Brian J Hughes

Brian Hughes was named an equity partner at the firm in January of 2023. He is a civil trial lawyer in the firm’s Taunton office, advocating for businesses and individuals in all state and federal courts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  With two decades of legal experience, he is known as a skilled and analytical strategist who guides clients through the myriad laws and regulations to reach the best possible outcome.

  • In 2022, Brian was able to negotiate an advantageous settlement in a complex corporate dispute pending in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Using the plaintiff’s own evidence against him, Brian was able to settle the case for less than one-twentieth of his clients’ potential liability, without any admission or wrongdoing.
  • In 2017, while representing a large, regional financial institution, he received an award  that included damages and attorneys’ fees totaling close to six figures in a hotly-contested case involving two competing, family-owned businesses. The jury trial in New Bedford Superior Court reinforced that landlords cannot take the law into their own hands and act without legal process. “Self-help” is not allowed in Massachusetts (as it is in Rhode Island) and, in this case, was tantamount to theft. See more.
  • In 2016, he successfully defended a local manufacturer in a discrimination suit where the client was accused of wrongful employment termination based on allegations of whistle-blower protections, age and disability discrimination. After a five-day jury trial, the court ruled in favor of the manufacturer, avoiding damages. The case involved highly disputed facts and passionate and emotional testimony. See more.

Over the years, Brian has litigated cases that include: business and construction disputes, real estate and landlord-tenant cases, bankruptcy matters, commercial loan disputes, commercial foreclosure and creditors’ rights, and discrimination matters. He is also part of the firm’s education law team.

He has  protected his clients’ rights in dozens of construction disputes involving mechanics liens, avoiding litigation in most cases. He has successfully handled appeals in state and federal court and defended a banking client in a foreclosure matter involving an alleged due process violation before the US Supreme Court.

Prior to moving to Marshfield, MA, Brian resided in and was a member of several committees for the Town of Rockland. He is active in the Weymouth United Masonic Lodge, and received the Meritorious Service Certificate in 2009 from the Grand Lodge of Masons.

Articles & Publications:

“Supreme Court Expands Employment to Gay & Transgendered Employees” (June 2020) BRCSM Insights

“He Didn’t Mean To Do It: How the Law Treats Discipline for Students with Special Needs” (April 2018) BRCSM Insights

Admissions:

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
State of Rhode Island
United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island
United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Supreme Court of the United States
United States Department of Veterans Affairs

 Professional Affiliations:

Bristol County Bar Association
Plymouth County Bar Association
Bar Association of Norfolk County
Massachusetts Bar Association

Civic & Charitable Involvement:

Town of Rockland Capital Planning Committee, Chair (2017-18). Vice Chair (2016)
Town of Rockland Day Care Advisory Committee, Past Member
Town of Rockland Zoning Board of Appeals, Past Member
Town of Rockland 40R Smart Growth Overlay District By-Law Committee, Past Member
Willow Pond Condominium Board of Managers, Past Chair
Weymouth United Masonic Lodge, Past Master
Rockland Youth Lacrosse, Coach

Education:

Seton Hall University School of Law, 2002
University of Massachusetts, 1999