Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

Attorney William Kickham has more than 20 years of legal practice from diverse positions in law and media, providing counsel on a wide range of legal and trial issues, in both the civil and criminal arenas. Mr. Kickham presently practices law in his own firm in Westwood, Massachusetts, and until recently was the Executive Producer and host of his own TV talk show, At The Bar, previously broadcast on the Comcast network in the suburban Boston market, discussing a variety of legal and litigation issues within Massachusetts and nationally.

In his diverse legal roles, Mr. Kickham has served as the New England Regional Manager for the Insurance Information Institute, a nationwide trade association of liability insurance companies. In this capacity, Mr. Kickham acted as the Institute’s chief spokesperson to all media, industry and opposition groups having an interest in the industry’s legal and litigation issues. Within his role, Mr. Kickham worked with and appeared in all major print, radio and television media throughout New England, as well as in national publications such as USA Today, The National Law Journal, Lawyers Weekly USA, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.

Prior to his association with the Institute, Mr. Kickham served as Public Affairs Counsel for the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys (MATA), in Boston. MATA is a specialty bar association, and is the state chapter of the American Association for Justice, (for many years formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA). Mr. Kickham was responsible for media relations on all legal and trial issues, insurance liability, tort reform and civil justice issues. He directed all media coverage and commentary for the association, and served as Editor-In-Chief of all news operations. He regularly appeared in major print and broadcast media, regionally and nationally.

While attending Suffolk University Law School, Mr. Kickham also served on the House Judiciary Committee within the Massachusetts House, where he was Communications Coordinator for legal and legislative matters before the Committee. Prior to entering Suffolk Law School, Mr. Kickham directed media relations and communications strategy within a statewide coalition to reform auto insurance in Massachusetts, where he communicated complex legislative issues to a wide variety of media. Mr. Kickham is a former Special Assistant District Attorney for Norfolk County in Massachusetts, and has tried numerous criminal cases, as both prosecutor and defense counsel.

Mr. Kickham holds a degree in Economics from Boston College, and a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School. He is a member of the Massachusetts and Federal Bars, was a 1982 award recipient from the Outstanding Young Men of America, and a scholarship recipient from Suffolk University Law School. In addition to serving as the host of his own talk show, At The Bar from1995 to 2005, Mr. Kickham has appeared as legal analyst and commentator on Court TV, and appeared as spokesperson and legal commentator in The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, WBZ-AM Radio, WCVB-TV, WBZ-TV, WHDH-TV, and New England Cable News, discussing a wide variety of legal issues and organizations. In addition, he has worked with such national news organizations as USA Today and 60 Minutes, in briefing researchers and producers on legal issues.

Mr. Kickham resides with his wife Debbi in Westwood, Massachusetts.

Jared M. Tomassi, Esq.

Mr. Tomassi established Tomassi Law Associates, LLC to provide competent, efficient, and cost effective legal services to individuals and companies throughout the State of Rhode Island. We are committed to protecting our client's rights and interests by providing our clients with aggressive and competent legal representation.

We put our clients first. We are a "CLIENTS AND RESULTS ORIENTED" Law Firm. Phone calls are returned in a timely manner, the client is kept informed of the status of their case on a regular and consistent basis and clients are fully informed and educated on the law and legal issues relating to their case. In addition to free in-office consultations, Mr. Tomassi will also come to you, whether it is at your home, at your work or at the hospital. We are here to help and assist our clients in every step along the way.

Mr. Tomassi designed Tomassi Law Associates to utilize advanced technology and has created the law office of the 21st century; forging technology, personal experience and knowledge of the law to provide our clients with effective and efficient legal services with a "client and results oriented" approach. Mr. Tomassi incorporates a hands-on approach and deals with each client directly from start to finish. Your case will not be passed off to a paralegal.

Mr. Tomassi has his B.S. in Criminal Justice from Johnson and Wales University and his J.D. from Roger Williams University School of Law. He is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association, American Bar Association, American Association for Justice and the Rhode Island Association for Justice. Mr. Tomassi is admitted in the State of Rhode Island and in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

Mr. Tomassi is also the President/CEO of Forensic Business Solutions, Inc., which is an Independent Insurance Adjusting and Private Investigation Company. Mr. Tomassiâs experience as an Independent Insurance Adjuster and Private Investigator, working directly for the Insurance Companies throughout the country, provides him with a unique knowledge base, experience and perspective in Plaintiffâs representation. He has extensive experience and knowledge in business, insurance, investigations and criminal proceedings having owned and operated Forensic Business Solutions, Inc., for the past 8 years and working in the insurance, investigation, and business employment/HR industry for over 10 plus years.

Tomassi Law Associates, LLC has forged technology, personal experience and knowledge of the law as well as established relationships with various well established attorneys and resources to ensure your legal issues are handled in the most effective, thorough and cost-effective manner possible.

Effective legal advocacy requires thorough research, polished writing skills, creative investigation, salesmanship, honesty and - with respect to dispute resolution and business negotiations - competitiveness.

Areas of Practice

Administrative Law
Bad Faith Insurance
Bankruptcy Law
Business & Commercial Law
Contracts
Debtor/Creditor
Business Organizations
Traffic Violations
Estate Planning
Elder Law
Trusts
Wills
Family Law
Divorce
Nursing Home
Insurance Defense
Insurance Law
Litigation & Appeals
Personal Injury -- Defense
Personal Injury -- Plaintiff
Motor Vehicle Accidents -- Plaintiff
Probate & Estate Administration
Products Liability Law
Professional Malpractice Law
Legal Malpractice
Medical Malpractice
Real Estate Law
Land Use & Zoning
Landlord/Tenant
Tax Increment Financing
Taxation Law
Workers' Compensation Law

Litigation Percentage
75% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions
Rhode Island, 2006
U.S. District Court District of Rhode Island, 2007

Education
Roger Williams University School of Law, Bristol, Rhode Island
J.D.
Johnson & Wales University, Bristol, Rhode Island
B.S.
Honors: Magna Cum Laude
Major: Criminal Justice

Representative Clients
Injured Parties
Individuals
Businesses

Professional Associations and Memberships
Rhode Island Bar Association
Rhode Island Association for Justice
American Bar Association
American Association for Justice

Past Employment Positions
Forensic Business Solutions, Inc., President, 1999 - 2008
Ancillary Businesses
Forensic Business Solutions, Inc.
Voice Exchange Pro

Languages
English
Spanish

Birth Information
1976, Warwick, Rhode Island, United States of America

Murray Law Offices, LLC is a trial practice firm with an emphasis on the litigation of personal injury, insurance defense, business disputes and other civil matters. Attorney Murray has tried hundreds of cases before the Superior and District Courts in a wide variety of legal issues. Our clients include individuals and businesses and we are experienced in handling the most complex litigation matters.

Bruce H. Murray has been a practicing lawyer since 1987. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island, and the New England School of Law, cum laude. Recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award and New England School of Law Scholar Award. Admitted in the Massachusetts Courts and the United States District Court, District of Massachusetts, Mr. Murray's practice is primarily concentrated in the preparation and trial of cases involving personal injury including, auto accidents, slip and fall, premises liability, dog bites, general liability, wrongful death, product liability, medical malpractice, food poisoning, construction site accidents, unfair business practices (c. 93A), insurance related matters, and criminal defense. He has tried well over 100 cases to verdict, including more than 60 jury trials in the Superior Court. He was recognized by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as having one of the top ten defense verdicts of the year in 2002. He has lectured in the areas of trial practice and premises liability for continuing education programs on behalf of the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association and for the retail and insurance industry. Mr. Murray is also experienced in the areas of residential real estate conveyancing, landlord/tenant matters, business disputes and consumer protection. He is a volunteer judge for the Suffolk Law School Mock Trial Tournament and serves as a volunteer conciliator in the Brockton, Stoughton and Quincy District Courts. He is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, Middlesex County Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association. He and his family are involved with the Fresh Air Fund, serving annually as a host family.

I am a trial lawyer and handle civil cases throughout Massachusetts. I have tried over over 100 cases to a jury verdict. I am experienced in the defense handling of insurance claims in Massachusetts state and federal courts, as well as administrative agencies and appeals.

Significant cases I have defended include:

PRODUCTS LIABILITY. Burgos v. Danly Machine, U.S. District Ct., D.Mass., 17 Verdicts, Settlement and Tactics 361-362, 1997 WL 33345564, Natl. Jury Verdict Rptr. 10:15. Defense verdict for manufacturer of 50 ton power press sued by injured worker struck by metal blanks. Roberge v. Roberge, U.S. District Ct., D.Mass., 1999 WL 33488789, 15 New England Jury Verdict Rptr. 7:C8. Verdict of no defect in defendant's bicycle operated by boy whose jaw was fractured in accident. In DaConceicao v. Tru-Grit, U.S. Dist. Ct., D.Mass. 4/02), a jury returned a verdict of no liability for breach of warranty or negligence against the supplier of a knife-making machine. Summary judgment was granted for the manufacturer in Witte v. Thermold (Worc. Dist. Ct. 7/07) for an injury caused when a shower handle broke.

WRONGFUL TERMINATION. Tuper v. North Adams Ambulance Service, Inc., 428 Mass. 132 (1998). After summary judgment on defamation and tortious interference claims, defense verdict was returned in wrongful termination case. On appeal Mass. Supreme Judicial Court upheld trial ruling that unemployment hearing decision finding employee was discharged without just cause was inadmissible and not binding in later breach of contract suit. Weissman v. Altra Marine Products (U.S. District Court, D.Mass), 1995 WL 1933839, 10 New England Jury Verdict Rptr. 12:6. Favorable verdict against manufacturer sued by representative for breach of agreement, fraud, tortious interference with advantageous relations with customer.

DEFENSE VERDICTS IN REAR-END COLLISIONS. In Rouvellat v. Guarco, 187 F.3d 622 (1st Cir. 1999), a federal jury found a defendant motorist not negligent where plaintiff claimed over $100,000 in medical and wage losses, following refusal of a generous settlement offer at mediation. In Martin v. McKenna, 2005 WL 4397793 (Hampden Super. Ct.), a jury found no negligence despite the admission in evidence that the case was previously tried to a judge who awarded $30,000 and that award was Aprima facie@ evidence in favor of the plaintiff. Similarly, in Mulvey v. Roy, 2006 WL 4654733 (Hampden Super. Ct.), the jury found no negligence on the part of a motorist who rear-ended another vehicle starting a four-car chain collision.

DEFENSE VERDICTS FOR INSURANCE AGENTS/ERRORS & OMISSIONS. In Capozza v. Johnson, 6 Western Mass. Law Trib. 4, 1 (April 2005), 2005 WL 115548 (Hampden Super. Ct.), a jury found the agency did not err in obtaining insurance coverage on a Mercedes, there was a $1.5 million verdict against the co-defendant motorist. Similarly in Greaves v. K-D Agency, 2006 WL 4654729 (Worc. Dist. Ct. 7/06), a jury returned a verdict of no negligence where an insured had reduced his coverages below his mortagage balance and was underinsured for a fire. In Chenevert v. Remillard, 1999 WL 3348883, following an uninsured theft claim a jury found no negligence, deceit or contract breach in the procurement of a homeowners policy. In Miller v. Moulton, (Palmer Dist. Ct. 3/98), a judge entered judgment for the defendant agency following trial on a claim an agent was responsible for an insured being uninsured for a restaurant fire. In Harder v. Cebula, (Palmer Dist Ct. 3/93), a defense finding was entered after trial exonerating an agent for uninsured damages for a boiler loss.

SUMMARY JUDGMENT FOR AGENTS/E&O. In both Leger v. INA, 38 Mass. App. Ct. 1102 (1995), and Grey v. Finn, (Franklin Super. Ct. 11/1/00), an agent was granted summary judgment following an uninsured fire loss. In Lata v. Remillard (Norfolk Super. Ct. 10/29/04), summary judgment was granted on a claim an agent failed to procure sufficient underinsured motorist limits. In Sacadura v. Ideal (Springfield Dist. Ct. 7/04), a directed verdict was granted at trial where a homeowner sued his agent to cover an uninsured dog bite loss.

SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN LEGAL MALPRACTICE CLAIM. In Bratcher v. Moriarty, Donoghue & Leja, P.C., 54 Mass. 111 (2002), the court found no duty existed between the lawyer for the widow in a wrongful death action and the co-administrator of the decedent=s estate.

FAVORABLE VERDICTS FOR AT-FAULT TRUCKING COMPANIES. In Fernandez v. May Trucking Co., 1993 WL 1466090, and Bird v. Lott Trucking, 2001 WL 1041973, jury verdicts were obtained in a nominal amount well below the last offer of settlement. In Digiovanni v. Borden and McCormick v. Borden (U.S. Dist. Ct. 10/92), a jury awarded nominal damages to a mother and daughter claiming injury from a rear-end collision. Similarly, in Gendron v. Waste Management, 2002 Mass. Super. LEXIS 32057895, a jury rejected a claim of permanent disability and awarded only special damages to a plaintiff.

DEFENSE VERDCTS WHERE MOTORIST STRUCK BICYCLIST/PEDESTRIAN. In Evans v. Devereaux Foundation, 1992 WL 1352918, a jury found a motorist who struck a pedestrian in a cross-walk not negligent. In Boyle v. Silluzio, 2005 WL 2148520, the jury found a negligent motorist who struck a bicyclist at an intersection cross-walk was not causally responsible for plaintiff=s damages. In Delmolino v. Doyle (34 Mass. Lawyers Weekly 593, Nov. 7, 2005), a pedestrian struck by a backing motorist in a parking lot was found not negligent.

SUMMARY JUDGMENT FOR NURSING HOME IN WRONGFUL DEATH ACTION. In Fentross v. Geriatric Authority of Holyoke, 2002 Mass. Super. LEXIS 533, a dismissal was obtained for failure to make presentment under torts claims act.

PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT ENFORCING DAMAGES CAP IN BRAIN INJURY CLAIM.In Reynolds v. Williston Northampton School, 2006 Mass. Super. LEXIS 46, court allowed motion for summary judgment enforcing charitable cap on claim of brain injury allegedly suffered by spectator due to premises defect at private school's hockey facility rented to outside group.

DIRECTED VERDICTS. In Roman v. Pulaski Club (Hampden Super. Ct. 10/92), a judge dismissed a negligent security claim against a private club where one patron assaulted another. In Ditto v. Town of Palmer, 1995 WL 1722613, a road defect claim alleged to have caused a motorcycle accident was dismissed at the close of the plaintiff=s evidence.

PREMISES DEFECT CLAIMS. In Lash v. Apollo, 1995 WL 1768599, 10 Nat'l. Jury Verdict Rptr. 7:26, a jury rendered a verdict of no negligence where a deliveryman was claiming $150,000 in special damages and permanent impairment from a fall at allegedly unsafe premises.

DEFENSE VERDICTS OF MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS. In Glabicki v. Sarad, 1991 WL 1063382, no negligence was found on the part of a truck driver for a broadside accident where plaintiff had significant special damages and permanency. In Antuna v. Bergollo, 2004 Mass. Super. LEXIS 2216614, a jury found no negligence on the part of a motorist who took a right on red and whose vehicle was then struck. In Reyes v. Florence Casket (Springfield Dist. Ct. 5/04), a jury found no negligence on the part of delivery truck alleged to have sideswiped a vehicle backing into a parking spot. In Meadows v. Travel Time, 7 New England Jury Verdict Rptr. 2:16, a bus company was found not negligent by a jury for a disc injury allegedly caused when the bus went over a speed bump at an inappropriate speed.

APPEALS COURT REVERSAL OF PLAINTIFF'S VERDICT. In Gibbons v. Nichols [Tenneco], 1994 Mass. App. Div. 28, the Appellate Court vacated a finding for the plaintiff in an intersection accident and granted a new trial due to judicial error against the defendant.

NEW TRIAL GRANTED IN $1.5M VERDICT. In CIGNA Fire Underwriters Ins. Co. v. MacDonald & Johnson, Inc., 86 F.3d 1260 (1996), a federal judge allowed judgment notwithstanding the verdict of $750,000 on tortious interference counterclaim against insurer, and new trial on breach of contract claim verdict of $500,000, which was reduced to $250,000 on re-trial.