Beauregard, Burke & Franco

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Beauregard, Burke & Franco Established SouthCoast law firm specializing in all fields of civil litigation. Our firm was founded by Philip N. Beauregard in the mid 1980’s. Richard E.

Burke, Jr. and Michael Franco started work with the firm as law students. They became partners in 1990 and 2001 respectively. Our attorneys have experience as a Superior Court judge, City Solicitor, general counsel to a regional school district, general counsel to a non-profit social services agency, legislative aide, and Assistant District Attorney. We do not advertise in the media. We rely on our reputation in the community to attract clients. We have developed a reputation for trial experience, aggressive advocacy, and court-room skill. Our firm has Martindale Hubbell’s highest rating – AV. We have handled many civil cases resulting in million dollar verdicts and settlements. We have also handled cases of social and political importance, and cases that have established new law on local, state, and national levels. Our attorneys have deep family roots in the SouthCoast area, and we are active in local charitable and cultural organizations. We represent clients across SouthCoast Massachusetts including communities in and around: Acushnet, Assonet, Dartmouth, Dighton, East Freetown, Fairhaven, Fall River, Hixville, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, North Dighton, North Rochester, North Westport, Rochester, Sherwood Forest, Somerset, South Dartmouth, Swansea, Taunton, Westport and more.

10/01/2026

Join us for an evening of good food, beautiful view, and great company!!

08/12/2026

As many of you know, BBF moved locations to 333 Union Street, New Bedford, MA. BBF Partner Mike Franco did some digging and found out some of the history behind the building and its owner:

Stephen Russell Potter House – circa 1905

Welcome to the Stephen Russell Potter House at 333 Union Street in New Bedford, MA.
The house sits on a lot that was vacant land until 1905. The land was deeded to Potter on April 20, 1905. It is likely that Potter built the house in 1905. The completed house shows up on a map of New Bedford in 1906. And, the first reference to Potter as a resident of 333 Union Street in the City Directory is 1906. The house was built in a classic Queen Anne style. It is unknown who designed the house and who built it.
So, who was Stephen Russell Potter?
Potter led an interesting life. He was born to a wealthy family in New Bedford on December 17, 1845. His father was Capt. Stephen N. Potter – a whale ship owner and captain. In 1843, Capt. Potter built a Greek Revival house in the then fashionable County Street area at 479 County Street – a short walk from 333 Union Street. It is likely that the younger Potter was born and raised at 479 County Street.
Potter began his education at the Gleason School, followed by Middle Street Grammar School, and ending at Friends Academy. While a student at Friends Academy, he enlisted in the 15th Massachusetts Unattached Company. He was stationed at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor during the Civil War. After the War, Potter returned to New Bedford. He entered the business world as part of the company Tinkham & Potter, which was a manufacturer of women’s and children’s shoes. The business lasted only four years. Potter then moved to Chicago, where he lived for the next five years. He worked on commission sales in boots and shoes. On a visit to his widowed mother, Potter decided to close out his Chicago business and move back to the New Bedford area. He joined the company Sanders & Barrows, which was a clothing merchant house. Potter worked for the company as its sales rep until his retirement 30 years later.
Potter married Rhoda Briggs of Dartmouth on January 12, 1870. She died on December 13, 1916 – after 46 years of marriage. They had no children.
Potter kept busy in his retirement years. He built the house at 333 Union Street at the age of 60. He was manager of the local Soldiers’ Relief Fund. He was a member of Post No. 1 of the Grand Army of the Republic; the Acushnet Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the Dartmouth Club. He helped to found the Zachariah Hillman Engine Company, and was its Vice President for several years. In his spare time, Potter was passionate about fishing. It was said that “he is very successful in matching wits with the finny tribe and usually brings home as many as he cares to.”
Potter died on September 5, 1919 at the age of 73. He is buried in Rural Cemetery in New Bedford alongside his wife Rhoda.

03/31/2026

Did you know that BBF handles personal injury cases in addition to its other areas of practice? The attorneys at BBF have extensive experience litigating all types of personal injury cases, including car accident cases, wrongful death cases, slip and fall accident cases, liquor liability cases, medical malpractice cases, dog bite cases, and workplace accident cases. We believe that the quality of our representation in personal injury cases is second to none. In addition to personal injury work, BBF also handles business disputes, employment cases, real estate disputes, civil rights cases, defamation cases, contract disputes, legal malpractice cases, municipal law, and estate planning. Here are some of our verdicts and settlements from the last several years:

Medical malpractice case $1.5M
Employment case $1.4M
Medical malpractice case $1.3M
Business dispute $1.25M
Employment case $1.15M
Business dispute $1.1M
Wrongful death case $1M
Premises liability case $950K
Employment case $941K
Legal malpractice $800K
Premises liability case $775K
Medical malpractice case $750K
Medical malpractice case $700K
Employment case $600K
Employment case $587K
Business dispute $575K
Employment case $550K
Business dispute $500K
Premises liability case $500K
Auto accident case $487K
Wrongful death case $450K
Auto accident case $450K
Employment case $450K
Employment case $400K
Auto accident case $350K
Employment case $305K
Auto accident case $300K
Medical malpractice $300K
Employment case $300K
Medical malpractice $270K
Employment case $250K
Auto accident case $225K
Employment case $220K
Business dispute $212K
Defamation case $200K
Auto accident case $200K
Medical malpractice case $190K
Auto accident case $185K
Insurance dispute $185K
Employment case $183K
Employment case $180K
Employment case $180K
Construction case $175K
Auto accident case $165K
Business dispute $160K
Employment case $150K
Auto accident case $150K
Employment case $150K
Legal malpractice case $150K
Premises liability case $140K
Employment case $132K
Business dispute $130K
Legal malpractice case $125K
Legal malpractice case $125K
Premises liability case $125K
Employment case $125K
Auto accident case $120K
Legal malpractice case $112K
Contract case $110K
Employment case $110K
Workplace injury case $102K
Auto accident case $102K
Auto accident case $100K
Employment case $100K
Employment case $100K
Auto accident case $100K
Auto accident case $100K
Auto accident case $100K
Auto accident case $100K
Auto accident case $100K
Auto accident case $100K
Auto accident case $100K
Auto accident case $100K
Auto accident case $100K

03/08/2026
02/24/2026

BBF will be operating remotely today and tomorrow. If you need to speak with one of our staff or attorneys please contact us by email. Stay safe!

Address

333 Union Street
New Bedford, MA
02740

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:15pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:15pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:15pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:15pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:15pm

Telephone

+15089930333

Website

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