\;
\n
\nDetermining legislative intent is a critical
component whenever interpreting Massachusetts statutory law\, especially w
hen a statute is ambiguous and susceptible to various interpretations\, do
es not adequately address a particular issue\, or when there appear to be
drafting errors.
\n
\nIn these and other instances\, the legisla
ture&rsquo\;s intent must be inferred from the statute&rsquo\;s legislativ
e history\, which successful advocates must stitch together from a variety
of sources including\, but not limited to:
\n
\n&bull\; The tex
t of the bill and proposed amendments that were accepted or rejected
\n&bull\; Reports of Legislative Committees and other House and Senate doc
uments\, as well as speeches or floor debates prior to the bill&rsquo\;s p
assage
\n&bull\; Executive Branch messages and related statements tha
t might shed light on the legislative intent
\n
\nSJC Chief Staf
f Counsel\, Neal Quenzer and the Social Law Library&rsquo\;s Senior Refere
nce Librarian\, Brian Harkins\, will show &ldquo\;how&rdquo\; and &ldquo\;
where&rdquo\; to find and interpret these and other sources from which leg
islative intent can be deduced. The program will feature both traditional
hard copy and new online resources.
\n
\nSuccessful advocacy oft
en depends on using the research skills that this program will teach to re
construct a statute&rsquo\;s legislative history\, and artfully arguing fo
r the correct legislative intent in pleadings\, briefs\, and oral argument
.
\n
\nOnline registration is encouraged. For assistance\, q
uestions on group discounts\, accommodations requests\, special billing\,
program content\, out-of-state CLE credits\, and general CLE information c
ontact Michael Saporito by email at msaporito@socialaw.com. Registrations accepted in order of receipt.
Registration fees are non-refundable. Most Social Law Library CLE events a
re recorded. The recording is available by digital download\, generally wi
thin a week after the program date. Most downloads include print material
and are $19.95 each. This product purchase is separate from CLE registrati
on and is not included in the price of a CLE registration. CLE credit\, wh
en applicable\, is only granted when the live webinar is attended.\n<
br />\n
\n