Areas of Practice
Administrative Law
Administrative law requires the representation of clients before local, state, and federal agencies. Examples of such agencies are the Social Security Administration (see Social Security section), the Division of Employment Security, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, State and Local Retirement Boards, Civil Service Commission, Merit Protection Systems Boards, Zoning Boards, Local Boards of Health, Liquor Licensing Boards, the Department of Labor, Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission, and the National Labor Relations Board, to name a few of the myriad of agencies that govern dealings of businesses and individuals.
We have a great deal of experience in representing our clients in such forums. We would be happy to discuss your case with you and, after analyzing each case, we will offer our opinion regarding your best course of action.
Business Law
Lang, Xifaras and Bullard provides legal services in the areas of business and corporate law. If you have a business or are looking to incorporate or form an LLC, or if you are buying or selling a business or corporation, we can provide the day-to-day legal services that you need to comply with all the laws that affect such matters. Modern, complex employment law requires an experienced attorney handling an issue to determine the appropriate action.
We can help you establish a legal plan for your business concerning incorporation, bylaws, periodic meetings, stock transfers, and business agreements. We will also provide you with a general overview of the laws that can affect your business or company.
Consumer Protection
Massachusetts and the Federal government have adopted many statutes that protect the consumer. Some of these have been tailored specifically to certain types of consumer problems. For example, a "lemon law" protects consumers who have purchased new automobiles that prove to be faulty.
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93A provides protection for consumers when dealing with businesses that are engaged in unfair and deceptive practices. These are just two of the numerous statutes and regulations designed to protect consumer rights.
If you have a consumer problem, you may need legal representation in order to protect all your rights and interests. We are often presented with consumer problems by clients who merely seek the fair value and benefit of the goods and/or services they have purchased. We approach each of these cases on its own merits, attempting to quickly resolve the dispute while protecting our clients' interests.
Employee Benefits
We have a strong client base of jointly managed employee benefit plans, including health and welfare, pension and employee benefit plans. We serve as counsel to a number of employee benefit plans, providing legal advice and service on a regular basis.
Estate Administration
If you are named the Personal Representative, Guardian or Trustee in a will by a deceased loved one or friend, you will need an attorney to provide counsel when probating the estate. We provide this legal service on a daily basis to many of our clients.
Our concern is to ensure that the will is followed in every respect and that all state and federal estate tax laws are complied with. We can even arrange for inventories and liquidation when necessary. Our priority is to make the probating of an estate as simple and as efficient as possible for you.
Estate Planning
You work hard to provide for your family and it is dangerous to risk all that effort by exposing your hard-earned assets and your family's security, to unnecessary financial losses associated with poor estate planning. If you own a house, boat or possess savings, your estate may incur some measure of tax liability. This is especially true considering the persistence of inflation and higher taxes, both of which create taxable estates, on the federal as well as state level. An estate plan may be as simple as a will or as sophisticated as interlocking irrevocable trusts with diverse powers of appointment.
The bottom line is the same - a careful and prudent estate plan can save you and your family significant time and money by maximizing your estate's tax avoidance and minimizing unnecessary probate expenses. In this way, you leave more to your family and loved ones, and tailor the distribution of your assets to the individual needs of your family.
Family Law
The practice of family law includes, obtaining court decrees, dealing with adoptions, guardianships, conservatorships, as well as other processes necessary to clarify rights and responsibilities.
When involved with these issues it is only natural for you to feel tremendous personal and emotional anxiety.
Our job is to protect you at a time when you are often both emotionally and legally vulnerable. We accomplish this by first listening to you so that we have a firm understanding of your particular facts and objectives. Then we act accordingly to protect your best interests.
Employment Law
We have represented employees and employers in the complex area of Employment Law, wage issues, benefits, Family Medical Leave, Paid Family Medical Leave, unemployment, long and short-term disability. In addition, we presently deal with wrongful terminations, severance plans and layoffs.
Labor Law / Management Relations
Lang, Xifaras, and Bullard has a large labor law clientele in Southeastern Massachusetts. Our representation includes negotiations, day-to-day advice and counsel, the trial of arbitrations, and litigation of labor law issues before State and Federal Agencies as well as State and Federal Courts.
Litigation
In our experience, many legal disputes may be fairly and reasonably resolved prior to filing a lawsuit. However, once the decision to file a lawsuit is made, we will proceed to litigation as rapidly as possible. If a party files suit against your business, you and or your family, it is vital that you promptly seek advice of counsel. Under the law, you are required to file an answer to a lawsuit within a certain time frame. If you fail to do so, you may predjudice your rights in the case.
We have a great deal of litigation experience in the Massachusetts District, Probate, Superior, and in the Federal Courts, in both jury and non-jury forums. We also have an active appellate court practice in both the State and Federal Appeals Court. We will be pleased to review these services with you and offer our opinion regarding your case.
In addition, our firm has tried countless arbitration cases and has been in the forefront of utilizing alternative dispute resolution procedures to resolve cases in litigation, or matters which would ordinarily be destined for litigation.
Personal Injury/Catastrophic Injury/Wrongful Death
When you or someone in your family suffers a personal injury as the result of the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to damages, including the payment of your medical costs, lost wages and compensation for pain and suffering and disability. Usually, such injuries are caused by automobile accidents, product defects, accidents which result from a slip and fall, and a variety of other accidents which are the result of the negligence of another person.
Over the past 40 years, we have handled a great number of personal injury cases and our goal is always to represent you as each one of us would want to be represented. We make certain we understand the facts in each case and then apply these facts to the law. We apply the latest trends in the law to your individual case and consult with experts in the medical and technical fields to thoroughly analyze your case. At each step in a personal injury case, we consult with you to keep you fully informed of the status and progress of your case. We are intent on preserving and safeguarding our clients' right in these very serious cases. We always aim toward the successful resolution of such cases, receiving the highest settlement or award on behalf of our clients and their families.
Real Estate
Every day, people encounter legal questions and problems dealing with real estate law. If you are buying or selling your house or business property, you should consult with an attorney. If you are in the process of applying for a variance or special permit to comply with zoning regulations, an attorney is a must.
Landlord/tenant problems also often require an attorney's intervention. We are also experienced in the sale of businesses, tax abatement questions and boundary disputes.
We are proficient in the handling of real estate questions and problems. When dealing with real estate matters, your investment and property interests are too important not to be represented by capable legal counsel.
Workers Compensation
If you are injured on the job, you may be entitled to workers compensation benefits under Massachusetts law. Over the past decades, legislation has broadly amended the Massachusetts Worker's Compensation Act.
It is crucial that you know your rights under the Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Act. Our firm has spent considerable time analyzing inter-relationships between various State and Federal Statutes and the Massachusetts Workers Compensation Act. Our background in worker's compensation has been extensive, and we strive to give the best possible representation to our clients who are injured on the job. Our goals are to protect your long-term objectives, while safeguarding your short-term needs.
Social Security
If you are disabled and have been gainfully employed and contributed to the Social Security system during your employment career, you may be eligible for Social Security Benefits. We have extensive experience in handling Social Security Disability and SSI claims. Contact us to review your particular case. We will help process your claim to make sure it is handled quickly and efficiently by the Social Security Administration.
In the event it is necessary for you to have your case heard before an Administrative Law Judge we will provide full representation, including appeals when warranted.