Brian J. McLaughlin

Brian J. McLaughlin is a strong, compassionate, and adaptive lawyer. Based in Boston, he practices in the areas of family law, special education law, disability law, real estate law, and both unemployment and veterans benefits. He uses his experience with mediation and collaborative law to give the best legal advice to his clients. Brian zealously represents his clients, researching all possible legal issues to their fullest extent.

Brian is currently undergoing CASA volunteer training, as he will become appointed by the Court to write briefs to help judges determine the best interest of the child. Brian is a part of the Child Requiring Assistance program, where he is appointed as a child’s lawyer when they are going through difficult legal issues such as parent divorces or trouble with their school. Brian holds children’s protections and rights in the utmost regard.

Brian currently collaborates with the Volunteer Lawyer Project, helping those who are in need of counsel obtain their unemployment benefits. Brian has extensive knowledge of the policies and procedures of the Department of Unemployment Assistance. Brian also serves on the board of Shelter Legal Services whose mission is “to promote self-sufficiency, stability, and financial security through comprehensive and accessible legal services.” In addition to his work with low-income clients, Brian also serves on the Assistive Technology Loan Committee, which seeks to provide low interest loans to folks seeking to obtain assistive technology. He was also co-chair of the Legal Policy Committee for the Special Needs Advocacy Network (SPAN).

Brian also has given countless presentations concerning disabilities and accessibility issues and was cited in the Boston Globe as part of a wheelchair accessible task force sting in downtown Boston. Click here to read the article.

His experience includes working with both the state and federal government. As an Intelligence Analyst for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Brian received a top-secret security clearance. At the state level, Brian served as an outreach coordinator for the Massachusetts Office on Disability. Brian has served in the private sector for the small litigation firm, Healy & Healy, assisting in civil tort litigation matters, both plaintiff and defendant.

Brian has been recognized multiple times by both peers and mentors in the Boston area. In 2015 he won the Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year award for his extensive and impressive dedication to pro bono cases. He then received a nomination and later was awarded as one of the National Law Journal’s Rising Stars in Boston, Massachusetts.

Brian graduated from Boston College cum laude where he served as a campus leader, participating on the committee to hire a new disability coordinator as well as being part of the committee to improve the Master Plan, Boston College’s plan to improve accessibility for students with disabilities. Upon graduating from college, Brian attended Boston College Law School where he participated in Mock Trial and volunteered as part of shelter legal services.

Awards:

Boston Celtics Heroes Among Us Award, 2001

Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award, 2015

National Law Journal Boston Rising Star Award, 2015

Associations and Memberships:

Massachusetts Women’s Bar Fund, Panel Attorney, 2009 – Present

CLASSIC (Cambridge Legal and Counseling Center), Panel Attorney, 2011 – Present

Veterans Legal Services, Board Member, 2012 – Present

SPAN (Special Needs Advocacy Network), 2011 – 2016

Greater Boston Inns of Court, 2013 – Present

Real Estate Bar Association, 2009 – Present

Boston Bar Association, 2011 – Present

Family Law Steering Committee, 2011—Present

Co-Chair, Family Law Newsletter, 2014 – Present

Public Interest Leadership Program, 2016 — Present