Longmeadow: How to Defend Yourself Against the MCAD

[Jillian Campayno]

At MassLandlords we spend a lot of time teaching anti-discrimination. But doing things in compliance with the spirit and the letter of the law is no guarantee you won't be sued. These days we can be sued for anything! So it's up to us to defend ourselves. This presentation will review:

Common complaints received by the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD).
Surprisingly, how your response to an MCAD letter could turn into your entire trial.
Why it's important to get an attorney.
"Finding of probable cause."
Appeals.
Settlements.
Attendees will leave knowing how to demonstrate that your actions were compliant and in the spirit of fair housing. This presentation assumes you have done things correctly to start. See discrimination laws if in doubt.

This will be a procedural discussion. We will not be giving legal advice.

(Are you an MCAD team member? Feel free to contact us to engage with us at a future MassLandlords event.)

Part of this presentation will be given by Peter Vickery, Esq.. Attorney Vickery practices law in Western Massachusetts where he focuses on landlord-tenant law (representing landlords in Housing Court) and discrimination defense (representing business owners in the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination). He graduated from Oxford University (Jesus College) with a BA in Modern History; obtained his Post-Graduate Diploma in Law from the University of the West of England in Bristol; his JD from Boston University School of Law; and his Masters in Public Policy & Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Attorney Vickery served one term on the Governor's Council (the elected 8-member body that approves or vetoes the governor's choice of judges in Massachusetts) and on the State Ballot Law Commission. As Legislative Affairs Counsel for MassLandlords he drafts bills, bill summaries, and testimony in the area of housing law, and writes amicus briefs in cases that have strategic significance for rental-property owners.

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Thursday, April 11th
Dinner Meeting Agenda
5:30 pm Check-in and networking. Mix and mingle but don't be shy! Introduce yourself to someone and you might make a valuable local connection.
Networking draws from Springfield, West Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Ludlow, Wilbraham, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Agawam, Southwick, Southampton, Easthampton, Northampton, Westhampton, Hadley, South Hadley, Granby, Amherst, Belchertown, Ware, Palmer, Warren, Monson, and Hampden.
6:15 pm Dinner
6:45 pm Introductions and short business updates
6:55 pm Presentation
7:55 pm Presentation ends
8:35 pm Doors close
Location
Twin Hills Country Club
700 Wolf Swamp Rd
Longmeadow, MA 01106

Parking
Ample parking. Accessible for drop-off.

Food
Twin Hills always sets out an impressive spread:

Cheese and crackers for networking time.
Hot buffet dinner with choice of chicken, fish or vegetarian.
Salad and rolls.
Cash bar.
Whisky bread pudding.
Hot coffee and tea.
*Dietary restrictions: Purchase a ticket and set your preferences at My Account one week prior to the event or earlier. Once set, preferences remain set for future events.

Masks welcome! Eating and drinking is not required. Please note: as we are unable to monitor the buffet, we are unable to offer a reduced ticket price for attendees who will not be eating.

Pricing
Open to the public. Membership is not required!

Door:
Public: $105
Members: $65
Early-bird, reserve seven days prior by 12pm:
Public:$90
Members:$50
This event will not be recorded.

Register at: MassLandlords.net/events