News
September 08, 2025
Kotin, Crabtree & Strong is very pleased to announce that attorney Lori Jodoin has been included in the 32ⁿᵈ edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for her expertise in Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Congratulations!Lori A. Jodoin | Employment Law, Litigation
KCS Attorneys Secure Settlement in Civil Rights Case Involving Preschool Students with Disabilities
July 09, 2025
KCS attorneys Daniel Heffernan, Joseph Koltun, and Eliza Presson have reached a settlement in a civil rights lawsuit brought on behalf of four preschool students, resolving claims of improper treatment at the Watertown Public School’s Early Steps Preschool Program. The defendants included municipal entities and various school employees.The lawsuit alleged that a classroom teacher in the program engaged in a pattern of abusive mistreatment toward the students, two of whom had significant special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and developmental delays. The teacher repeatedly engaged in verbal and physical mistreatment of the students in her care, subjecting them to improper physical restraints and punitive and demeaning behaviors. Students were pulled by their ears, stuffed into a cubby, and picked up and dropped to the ground. Students who wore diapers were subjected to verbal mistreatment and shaming, and were at times forced to change their own diapers or remain in soiled diapers. Reports indicated that the conduct occurred over an extended period and was observed by multiple staff. Reports of abuse and neglect were later investigated and supported by the Department of Children and Families. All four students experienced lasting emotional and physical effects, including changes in their behavior, increased anxiety, and fear of attending school. The lawsuit included claims of tort liability and violations of both federal and state law. After months of negotiations and a lengthy mediation, the parties reached a $300,000 settlement to be distributed among the plaintiffs and their families.
KCS remains committed to protecting the rights of students with disabilities and to holding educational institutions accountable, improving outcomes for students, and ensuring school programs where all students can thrive.
May 28, 2025
Anne L. Josephson has been ranked in 2025 as a Chambers USA Band 1 Attorney and Sharen Litwin has been ranked in 2025 as a Chambers USA Band 2 Attorney, both in Labor and Employment-Mainly Plaintiffs Representation – Massachusetts. Congratulations, Anne and Sharen!September 27, 2024
Kotin, Crabtree & Strong is pleased to announce that eight attorneys were listed in the 2024 edition of Massachusetts Super Lawyers® magazine, with seven included on the Super Lawyers® list and one listed on the Rising Stars list. Super Lawyers® is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process included independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Those who attained this status from Kotin, Crabtree & Strong, LLP for 2024 include:- Eileen M. Hagerty | Litigation, Special Education & Disability Rights
- Daniel T.S. Heffernan | Civil Rights, Litigation, Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice, Special Education & Disability Rights
- Lori A. Jodoin| Employment Law, Litigation
- Anne L. Josephson | Civil Rights, Employment Law, Litigation
- Sharen Litwin | Employment Law, Litigation
- William S. Strong | Intellectual Property Law
- Dolph J. Vanderpol | Real Estate Law
- Alicia M.P. Warren | Education & Disability Law, Litigation, Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice (Rising Star)
October 25, 2023
Kotin, Crabtree & Strong is pleased to announce that nine attorneys were listed in the 2023 edition of Massachusetts Super Lawyers® magazine, with seven included on the Super Lawyers® list and two attorneys were listed on the Rising Stars list. Super Lawyers® is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process included independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Those who attained this status from Kotin, Crabtree & Strong, LLP for 2023 include:- Eileen M. Hagerty | Litigation, Special Education & Disability Rights
- Daniel T.S. Heffernan | Civil Rights, Litigation, Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice, Special Education & Disability Rights
- Lori A. Jodoin | Employment Law, Litigation
- Anne L. Josephson | Civil Rights, Employment Law, Litigation
- Joseph J. Koltun | Business Law, Litigation, Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice, Real Estate Law (Rising Star)
- Sharen Litwin | Employment Law, Litigation
- William S. Strong | Intellectual Property Law
- Dolph J. Vanderpol | Real Estate Law
- Alicia M.P. Warren | Education & Disability Law, Litigation, Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice (Rising Star)
September 12, 2023
Kotin, Crabtree & Strong is proud to announce that Robert Crabtree, Daniel Heffernan and their late partner Larry Kotin, were honorees who were celebrated on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at the Federation for Children with Special Needs' 49th Anniversary Gala Honoring Giant Along the Way. Robert, Dan and Larry were recognized and honored as some of the trailblazing giants who founded, built, and grew the Federation for Children with Special Needs. Their efforts transformed education, healthcare, and human services in Massachusetts and nationwide. Congratulations to the honorees!August 17, 2023
Anne Josephson and Sharen Litwin have been selected for inclusion in the 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America for their work in Litigation, Employment & Labor Law and Individuals and Litigation - Labor & Employment. Eileen M. Hagerty has been selected as well for her work in Education Law. Congratulations Anne, Sharen and Eileen!February 01, 2023
KCS HAS MOVED!
Effective 2/21/2023, our address is:
Three Newton Executive Park
2223 Washington Street, Suite 101
Newton, MA 02462
November 29, 2022
Alicia Warren has been chosen as Top Lawyer by Boston Magazine (2022). Congratulations!November 07, 2022
Kotin, Crabtree & Strong has once again been named a Tier 1 firm in Boston for Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor & Employment and in Litigation - Labor & Employment. Kotin, Crabtree & Strong has also been named a Tier 3 firm in Boston for Education Law. In National rankings, Kotin, Crabtree & Strong was named a National Tier 2 firm for Litigation, Employment & Labor Law, all by U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" in 2023! Congratulations!