Education
Boston University School of Law
- J.D., 1974
- L.L.M., Taxation 1977
City College of the City of New York
- B.S., 1971
- Graduation Year Honors
Bar and Court Admissions
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- U. S. District Court, Massachusetts
- U. S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit United States
- United States Supreme Court
Practice Focus
Ralph’s practice is primarily in the areas of representing individuals and closely held business entities in the areas of taxation (personal, corporate and gift and estate), business law, banking and commercial transactions, real estate, estate planning and estates, and non-profit organizations.
Background
Ralph joined the firm in 2002. He was previously a senior partner in the law firm of Rivkind, Baker & Braverman through 1995 and was affiliated with Hinckley, Allen & Snyder, Boston and Providence from 1995 through 2002.
Ralph has represented numerous clients during the various stages of the life cycle of the business, namely formation, funding, growth, sale and transferring ownership and/or management to family members.
In one family held business, he originally began his representation dealing solely with ERISA issues and then as general counsel, assisted in obtaining rights to the Company’s fourth location. The Company has expanded from as few as seven employees to over nine hundred with more than eighty locations throughout New England. He has been counsel and counselor for the business and the family during this success story and is helping plan for the future.
Another client (organized in a manner similar to a cooperative) was begun in 1991 as a new idea of a small group of entrepreneurs. The expansion of the company has led to a nationwide network of members, with several ancillary businesses developed to enhance member value.
Ralph is proud of his non-profit work. One such client had been in existence for two years when the relationship began. After 35 years the membership has grown tenfold; the reserves thirty fold, and the staffing (which was once all volunteers) is now done by non-profit specialists from its offices in Washington DC.
Because of the nature of Ralph’s clientele, he has been asked to represent not only the business but the owners and their families. Therefore, estate planning and settlement of estates is an important part of his practice.
Community Service Activities
South Shore Chamber of Commerce, Officer, Director and Past Chair Advisory Board, 1974 to present; Chairman, 1988
- Triangle, Inc. (Assisting People with Abilities) 2004 to present, President May 2007-
- Association For Professionals In Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc., Honorary member in recognition of length of service
- Trustee of Bob Sullivan Memorial Foundation
- Member of local Zoning Board of Appeals, 2003 to present