Karis North

Partner @Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, Llp

Braintree, MA, US

Town Counsel to the Towns of Natick, Sharon and Mendon, City Solicitor to Newburyport, Special Counsel to the Town of Dartmouth and the Cohasset Affordable Housing Trust. Also advises Dracut, Norwood, and Milton. State and federal trial court experience in regulatory and enforcement issues, including zoning, affordable housing, Board of Health, building, Conservation, and in other disputes including contracts, discrimination, employment, civil rights and insurance coverage. Litigates in all forums including state and federal courts, Department of Environmental Protection, Housing Appeals Committee, Civil Service Commission, and Department of Labor Relations. Represents municipalities in discipline and contract arbitrations and in bargaining over successor contracts and other agreements. Counsels boards and commissions on Public Records and Open Meeting law issues. Provides strategy and advice on environmental and conservation issues, including wetlands enforcement under the state law and local by-laws, permitting under state and federal laws, compliance with the Massachusetts Contingency Plan and Superfund, and noise and sound issues including airplane and wind turbine noise. Sample cases: Murphy v. Town of Natick, 516 F. Supp. 2d 15•••07)(FLSA claim dismissed against Superior Officers as exempt employees); Gallo v. Essex County Sheriff’s Dept, D.C. Mass, March 24, 2011 (not reported)(successful Motion to Dismiss on sovereign immunity); Richard F. Sullivan, Ph.D, M.D. v. Cambridge Health Alliance, et al, Docket No. MICV 20•••••64 (successful defense of $8MM age/handicap discrimination claim after jury trial); Saber et al v. Town of Bedford Conservation Comm’n, Appeals Court Docket No. 2014-P-1052 (successful affirmation of dismissal of cert appeal on standing); Attleboro Sand & Gravel, Corp. v. City of Attleboro, et al, Docket No. BRCV20•••••05-C (affirmation of Conservation Commission Order of Resource Area delineation and Enforcement Order).

Cornell University

B.S., Animal Science

Vermont Law and Graduate School

J.D., cum laude