Trial tested.
Results driven.

Legal Developments

Sex Trafficking Cases – Hotels

Throughout the seven states where Boyle | Shaughnessy Law practices we are beginning to see an emergence of cases involving claims of sex trafficking against hotels. The federal law known as Trafficking Victims Protection Act provides a civil remedy for anyone aggrieved by a violation of the Act. A person who is so aggrieved may bring a civil action against the perpetrator (or whoever knowingly benefits, financially or by receiving anything of value from participation in a venture which that person knew or should have known has engaged in an act in violation of this chapter) in an appropriate district court of the United States and may recover damages and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Plaintiff’s firms have now focused on hotels. Some states in New England including Massachusetts, Vermont and Rhode Island, have similar state laws which may subject businesses/hotels that are found to have participate in sex trafficking to additional repercussions. Right now, New Hampshire and Maine do not have state laws on the books, but that has not stopped federal litigation in those states. The attorneys at Boyle | Shaughnessy are working with clients to help ensure compliance as well as defend in on-going litigation.

For further information please contact Michael Johnson or Erin Bucksbaum.

Results

Jurisdiction: Suffolk Superior Court – Boston, Massachusetts

Aaron R. White and Michael P. Johnson of Boyle | Shaughnessy Law represented former Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley, his chief-of-staff, John Towle, and civilian investigator, Michael Roberts, in this case involving claims of retaliation, tortious interference with contractual relations, and violations of the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act. The firm also represented the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office against Plaintiff’s claims for alleged violations of the Massachusetts Whistleblower Protection Act, the Massachusetts Wage Act, and wrongful termination claims which were bifurcated on the eve of trial, but the court included as a special question for the jury.

Our Firm

Boyle | Shaughnessy employees partnered with Boston Cares to build beds for children transtioning from shelters into permanent homes.  Children under 18 make up 60% of the 13,000 people experiencing family homelessness here in Massachusetts.

The Bed Project engages teams of volunteers to assemble bed frames and prepare them for distribution to our more than 30 partners across New England – organizations who are directly serving low-income families in need or transitioning out of homelessness.