Author Archives: Jessica Murphy

About Jessica Murphy

Jessie is an experienced civil litigator concentrating on commercial disputes and construction issues. She counsels and represents a variety of local and national companies, including manufacturing companies, construction companies, banking and financial institutions, and professional service firms. She regularly appears in court handling all aspects of cases, from filing new actions, seeking prejudgment security, motion practice, trial and judgment recovery. She critically evaluates the issues at hand and seeks practical solutions that are in the best interest of her clients. Jessie is an aggressive advocate for her clients in and out of the courtroom.

Recovery of Attorney’s Fees and Costs in Construction Disputes

Posted on January 2, 2019 by Jessica Murphy

When construction projects become construction disputes, contractors and suppliers start thinking about how to recover their attorney’s fees and other legal costs. Massachusetts follows the “American Rule” for recovery of legal expenses that states each party must pay their own … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Tagged attorneys fees, Construction, disputes | Leave a comment

A Turn of Events for Worcester’s Former County Courthouse

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Jessica Murphy

The former Worcester County Courthouse at 2 Main Street was supposed to be converted into residential housing units and retail space after the City reached an agreement in March 2015 to sell it to Brady Sullivan Properties, LLC, a New … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction, Contracts, Labor | Tagged Construction, Contracts, Mechanic's lien, Subcontractor | Leave a comment

Real Estate Agents Not Covered by Independent Contractor Statute

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Jessica Murphy

In 2004, the Massachusetts Legislature passed M.G.L. c. 149, § 148B, known as the independent contractor statute, to prevent the misclassification of employees as independent contractors, which would deny them benefits they would otherwise be entitled to as employees. When … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction, Contracts, Labor | Tagged employee, Independent Contractor, Monell v. Boston Pads, Supreme Judicial Court | Leave a comment

Breathing New Life into Worcester’s Former County Courthouse

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Jessica Murphy

Since 2007, the Worcester County Courthouse at 2 Main Street has been largely vacant. After the trial courts moved to the new Worcester Regional Judicial Center at 225 Main Street in the fall of 2007, the Worcester Law Library was … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction, Economic Development, Municipal | Tagged Construction | Leave a comment

Massachusetts Mechanic’s Liens: A Property Owner’s Perspective

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Jessica Murphy

A mechanic’s lien is an encumbrance on private property to secure payment for a contractor (or subcontractor) or material supplier for labor or materials provided to improve that property. (Not familiar with mechanic’s liens? Review my earlier post on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction, Contracts, Economic Development | Tagged Construction, Dana Barros Sports Complex, lien law, Massachusetts, Mechanic's lien, owner, Supreme Judicial Court, Trace Construction | Leave a comment

Massachusetts Mechanic’s Liens: What a subcontractor or supplier needs to know

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Jessica Murphy

The first thing I think about when a subcontractor or supplier hasn’t been paid on a job is whether a mechanic lien can be filed. On private construction projects, subcontractors (or sub-subcontractors) and suppliers can assert a mechanic’s lien against … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction, Contracts | Tagged Construction, Contracts, Mechanic's lien, Notice of Contract, Statement of Account | 1 Comment

Massachusetts Mechanic’s Liens: The Basics

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Jessica Murphy

A “mechanic’s lien” is a misnomer: it has nothing to do with mechanics or cars. A mechanic’s lien is security for payment of labor or materials supplied to a private construction project. G.L. c. 254 governs Massachusetts mechanic’s liens. From … Continue reading →