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Welcome to MHL Counselors at Law

McDonough, Hacking & Lavoie, LLC was founded in February 1994, with a group of lawyers who bring to the Firm many years of experience, handling cases in a wide range of practice areas. We have made a commitment to provide high-quality work with personal attention in a reasonable and cost-effective manner.

Our Firm’s practice areas concern the defense of civil lawsuits, including construction litigation, products liability, insurance coverage and litigation, toxic tort litigation, fire litigation, professional malpractice, employment and civil rights matters, environmental law, premises liability, municipal claims, travel and airline litigation, liquor liability claims and brain injury litigation.

We handle trial and appellate matters, and several of our members participate in alternative dispute resolution as arbitrators and mediators.  Our representation includes individuals, corporations, insureds, insurers and self-insureds, with attention to the issues of special concern to such clients.

 

Firm Profile

The Firm was established over twenty-five (25) years ago when it was founded in February 1994, with a group of lawyers who brought to the Firm many years of experience, handling cases in a wide range of practice areas.  Since our founding, we have made a commitment to provide high-quality work with personal attention in a reasonable and cost-effective manner. We are committed to achieving the best possible result for our clients in all matters, whether by trial, mediation, arbitration or negotiated settlement.

Our firm specializes in the defense of civil lawsuits, including all types of personal injury, property damage and business losses.  We represent clients in a broad spectrum of cases.  We handle trial and appellate matters and we participate in all forms of alternative dispute resolution.

All of the firm’s lawyers are qualified to practice in both State and Federal Courts in the Commonwealth and several of our lawyers are admitted in other states.  We have represented clients and insurers in all New England states. All members enjoy the highest rating (av) established by Martindale, Hubbell, the leading directory for lawyers.

 

Office Staff

Susan Lavoie,
Firm Manager
slavoie@mhlattys.com
Direct: 617-367-3818

Danielle Salvi,
Billing Coordinator
dsalvi@mhlattys.com
Direct: 617-367-8389

Rose Caranfa,
Legal Assistant
rcaranfa@mhlattys.com
Direct: 617-367-3815

Ann Theriault,
Accountant
atheriault@mhlattys.com
617-367-0808

Stacy Duffy,
Paralegal
sduffy@mhlattys.com
Direct: 617-367-3820

Christine Meyers,
Law Clerk
(not pictured)

cmeyers@mhlattys.com
Direct: 617-367-3812

The Firm was established over twenty-five (25) years ago when it was founded in February 1994

Left to right: Matthew Manuszak, Matthew Lysiak, Grayson Shephard, Mark Lavoie and Christopher Costello

(left to right): Ann Theriault, Rose Caranfa, Danielle Salvi, Susan Lavoie and Stacy Duffy.
(left to right): Ann Theriault, Rose Caranfa, Danielle Salvi, Susan Lavoie and Stacy Duffy.

 

Attorney Profiles

 

Practice Areas

TRIAL PRACTICE
We have an active trial practice and have lawyers with over thirty (30) years’ experience regularly trying cases in State and Federal Courts.  We can readily assist and advise clients on the risks and benefits of resolving or litigating matters to completion.
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CONSTRUCTION LITIGATION
A number of our lawyers have had longstanding relationships with owners, general contractors, and subcontractors involved in construction matters.  We have extensive experience in construction defect claims, including original construction and redevelopment.  We have represented owners, developers, redevelopers, design professionals, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers in disputes involving all types of buildings, including residential and commercial buildings, schools, courthouses, power plants, condominium developments and other public and private structures, as well as public construction projects including roads, bridges, storm and wastewater drainage, and wastewater treatment facilities. Our work also encompasses contract drafting and interpretation, including indemnification and additional insurance provisions

We have significant experience defending claims of property damage and personal injury, involving all types of construction site accidents.  We have handled construction matters in both court and arbitration proceedings, as well as before both State and Federal administrative bodies.
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PRODUCTS LIABILITY
We have extensive experience representing manufacturers, distributors and suppliers in both simple and complex products liability litigation. Our clients have international, national and regional markets and we address the specific client interests in every situation.  We are involved in significant cases involving cutting edge e-commerce issues.  We represent large Fortune 100 companies with product liability claims in Massachusetts.
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INSURANCE COVERAGE AND LITIGATION
Our lawyers have experience with insurance policy and coverage matters and the disputes and lawsuits related to these issues.  The Firm has assisted clients in policy interpretation, preparation of coverage provisions, and defense of bad-faith claims pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 93A or Chapter 176D, as well as handling declaratory judgment actions in both state and federal courts.
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TOXIC TORT LITIGATION
Lawyers in this Firm have handled many cases involving personal injury and property damage resulting from exposure to alleged toxic substances, including asbestos, mold, silica, carbon monoxide, lead paint, pesticides, PCBs, benzene, sewage, nitrates, VOCs, and perchlorates, to list a common few of the variety of cases handled. We have litigated and tried cases involving scientific questions concerning claimed exposures and legal causation (both general and specific) and have worked with medical and scientific experts to successfully defend these claims.
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FIRE LITIGATION
Lawyers in the Firm have handled cases involving fires in homes, commercial buildings, manufacturing facilities, hotels, construction sites and motor vehicles.  The cause and origin of the fires have included electrical, chemical, boiler and gas explosions, arson and other alleged causes.
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PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE
Our lawyers have handled malpractice claims for healthcare, legal, accounting, architectural, and engineering professionals.  Our representation has extended to lawyers, insurance brokers and agents, medical professionals (including social workers and psychologists), real estate brokers and accountants.  The work in these areas often involves complex insurance coverage litigation, and counsel have successfully handled matters in this area through trial and appeal.
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EMPLOYMENT AND CIVIL RIGHTS MATTERS
Lawyers in the Firm have represented employers in investigations and public hearings by the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, EEOC and in trials in the Massachusetts Superior Court and Federal Court.  The Firm has handled cases involving all forms of discrimination, including gender, age and race. The Firm also has experience in the defense of other civil rights claims, as well as false arrest, false imprisonment, misrepresentation, defamation, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.  More recently, we have handled cases involving the improper dissemination and use of electronic communications (emails) and privacy concerns, as well as claims of wrongful termination for various grounds.
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ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
Our lawyers have been involved in all aspects of environmental claims.  We have represented insureds and insurers in personal injury and property matters, including complex, multi-state litigation.  Our practice in this area also includes the defense and prosecution of coverage actions connected to the applicability of key policy provisions and exclusions and the determination of an “occurrence” to trigger coverage.
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PREMISES LIABILITY
Our Firm has represented a number of real estate interests, including owners, management companies and commercial tenants in premises litigation involving claims of personal injury and property damage, including claims involving slip and falls (including  snow and ice cases), negligent security as well as claims involving alleged exposure to mold, asbestos or other toxic substances on premises resulting in bodily injury.  The Firm has also represented these entities in property damage cases involving contractors and/or products allegedly causing or contributing to property damage, including fire, flood, vibration, mold and other property damage.
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MUNICIPAL CLAIMS
The Firm has represented municipalities, public officials, public departments and boards in the defense of various claims, including personal injuries, civil rights, wrongful discharge and ADA claims as well as property damage cases. The Firm has represented school superintendents, school boards and other officials in claims concerning discrimination, assault, Federal and State civil rights’ violations, and other such claims.  We are sensitive to and carefully handle the political and publicity issues generated by sensational allegations and claims.
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TRAVEL AND AIRLINE LITIGATION
We represent large domestic Tour Operators involving passenger accidents and injury claims internationally, involving claims from incidents in Europe, Asia, Central and South America, as well as Africa. These claims have involved significant personal injury and death. We also represent airline companies defending various claims asserted.
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LIQUOR LIABILITY CLAIMS
We have represented bars, clubs and other establishments in litigation including the service of alcohol to patrons and various claims resulting therefrom.
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BRAIN INJURY LITIGATION
Our Firm has represented a diverse group of clients in litigation arising from traumatic brain injury claims stemming from workplace accidents, motor vehicle accidents, and premises liability, among others. Our representation includes extensive collaboration with experts and encompasses all stages of litigation through trial.
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Recent Cases

    • Representing a regional construction firm in numerous claims and class actions involving natural gas explosions with claimed losses in excess of $1 billion.
    • Representing international tour companies concerning accidents to passengers on all continents, including one incident concerning death to eight (8) passengers and claimed injuries to numerous others, with asserted legal claims in excess of $150 million.
    • Representing regional housing developer in various claims involving wrongful death and serious personal injuries with lawsuits, including a severe brain injury matter with claimed damages in excess of $30 million.
    • Representing national developer in construction defect claims concerning large condominium complex redevelopment with asserted claims in excess of $20 million.
    • Representing and trying cases for multi-national constructions firms in various lawsuits concerning claims of personal injury and death. Certain lawsuits included sophisticated defenses of claims asserting mild traumatic brain injuries with claimed damages alleged in excess of $12 million.
    • Representing engineering firm in boiler explosion and fire with claimed losses in excess of $10 million.
    • Representing a municipality, its officials and school boards against adverse claims,  by numerous students in a school with asserted claims in excess of $7 million.
    • Representing a national construction firm against wrongful death claims including the use of biomedical engineers to explain the cause of death.
    • Representing leading international e-commerce retailers in claims asserting significant personal injury and death.

Contact Us

Salem Office

Mailing Address:
27 Congress Street
Suite 404
Salem, MA 01970

Telephone: 617-367-0808
Facsimile: 617-367-8307

info@mhlattys.com

Boston Office

100 Cambridge Street
Suite 1400
Boston, MA 02108

Telephone: 617-367-0808
Facsimile: 617-367-8307

info@mhlattys.com

Fall River Office

200 Pocasset Street
Fall River, MA 02721

Telephone: 617-367-0808
Facsimile: 617-367-8307

info@mhlattys.com

Attorney Lavoie is a graduate of Boston College (Cum Laude) and Boston College Law School (Cum Laude). He is a founding member of the Firm, which was established in 1994. He has developed a general liability practice since 1988 and has tried dozens of cases to verdict in both State and Federal Courts. He has handled Appellate matters in the State Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court. He has experience in all of the Firm’s practice areas. Mark is a member of the Defense Research Institute and the Trucking Industry Defense Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association and Essex County Bar Association. He was appointed to the Board of the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association (2012-18) and the Board of Directors of the Essex County Bar Association (2018-present). He is an appointed Conciliator with Court and Bar Association programs. He has participated in Continuing Legal Education Seminars and presented papers on various areas of his practice.

As part of professional peer review, Mark is recognized as a Super Lawyer in Massachusetts since 2006 and he holds the highest rating (AV) established by Martindale Hubbell, the legal peer review rating agency.

Mark B. Lavoie
mlavoie@mhlattys.com

Office: 617-367-3816
Cell: 617-899-2792 

Attorney Lysiak is a graduate of Boston University and Northeastern University School of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief for the Northeastern Law Journal.  He handles cases in all areas of the Firm’s practice, including claims involving insurance coverage, toxic torts, premises liability, products liability, employment discrimination and environmental claims before Massachusetts State and Federal Courts.  Attorney Lysiak is admitted to the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Bars.

Matthew B. Lysiak
mlysiak@mhlattys.com

Office: 617-367-3822

Attorney Costello is a graduate of Hofstra University (Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa) and Emory University Law School. He is currently admitted to practice in Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. Attorney Costello has a general litigation practice that includes; insurance coverage litigation, toxic torts (including asbestos), products’ liability, premises liability, construction litigation and motor vehicle litigation. He has extensive motion practice experience in complex litigation matters and has successfully argued scores of summary judgment and discovery motions across all practice areas. He has handled cases before Massachusetts State and Federal Courts, and successfully argued before the Massachusetts Appellate Courts. He has conducted and defended hundreds of depositions of plaintiffs, fact witnesses, expert witnesses and corporate representatives. In addition to his litigation experience, he has successfully negotiated settlements as the facts and/or law have warranted, thus reducing litigation costs and risk exposure for his clients. He is a member of the American Bar Association and Massachusetts Bar Association.

Christopher W. Costello
ccostello@mhlattys.com

Office: 617-367-3812
Cell:  774-526-6426

Attorney Mastromauro is a graduate of The College of the Holy Cross and Suffolk University Law School, where he served as the Content Editor for the Journal of High Technology Law. Attorney Mastromauro has a general litigation practice that includes premises liability, construction litigation, motor vehicle litigation and employment litigation. He has handled cases before Massachusetts State and Federal Courts, and the Massachusetts Appellate Courts. In addition, Attorney Mastromauro has represented clients before the National Labor Relations Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. He is licensed to practice in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Matthew C. Mastromauro
mmastromauro@mhlattys.com

Office: 617-367-3823
Cell: 617-840-4591