Sasson Turnbull Ryan & Hoose

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  1. Divorce rates in Mass. among the lowest in the United States

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    September 24, 2009

    SPRINGFIELD – The divorce rate in Massachusetts is much lower than other New England states, and one of the lowest in the nation, new census data shows. . . .

    The figures, based on 2008 records, came as a surprise to lawyers and divorce counselors, who said Massachusetts is not known as being a particularly divorce-adverse place.

    “There’s nothing more onerous about Massachusetts laws than any other state,” said Cynthia J. Turnbull, a lawyer in Northampton.

    Referring to studies showing that nearly 50 percent of marriages end in divorce, Turnbull said: “If anything, divorce seems to be growing area of practice” for lawyers.

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  2. Divorce rates in Mass. among the lowest in the United States

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    September 24, 2009

    SPRINGFIELD – The divorce rate in Massachusetts is much lower than other New England states, and one of the lowest in the nation, new census data shows. . . .

    The figures, based on 2008 records, came as a surprise to lawyers and divorce counselors, who said Massachusetts is not known as being a particularly divorce-adverse place.

    “There’s nothing more onerous about Massachusetts laws than any other state,” said Cynthia J. Turnbull, a lawyer in Northampton.

    Referring to studies showing that nearly 50 percent of marriages end in divorce, Turnbull said: “If anything, divorce seems to be growing area of practice” for lawyers.

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  4. Action/reaction: How Jack Robison’s chemistry lab led to an indictment from the DA

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    June 10, 2009

    The prosecution mantained that explosions of the size that Jack was producing would inevitably damage property, but the defense countered that there was no evidence of destruction of property, other than video of explosives disturbing “unimproved land.”

    “The defendent should not be penalized for causing a degree of harm to unimproved land not clearly within the statute’s reach,” wrote Jack’s attorney, David P. Hoose, according to court documents.

    He later wrote: “What the Commonwealth desires is a conclusion from the jury that the substances Mr. Robison possessed were dangerous and therefore his intent in possessing them must have been unlawful,” according to the documents.

    The jury didn’t reach that conclusion; they found Jack Robison innocent on all counts.

    http://blog.masslive.com/localbuzz_impact/2009/06/medium_Robison.jpg

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  5. Former Amherst teacher Carolyn Gardner, subject of racist graffiti, settles with district

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    July 8, 2015

    AMHERST – The Amherst-Pelham Regional School District and former high school math teacher Carolyn Gardner have reached a resolution regarding her employment in the schools.

    The details of the settlement were not disclosed.

    The lawsuit filed on Gardner’s behalf with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination has been dismissed, said Gardner’s attorney Cynthia Turnbull, of the Northampton office of Sasson, Turnbull, Ryan & Hoose. . . .

    “There are no words to express Carolyn Gardner’s gratitude for the outpouring of support she has received these last 21 months,” a statement issued by Turnbull read. “Suffice it to say, the stand she took would not have been possible without those who stood beside her.

    “The settlement of this lawsuit ends a dispute within a larger struggle that will endure. Ms. Gardner intends to keep doing her part in that struggle alongside the many wonderful young people who distinguished themselves during this ordeal.”

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  6. Springfield wrestles with Delano Walker jury award, now up to $1.72 million with attorney’s fees proposed

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    September 30, 2014

    SPRINGFIELD – Members of the City Council are pressing the Law Department for answers about how much financial exposure taxpayers will bear for the recent $1.3 million jury award in connection with the Delano Walker Jr. police misconduct lawsuit.

    That award, decided by a nine-member jury in U.S. District Court Sept. 22, followed a three-day trial probing the death of Walker, 15, struck and killed by a car in 2009 during a run-in with police. . . .

    They found Sullivan violated Walker’s civil rights through excessive force and assault and battery. The $1.3 million awarded by the jury crept up to $1.6 million with the addition of interest and will continue to accrue at around $2,500 weekly as lawyers for the city mull an appeal.

    Also, plaintiff’s lawyers David Hoose, Luke Ryan and Howard Sasson petitioned the federal court for $125,000 in attorney’s fees on Monday – bringing the potential tally to $1.725 million. The lawsuit was filed in 2012 by Walker’s mother, Kissa Owens. It is far and away the largest jury award in the city’s history.

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  7. Former Amherst teacher Carolyn Gardner, subject of racist graffiti, settles with district

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    July 8, 2015

    AMHERST – The Amherst-Pelham Regional School District and former high school math teacher Carolyn Gardner have reached a resolution regarding her employment in the schools.

    The details of the settlement were not disclosed.

    The lawsuit filed on Gardner’s behalf with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination has been dismissed, said Gardner’s attorney Cynthia Turnbull, of the Northampton office of Sasson, Turnbull, Ryan & Hoose. . . .

    “There are no words to express Carolyn Gardner’s gratitude for the outpouring of support she has received these last 21 months,” a statement issued by Turnbull read. “Suffice it to say, the stand she took would not have been possible without those who stood beside her.

    “The settlement of this lawsuit ends a dispute within a larger struggle that will endure. Ms. Gardner intends to keep doing her part in that struggle alongside the many wonderful young people who distinguished themselves during this ordeal.”

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