Courtroom Success 2015-3: Springfield Partner Carole Sakowski Lynch and Associate Denise M. Tremblay

Partner Carole Sakowski Lynch and Associate Denise M. Tremblay recently prevailed on an appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirming summary judgment in favor of our clients, a municipality and members of the police department. The case involved tortuous years of litigation. The plaintiff was arrested for violation of the town’s noise bylaw. The plaintiff filed a 14-count complaint against our clients asserting numerous state and federal claims, as well as challenging the constitutionality of the town’s bylaw. We filed a motion for summary judgment in December 2010. The District Court entered judgment in favor of our clients on all counts. The plaintiff appealed. The First Circuit vacated and remanded the entry of summary judgment “on a narrow procedural ground.” In a 40-page decision, the District Court granted summary judgment in favor of our clients on all claims and upheld the constitutionality of the noise bylaw. The plaintiff appealed again. On appeal, a 3-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit unanimously affirmed summary judgment in favor of our clients.