SederLaw

10/15/2026

Seder & Chandler welcomes Michael Downey as a Senior Associate in the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group.

Michael brings extensive experience advising public and private sector employers on collective bargaining, workplace investigations, employment litigation and personnel matters. He previously served as Deputy Labor Counsel for the Massachusetts Trial Court and Associate Town Counsel for Brookline.

His depth of experience strengthens the firm’s ability to help employers navigate complex workplace challenges, resolve disputes and make informed decisions.

Please join us in welcoming Michael to the firm.

Learn more: https://sederlaw.com/team/michael-downey/

09/22/2026

AI may be saving your business time. Is it also creating legal risk?

From confidential information entered into unapproved platforms to inaccurate output, copyright questions and automated hiring decisions, businesses remain responsible for how AI is used across their operations.

A clear AI policy can help employees use these tools productively while protecting the business through appropriate safeguards and human oversight.

Read the full alert, “The Legal Risks of Using AI in Your Small Business”: https://sederlaw.com/the-legal-risks-of-using-ai-in-your-small-business/

08/20/2026

Congratulations to all of the firm’s attorneys recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® across 15 specialty practice areas.

This year’s honors include 2 Lawyer of the Year recognitions:

Robert S. Adler | Corporate Law
Tracy A. Craig | Trusts and Estates

Additional attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers in America® include Jennifer L. Conrad, Demitrios M. Moschos, Paul J. O’Riordan, Todd Rodman, and J. Robert Seder.

Associates Elena Despotopulos and Janelle Tanenbaum were also named Ones to Watch in multiple practice areas.

These peer-reviewed recognitions reflect the depth of experience across the firm and the work our attorneys continue to do on behalf of businesses, families, and individuals throughout Massachusetts.

Read the full announcement: https://bit.ly/4xaPCsy

07/01/2026

A family business is never just an asset on a balance sheet. It is leadership decisions, jobs, customer relationships, and a name that means something in the community.

Private equity investment can be a powerful tool for growth, succession, and liquidity, but family transactions carry sensitivities that standard M&A playbooks miss. Valuation, governance, earnouts, family employment, and shareholder rights all need careful structuring to avoid future conflict.

If you are considering outside investment or already in conversations with a buyer, get experienced counsel involved early. We help Massachusetts families and investors build deals that preserve legacy while creating real long-term value.

Read the full insight: https://bit.ly/4whCpxs

06/30/2026

You bought the property. You don't necessarily control what happens on it.

In Massachusetts, restrictive covenants are private rules baked into a deed that can limit what you build, how it looks, or even how you use the land. They were often written decades ago by developers or prior owners, and they bind every future owner who takes title. Many buyers don't discover them until they try to add a fence, run a business from home, or subdivide.

A careful title review before you close can save you from a project that gets shut down after closing. We help property owners across Massachusetts read what's actually in the deed.

Read the full insight: https://bit.ly/4fakm6p

06/29/2026

The contract decides who gets to walk away. Not your gut, not your agent, not your lender.

In Massachusetts, every real estate purchase agreement spells out the exact conditions for termination. Buyers have more exit points than sellers, but both sides risk serious financial consequences if they act outside the contract. Even a valid reason to leave the deal can disappear if the right notice isn't given on time.

Before you sign, terminate, or push back on the other side, have an attorney who can read the contract the way a court will.

Read the full insight: https://bit.ly/3QOiTcz

05/21/2026

The sale price is only part of the story.

For Massachusetts business owners, the structure of a sale can significantly affect what they ultimately keep. Asset sales, stock or ownership interest sales, purchase price allocation, installment payments, and entity structure can all create very different tax outcomes.

Seder Law’s latest blog explains what sellers should understand before negotiating a business sale.

Read the full alert on our website: https://sederlaw.com/massachusetts-tax-implications-of-selling-your-business/

05/20/2026

Fair does not always mean 50/50.

In Massachusetts divorce, equitable distribution gives courts broad discretion to divide assets and debts based on the circumstances of the marriage, including income, contributions, future financial needs, and earning capacity.

Seder Law’s latest blog explains how marital property is evaluated, what factors judges consider, and why preparation matters.

Read the full alert on our website: https://sederlaw.com/what-is-equitable-distribution-in-massachusetts-divorce/

Learn how equitable distribution works in Massachusetts divorce, including how courts divide assets, debts, and property fairly.

05/18/2026

When a business files for bankruptcy, creditors still have rights, but timing matters.

From filing proofs of claim to protecting collateral and evaluating Chapter 11 plan terms, early action can make a meaningful difference in recovery.

Seder Law’s latest alert outlines what secured and unsecured creditors should know when a business enters bankruptcy.

Read the full alert on our website: https://sederlaw.com/creditor-rights-in-business-bankruptcy/

04/16/2026

Massachusetts estate tax planning has changed, and many families have not revisited their plans since the updates.

A few points worth knowing:

• The Massachusetts estate tax exemption increased to $2 million (retroactive to January 1, 2023), and includes a $99,600 tax credit.
• The former “cliff effect” is gone, only the amount above $2 million is taxed.
• Out-of-state property can reduce the taxable Massachusetts estate on a proportional basis.
• Proven planning tools still matter, including annual gifting, charitable giving, and trusts that align tax strategy with family goals.

Read the full insight on our website.