ASSISTANT CITY SOLICITOR RECOGNIZED FOR ‘OUTSTANDING APPELLATE WORK'

ASSISTANT CITY SOLICITOR RECOGNIZED FOR ‘OUTSTANDING APPELLATE WORK'

Matthew Buckley awarded Robert W. Ritchie Special Achievement Award for work in recent court cases

SOMERVILLE - The Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association (MMLA) awarded the Robert W. Ritchie Special Achievement Award to Somerville Assistant City Solicitor Matthew J. Buckley, in recognition of his outstanding appellate work on several important municipal cases, including a recent Supreme Judicial Court decision denying a convicted felon's attempt to collect a municipal pension. This decision overturned District Court and Superior Court decisions which had upheld continuing the pension payments. The award was presented on August 7 at the MMLA's annual August luncheon held at the Publick House in Sturbridge.

"Matt's ability to research and understand subtle legal principles has allowed him to successfully argue cases on behalf of the City before the SJC despite contrary decisions by judges at the lower court levels," said City Solicitor Frank Wright. "It's a tribute to Matt that he is being recognized by his fellow municipal counsel for these achievements."