James R. Loughman - North Adams, MA
Attorney at Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP
Civil Defense Litigation and Appellate Practice Lawyers in North Adams, MA
1330 Mass MoCA Way North Adams, MA 01247 - 2453
- Free Consultation
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
35
Years
Experience
North Adams Civil Defense Litigation and Appellate Practice Lawyer
Updated: 03/02/2026
Areas of Practice
- Civil Defense Litigation and Appellate Practice
- Civil Plaintiff Litigation and Appellate Practice
- Estate Planning
- Probate (Estate) Litigation
- Medicaid Planning
- Non-Profit Organizations
Litigation: 30%
Attorney Information
Overview
I spend about one third of my time on litigation and appeals, resolving disputes after they have already arisen. The rest of my time is devoted to Medicaid and estate planning (helping clients minimize future problems for themselves and their loved ones), and probate cases (helping ensure their wishes are implemented after their deaths). I am privileged to work in a firm where I can split my time between such widely different practice areas. The variety keeps things interesting, and gives me a fresh perspective on how the law works. I work out of both the North Adams, Massachusetts and Bennington, Vermont offices.
Awards and Honors
Other Sources of Feedback About James R. Loughman
Included on the 2005 Massachusetts Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
University of Virginia School of Law,
Charlottesville,
Virginia, 1991
J.D.
-
University of Virginia School of Law,
Charlottesville,
Virginia, 1991
-
Non Legal Education
-
Amherst College,
Amherst,
Massachusetts, 1988
B.A.
Major: Political Science
-
Amherst College,
Amherst,
Massachusetts, 1988
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Senior Associate
Classes and Seminars
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Elder Law Education Program, Massachusetts Bar Association, 2005 - Present
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After the Mass Health Application is Approved, MA Chapter of NAELA, 2010 - Present
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Estate Planning from A to Z-Client Screening and Intake/Key Element of Effective Wills, NBI, November 29, 2018 - Present
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Crossing Borders-Vermont Estate Planning, Probate & Guardianships, Massachusetts Chapter of NAELA, June 13, 2019 - Present
-
Estate Planning from A to Z-The Comprehensive Estate Plan: Wills, Transfers during Life, Sample Documents, and Checklists, NBI, October 24, 2019 - Present
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The Prudent Investor Rule, Berkshire County Estate Planning Council, September 11, 2024 - Present
- New England Residual Conference, MA Chapter of NAELA, November 1, 2024 - Present
Pro Bono Activities
- Adams Free Library Board of Trustees, 1998 - Present
- Adams Historical Society, Executive Board, 1997 - Present
- Adams Outdoors for Youth, 2013 - Present
- Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, Board of Directors, 2007 - Present
- Trout Unlimited, Hoosuck Chapter, Executive Board, 1993 - 2010
- St. Michael’s Society #359 of the P.R.C.U.A., Executive Board, 2003 - 2009
- Western New England University School of Law, Moot Court Judge, 2005 - 2009
- Berkshire Bar Association, Scholarship Committee, 1993 - 1995
- Adams Suffrage Centennial Celebration, 2017 - 2020
Representative Cases
-
Greenfield Country Estates Tenants Association v. Deep.
- Citation: 423 Mass. 81
- Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
- Year: 1996
-
Bohl v. Leibowitz
- Citation: 1 F. Supp. 2d 67
- Court: U.S. District Court for Massachusetts
- Year: 1998
-
Merchants Ins. Co. v. U.S. Fidelity & Guar. Co.
- Citation: 1,43 F.3d 5
- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for 1st Circuit
- Year: 1998
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Cherkis v. Atlas Van Lines
- Citation: 59 F. Supp. 2d 203
- Court: U.S. District Court for Massachusetts
- Year: 1999
-
Vallone v. Donna
- Citation: 49 Mass. App. Ct. 330
- Court: Massachusetts Appeals Court
- Year: 2000
-
Wilson v. Copen
- Citation: 244 F.3d 178
- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for 1st Circuit
- Year: 2001
-
Hopkins v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co.
- Citation: 434 Mass. 556
- Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
- Year: 2001
-
O'Bert v. Vargo
- Citation: 331 F.3d29
- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for 2nd Circuit
- Year: 2003
-
Commonwealth v. Bradley
- Citation: 466 Mass. 551
- Year: 2013
Published Works
Articles
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Insurance Policy Construction, Mass. Defense Lawyers Association Issue Update, Vol.8 No.1, 1998
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When Will an Insured's Disappearance Justify Denying Coverage?, Mass. Defense Lawyers Association Issue Update, Vol.8 No.1, 1998
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts, 1991
- U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts, 1995
- U.S. District Court District of Vermont, 2003
- U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit, 1997
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1998
- Vermont, 2014
Other Affiliations
- Massachusetts Bar Association, 1992 - Present (Member)
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, 2002 - Present (Member)
- Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, 2002 - Present (Member)
- Berkshire County (MA) Bar Association, 1992 - Present (Member)
- Berkshire County Estate Planning Counsel, 2005 - Present (Member)
- Berkshire County Estate Planning Counsel, 2024 - Present (Board Member)
Contact
1330 Mass MoCA Way
North Adams, MA 01247 - 2453
Fax: 413-663-7970
Email: Send a message
Website: https://www.docatty.com
Hours: M-F, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
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