Hi Winnie-ga,
This was an interesting question to research—and one that was
challenging as well. I was unable to find the actual Massachusetts
Court Decisions published by the court as the court does not publish
the decisions on the internet. However, I was able to find other
information in the form of news articles and presentations that might
shed some light onto each of the three lawyers you ask about.
JODY NEWMAN
============
Jody Newman, a lawyer at Boston's Dwyer & Collora represents mostly
women in sexual harassment cases.
Jody seems to focus her practice on sex and gender discrimination
cases. She also graduated cum laude (honors) from both her
undergraduate degree and the Suffolk University Law School (which she
obtained the degree J.D.).
Jody Newman’s “About Me” webpage is here:
http://dwyercollora.com/atty/atty_newman.asp
MASSACHUSETTS EMPLOYMENT LAWYERS ASSOCIATION - September 19, 2001
(Search for Lipchitz v. Raytheon decision)
http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache:3lfc3hyExsAC:www.massnela.org/Minutes%2520Word%25209.19.01.doc+%22Jody+Newman%22+boston+discrimination&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
Jody Newman was highlighted in a case discussed by the Massachusetts
Employment Lawyers Association. In this case, Ms. Newman brought to
trial a sexual discrimination suit which alleged that (among other
things) there was a “glass ceiling” that the plaintiff could not pass
beyond, and that negative and derogatory comments were made which
would have suggested that the plaintiff (a female) was passed up for
promotion due to her gender.
In this trial, the plaintiff was awarded $500,000 in compensatory
damages, including $30,000 in back pay, $150,000 in front pay, and
$320,000 for emotional distress. However, this decision was appealed
and later remanded back for re-trial due to a potential
misinterpretation of the law by the jury.
Ms. Newman was also featured in a Boston Globe Article – “Men on the
Verge” which can be found at:
http://www.deltabravo.net/custody/verge2.htm
This article discussed some of the backlash by men countersuing women
plaintiffs and (some) wining large awards. Ms. Newman is quoted
talking about the “poor men” who lose their jobs is all about the
“intense climate of fear”.
There also seems to be various other links about “Jody Newman” that
don’t entirely seem consistent with her role as advocate—yet, similar
enough to make mention. I will not discuss them here as I don’t know
that it is the same person, but, clicking the link to the Google
search on her will reveal them to you (for example, there are many
political type news alerts where a “Jody Newman” is named as executive
director of various gender-related organizations).
After an exhaustive search on her name, there appears to be no more
information on Ms. Newman available on the web.
KEVIN G. POWERS
============
Mr. Powers appears to base his career on labor law and labor
discrimination. However, judging from his website, only 1 out of 7 of
his “Sample of Cases Tried by Kevin Powers” was regarding sexually
based discrimination. The other 6 are based on race, age and handicap
discrimination. One would likely assume that his “wall of fame” would
include the best, most lucrative cases Mr. Powers was involved in;
therefore, one would have to immediately question his voracity for
gender based discrimination cases. Either he simply doesn’t do many of
them, or he doesn’t do many of the well.
Mr. Powers’ primary publications and speaking engagements seem to
revolve more around race-based discrimination practices. Even Mr.
Powers’ appellate work only shows 2 out of 8 cases as gender
discrimination cases.
Cases that he discloses that he has been involved in (that are Gender
related):
DeBiase v. the MBTA
A gender discrimination case where the MCAD awarded the plaintiff
$33,000.00 with attorneys fees to be decided.
WHITE v. VATHALY
Federal Court of Appeals 1st Circuit, gender discrimination
STATOS v. THE PEABODY MUNICIPAL LIGHT COMPANY
United States Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit 1982, gender
discrimination
I’m sure Mr. Powers is an excellent lawyer, but, judging from his own
personal page, there seems to be a lack of experience in the sexually
based discrimination that you are interested in finding someone to
litigate for you.
There is an article that I found that gives a little more information
on Mr. Powers and one of his racial discrimination cases.
Massachusetts Employment lawyers-Rodgers and Associates
http://www.rodgerslaw.com/
Kevin G. Powers “About Me” webpage is here:
http://www.theemploymentlawyers.com/kEVIN.htm
JUSTINE BROUSSEAU
============
Ms. Brousseau has perhaps the smallest amount of information available
via. the internet. I was able to find precious little on her. I was
however able to find a document that she wrote dealing the disability
discrimination. That article, entitled “Disability Discrimination:
Rights & Obligations” appears here:
http://www.kbmlaw.com/disability.html
Ms. Brousseau does co-edit the BBA Labor & Employment Law Section –
Newsletter which appears here:
http://www.bostonbar.org/sc/le/nl1001.htm
Justine Brousseau’s “About Me” webpage is here:
http://www.kbmlaw.com/justinebio.html
There is simply NO other information on Ms. Brousseau.
CONCLUSIONS
============
In my mind, clearly Ms. Newman, who specializes in Gender
discrimination lawsuits seems to be the most clear and decisive winner
based on the information I’ve found. She seems well versed in Gender
issues, and was invited to talk on one of her cases to the Employment
Lawyers Association. A similar speech could not be found from her
cohorts.
I have spent a considerable time locating information on these three
lawyers: there is, unfortunately, nothing more that the Internet has
on these individuals. Sorry!
Thanks! If any part of my answer is unclear, please ask for
clarification of my answer prior to rating this answer.
Legolas-ga
Other sites of interest:
Massachusetts Court Records
http://www.publicrecordsinfo.com/court_records/massachusetts_court_records.htm
The Massachusetts Judicial Branch
http://www.state.ma.us/courts/
Search terms and result links:
"Jody Newman" boston discrimination
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=%22Jody+Newman%22+boston+discrimination
"kevin powers" boston
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=%22kevin+powers%22+boston
"Justine Brousseau" boston
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=%22Justine+Brousseau%22+boston
Dwyer & Collora
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=Dwyer+%26+Collora
court records Massachusetts
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=court+records+massachusetts |
