public law
Smith Duggan's
public law practice offers a range of legal services to government
agencies and to individuals and companies engaged in negotiations
or disputes with government agencies. (Because
we represent both government agencies and parties with business
before or claims against government agencies, we pay careful attention
to assure that we avoid any conflicts of interest.)
Several of Smith Duggan's more senior lawyers carried extensive caseloads of administrative
and constitutional litigation in the Government Bureau of the Massachusetts
Attorney General's office during the 1970s and 1980s. This was an
intense and rewarding experience that set the stage for Smith Duggan's public law practice.
Government Agencies
We represent several state agencies, currently including the Massachusetts
Bay Transportation Authority, the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority,
and the Massachusetts Port Authority. In recent years, we have also
represented, among others, the Kentucky Department of Insurance,
the Massachusetts Department of State Police, and the Massachusetts
Water Resources Authority.
Administrative Law
We represent individuals and businesses in dealings with state
regulatory and licensing agencies and other administrative agencies,
ranging from behind-the-scenes legal advice to our clients or informal
communications with agency staff for clarification of agency requirements
to the full fledged conduct of formal administrative proceedings.
Administrative Litigation
We handle suits in federal and state courts challenging the
actions of federal and state administrative agencies.
Public Construction
We have litigated significant cases within the unusual Massachusetts
statutory framework governing public construction contracts.
Public Law
The actions of government agencies often present issues not
only of administrative law but also of statutory construction or
constitutional law. We have extensive experience evaluating such
issues and presenting them in court.
Federal-State Relations
We have also represented the Commonwealth in dealings with the
federal government.
For further
information, please contact:
H.
Reed Witherby