Cohen Cleary accepts referrals from attorneys across Massachusetts and out of state for complex civil, federal, criminal, and administrative matters. We integrate with referring counsel at whatever stage the case requires, from pre-filing strategy through trial and appeal.
Litigation referrals carry a specific kind of trust. The referring attorney has invested in the client relationship, assessed the exposure, and determined that the matter requires courtroom capability beyond what their practice provides. That decision demands a litigation partner who will protect both the client’s position and the referring attorney’s reputation.
Ways We Partner with Referring Counsel
We structure referral engagements in three common ways, depending on the nature of the matter and the role you need us to fill.
Direct referrals. We accept referrals from attorneys who have identified a conflict, whose current caseload prevents them from taking on the matter, or whose practice does not include the area of law involved. We assume primary litigation responsibility and keep referring counsel informed throughout the engagement.
Local counsel. We accept engagements from out-of-state attorneys and firms whose clients have litigation exposure in Massachusetts. We provide the local presence, procedural fluency, and court familiarity that Massachusetts state and federal forums require.
Co-counsel and trial counsel. We accept engagements where you need courtroom advocacy, motion practice, or trial preparation support for a pending matter. We share litigation responsibility with existing counsel, with roles and communication protocols defined at the outset.
Regardless of the engagement structure, we confirm scope, responsibility allocation, and communication protocols before we begin work. This prevents confusion, protects the client relationship, and ensures that everyone involved understands their role in the litigation.
Matters We Accept by Referral
Our litigation practice spans civil, criminal, and administrative forums across Massachusetts state and federal courts. Referral matters we regularly accept include complex civil litigation, federal civil rights defense and §1983 actions, employment disputes on both sides of the docket, business and commercial disputes, estate, trust, and probate litigation, high-conflict family law matters, law enforcement defense, healthcare facility representation, and cases approaching trial where existing counsel needs courtroom support.
We handle matters requiring full litigation engagement as well as limited-scope involvement. Whether the referral involves lead trial counsel, strategic support for a dispositive motion, or a single court appearance, we calibrate our role to the needs of the case and the referring attorney’s expectations.
Why Attorneys Refer to Cohen Cleary
Cohen Cleary is a 20+ attorney litigation firm with offices in Taunton and Plymouth, Massachusetts. Our attorneys practice across 17 defined practice areas, and that structure allows us to match referred matters with attorneys who have concentrated experience in the relevant area of law.
Trial preparation is our default posture. Every case we accept is prepared as though it may be tried. This does not mean we litigate without regard to efficiency. It means that when we engage in motion practice, discovery management, or settlement negotiations, we do so from a position of trial readiness. Judges and opposing counsel recognize the difference.
Motion practice is a core strength. We pursue early dismissal through Rule 12 motions, position cases aggressively for summary judgment, and manage discovery with precision. For referring attorneys, this means efficient case progression and meaningful leverage at every stage.
Appellate awareness from the start. We build trial records with appellate review in mind. Issue preservation, evidentiary objections, and procedural compliance receive attention from the beginning of every engagement, not as afterthoughts when a verdict comes back unfavorably.
Clear, professional communication. Referring attorneys receive strategic updates, honest assessments, and timely reporting. We do not generate surprises. If a case’s posture changes, you hear about it promptly and with a recommended course of action.
Referral Economics
We are comfortable discussing referral and co-counsel economics early in the process. Fee arrangements are documented in writing, allocated consistent with each attorney’s role, and confirmed with client consent as appropriate. Addressing fee structure at the outset avoids misunderstandings and allows both attorneys to focus on the substance of the case.
For Out-of-State Attorneys with Massachusetts Exposure
If your client has litigation exposure in Massachusetts, we serve as local counsel, lead trial counsel, or federal litigation partner depending on the needs of the matter. Massachusetts courts have distinct procedural expectations, local rules that vary by division, and scheduling practices that require familiarity with the specific forum.
With offices in southeastern Massachusetts and experience across Massachusetts state and federal courts, we provide the local presence and procedural fluency that out-of-state cases require. We assist with pro hac vice applications, procedural navigation, motion strategy, court appearances, and jury trial preparation.
Geographic Focus
Cohen Cleary maintains offices in Taunton and Plymouth, Massachusetts, with active practice across Massachusetts and Rhode Island state and federal courts. Our attorneys are familiar with the procedural practices, judicial expectations, and local rules of courts throughout southeastern Massachusetts, Greater Boston, and across the Commonwealth.
The firm also represents clients throughout New England, allowing us to accept referrals involving multi-jurisdictional exposure where coordination across state lines is required.
When to Call
The most valuable referrals happen before the case is locked in. Early involvement allows us to shape pleadings, control discovery scope, identify dispositive leverage, and preserve appellate issues from the outset. We regularly accept cases at later stages as well, but the earlier we are involved, the more flexibility the case retains.
We tell referring attorneys: if you are evaluating whether a case needs litigation counsel, call before you commit to a strategy. A 20-minute conversation can clarify whether the case warrants referral and how best to structure the engagement.
What to Have Ready
After we complete a conflict check, it is helpful for referring attorneys to provide us with the following information:
- Complaint, pleading, or draft (captioned if filed)
- Pending deadlines and next scheduled events
- Forum: county, session, or federal district
- Parties and conflicts information
- The role you need filled: direct referral, local counsel, or co-counsel
This is not a prerequisite for calling. If you have a matter worth discussing, we encourage you to contact our office to discuss your situation and how Cohen Cleary can help.
Confidential Referral Inquiry
All referral inquiries are handled confidentially. We welcome direct attorney-to-attorney discussion of potential matters and can typically provide an initial assessment of fit within one business day.
Cohen Cleary, P.C.
Taunton | Plymouth | Quincy, Massachusetts
508-880-6677
info@cohencleary.com
