Accomplishments

Our firm and our attorneys. Recognized for expertise.

P&A attorneys have been recognized as pre-eminent lawyers by well-respected publications, and quoted or cited in hundreds of local, state and national newspaper articles, court decisions and legal publications, including pre-eminent law journals such as the Harvard Law Review.

Awards & Recognition

 
 
 

Publications & Client Advisories

 

P&A In the News

Hearsay: City to Appeal $26.5M Judgment for Overcharging Neighbor (Holden Final Judgment) (MLW) (2023)

Go to Construction Lawyer Award (MLW) (2022)

Hearsay: “Go with the flow” (Holden Jury Verdict) (MLW) (2022)

“Town violated labor laws in arbitration, DLR finds” (MLW) (2022)

“Fired bus union boss can bring §1983 suit” (MLW) (2022)

“Judge revives ham radio enthusiast’s plans for 80-=foot tower” (MLW) (2021)

“Misclassification lawsuit against MBTA fails,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (MLW) (2020)

“Officer’s Disability Bias Suit Reinstated:  Could be ‘Qualified’ Despite Vision Loss,” MLW (2020)

“Fired cop can bring ADA Suit,” MLW (2020)

“‘Dover’ protections don’t extend to hospital program,” MLW (2018)

“Union workers can pursue class action over unpaid overtime,” MLW (2018)

“‘T’ can cancel contract for cheaper rate on fuel,” MLW (2018) 

“Stale CWOF doesn’t justify bypass of job,” MLW (2018) 

“Appeals Court: Zoning Act Doesn’t Preempt Local Bylaw,” MLW (2017)

“Bordering town can’t fight permit for plant,” MLW (2017)

“Town didn’t violate Open Meeting Law by sending selectman to mediation,” MLW (2016) 

“Civil service panel erred in upholding cop’s firing,” MLW (2016)

“DLR: emails wrongly withheld from union,” MLW (2016) 

“Construction manager at risk can be indemnified for design errors,” MLW (2015) 

“City can’t install GPS on vehicles,” MLW (2015)

“Agency can be sued for worker misclassification,” MLW (2015)

“Contractor not entitled to equitable adjustment,” MLW (2015)

“Work product doctrine at center of case before SJC,” MLW (2014)

“Civil service worker not required to bring case administratively,” MLW (2014)

“Non-party’s support of suit protected by anti-SLAPP law,” MLW (2014)

“Bar split over need for Dover Amendment Fix,” MLW (2014)

“Construction manager can’t cut off indemnification rights,” MLW (2014)

“Internal probe docs subject to discovery,” MLW (2013)

“Land Use Attorneys Split on Impact of ‘Regis’ Ruling,” MLW (2012)

“Law firms lining up for casino contracts,” MLW (2012)

“Insurer’s malpractice suit vs. town counsel allowed,” MLW (2011)

“State database will reveal spending by judges, staff,” MLW (2011)

“Notice on OT Not Required of Municipality,” MLW (2010)

“Town board can hire own lawyer,” MLW (2010)

“Law extending permits received mixed reaction,” MLW (2010)

“Police OT Can Be Cut,” MLW (2008)

“Attorney-Client Privilege Protects DCAM Documents,” MLW (2007)

“Town Must Split Costs for Sewage Expenses,” MLW (2004) 

“Bylaw Permitting Smoking Trumped by Board of Health,” MLW (2003) 

“Town Not Required to Supply Public Services to Developer,” MLW (2003)

 

Key Events

P&A congratulates founding principal Christopher J. Petrini for his selection as 2023 Lawyer of the Year by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly!

2023 Lawyers of the Year Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

In August of 2022, Petrini & Associates, P.C. succeeded, after nearly ten years of litigation, in obtaining for the Town of Holden a $14.6 million verdict against the City of Worcester for unjust enrichment, and a determination of breach of contract by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (“DCR”) with respect to excessive and illegal charges imposed on Holden for transport of its wastewater through Worcester.  The jury verdict was affirmed after extensive post-trial motion practice, and the Superior Court awarded post judgment interest of over $11M to Holden.  The final judgment issued in April 2023 was for more than $26.5M.  The Holden verdict was one of the largest verdicts of the year in Massachusetts.  This case received extensive press coverage.

City to appeal $26.5 judgment for overcharging neighbor - Mass Lawyers Weekly

Worcester to appeal near $27 million sewer dispute lawsuit with Holden - Masslive

Judge orders Worcester to pay Holden $27 million in sewer lawsuit - Telegram & Gazette

Judge Affirms that Worcester owes Holden $26 million for excessive wastewater charges - Spectrum News

In sewer dispute with Worcester, jury awards Holden 14.6 million - Mass Lawyers Weekly

Holden reports $14.6 million jury verdict against Worcester in sewer dispute - Telegram & Gazette

In May of 2023, Christopher J. Petrini was selected as a “Go To” Construction Lawyer by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.

Featured

2022 - Recent SJC decision addressing public policy exception to at-will employment doctrine Meehan v. Medical Information Technology Inc. - P&A Client Update 2022:01

2022 - In February 2022 the New Jersey Supreme Court recently selected “Batson v. Kentucky, a Promise Unfulfilled,” 58 U.M.K.C. L. Rev. 361 (1990), a law review article co-authored by Christopher J. Petrini of Framingham and the Honorable Theodore McMillian (dec.) of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, as a feature article discussed at a 2021 Judicial Conference on Jury Selection sponsored by the Court. At this conference, representatives from each Branch of the New Jersey government listened to expert testimony about ways in which the jury selection process can be made more fair and free of bias. This article also was cited and discussed in a companion publication entitled Guide to the Judicial Conference on Jury Selection (njcourts.gov). The New Jersey Supreme called for this Conference in its recent decision in State v. Andujar, 247 N.J. 275 (2021).

October 14, 2021

2009-2021 — October 14, 2021 - Chris Petrini and Chris Brown have both been named as 2021 Massachusetts Super Lawyers in the State, Local, and Municipal Practice area. Thomson Reuters, publisher of the New England Super Lawyers magazine, selects only 5% of the practicing lawyers in New England for this honor. Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis.

For Chris Petrini, this year’s selection marks his 10th overall selection to the list, and his 8th straight selection dating back to 2014. In addition, Attorney Petrini has been recognized on three occasions (2016-18) on the Top 100 Lawyers in New England list, a list selecting the top 100 lawyers in New England from the Super Lawyer honorees for that year.

Attorney Brown’s selection for the 2021 Super Lawyers list is his fifth selection overall and his fifth straight selection dating back to 2017. He previously was named for seven straight years to New England Super Lawyers Rising Stars list from 2009 to 2015.

2021 - On December 6, 2021, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly recognized the 11th Annual PCU in its On the Town section ‘Municipal Lawyers’ group gathers for annual update. https://masslawyersweekly.com/2021/12/03/municipal-lawyers-group-%e2%80%a8gathers-for-annual-update/

2021 - On October 20, 2021, the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association held its 11th Annual Public Construction and Infrastructure Update pandemic at the Publick House in Sturbridge. This was the first in-person MMLA conference since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic . The specific focus of this well-attended and well-received conference was “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Issues in Public Construction.” The program was moderated by P&A principal and former MMLA President Christopher J. Petrini. More information on this year’s speakers and topics is set forth in the attached Listing of Annual Public Construction programs. Past Annual PCU Listing

2021 – On October 20, 2021, P&A in conjunction with MMLA, will be presenting the 11th Annual Public Construction and Infrastructure Update conference at the Publick House in Sturbridge, MA. The title of this year’s program is “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Issues in Public Construction.” This year’s panelists include Christopher J. Petrini, Program Chair & Moderator, Petrini & Associates, P.C, Framingham, MA; Dr. Yvonne M. Spicer, Mayor, City of Framingham; Deborah Anderson, Assistant Attorney General, Construction Bid Unit; Susan Moir, ScD, Research Director, PGTI: The Policy Group on Tradeswomen’s Issues and Founder, Tradeswomen Building Bridges, the North American Network of Women Working in the Construction Trades; Barbara Dillon DeSouza, Assistant Attorney General, Fair Labor Division; Anatoly Darov, Esq., Darov & Associates US PLLC, Boston, MA; and Steven Torres, Esq., West Group Law PLLC, Boston, MA. Please consider registering for this informative conference at https://www.massmunilaw.org/!

2021 — In September Amanda Zuretti was appointed as Vice Chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Public Law Council for 2021-2022, to serve with Chair, David R. Kerrigan. The Public Law Council Serves as a forum for discussion and education concerning practice as a government lawyer or as a private attorney representing, dealing with or practicing before government agencies.

2021 — In September P&A was appointed to serve as full Town Counsel for the Town of Blackstone. P&A welcomes the Town of Blackstone, who now joins P&A’s extensive list of Town Counsel clients as well as numerous Special Counsel clients.

2021 — Attorney Brown was recently elected as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Leadership MetroWest for 2021-2022. Chris is a 2014 graduate of the organization’s Leadership Academy and has served on LMW’s Board of Directors since 2019. He also currently serves on the Antiracism Committee.

2021 — On Thursday, March 11, 2021, Chris Brown, along with Joe Cook, the Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Northampton, presented a Zoom webinar program to the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association on drafting tips and strategies for municipal contracts. Chris’ presentation highlighted insurance, bond and indemnification provisions, along with special situations such as COVID-19 related contract amendments.

2017-2021 — Since 2017, Christopher Petrini has selected photos from his mountaineering and hiking adventures to share these experiences in an annual calendar sent to friends, colleagues and clients. See proofs of our calendars here.

2021 — Attorney Brown is currently chairing the Antiracism Committee for Leadership Metrowest, which is working on incorporating antiracism concepts into the organization’s curriculum for its Leadership Academy and programming for alumni. Leadership Metrowest, in cooperation with the Metrowest Nonprofit Network, recently held the first in a series of online programs called Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Conversations About Antiracism on January 27th.

2021 — Ms. Zuretti is the MBA Public Law Council liaison to the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) Committee.

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2021 — Michael K. Terry has now served over twelve years on the Board of Directors at Hale in Westwood, Massachusetts (https://hale1918.org/). Hale consists of 1,137 acres of woods, ponds and trails that is open to the public 365 days per year. Programs at Hale annually serve 15,000+ children and families from 70 Greater Boston communities. Mike is an avid skier and mountain biker and shares his love of the outdoors and education by supporting Hale’s mission to connect local children with the outdoors.

May 2019

2019 — Christopher Petrini meeting U.S. Representative and Civil Rights icon John Lewis before his commencement address at the Framingham State University Graduation in May 2019.

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September 12, 2019

2019 — On September 12, 2019 P&A celebrated its 15 year anniversary at P&A’s office with dozens of its respected clients, public officials, current and former professional colleagues, family, friends and neighbors. The event was headlined by speeches from the Mayor Spicer, City Council Vice-Chair Charles Sisitsky and others. Please see photos of this joyous event here.

2001-2017

2017 — Christopher J. Petrini was appointed by Mayor Yvonne Spicer to serve as the City of Framingham’s first City Solicitor. Mr. Petrini served as Town Counsel to Framingham from 2001-2017. Framingham converted to a city form of government on January 1, 2018, after 317 years as a town.

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2017

2017 — Christopher J. Petrini was awarded the 2017 President’s Award by the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association. The President’s Award is the MMLA’s highest award and is given “in recognition of and appreciation for leadership, unwavering commitments to the advancement of municipal law and outstanding service to local government.”

April 13, 2017

2017 — On April 13, 2017, Christopher Petrini and P&A hosted the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association 7th Annual Public Construction Update at the CBS Scene, Gillette Stadium. This is the seventh consecutive year Mr. Petrini has moderated this conference. This year’s conference focused on various facets of public construction and claims resolution from the perspective of the public owner, the contractor, a mediator and a judge. The photo below shows (L-R) the seminar panelists with Henry Luthin, President of MMLA, Chris Brown of P&A, Angela Atchue of the City of Boston, Chris Petrini of P&A, Judge Nancy Holtz (Ret.) of JAMS Dispute Resolution, and Joel Lewin, contractor counsel, of Hinckley Allen & Snyder of Boston.

2016 — Christopher J. Petrini was named as a New England Super Lawyer for 2016. This is the fifth time that Mr. Petrini has received this honor, having previously been recognized with this distinction in 2009, 2010, 2014 and 2015. Mr. Petrini also was recognized in 2016 as a “Top 100 New England Super Lawyer,” which places Mr. Petrini in the top 100 of New England Super Lawyers as determined by nominations, research and the blue ribbon review and selection process utilized by Thomson Reuters, the publisher.

July 2016

2016 — Christopher Petrini summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania with his adult children, Shawn and Tabitha. At 19,341 feet, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and one of the “Seven Summits” of the high points of our seven continents. Chris and his children summited Kilimanjaro at the end of a seven day climb via the Umbwe route, a more scenic, remote and challenging route than other options. They reached Uhuru Peak, the “Rooftop of Africa,” on July 25, 2016, greeted by a glorious sunrise upon reaching the summit. After the Kiliminjaro climb, the Petrini family enjoyed a once in a lifetime safari on the African Serengeti. See photos here.

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June 2014

June 2014 — Chris Petrini successfully summited Mt. Rainier (14,411 ft) via the Disappointment Cleaver Route with Rainier Mountaineering International guide service. Mt. Rainier is the 5th highest mountain in the continental United States and requires technical mountaineering skills to summit and descend. This is the 4th major climb by Chris in the last four years, preceded by Thorong La (17,769 ft) on the Annapurna Circuit, Nepal in 2011, Longs Peak (14,259 ft) in Colorado in 2012, and Mt. Whitney (14,505 ft) via the Mountaineers Route in California in 2013. Chris’ future mountaineering plans include Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina.

June 16, 2013 — Chris Petrini’s recent charity climb of Mt. Whitney was featured in a story published in the Boston Globe on June 16, 2013.

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April 2013 — Christopher J. Petrini completed a successful summit climb of Mt. Whitney via the Mountaineers Route to raise money for Big City Mountaineers, as part of a climbing team selected by Backpacker Magazine.

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October 2011 — Christopher Petrini fulfilled a lifelong dream to hike in the Nepal Himalayas, the “Rooftop of the World.” His journey was even more challenging and amazing than he had anticipated! A 40-minute video has been created, “Trekking in Nepal: A 50 Year Spiritual Journey,” by Chris and Boston College student Michael Lamy, describes the highlights of Chris’ travel adventure to Nepal from a spiritual perspective. For more information on this video please contact the office. See photos here.

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