Zeno Temple

SPRINGFIELD — Zeno Temple recently joined the Royal Law Firm as a legal assistant. He manages attorney calendars and deadlines; assists with litigation management, including drafting pleadings, discovery, and motions; and helps organize federal and state case files, pretrial documents, and exhibits.

Temple is completing his juris doctorate at Western New England University School of Law in the evening division. He has experience as a paralegal, supporting litigation in family law and civil matters, as well as externships in state and federal agencies where he assisted with legal research, drafting, and case management. Outside the office, he is active in community service and mentoring programs.

Patrick Parker

SPRINGFIELD — Attorney Patrick Parker has joined the Royal Law Firm team. He is a seasoned employment litigator who has defended employers in myriad employment claims. He not only has extensive experience in the courtroom, but also regularly advises senior executives on complex issues with an eye to mitigating risk and avoiding litigation.

Prior to joining Royal, Parker worked at the law firm Clifford Chance in New York. He also served as in-house counsel for UBS Americas Inc. and Merrill Lynch. He is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York, and is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law and MIT School of Management.

Krupa Kotecha

SPRINGFIELD — The Royal Law Firm announced attorney Krupa Kotecha as its new chief strategy and advancement officer.

In this role, Kotecha leads strategic initiatives centered on attorney development, operational consistency, and sustainable growth. A former Big Law attorney with expertise in compensation and employment law, she brings a business oriented, results-driven approach to both client service and firm leadership.

Kotecha has advised employers on compensation design, compliance, workforce transitions, and complex disputes, while also mentoring attorneys, setting firm-wide standards of excellence, and ensuring a consistent, high-quality client experience, making her strategic insight and leadership essential to advancing the firm’s mission and long-term success.

Brandon Calton

SPRINGFIELD — The Royal Law Firm recently welcomed attorney Brandon Calton to its team.

Calton advises clients through the litigation process and provides assistance when employers are faced with difficult scenarios, such as defending themselves against claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, or allegations of violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in government from St. Lawrence University and a juris doctorate from Roger Williams University of Law. He is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts.

SPRINGFIELD — The Royal Law Firm will present a seminar on “Compensation Plans and Contingent Compensation Pitfalls” on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at 33 Elliot St., Springfield.

Attorney Trevor Brice will present an overview and discussion of the possible issues with current compensation plans and contingent compensation pitfalls made possible by recent court rulings. Some of the topics to be discussed include issues with current compensation plans under the FLSA, restrictive covenants and compensation plans, problems with commission-based compensation plans and possible solutions, and when a bonus is not actually a bonus and issues under the Massachusetts Wage Act.

This seminar is ideal for HR professionals and anyone in a management position drafting compensation plans for current and prospective employees.

The cost is $30 per person. Payments should be mailed, and checks made payable, to the Royal Law Firm, 33 Elliot St., Springfield, MA 01105. Registration is required, and seating will be limited. Email Heather Child at [email protected] to register or with any questions about the seminar.

SPRINGFIELD — The Royal Law Firm will present a seminar on “Compensation Plans and Contingent Compensation Pitfalls” on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at 33 Elliot St., Springfield.

Attorney Trevor Brice will present an overview and discussion of the possible issues with current compensation plans and contingent compensation pitfalls made possible by recent court rulings. Some of the topics to be discussed include issues with current compensation plans under the FLSA, restrictive covenants and compensation plans, problems with commission-based compensation plans and possible solutions, and when a bonus is not actually a bonus and issues under the Massachusetts Wage Act.

This seminar is ideal for HR professionals and anyone in a management position drafting compensation plans for current and prospective employees.

The cost is $30 per person. Payments should be mailed, and checks made payable, to the Royal Law Firm, 33 Elliot St., Springfield, MA 01105. Registration is required, and seating will be limited. Email Heather Child at [email protected] to register or with any questions about the seminar.

Amy Royal

SPRINGFIELD — Amy Royal, CEO of the Royal Law Firm, is now an arbitrator with National Arbitration and Mediation (NAM), which offers access to a panel of arbitrators and mediators consisting of former judges and attorneys from many fields. NAM has been named a top provider of alternative dispute resolution services in the U.S. for more than 10 years.

Along with being a NAM arbitrator, Royal is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York.

SPRINGFIELD — Attorney Elaine Reall, chief legal officer at the Royal Law Firm, spoke at a national conference on cannabis law. Reall, along with Radhi Shah of Zuber Lawler LLP and Lucia de Vernai of Trulieve Inc., discussed the ethics and legalities surrounding the growing cannabis industry. The annual meeting of the National Assoc. of Women & Minority Owned Law Firms was held in Atlanta on Sept. 15-18.

While speaking on this panel, Reall provided insight into the product liability and consumer misrepresentation in industry. Navigating the legalities around any industry can prove challenging, but a new industry with such rapid growth presents a unique set of questions and challenges that require guidance. Strategies for mitigating risks related to evolving state laws, the FDA’s stance, CBD uncertainties, and vaping concerns were discussed, along with guidelines for how business stakeholders should navigate legal risks effectively.

Reall served as city solicitor for Northampton while the first dispensaries were establishing themselves in the city. Due to her municipal experience with regard to the cannabis industry, she has a set of qualifications and knowledge that can be used to guide cannabis-industry professionals.

On Wednesday, Oct. 16, Reall will present a Royal Law Firm seminar, discussing regulatory overview and the impact on cannabis on workplace rules and procedures. This seminar is ideal for human-resources professionals or anyone in a management position, as well as cannabis dispensary owners and managers. Email Heather Child at [email protected] to register or for more information.

SPRINGFIELD — You have pleaded, counseled, warned, and threatened an employee with respect to poor work performance and/or a record of (hopefully documented) negative workplace behavior. The time has come, or perhaps is long overdue, for the workplace equivalent of capital punishment: termination.

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, Elaine Reall, an attorney with the Royal Law Firm, will lead an exploration of the good, the bad, and the ugly surrounding employee terminations. The seminar, which will take place from 8 to 9 a.m. at 33 Elliot St., Springfield, will explore effective strategies to lessen an organization’s exposure to time-consuming administrative agency complaints or legal actions. The first piece of advice: breathe deeply and mentally step away from a ‘personalized’ view of the situation.

The cost of the seminar is $30 per person. Payments should be mailed, and checks made payable, to the Royal Law Firm, 33 Elliot St., Springfield, MA 01105. Registration is required, and seating will be limited. Email Heather Child at [email protected] to register or with any questions about the seminar.

Jason Ortiz

SPRINGFIELD — Attorney Jason Ortiz recently joined the Royal Law Firm team. He is a business litigation attorney with several years of trial experience, having tried many cases to verdict.

Ortiz specializes in commercial litigation, including matters involving construction disputes, eviction matters, insurance defense, and employment matters, as well as other civil disputes. He is a graduate of Utica College (now Utica University) and Western New England University School of Law.

Sabba Salebaigi-Tse

SPRINGFIELD — The Royal Law Firm recently welcomed attorney Sabba Salebaigi-Tse to the team.

Salebaigi-Tse received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alberta in Canada; her juris doctorate from Thompson Rivers University in Canada, and her master of laws degree from the University of Connecticut.

She advises and represents clients in various labor- and employment-law matters and is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts. Her professional experience includes roles as a research assistant, legal researcher, and student clinician in various legal-aid clinics. Her background in legal research and advocacy, combined with hands-on experience in client representation and legal consulting, equips her to handle complex litigation effectively. She has received several awards for her legal research and writing skills.

SPRINGFIELD — The Royal Law Firm will present a seminar titled “How to Conduct an Effective Workplace Investigation: an Overview” on Wednesday, June 5 from 8 to 9 p.m. at 33 Elliot St., Springfield.

Attorney Elaine Reall will guide attendees through every stage of carrying out an exhaustive and successful workplace investigation. Each step in the process will be discussed in detail to ensure that, if any situation arises, the employer is prepared.

The cost is $30 per person. Payments should be mailed, and checks made payable, to the Royal Law Firm, 33 Elliot St., Springfield, MA 01105. Registration is required, and seating will be limited. Email Heather Child at [email protected] to register, or with any questions about the seminar.

SPRINGFIELD — Proposed changes in workers’ compensation laws aim to hold employers to a higher standard, as well as increase employers’ potential liability.

At a seminar on Tuesday, May 14 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Royal Law Firm, these changes and recent legislation regarding workers’ compensation will be discussed in detail to ensure employers are aware of the consequences of not following new practices. Attorney Trevor Brice will discuss the recent changes and potential upheaval in the workers’ compensation world.

The firm is located at 33 Elliot St., Springfield. The cost is $30 per person. Registration is required, and seating will be limited. Contact Heather Child at [email protected] to register or with any questions. Payments should be mailed, and checks made payable, to the Royal Law Firm.

SPRINGFIELD — The popularity of unions has created dangers for employers, both unionized and non-unionized alike. Even if an employer is non-unionized, the employer risks violating the National Labor Relations Act and being subject to charges from the National Labor Relations Board if new laws and rulings are not considered.

Attorney Trevor Brice from the Royal Law Firm will present a seminar, titled “The Dangers of Union Activity Within a Non-union Workplace and Other Recent Changes to Enforcement of the National Labor Relations Act,” on Wednesday, April 17 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the firm’s offices at 33 Elliot St., Springfield.

Brice will discuss the dangers of union activity in a non-union environment, as well as other updates and changes to enforcement of the National Labor Relations Act that have occurred in the past year. The cost is $30 per person. Payments should be mailed to, and checks made payable to, the Royal Law Firm.

Registration is required, and seating will be limited. Email Heather Child at [email protected] to register or with any questions about this seminar.

SPRINGFIELD — The Royal Law Firm recently welcomed four new additions to its team: attorneys Kylie Brown and Jessica Rodger Yim and paralegals Marcia Macklin and Quincy Ryans.

Brown is a litigator who focuses her practice on employment and other commercial litigation. She has successfully tried several cases to verdict and is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

Yim has many years of experience in bankruptcy, commercial lending, banking, and commercial real-estate matters, and will work out of Boston. She is a graduate of Tufts University and Boston College Law School, and is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Macklin and Ryans also recently joined the Royal Law team as paralegals. They both have extensive experience in the court system.

SPRINGFIELD — Samantha Graves recently joined the Royal Law Firm team. She advises clients on various matters involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, wrongful terminations, and violations of FMLA. Her preventive work also includes drafting a variety of employment-related manuals and contracts, such as executive agreements, compensation and commission agreements, and severance and settlement agreements.

Graves graduated cum laude from Worcester State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in business administration. She obtained her juris doctorate from Western New England University School of Law.

The Royal Law Firm is a woman-owned, woman-managed corporate law firm that specializes in labor and employment law.

SPRINGFIELD — The Royal Law Firm recently welcomed attorney Katy Malouin to the team. She has more than 10 years of experience in commercial insurance defense work, primarily focused on contract analysis and legal research and writing.

After obtaining her undergraduate degree, Malouin worked as a human resources information systems assistant, verifying the accuracy of professional licensure and compliance with union contracts. While in law school, she worked as a law clerk and also participated in a small-business clinic, assisting local individuals with setting up their businesses. She is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion and has previously been involved in advising in the areas of disabilities in the workplace and neurodiversity in the workplace.

Malouin holds a dual bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies and business administration from Elms College, a master’s degree in business administration from Western New England University, and both a juris doctorate and an master of law degree in elder law and estate planning from Western New England University School of Law.

SPRINGFIELD — The Royal Law Firm recently welcomed attorney Trevor Brice to the team.

Brice received his bachelor’s degree from Providence College and his juris doctor and MBA from Suffolk University Law School. He has regularly advised and represented clients in state and federal courts, as well as at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, and other state agencies.

Brice moved to Western Mass. after working for a large company in the Boston area, work that provided him with a detailed understanding of the difficult scenarios employers face when defending claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful terminations, and allegations of violations of FMLA. He is admitted to practice law in the state and federal courts in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New York, and New Hampshire.

SPRINGFIELD — The Royal Law Firm announced it recently welcomed attorney Justin Goldberg to the team.

Goldberg received his bachelor’s degree from Hartwick College, his master’s degree in teaching with secondary mathematics certification from Simmons College, and his juris doctor from Western New England University School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in the state of Massachusetts and the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

SPRINGFIELD — Attorney Tanzania Cannon-Eckerle has rejoined the Royal Law Firm full-time in a partner-level position as chief legal and administrative officer.

Her practice includes matters involving labor relations, discrimination, harassment and retaliation, wrongful discharge, workers’ compensation, employee privacy, wage and hour law, leave laws, and matters involving business, including business planning, business formations, business contracts and negotiations, franchise law, and licensing and permitting. Her preventive work includes drafting a variety of employment-related manuals and contracts, such as executive agreements, compensation and commission agreements, and severance and settlement agreements.

Cannon-Eckerle obtained her juris doctor degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University.

SPRINGFIELD — The Royal Law Firm recently welcomed attorney Alexander Cerbo to its team. Cerbo received his bachelor’s degree from Assumption College and his juris doctor from Western New England University School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in the state of Massachusetts.

Prior to joining the Royal Law Firm, he worked at Rhode Island Legal Services (RILS), a nonprofit legal-aid organization dedicated to providing high-quality legal representation to low-income individuals. As their rent-relief specialist, he assisted more than 60 indigent tenants and their families secure more than a half-million dollars in federal funding to pay rental arrears as a result of financial hardship experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before his time at RILS, Cerbo served as a law clerk to Judge Robert Fields of the Western Massachusetts Division Housing Court.

The Royal Law Firm is a boutique, corporation-side-only law firm operating throughout New England.

SPRINGFIELD — The Royal Law Firm recently welcomed attorneys Jaclyn Cronin and Jeremy Saint Laurent to its team.

Cronin received her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Connecticut State University and her juris doctor from Western New England University School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in the state of Connecticut.

Saint Laurent joins the firm with extensive litigation experience, having worked as the head of the Litigation department for the city of Springfield.

The Royal Law Firm is a boutique, corporation-side-only law firm operating throughout New England.

SPRINGFIELD — The Royal Law Firm announced it has established a mutual of-counsel association with Minasian Becker LLC, a boutique commercial real-estate and business law firm, as of the third quarter of 2020.

Complementing Royal’s business-side-only litigation practice, this association will provide Royal clients with the added benefits of commercial real-estate and corporate transactional work. The Minasian Becker team of attorneys has represented regional, national, and international companies and nonprofit organizations with their commercial real-estate and business-transaction needs for more than 25 years.

Amy Royal, founding partner of the Royal Law Firm, believes the relationship with Minasian Becker will be an attractive supplement to Royal’s existing law practice of labor and employment law and other business-related litigation.

“Through this strategic relationship, we can offer a broader scope of services to our corporate clients, providing to them sophisticated commercial real-estate representation and counsel in a variety of corporate matters and transactions,” she said. “This strategic alliance not only expands our practice areas and capabilities, but also our geographic footprint. We look forward to offering our corporate clients these added benefits and services across the Commonwealth.”

With this alignment of their practices, Royal and Minasian Becker will offer their clients locations in Arlington, Springfield, and Rockport in Massachusetts, as well as in Hartford, Conn. Royal attorneys are admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.

Both law firms are nationally certified as women’s business enterprises and women owned small businesses, and are able to offer the benefits of diversity to their clients.

SPRINGFIELD — The Royal Law Firm announced the return from retirement of attorney Rosemary Nevins.

Nevins’ legal career in management-side labor and employment law has spanned more than 30 years. She has handled nearly two dozen trials to verdict, represented clients during several arbitrations, and conducted numerous seminars and training sessions for supervisory personnel and human-resources managers dealing with myriad subjects germane to the employment relationship.

In 2013, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly recognized Nevins as a Top Woman of Law. She has authored numerous articles on employment-related topics and previously served as associate editor of the Massachusetts Employment Law Newsletter.

SPRINGFIELD — Attorney Richard Juang has joined the Royal Law Firm. He brings to Royal a decade of experience working with nonprofits and small businesses on their core operations and transactions. He also provides clients with Massachusetts legislative and public-policy advocacy.

Juang’s clients have ranged from human-services organizations to cannabis entrepreneurs to restauranteurs, reflecting the breadth of economic activity that makes Massachusetts a vibrant state in which to live and work. He is available to represent clients in transactions, regulatory and nonprofit compliance, and administrative-law matters. For clients facing legislative, regulatory, or public-policy changes, he is also able to help them navigate the Massachusetts legislative, budgetary, and regulatory landscapes.

Juang received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stanford University and his juris doctor from Northeastern University. He is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts.