Product Description

The premier yearly event for appellate practitioners, MCLE’s 11th Annual Appellate Practice Conference 2025 features a full-day, concentrated focus on the appellate process. This year, the conference covers many of the exciting changes happening in appellate practice, including developments in criminal law and civil law, new judges, new clerk of court, and more! Each topic is timely and geared toward helping attorneys become better appellate litigators.

We hear from the newest appellate judges in Massachusetts about their backgrounds and advice for practitioners appearing before them. We also hear from state and federal appellate court clerks about recent developments in each court’s procedures and some of their practical tips for litigants.

Justice Gregory I. Massing and other panelists discuss recent developments in civil practice. Elisabeth Martino from the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office Appeals Unit and Nancy Dolberg from the Committee for Public Counsel Services Appeals Unit provide an update on criminal law developments.

And to help practitioners stay up-to-date on the state and federal appellate rules, members of the SJC’s Standing Committee on the Rules of Appellate Procedure discuss recent rule changes.

This conference is essential for both new and experienced appellate litigators to strengthen their skills, hear from the judiciary, learn from experts, and network with colleagues during lunch provided by MCLE! Take advantage of this opportunity to become a more effective appellate lawyer.

Agenda & Materials

• 9:30am - 9:35am

  Welcome and Introduction

  Payal Salsburg, Esq., Laredo, Smith and Kane, LLP , Boston
  Nicholas D. Stellakis, Esq., Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP , Boston
  
• 9:35am - 10:00am

  What’s New at the First Circuit: Remarks from Chief Judge David J. Barron

  Hon. David J. Barron, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit , Boston
  
• 10:00am - 11:00am

  Developments in Civil Law Practice

  Richard M.W. Bauer, Esq., Greater Boston Legal Services , Boston
  Hon. Kathryn E. Hand, Appeals Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. Gregory I. Massing, Appeals Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Matthew A. Kane, Esq., Laredo, Smith and Kane, LLP , Boston
  
• 11:00am - 11:10am

  Break
• 11:10am - 12:20pm

  Developments on the Criminal Law Side

  Nancy A. Dolberg, Esq., Committee for Public Counsel Services , Boston
  Hon. Marguerite T. Grant, Appeals Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Elisabeth Martino, Esq., Suffolk District Attorney's Office, Legal Counsel, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Gabriel Thornton, Esq., Office of the Attorney General, Criminal Bureau/Appeals Division , Boston
  
• 12:20pm - 12:45pm

  Remarks from Chief Judge Amy Blake of the Massachusetts Appeals Court

  Hon. Amy Lyn Blake, Appeals Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Lunch provided by MCLE
• 1:45pm - 2:30pm

  Q&A with the Newest Appellate Judges

  Hon. Jennifer M. Allen, Appeals Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. Gloria Y. Tan, Appeals Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. Chauncey B. Wood, Appeals Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Payal Salsburg, Esq., Laredo, Smith and Kane, LLP , Boston
  
• 2:30pm - 3:15pm

  New Appellate Rule Changes and What May Be on the Horizon

  Hon. Peter Sacks, Appeals Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Jessica Early, Esq., Holland & Knight LLP , Boston
  
• 3:15pm - 3:30pm

  Break
• 3:30pm - 4:30pm

  Updates from the State and Federal Appellate Court Clerks

  Allison S. Cartwright, Esq., Supreme Judicial Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Anastasia A. Dubrovsky, Esq., U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit , Boston
  Maura A. Looney, Esq., Supreme Judicial Court , Boston
  Paul Tuttle, Esq., Appeals Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Nicholas D. Stellakis, Esq., Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP , Boston
  

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

Moderator(s)

Faculty