Public and Municipal Law

Overview
Professionals
News
Client Alerts
Seminars
Events
Articles & Publications

Our Public and Municipal Law Group represents towns, cities, districts, and agencies throughout Massachusetts. We take pride in our ability to provide cost-effective, objective, and pragmatic representation to our public sector clients.

Town Counsel and Special Municipal Counsel Services

As Town Counsel and Special Municipal Counsel, our attorneys advise municipalities in all areas of municipal law, including the Open Meeting Law, Public Records Law, Conflict of Interest Law, municipal governance, home rule, town meeting procedure, elections, land use, real estate, eminent domain, municipal finance, taxation, special legislation, contracts, school building projects, procurement, and public construction.

We work closely with municipal officials to avoid litigation whenever possible or desirable. However, if litigation becomes unavoidable, we are ready to provide vigorous advocacy in any forum. Mirick O’Connell has a team of litigation attorneys with extensive experience representing municipalities, municipal officials, and boards.

Labor Counsel Services

As Labor Counsel to cities and towns, we serve as counselors, negotiators and litigators. In doing so, we routinely render advice on the full array of employment laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, wage and hour laws, and anti-discrimination laws. We also advise our municipal clients on laws unique to the public sector, such as the civil service and the public sector collective bargaining statutes.

In addition to our role as advisors, we represent our clients in collective bargaining. Our role in collective bargaining varies depending upon the client. Some clients prefer that we handle negotiations from beginning to end, consulting with them throughout the process. Others have us take the role of lead spokesperson among a team of town officials comprising the town’s bargaining team. Still others ask that we act in a consultative role by preparing proposals and recommending strategies.

In today’s world of labor relations, litigation is an unfortunate reality. We have an extensive track record of success in representing clients before the Civil Service Commission, Department of Labor Relations, Joint-Labor Management Committee, and Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, as well as state and federal courts. In addition, we regularly represent clients at grievance arbitrations.

Legal Updates and Training

Our attorneys vigilantly monitor legal developments and changes to the law, and provide our public sector clients with electronic updates on legal developments that may affect them. We provide in-house training programs to public officials on the Open Meeting Law, Conflict of Interest Law, and Public Records Law, and our labor attorneys provide workplace trainings on all aspects of labor and employment law, including harassment prevention training. Mirick O’Connell also provides an Annual Labor and Employment Law Update Seminar.

Professionals

Practice Chair

Stephen F. Madaus
Partner

Nicholas Anastasopoulos
Partner

Ashley P. Coffey
Associate

Moriah L. Cummings
Associate

Brian R. Falk
Partner

Robert B. Gibbons
Partner

Todd K. Helwig
Partner

Corey F. Higgins
Partner

Spencer B. Holland
Partner

Andrew T. Lechner
Associate

David K. McCay
Partner

John O. Mirick
Of Counsel

Kimberly A. Rozak
Partner

Sharon P. Siegel
Of Counsel

Sydney E. Straub
Associate

Public and Municipal Law

Practice Chair

Stephen F. Madaus Partner

Nicholas Anastasopoulos Partner

Ashley P. Coffey Associate

Moriah L. Cummings Associate

Brian R. Falk Partner

Robert B. Gibbons Partner

Todd K. Helwig Partner

Corey F. Higgins Partner

Spencer B. Holland Partner

Andrew T. Lechner Associate

David K. McCay Partner

John O. Mirick Of Counsel

Kimberly A. Rozak Partner

Sharon P. Siegel Of Counsel

Sydney E. Straub Associate

Marc L. Terry Partner

WBJ names the 2025 Best of Business award winners- Mirick selected as Best Law Firm

28 Mirick O'Connell Attorneys Named to 2024 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List

Brian Casaceli and Spencer Holland Elected to Partnership

28 Mirick O'Connell Attorneys Named to 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List

Brian Falk quoted in "Council gets a look at the Armory at French Hill project"

2024 Best Lawyers Awards Announced

27 Mirick O'Connell Attorneys Named to 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List

25 Mirick O'Connell lawyers recognized as 2023 Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2023

Amanda Baer quoted in UNLEASH article, "Should employers cut sick pay for the unvaccinated?"

e-Alert: Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave - Benefits Extended

e-Alert: What Employers Need to Know about President Biden's "Path Out of the Pandemic" COVID-19 Action Plan

PODCAST: Jonathan Sigel discusses the MA Paid Family and Medical Leave

e-Alert: Remote Public Meetings Authorized Through April of 2022; New Law Extends Additional COVID-19 Emergency Rules

Amanda Baer will be on Worcester County Bar Association panel "Maximizing your Remote Stenography and Videography Services now and Post-Pandemic"

Amanda Baer interviewed by Spectrum News 1 "Back to the Office: What Employers and Employees Can Expect with a Return to Work"

Amanda Baer quoted in Workest by Zenefits article "Can Small Businesses require COVID Vaccines in the Workplace?"

e-Alert: COVID-19 and Masks: Updated Guidance from OSHA and Massachusetts

Best Lawyers release the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers in New England

Kim Rozak quoted in Telegram, "Can employers mandate vaccine? Experts discuss strategies to maintain workforce health and safety in the era of COVID-19"

PODCAST: Amanda Baer discusses American Rescue Plan Act and FFCRA

David Surprenant was quoted in Telegram & Gazette article "Mirick O'Connell signs 10-year lease renewal with Mercantile Center in downtown Worcester"

Mirick O'Connell Wins First Place for Law Firms in Worcester Business Journal Best of Business

e-Alert: New Gathering and Capacity Restrictions Effective December 26; SJC Upholds Governor's Authority to Issue COVID-19 Orders

Brian Falk Named Partner

PODCAST: Rich Van Nostrand discusses Non-Competition Agreements Act of Massachusetts

PODCAST: John Shea discusses Mediation in Divorce Cases

e-Alert: Governor Updates Restrictions on Gatherings and Restaurants

e-Alert: Federal Court in New York Strikes Down Parts of the Department of Labor's Regulations Interpreting the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

e-Alert: COVID-19: OSHA's Updated Guidance - Face Masks in the Workplace/ United States Supreme Court Issues Historic Decision Protecting LGBT Workers from Employment Discrimination

PODCAST: Reid Wakefield discusses Fair Housing and Housing Discrimination in Massachusetts | Recorded 6.10.20

e-Alert: Quorum at Town Meeting may be Reduced During State of Emergency

e-Alert: New PPP Flexibility Act Extends Forgiveness Period and Maturity Date Among other Benefits

We Stand in Solidarity: A message to our clients and our community.

PODCAST: Brian Casaceli is joined by Stephen Graham of CEA to discuss reopening your business or building operations while minimizing the risk of becoming a COVID-19 Hot Spot | Recorded 6.2.20

e-Alert: Municipalities May Allow Outdoor Dining for Restaurants During COVID-19 Re-Opening

e-Alert: Update on COVID-19 Workplace Health and Safety Enforcement by OSHA and the Massachusetts Attorney General

PODCAST: Bob Kilroy discusses issues employers may face upon re-entry into the workplace during the COVID-19 Pandemic | Recorded 5.15.20

E-Alert: Considerations for Employers Resuming On-Site Operations During COVID-19

PODCAST: Jonathan Sigel discusses re-entry into the workplace after the COVID-19 pandemic

PODCAST: Rich Van Nostrand discusses Diversity & Inclusion

PODCAST: Brian Falk discusses local government during the COVID-19 emergency.

PODCAST: Nick Anastasopoulos discusses employer-union relations during COVID-19

e-Alert: Governor Baker Signs New Municipal Relief Bill

WEBINAR: Latest DOL Guidance regarding Families First Act

PODCAST: Amanda Baer talks about the Emergency Sick Leave Act (3.25.20)

e-Alert: Long-term Care and Estate Planning/ Coronavirus Impact on the Workplace/ Construction Industry

Mirick O'Connell recognized as "Best Law Firm" for business by Worcester Business Journal

Many Towns Demand Extra Payments from Pot Shops Despite Law's Restrictions

Brian Falk quoted in Telegram, "Central Mass. draws interest as hub of marijuana business"

Mirick O'Connell Ranked Largest Law Firm in Central MA

Mirick O'Connell Voted Best Law Firm For Business

Draft Marijuana Regulations Released

Mirick O'Connell Voted Best Law Firm

Mirick O'Connell Featured in Worcester Telegram

Worcester Chamber Salutes Mirick O'Connell on 100 Years of Excellence

Mirick O'Connell Celebrates 100th Anniversary!

14 Attorneys selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America

Public and Municipal Law Legal Update: "SJC Upholds MBTA Communities Act Mandating Multifamily Zoning"

Public and Municipal Law update: "Affordable Homes Act Expands Housing Options"

Public and Municipal Law Update: "Supreme Court Decision Addresses When Government Officials May Block Social Media Users"

Public and Municipal Law Update: "Remote Public Meetings Extended Through March 31, 2025"

Public and Municipal Law Update: "SJC Finds Public Meeting Comment Restrictions Unconstitutional"