ASSISTANT CITY
SOLICITOR RECOGNIZED FOR ‘OUTSTANDING APPELLATE WORK’

Matthew
Buckley awarded Robert W. Ritchie Special Achievement Award for work in recent
court cases

SOMERVILLE
– The Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association (MMLA) awarded the Robert W.
Ritchie Special Achievement Award to Somerville Assistant City Solicitor
Matthew J. Buckley, in recognition of his outstanding appellate work on several
important municipal cases, including a recent Supreme Judicial Court decision
denying a convicted felon’s attempt to collect a municipal pension. This
decision overturned District Court and Superior Court decisions which had
upheld continuing the pension payments. The award was presented on August 7 at
the MMLA’s annual August luncheon held at the Publick House in Sturbridge. 

"Matt's
ability to research and understand subtle legal principles has allowed him to
successfully argue cases on behalf of the City before the SJC despite contrary
decisions by judges at the lower court levels,” said City Solicitor Frank Wright.
“It's a tribute to Matt that he is being recognized by his fellow municipal
counsel for these achievements.”