Pierce Davis & Perritano is pleased to announce that Seth B. Barnett, Jason W. Crotty, and Melissa M. Malloy have become partners in the firm as of the first of this year.

Attorney Barnett's practice is centered on litigation and trial advocacy in defense of both public sector and private clients in a broad range of complex cases, including land use, civil rights, tort, contract, education, employment, and environmental, before all levels of the Massachusetts trial courts, the United States District Court (Districts of Massachusetts), the Massachusetts Appeals Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. In addition, Mr. Barnett counsels clients on general municipal law, licensing, land use and permitting. He regularly handles significant civil rights and First Amendment matters on behalf of local municipalities and officials, which are often of public significance.

Attorney Crotty's practice is focused on litigation and trial advocacy in defense of corporations, individuals, governmental subdivisions, and agencies in the Massachusetts State and Federal Courts. Mr. Crotty is also a Mediator, certified in compliance with Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court requirements. Mr. Crotty's practice centers on defending municipalities throughout the Commonwealth in a broad range of areas, including defense of public officials and employees in personal injury claims, employment disputes, civil rights litigation, as well as, products liability defense with an emphasis on defending manufacturers and installers of elevators, escalators, and other products and machinery.

Attorney Malloy's practice focuses primarily on the defense of asbestos-related toxic tort actions. Ms. Malloy primarily assists in the nationwide defense of an equipment manufacturer in the asbestos litigation. Her work includes the investigation of key facts, the development of expert strategy, the preparation of dispositive and pre-trial motions, and trial preparation and appellate support for federal and state cases filed in jurisdictions across the United States.