Fall 2014

Government

Focus on Professionalism: Charles Grubb

If you know Charles Grubb, you probably know he loves to travel. What you may not realize is his penchant for Byzantine travel. Charles will fly to Chicago by way of Canada. Or, he may travel to San Francisco via Michigan—all by train.

Local Government

Mayor Menino and the Law as an Instrument of Change: A Reflection on the Legal Legacy of Boston’s Retiring Chief Executive

Having served as a member of Mayor Menino’s administration for almost eight years as Corporation Counsel, I have observed a number of occasions in which Mayor Menino’s seldom-recognized appreciation for the law and its ability to improve the lives of ordinary Bostonians has guided the formulation of City policies.

Government

17th Annual Jefferson Fordham Award Winners

Winners 2014

Local Government

Being an Advocate

When you are an advocate for your people, when you take the time to understand their issues, cheer their victories, provide a shoulder to lean on during those moments of sadness, and fight for their future, you can make a positive change in your city.

Government

Recollections

There are no words or phrases to adequately express my reaction when I received Anita Miller’s e-mail telling me that I had been selected to receive the Jefferson Fordham Lifetime Achievement Award.

Government

Reflections

In taking leave of the active practice of law after 45 years, I’d like to share a few thoughts concerning my life and career. Perhaps you will find them helpful.

Eminent Domain

Distressed Properties and a City’s Response

Vacant, abandoned, and distressed properties are a persistent problem in New York State’s most financially distressed regions. Despite a struggling economy, the strained fiscal condition of the city, and continuing bad news from the streets, several key opportunities to remediate distressed properties in the City of Newburgh, New York, exist that will set the stage for future revitalization of the city’s physical and social fabric.

Government

Supreme Court Watch: Speech Supreme

Sophia M. Stadnyk

Although the contraceptive mandate decisions (Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. and the others) dominated the headlines and generated the most forceful debates, the Court was also called on to balance government interests against competing claims of personal freedom and speech: the freedom not to be subjected to a government’s “favored” religion, the freedom to use traditional public spaces for expressive speech, the freedom to give truthful testimony without fear of retaliatory employment actions, and the freedom from searches of one’s “privacies of life” stored on a cellular phone.

Government

Editor’s Message

The membership of this Section is broad and deep, including government lawyers and those who advise clients before government agencies in a variety of legal specialties. In addition, service is a major component of our lives: to our communities, the Section, the ABA and related national and international organizations.

Government

Chair’s Message

James C. Hanks

The leaves are turning color, the air is cool and crisp, and the mountains are majestic. As a part-time travel agent for the City of Denver, I would like to invite you to join us at the Section’s Fall Meeting in beautiful downtown Denver from October 9 through October 12.