Chapter 93A Rights and Remedies is a practical authority on the law, procedure, and litigation strategies for pursuing and opposing claims of unfair and deceptive trade practices in Massachusetts. This manual guides the practitioner through each aspect of Chapter 93A litigation, from recognizing unfair or deceptive practices at the client intake meeting through preserving issues for appeal. The manual reviews the bases for Chapter 93A claims, familiarizes the user with the role of the Attorney General's Office, and explains which private remedies are available, including punitive and compensatory damages, equitable relief, and attorney fees and costs. The book's exhibits include sample letters, discovery documents, and detailed case digests, with a total of over 300 descriptions of cases involving insurance companies and product liability claims.Best Practices for Representing Consumers and Businesses
Table of Contents
Chapter 01 - Evolution of Chapter 93A: National and Local AuthorityDonna L. Palermino, Esq.,
Chapter 02 - Bases for Liability Under Chapter 93A - Principles of Unfairness and Deception
Jeffrey Gribouski, Esq.,
Bowditch & Dewey LLP
Patrick S. Tracey, Esq.,
Saul Ewing LLP
Chapter 03 - Public Enforcement
Donna L. Palermino, Esq.,
Exhibit 3A - Attorney General Letter to Gilead
Exhibit 3B - CID: Marketing and Sale of Insurance Policies to Business Owners
Exhibit 3C - CID: Sale and Financing of Home Improvement Repairs
Exhibit 3D - CID: Motor Vehicle Leases
Exhibit 3E - AOD: The Commonwealth and TD Bank, N.A.
Exhibit 3F - AOD: Force-Placed Insurance Premiums
Exhibit 3G - AOD: The Commonwealth and Viridian Energy, LLC
Chapter 04 - Damages in Chapter 93A Cases
Angela Bunnell, Esq.,
Greenberg Traurig LLP
James P. Ponsetto, Esq.,
Greenberg Traurig LLP
David G. Thomas, Esq.,
Greenberg Traurig LLP
James M. Vant, Esq.,
Greenberg Traurig LLP
Mian R. Wang, Esq.,
Greenberg Traurig LLP
Chapter 05 - Initiating Chapter 93A Litigation
Roger J. Bertling, Esq.,
Harvard Law School
Exhibit 5A - Sample Demand Letter
Exhibit 5B - Sample Complaint
Chapter 06 - Defenses and Exemptions
Checklist 6.1 - Checklist of Chapter 93A Responses and Defenses
Chapter 07 - Discovery and Trial Preparation
Kenneth C. Pickering, Esq.,
Pickering Legal LLC
Exhibit 7A - Sample Litigation Budget
Exhibit 7B - Trial Notebook - Index
Exhibit 7C - Sample Discovery Hypothetical
Exhibit 7D - Chronology
Exhibit 7E - Exhibit Checklist
Exhibit 7F - Proof Checklist
Exhibit 7G - Interrogatories
Exhibit 7H - Request for Production of Documents
Exhibit 7I - Request for Admissions
Chapter 08 - Chapter 93A Actions: An Overview of Common Issues
Kyle Bjornlund, Esq.,
Cetrulo LLP
Lawrence G. Cetrulo, Esq.,
Cetrulo LLP
Chapter 09 - Motor Vehicle Complaints Under Chapter 93A
Diane L. Lawton, Esq.,
Chapter 10 - Chapter 93A Litigation Involving Debtor-Creditor Issues
Nathaniel J. Hyman, Esq.,
Arent Fox LLP
Adam L. Littman, Esq.,
ArentFox Schiff LLP
Nicholas J. Nesgos, Esq.,
ArentFox Schiff LLP
Checklist 10.1 - Unfair or Unconscionable Conduct in Collecting or Attempting to Collect Debt (209 C.M.R. § 18.19)
Checklist 10.2 - Examples of Conduct Constituting Harassment or Abuse by Collection Agencies
Checklist 10.3 - Deceptive Debt Collection Acts or Practices Relating to False or Misleading Representations (209 C.M.R. § 18.18)
Chapter 11 - Real Estate Transactions
Christopher P. Maffucci, Esq.,
Casner & Edwards LLP
Exhibit 11A - Sample Chapter 93A Claim Letter
Exhibit 11B - Sample Chapter 93A Response Letter
Chapter 12 - Business Remedies Under Chapter 93A
Joanne D'Alcomo, Esq.,
Jack Mikels & Associates, LLP
Checklist 12.1 - Defenses for Chapter 93A Claims
Chapter 13 - Chapter 93A and the Insurance Industry
Michael T. Maroney, Esq.,
Holland & Knight LLP
Exhibit 13A - Chronological Digest of Published Decisions Involving Chapter 93A Claims Against Insurers
Exhibit 13B - List by Court and Date of Published Decisions Involving Chapter 93A Claims Against Insurers
Exhibit 13C - Chapter 580: An Act Further Regulating Damages Under the Consumer Protection Act
Chapter 14 - Products Liability Claims and Chapter 93A
Joshua S. Grossman, Esq.,
Davis, Malm & D'Agostine, PC
Checklist 14.1 - Required Elements of a Chapter 93A Demand Letter in a Products Liability Case
Exhibit 14A - Key Cases Interpreting Chapter 93A (Listed Alphabetically)
Exhibit 14B - Key Cases Interpreting Chapter 93A (Listed by Topic)
Appendix
Chapter 93A Resources
Authors
Author(s)Roger J. Bertling, Esq.,
Harvard Law School, Cambridge
Kyle Bjornlund, Esq.,
Cetrulo LLP, Boston
Angela Bunnell, Esq.,
Greenberg Traurig LLP, Boston
Lawrence G. Cetrulo, Esq.,
Cetrulo LLP, Boston
Joanne D'Alcomo, Esq.,
Jack Mikels & Associates, LLP, Quincy
Jeffrey Gribouski, Esq.,
Bowditch & Dewey LLP, Worcester
Joshua S. Grossman, Esq.,
Davis, Malm & D'Agostine, PC, Boston
Nathaniel J. Hyman, Esq.,
Arent Fox LLP, Boston
Diane L. Lawton, Esq.,
Timnath
Adam L. Littman, Esq.,
ArentFox Schiff LLP , Boston
Christopher P. Maffucci, Esq.,
Casner & Edwards LLP, Boston
Michael T. Maroney, Esq.,
Holland & Knight LLP, Boston
Nicholas J. Nesgos, Esq.,
ArentFox Schiff LLP , Boston
Donna L. Palermino, Esq.,
Cambridge
Kenneth C. Pickering, Esq.,
Pickering Legal LLC, Worcester
James P. Ponsetto, Esq.,
Greenberg Traurig LLP, Boston
David G. Thomas, Esq.,
Greenberg Traurig LLP, Boston
Patrick S. Tracey, Esq.,
Saul Ewing LLP, Boston
James M. Vant, Esq.,
Greenberg Traurig LLP, Boston
Mian R. Wang, Esq.,
Greenberg Traurig LLP, Boston
