Erica Brody and Amy Bratskeir recently obtained a full dismissal of all claims against their school department clients in federal court. The Plaintiff, a former school adjustment counselor for the Falmouth Public Schools, alleged multiple violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, M.G.L. c. 151B, § 4, the First Amendment, and Massachusetts common law protections for at-will employees. After summary judgment, the court rejected those arguments, ruling instead that no reasonable jury could conclude that the Plaintiff was exposed to a hostile work environment or that she was terminated because of her disabilities or her advocacy for disabled and minority students. The court entered judgment on all counts for BHPK’s clients.

BHPK is excited to introduce three new attorneys to the firm – please join us in welcoming Natasha Meserve, Crystal Huff and Michael Glennon to our award-winning team of attorneys!

Natasha Meserve joins BHPK after working as counsel for a major insurance company, where she represented policyholders in both individual and business lawsuits, as well as first-party claims, motor vehicle accidents, construction and premises liability cases. She also represented the company on matters of breach of contract and auto body claims. At BHPK, she practices primarily in the areas of employment, civil rights, and insurance defense litigation.

Crystal Huff previously served as Town Solicitor for the Town of Braintree, representing the Town in litigation before administrative agencies, state and federal courts, as well as sec courts of appeal in matters of labor and employment law, land use and environmental law, construction law, election law, permitting and contractual disputes. She also provided comprehensive legal counsel to the Mayor, municipal departments, boards, and the Town Council. She brings extensive experience representing municipalities across the Commonwealth and focuses her practice at BHPK on defending public employers and public entities in complex civil rights and discrimination cases before state and federal courts.

Michael Glennon is an experienced trial attorney specializing in all manner of personal injury and tort claims, criminal law, construction site injuries, civil rights claims, sexual assault and sex-trafficking, and premises liability. Prior to BHPK, he spent over a decade with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, as both an Assistant District Attorney and finally, as Chief of the Juvenile Unit for seven years where he handled youth and adult indictments and investigations of sexual assault, gang crimes involving firearms and significant violence, human trafficking, child pornography, and robberies. He also created and supervised the nationally recognized Juvenile Alternative Resolution (JAR) diversion program. In addition to case work, Mike has been an adjunct faculty member at Suffolk University Law School since 2022, teaching courses in professional responsibility.

After oral argument in March, the Appellate Court overturned the lower court’s denial of summary judgment for Beverly Police Chief John LeLacheur. BHPK’s Francesca Papia successfully argued that an unintentional disclosure of information cannot form the basis for an invasion of privacy claim under common law immunity principles.

https://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/lawsuit-over-police-chiefs-tweet-dismissed/article_ca262a76-12cf-11ef-a423-a3217d9dec17.html

BHPK’s Francesca Papia and Michael Stefanilo, Jr. secured a dismissal on behalf of their municipal client against claims of age and disability discrimination brought by a part-time employee who was aggrieved by the Town’s decision to combine two positions. Despite being offered other employment opportunities with the Town, the employee refused them and sued. The case was dismissed after investigation and argument from the parties.