Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Boston Private
More than a year after Boston Private was acquired by the parent company of Silicon Valley Bank, a federal judge in Boston has dismissed a proposed class action lawsuit filed by shareholders.
Mass. Sues Rental Listings Platform Over Fake Listings
A rental listings platform allegedly took advantage of renters seeking affordable housing by luring them into paying to see fake apartment listings, according to a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission and six state attorneys general, including Attorney General Maura Healey.
Appeals Court Allows Broker’s Claim Against Former Clients
A Winchester couple learned the hard way that a real estate broker can enforce an unwritten exclusive brokerage contract against them, even if the broker did not produce a closing.
Neighbors Contest Relocation of Vineyard Hotel’s Pool Bar
An Edgartown hotel’s relocation of its outdoor pool bar is stirring up a hornet’s nest of litigation on Martha’s Vineyard.
SJC Orders Discovery into Everett Casino Land Deal
The actions of the Mass. Gaming Commission almost a decade ago could be put under a new microscope after the Supreme Judicial Court ruled Monday that a lower court should look more closely at the “highly unusual character of the commission’s actions” related to the award of a casino license to Wynn Resorts and the casino company’s purchase of land in Everett.
No Room for Ambiguity in ‘Build to Suit’ Leases
The economics of “build to suit” leases are simple enough. But the process of carrying them out is a whole other matter. Here’s what landlords and tenants need to know.
Why MassLandlords Has Sued DHCD Over Rental Assistance Records
We are asking the court to order DHCD release records on rental assistance applications, so we can see whether problems in the application process discriminated against renters of color and their landlords.
Former Owners Say Alexandria Underpaid for Kendall Square Property
The former owners of a 3.6-acre Kendall Square property say life science developer Alexandria Real Estate Equities underpaid them for the acquisition, inaccurately calculating its costs to gain the city’s approval for a 370,000-square-foot office-lab project.
Who Counts as ‘Aggrieved’ in Zoning Disputes?
The Zoning Act does not specifically define the term “person aggrieved,” so Massachusetts courts have developed their own jurisprudence when deciding this threshold issue in zoning cases.
Courthouses Reopening for Limited Business July 13
Courthouses in Massachusetts will reopen to the public on July 13 for limited purposes, with the courts continuing to conduct most business virtually.
Former Employee Sues Boston Fed for Discrimination
A lawsuit filed in federal court alleges that the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston paid a former auditor less than her male colleagues and then fired her in retaliation for complaining to supervisors.
Berkshire Bank Files Lawsuit Over Defaulted Loan
Berkshire Bank has filed a lawsuit in New York state Supreme Court against Pioneer Bank over a loan that defaulted following the collapse of a cloud-based payroll company.
Suit Alleges Excessive Enforcement of Housing Authority Law
Seven local housing authorities suing the DHCD for what some are describing as an “overreaction” to an almost decade-old scandal at the Chelsea Housing Authority that is causing experienced staff to retire early.
Airbnb Appealing Ruling on Boston’s Short-Term Rental Law
Airbnb is appealing a judge’s ruling on Boston’s new ordinance regulating short-term rentals.
New Lawsuits Raise Question of Who Should Pay Homebuyer’s Agent
The long knives are out again for one of American real estate’s oldest and most controversial traditions: requiring home sellers to pay the agents who represent the buyers of their properties.
Berkshire Acquisition the Latest Target for Serial Lawsuit Shareholder
SI Financial Group, the parent company of Willimantic-based Savings Institute Bank and Trust, disclosed yesterday that Parshall is suing the company in Baltimore County Circuit Court for breaching their fiduciary duties to its stockholders in connection with its impending acquisition by the parent company of Boston-based Berkshire Bank.
NCUA to Consider Contentious CU Field of Membership Rule
The National Credit Union Administration on June 21 will consider a final rule regarding field of membership, a move that bankers are fiercely opposed to.
Century Bank Named in Lawsuit Targeting Medical Marijuana Facility
Medford-based Century Bank, the only known financial institution in Massachusetts that banks marijuana businesses, has been named a co-conspirator in a civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act case that hopes to shut down the Georgetown-based medical marijuana dispensary Healthy Pharms.
Lowell Celebrates too Soon in Landfill Lawsuit
Statutes of limitations are a defendant’s best friend. If plaintiffs do not timely file suit under these statutes, even the most dastardly and negligent defendant can avoid liability.
Court Allows Developer’s Civil Rights Action in Haverhill
When real estate developers have difficulties securing permits, they often blame municipal officials for singling them out unfairly.
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