Product Description

The past few years have changed the procedural landscape of the Housing Court, including changes and updates to scheduling and the manner of conducting hearings. MCLE is pleased to reconvene—for the thirteenth time—the Housing Court Judicial Forum 2024—back by popular request. With regulations and statutes first adopted during the emergency and put into practice since, the Housing Court has continued to adapt to those changes and challenges by being flexible and responsive, including tremendous progress in the use of technology and creative use of scheduling to meet the challenges created by that situation and to address the shifting needs of practitioners and litigants. There are lessons to be learned and improvements to be kept from this challenging time.

Hear participants in the Forum engage in a lively discussion of the real-world impact of those changes, including the challenges and opportunities involved. Judges from all divisions of the Housing Court, joined by the chief justice of the Housing Court, engage in a frank dialogue with attending practitioners and review key issues confronting Housing Court practice today—including discussion of the efficacy of policies and programs currently in place as well as ideas for providing additional access to justice for all litigants.

Under the guidance of two experienced practitioners, the panel also reviews significant developments in regulatory and case law which may affect your practice in the Housing Court.

This Forum offers you a unique opportunity to gain valuable practical insight into judicial discretion in the Housing Court. Attendees have the opportunity to ask the panel questions and hear directly from the judges on how to better prepare and try cases. Don’t miss this valuable chance to participate in an important dialogue with members of the Housing Court.

Agenda & Materials

• 2:00 - 2:15 pm

  Introduction

  Catherine F. Downing, Esq., Downing Van Dyke LLC , Framingham
  Deena Zakim, Esq., Greater Boston Legal Services , Boston
  
• 2:15 - 2:45 pm

  Procedural and Administrative Issues Vision For the Future

  Jorge A. Ghazal, Esq., Northeast Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• 2:45 - 2:50 pm

  Brief Review of Standing Order 1-23

  Catherine F. Downing, Esq., Downing Van Dyke LLC , Framingham
  
• 2:50 - 3:20 pm

  Scheduling of Hearings and Trials: Remote and In Person Discussion of Process since adoption of Two Tier System

  Hon. Sergio E. Carvajal, Central Division, Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Worcester
  Hon. Jonathan J. Kane, Western Division, Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Springfield
  Hon. Joseph E. Kelleher, III, First Justice, Eastern Division, Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. Gustavo A. del Puerto, First Justice, Northeast Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. Donna T. Salvidio, First Justice, Southeast Division, Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  Hon. Neil K. Sherring, First Justice, Metro-South Division, Housing Court, Commonwealth of Mass. , Canton
  Catherine F. Downing, Esq., Downing Van Dyke LLC , Framingham
  
• 3:20 - 3:35 pm

  Q&A and Audience Discussion

  Panel
  
• 3:35 - 4:15 pm

  Panel Discussion: Common issues surrounding First and Second Tier Events

  Hon. Sergio E. Carvajal, Central Division, Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Worcester
  Hon. Jonathan J. Kane, Western Division, Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Springfield
  Hon. Joseph E. Kelleher, III, First Justice, Eastern Division, Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. Gustavo A. del Puerto, First Justice, Northeast Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. Donna T. Salvidio, First Justice, Southeast Division, Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  Hon. Neil K. Sherring, First Justice, Metro-South Division, Housing Court, Commonwealth of Mass. , Canton
  Deena Zakim, Esq., Greater Boston Legal Services , Boston
  
• 4:00 - 4:15 pm

  Q&A and Audience Discussion

  Panel
  
• 4:15 - 4:40 pm

  Resolving Cases: Point vs. Counterpoint

  Panel
  
• 4:40 - 4:50 pm

  Audience Questions, Comments & Suggestions
• 4:50 - 5:00 pm

  Top Takeaways

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Cochairs

Faculty