Diane is an experienced trial lawyer and is chair of the firm's litigation department. Inside or outside a courtroom, whether advising an employer on workplace issues or helping a family in the process of separation, Diane is fully committed to advancing the interests of her clients. A passionate advocate, she takes time to understand the needs of each client and design individualized, flexible strategies to meet those needs.
EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
- Selected by Boston Magazine as one of Massachusetts' Super Lawyers in 2010 in the area of employment law and family law.
- Selected in 2009 and 2012 for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America in the specialty of family law.
- Tries cases regularly in the Berkshire Probate and Family Court.
- Successfully represented employer in the first case in which the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld a private employer's drug testing program: Folmsbee v. Tech Tool.
- Represented insurance company before Supreme Judicial Court in landmark case involving the interpretation of a pollution exclusion clause in insurance policies: Goodman v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co.
- Represents private schools and nonprofit corporations in areas of health and education.
- Serves as outside counsel to largest health care system in Berkshire County in defense of medical malpractice claims.
- Frequently handles cases before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
- Serves as a panelist in seminars and round table discussions for continuing legal education in the areas of trial practice, employment law and domestic relations.
MEMBERSHIPS
Berkshire Bar Association
Massachusetts Bar Association
RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS
- "Sophisticated Issues in Western Massachusetts Family Law" featured speaker, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, February 29, 2012.
- "Recent Developments in Employment Law" featured speaker Human Resources Association of Berkshire County February 8, 2012.
- "Bankruptcy and Family Law," featured speaker, Massachusetts Bar Association 20th Family Law Conference, November 2011.
- "Employment Law Update" featured speaker, Human Resources Association of Berkshire County, March 10, 2010
- Staying on the Up and Up in a Down Economy" featured speaker, Human Resources Association of Berkshire County, March 11, 2009
- "Employment Law" featured speaker for Berkshire Association for Paralegals and Legal Assistants, November 12, 2008.
- "Recent Developments in Employment Law," featured speaker, Human Resource Association of Berkshire County, March 12, 2008.
- "Employment Issues in the Information Age," featured speaker, Human Resource Association of Berkshire County, January 9, 2008.
- "The Most Common Mistakes You Can Make With Your Employee Handbook in Massachusetts," featured speaker, Lorman Educational Seminars, July 25, 2006.
- "Workplace Privacy," featured speaker for Associated Industries of Massachusetts, April 2006.
- "Criminal Background Checks Present Benefits, Burdens for Employers," published article, Berkshire Trade and Commerce, May 2006.
- Featured in video of mock hearing for judicial enhancement, 2006.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Diane is very active with the Lenox public schools, where she has served as president of the PTO and on the superintendent search committee. She annually serves on the review committee of the school's Code of Conduct and Student Handbook. Since 2006, she has been the lawyer coach for the Lenox Mock Trial Team, which finished in the top 16 of the state in 2007.
Diane is also a member of the Berkshire Players, a group of local lawyers and judges who produce plays for fund raising in support of higher education. She has appeared on the stage of the Berkshire Theater Festival in "Twelve Angry Jurors," "The Caine Mutiny Court Marshal" and "Inherit the Wind".
