MCLE Community News
People, programs and milestones of note

Managing Client Trust Accounts and avoiding discipline:
BBO training enhanced by a new manual

In recent years, there has been an increase in disciplinary problems concerning lawyers’ mismanagement of IOLTA and other trust accounts in which they hold money for clients and others in the course of representation. As part of a new series of statewide training it offered in February and March in conjunction with the Board of Bar Overseers and newlyappointed Bar Counsel Constance Vecchione, MCLE has developed a new publication, Client Trust Accounts, to assist lawyers in understanding the trust accounting and recordkeeping requirements under Mass. R.Prof.C. 1.15.

In Client Trust Accounts, members of the Office of Bar Counsel familiarize lawyers with the procedures necessary for the proper and ethical maintenance of client trust accounts. The authors provide practical, clear, and easy-toimplement tips to demystify the steps that lawyers must take when handling other people’s money, including the reconciling of accounts; the itemizing of bills to clients; maintaining client ledgers and check registers; and keeping computerized records using specially-designed software programs. This book is a must-read for lawyers who need a refresher or an introduction to proper, ethical maintenance of a client’s money and who want to avoid the pitfalls inherent in this complicated regulated area.

No. 2070249B01, © 2007 MCLE, Inc., 116 pages (paperback), Nonmember, $35; Sponsor Member, $30. Revised regularly.

■ MCLE was saddened by the recent death of former Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Edward F. Hennessey on March 8, 2007. A distinguished trial lawyer, brilliant jurist, and true legal and constitutional scholar, he was also a strong supporter of continuing legal education. MCLE is honored to have worked with him on numerous seminars and books, including the 2002 publication of The Hennessey Papers, an inspiring collection of his selected writings on the judiciary, the practice of law, the criminal justice system, and the pervasive influence of the Massachusetts constitution. All proceeds from the sale of The Hennessey Papers benefit the Hon. Edward F. Hennessey Scholarship Fund at MCLE. This fund, from which scholarships are awarded annually in Judge Hennessey’s name, provides an enduring tribute to one of our legal system’s most outstanding representatives. Separate contributions to the fund can also be made in care of MCLE, Inc., 10 Winter Place, Boston, MA 02108.

■ MCLE joins the entire Massachusetts legal community in mourning the sudden and untimely passing in December of M. Ellen Carpenter, a member of MCLE’s Board of Trustees who was an outstanding lawyer, enthusiastic volunteer, beloved mentor to many, and an impassioned advocate of the legal profession and continuing legal education. Our deepest sympathies go out to Ellen’s family, friends, colleagues and partners at Roach & Carpenter. We will sorely miss her leadership at MCLE and in the bar as well as her integrity, energy, and wonderful sense of humor.

■ Congratulations to   Antoinette E.M. Leoney, who succeeds Joseph P.J. Vrabel as MCLE’s new President! Widely experienced in both the public and private sectors, Toni has served the past 13 years in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, where she currently works in the Major Crimes Unit, after stints in the Asset Forfeiture and Anti-Terrorism Units. Joining Toni as new officers are Phyllis E. Federico of Packenham, Schmidt & Federico, Boston (First Vice President); Craig E. Stewart of Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge, Boston (Second Vice President); William J. McNally of the McNally Group in Quincy (Treasurer); and Joan Corcoran Steiger of Holyoke (Secretary).

■ Published in January, MCLE's new Books Catalog showcases MCLE's extensive library of practice manuals and books. You can leaf through its pages to review descriptions of 143 titles, consisting of 188 volumes and 92,544 pages of expert guidance, practice tips and sample forms—all of which are also available online through agreements with West LegalEdcenter®, LexisNexis®, and Loislaw™ or by subscription on MCLE's website.

■ Elizabeth A. Mooney joined MCLE this past fall as our newest Program Attorney responsible for the family law, criminal law and paralegal studies practice areas. Betsy brings considerable experience to the position, having served seven years as the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, prior to which she practiced as a public defender for the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society in New York. She has degrees from Cornell (B.A.), Hofstra (M.A.), and Suffolk University Law School (J.D.).

■ MCLE was honored to receive an award in December from Senior Partners for Justice, a group of seasoned practitioners who accept family law matters on a pro bono basis. At the event in which several organizations were acknowledged for their support of this crucial project, Judge Edward M. Ginsburg (ret.) graciously and eloquently thanked MCLE and its Executive Director Jack Reilly for their support. MCLE is proud to be playing a small part in the success and impact of this innovative idea. MCLE praises Judge Ginsburg for his continuing impact on lawyers and the practice of law.

■ In addition to installing its new officers at its Annual Meeting in December, MCLE is proud to welcome eight new members to its Board of Trustees: Daniel L. Goldberg of Bingham McCutchen LLP, Boston; Eric P. Hayes, Regional Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Trust, New York and Boston; Amy Cashore Mariani of Fitzugh, Parker & Alvaro LLP, Boston; Martha A. Mazzone, Vice President and Associate General Counsel of Fidelity, Boston; Paul J. Ricotta of Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo, PC, Boston; Richard C. Van Nostrand of Mirick O’Connell DeMallie & Lougee, LLP, Worcester; Jennifer A. Yelen of Shilepsky O’Connell Casey Hartley Michon Yelen LLP, Boston; and Richard M. Zielinski of Goulston & Storrs, PC, Boston.