and manage a company, including partnership negotiations, management of service providers and other external relationships, employment and compliance matters, general contracting and corporate compliance, and day-to-day operations. Jim has also managed multi-million dollar real estate development projects, working with municipal governments, architects, general contractors, environmental consultants, brokers, and other crucial members of a real estate development project’s ecosystem. He appreciates the time pressures and value that goes into running a business and the costs that are associated with it. In addition to starting and running a business, Jim has extensive experience representing local, national and international clients in all facets of real estate, including purchase and sale of property, condominiums, obtaining state and local zoning/permitting approvals, leasing, joint venture development agreements, construction contracts, and commercial and private financing. Jim has negotiated and managed relationships with high-net worth individuals, family offices, and co-development companies for his company and clients in the real estate development business.

Family and Divorce Law

1 Longfellow Pl #3610, Boston, MA 02114, USA

Karen Sweeney Shea is a highly skilled family law attorney with over 30 years of experience, specializing in complex and high-net-worth divorce litigation, child custody matters, and alternative dispute resolution. A member of McGrath & Kane since 2002, Karen has built a reputation for her thoughtful, strategic approach to family law and her ability to guide clients through even the most challenging legal issues. Karen earned her Juris Doctor degree from Boston College Law School in 1990, following her undergraduate studies at Merrimack College (1986). She began her legal career at the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, where she gained invaluable courtroom experience before transitioning to private practice. At McGrath & Kane, Karen has developed a deep expertise in complex family law cases, including divorce cases involving substantial financial assets, child custody disputes, modifications, contempt matters, and the negotiation and drafting of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. In addition to her litigation practice, Karen is an experienced mediator and conciliator, successfully resolving private family law matters through alternative dispute resolution methods. She also volunteers her time as a conciliator for various probate and family court conciliation programs, offering her mediation services to help families resolve disputes outside of the courtroom. Karen is also dedicated to advancing the field of family law through education and service. She has authored numerous articles on family law topics and regularly participates as a panelist for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) seminars and Massachusetts Bar Association Programs. Additionally, Karen serves as an Attorney Representing Children (ARC) and volunteers with several Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programs in the Probate and Family Courts of Middlesex and Norfolk counties. She also participated in the Lawyer for the Day program, helping individuals navigate through the court system. Recognized for her excellence in family law, Karen has been named a Super Lawyer by Boston Magazine since 2008 and has been listed among the Top Women of Law since 2014. She is an active member of the American Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, Boston Bar Association, and the Greater Boston Family Law Inns of Court.

Labor Law

One Boston Place, Suite 3500, Boston, MA 02108

Lisa Stephanian Burton is the managing shareholder of the Boston and Portland, Maine, offices of Ogletree Deakins. She defends employers in litigation and counsels on labor and employment issues that include wage and hour, discrimination, leaves of absence, and other US state and federal laws and regulations. Lisa also advises employers on business immigration matters. She works frequently with employers in the life sciences, healthcare, technology, retail, manufacturing, employee staffing and financial services industries. Lisa’s employment litigation practice includes representing clients before state and federal agencies as well as before state and federal courts. She defends wage and hour class and collective actions involving claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state law. Lisa also defends clients in employment discrimination challenges, including claims of race, gender, age, and disability discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination cases. In her labor and employment counseling practice, Lisa advises clients on employment practices and policies. She counsels employers on structuring the workforce, labor and employment implications of mergers and acquisitions, hiring, firing, management and reductions in force (RIF). Clients routinely have Lisa conduct internal investigations and audits. Lisa also has handled several OSHA related matters involving workplace injuries and complaints. Lisa’s immigration practice includes helping employees of both large and small companies’ secure employment-based visas and permanent residency. She helps employers achieve immigration solutions for information technology professionals, executive and managerial employees, investors, medical professionals, and scientists and researchers in academia and in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries. Lisa also represents clients facing government investigations related to immigration compliance and alleged abuses in immigration-related employment practices.

Labor Law

One Boston Place, Boston, MA 02201, USA

Lisa Stephanian Burton is the managing shareholder of the Boston and Portland, Maine, offices of Ogletree Deakins. She defends employers in litigation and counsels on labor and employment issues that include wage and hour, discrimination, leaves of absence, and other US state and federal laws and regulations. Lisa also advises employers on business immigration matters. She works frequently with employers in the life sciences, healthcare, technology, retail, manufacturing, employee staffing and financial services industries. Lisa’s employment litigation practice includes representing clients before state and federal agencies as well as before state and federal courts. She defends wage and hour class and collective actions involving claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state law. Lisa also defends clients in employment discrimination challenges, including claims of race, gender, age, and disability discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination cases. In her labor and employment counseling practice, Lisa advises clients on employment practices and policies. She counsels employers on structuring the workforce, labor and employment implications of mergers and acquisitions, hiring, firing, management and reductions in force (RIF). Clients routinely have Lisa conduct internal investigations and audits. Lisa also has handled several OSHA related matters involving workplace injuries and complaints. Lisa’s immigration practice includes helping employees of both large and small companies’ secure employment-based visas and permanent residency. She helps employers achieve immigration solutions for information technology professionals, executive and managerial employees, investors, medical professionals, and scientists and researchers in academia and in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries. Lisa also represents clients facing government investigations related to immigration compliance and alleged abuses in immigration-related employment practices.

Family and Divorce Law

Longfellow Pl, Boston, MA 02114, USA

Martin F. Kane, II (“Marty”) has been a member of McGrath and Kane, since September 1997. Marty’s areas of practice are complex domestic relations law and criminal defense. A graduate of Boston College School of Management in 1988 and Boston College Law School graduating in 1992 with a Juris Doctorate degree. Upon graduation from law school, Marty was employed by the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office 1992-1997. While in the District Attorney’s Office, Marty prosecuted numerous criminal cases, including approximately 300 jury trials and more than one thousand bench trials in the District and Superior Courts of the Middlesex County. Marty served as the supervising attorney for the Newton, Malden and the Cambridge Jury of Six, in the District Courts. He successfully drafted and argued seven appellate cases in the Massachusetts Appeals Court, resulting in six affirmations of convictions and one reversal of a motion to suppress that had been allowed. Since joining McGrath and Kane, Marty has successfully litigated various complex child custody and business valuation related divorce cases. He has successfully defended various criminal cases in the District and Superior Courts of the Commonwealth. Marty presently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law, at Boston College. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association Middlesex County Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Family and Probate Inns of Court. Marty served as Secretary, First Vice President and is the past President of the Middlesex County Bar Association. During his two year term as President, he forged unions with the local bar associations within Middlesex County, and established a bench bar forum for all of the District and Probate Courts in Middlesex County where attorneys and Judges discuss the needs and the requirements of recent civil and/or criminal procedure changes as well as internal administration of the various courts. Marty organized and continues to chair the Middlesex County Bar Association’s Probate and Family Court Conciliation Program. This program has resolved over 2,000 cases since inception. Marty currently serves as a council member of the Middlesex Bar Foundation; and a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association House of Delegates. Providing continuing legal education in a variety of forums, Marty has participated in seminars at the Massachusetts Bar Association on domestic relations and he has also participated in the District Court Survival Guide for the criminal law section during the past five years. He has also taught new police recruits for the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council. In addition Marty has participated in a number of MCLE seminars on domestic relations matters March, 2009 – Post Divorce Modifications and Contempts; January, 2009 – Obtaining and Defending Restraining Orders under MGL 209A. He was a panel member in the Middlesex County Bar Association “Post Pierce Alimony” Seminar in April, 2010. He presently serves as a Committee member of the MCLE Family Law Curriculum Advisory Committee. Recognizing the importance of pro bono service to the courts of the Commonwealth, Marty participates regularly in the Lawyer for the Day programs in Middlesex, Suffolk and Norfolk County Probate and Family Courts Marty is a recipient of the Massachusetts Bar Association Community Service Award November 2008. At the request of the President of the Massachusetts Bar Association, Marty served as the Chair of the Committee investigating and reporting upon the “Crisis in the Courts”. Marty has served as a committee member for the Judicial Bench Bar Committee since 2006. This committee conducts due diligence on candidates for Judicial appointments who have been nominated by the Judicial Nominating Committee and are awaiting consideration by the Executive Branch. In 2010, Marty was nominated as a Massachusetts “Super Lawyer”.

Tax Law

53 State Street, 17th Floor, Boston, MA 02109

Michael is a Managing Director in the Tax Group at CBIZ & MHM New England (formerly CBIZ Tofias). He is also the Leader of the Boston Tax Group and Leader of the Life Sciences Practice in New England. Prior to joining the company, he served as a Tax Consulting Senior Manager in Ernst & Young's New England Tax Practice. Michael has more than 25 years of experience serving publicly traded and privately held clients in the life science, technology, manufacturing and retail/distribution industries. Michael has assisted many multinational companies in developing and implementing proactive federal, state and international tax plans to minimize their worldwide tax liability. Michael's experience also includes assisting publicly traded companies with ASC 740 (formerly FAS 109), ASC 740-10 (formerly FIN 48) and ASC 450 (formerly FAS 5) tax accounting issues, conducting Research & Development and Orphan Drug tax credit studies, consulting on the Medical Device Excise Tax, serving as temporary Director of Tax for a publicly traded bio-pharmaceutical company, and working with closely held companies on tax and succession planning strategies. His expertise includes acquisition/disposition structuring, representing clients before various taxing authorities, and corporate tax planning and consulting.

Real Estate Law

2 Atlantic Ave, 6th Floor

Area of Practice: Municipal Law Mr. DeRensis has represented public entities and has served as Town Counsel or Special Town Counsel, County Counsel, counsel to a Land Bank, an Airport, and a Water Company. As a consequence he has extensive experience with City Councils, Town Managers, Boards of Selectmen, Planning Boards, Conservation Commissions, Town Meetings, Warrants, Boards of Appeals, Executive Secretaries or Town Administrators, Housing Partnerships, Study Committees, Historic District Commissions, Parks & Recreation Commissions, Boards of Health, Boards of Assessors, Treasurers, Town Clerks, Town Accountants, Building Inspectors, Police and Fire Departments, Schools and Continuing Education Programs, Alcohol Licenses and other licenses and permits, Boards of Sewer Commissioners, Special Permit Granting Authorities, Department of Revenue and the State Ethics Commission. Mr. DeRensis is experienced in municipal matters involving public procurement, land use, environmental, contracting, ethics, municipal finance/Department of Revenue issues, special education, and retirement issues. In addition, he practices in the area of corporate governance representing both non-profit and for-profit corporations.

Family and Divorce Law

30 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110

For over twenty-six years, Phyllis has specialized in the trial of complex domestic relations and family law matters and has worked with a number of prestigious firms specializing in this area of the law. In 1994, she was one of the founding partners of Schmidt & Federico, P.C Phyllis’ practice encompasses all aspects of matrimonial and domestic relations law, including divorce, custody, modifications, prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, and paternity. She handles high-conflict disputes with an emphasis on business valuation and custody litigation. She has chaired and been a panel member of many continuing education programs for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, (“MCLE”), the Boston Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Massachusetts Association of Guardians ad Litem, (“MAGAL”), the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, (“AFCC”) and has been a guest lecturer at Boston College Law School and Suffolk University Law School. Phyllis has authored many articles on family law practice. She is the co-editor of the MCLE publication “Massachusetts Divorce Law Practice Manual” and has co-authored the Separation Agreement Chapter for that publication for many years. She is the Co-Author of the Massachusetts Family Law Source Book and Citator. She is listed in Naifeh & Smith’s “Best Lawyers in America,” has been listed as one of Boston Magazine’s top fifty female attorneys and has been included as a Super Lawyer in Boston Magazine in the category of family law since 2004 as well as “New England Super Lawyers.”

Workers Compensation Law

44 School St 6th floor, Boston, MA 02108, USA

Attorney Seth Elin, a Partner in the firm and Director of the Workers’ Compensation Department joined Altman Nussbaum Shunnarah in 2025. Prior to joining Altman Nussbaum Shunnarah Attorney Elin was a Partner at Keches Law Group for over twenty years specializing in Workers’ Compensation. Attorney Elin began his career at a prominent employment litigation law firm where he practiced in the field of employment and discrimination law. From 2007 to 2008, Attorney Elin was the Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association subcommittee on Worker’s Compensation, a member of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys subcommittee on Worker’s Compensation and a member of the Employees Rights and Responsibilities Practice Group. He helped draft the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination’s Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Guidelines. From 2005 through 2008, Attorney Elin was named in Boston Magazine’s Super Lawyers edition as one of Massachusetts’ “Rising Stars.” Attorney Elin grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts and received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and both a law degree and Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. While in law school, Attorney Elin was an Editor of the Journal of Law and Commerce, a quarter-finalist of the Wagner National Labor Law Moot Court Competition in New York City, and a quarter-finalist in the Craven National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Attorney Elin was awarded the Faculty Award for Excellence in Legal Scholarship and was admitted into the prestigious Order of the Barristers. Attorney Elin has dedicated his 28-year legal career to protecting the rights of employees who have been hurt on the job, guiding thousands of clients through the complex Workers’ Compensation system with skill, compassion, and unwavering commitment. Known for his thorough understanding of the law and strategic approach to litigation, Attorney Elin has earned a reputation among clients, colleagues, and judges alike as a trusted advocate who gets results. Attorney Elin regularly handles claims involving workplace injuries, repetitive stress conditions, industrial accidents, and disputes over medical benefits and wage loss, and he has successfully represented clients at every level of the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents. Attorney Elin believes in a hands-on, personalized approach to each case, and his clients benefit from both his deep legal experience and his commitment to clear, honest communication throughout the claims process.

Estate Planning Law

101 Federal St suite 1900, Boston, MA 02110, USA

Chanise Anderson, Esq. is an experienced asset protection and business attorney and the founder of MARKSETGO Law, P.C., a Massachusetts-based law firm serving clients nationwide. With nearly a decade of experience, Chanise focuses on helping business owners, entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and families protect their assets, build generational wealth, and secure their legacies. Her practice spans estate planning, trust structuring, business entity formation, corporate compliance, intellectual property protection, and tax-advantaged strategies. Chanise is widely recognized for developing customized legal frameworks that combine tools such as revocable and irrevocable trusts, holding company structures, life insurance planning, and trademark portfolios to preserve and grow wealth across multiple generations.

Immigration Law

53 State St suite 500, Boston, MA 02109, USA

Ms. Bogle is an experienced trial lawyer; conducted over 100 criminal trials as Lead Counsel. In addition, she has substantial negotiation expertise. She is the Managing Partner of Bogle & Chang, LLC law firm, handling legal matters in: Immigration, Entertainment, Criminal Defense, International, Nonprofit and Appeals. Her entertainment practice focuses on music contracts, music publishing, literary contracts, copyright, trademark, and negotiating successful deals for clients. Nikiki T. Bogle is the Managing Partner in the law firm of Bogle & Chang, LLC and Chair of the firm’s Immigration, Criminal and Entertainment Practice Groups. Ms. Bogle concentrates her practice on corporate immigration, family immigration, international, human rights, criminal appeals and music matters. Ms. Bogle’s Immigration practice encompasses both business immigration and family immigration. She represents companies, employees, families and individuals in assessing immigration options to live and work in the United States. Her entertainment law practice includes drafting and negotiating management, recording artist, and music publishing agreements. In addition to her practice in the music industry, Ms. Bogle represents visual artists and literary artists in the protection and exploitation of their intellectual property. Ms. Bogle concentrates her practice in entertainment, specializing in music law, corporate immigration, international business, human rights and criminal appeals. Her music business practice includes drafting and negotiating management, recording artist, and music publishing agreements. In addition to her practice in the music industry, Ms. Bogle represents visual artists and literary artists in the protection and exploitation of their intellectual property.