Carolyn M. Murray

Carolyn M. MurrayShareholder and Management Committee Member

E-mail: cmurray@k-plaw.com
Phone: 617.654.1726
Practice Areas: General Municipal, Employment & Labor, Litigation

Attorney Carolyn Murray’s practice focuses on municipal finance, labor/employment, land use, contracts, procurement, scope of municipal authority, conduct of town meeting, and compliance with state law.  She serves as liaison between local officials and state officials and agencies, including Office of the Attorney General, the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, the Department of Revenue, the State Ethics Commission, the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Inspector General, and the State Election Division.  Attorney Murray is also a frequent presenter on topics for the Citizen Planner Training Collaborative.

Representative Matters

  • Represent municipalities in land use issues before Zoning Boards of Appeal, Planning Boards, Land Court, Superior Court and Housing Appeals Committee.
  • Advise Zoning Boards of Appeals and Planning Boards on all aspects of variances, findings, nonconforming uses, the Subdivision Control Law, special permits, and comprehensive permits, including preparation of decisions.
  • Draft and review zoning amendments. Attend Planning Board hearings on proposed amendments.
  • Provide guidance to Building Inspectors, Zoning Administrators and Zoning Enforcement Officers on interpretation and application of zoning bylaws and ordinances.
  • Advise towns in all aspects of Town Meeting, including preparation of warrants, motions, by-law amendments, and acts of special legislation.
  • Advise city councils with respect to appropriation orders, bond authorizations, ordinances and parliamentary procedure.
  • Provide guidance to Charter Commissions, Government Study Committees and Transition Committees on changes to forms of government.
  • Served as counsel to town transitioning to city form of government.
  • Defend municipalities in labor issues before the Civil Service Commission, Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, American Arbitration Association, Board of Conciliation and Arbitration, and Department of Labor Relations.
  • Negotiate collective bargaining agreements with various unions.
  • Represent municipalities in grievance, arbitration and unfair labor practice hearings.
  • Conduct workplace investigations of sexual harassment, violence in the workplace, and ethics violations.
  • Provide guidance to municipalities with respect to various federal laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act.
  • Prosecute and act as hearing officer in employee disciplinary matters.
  • Counsel licensing boards regarding standards and procedures for approving, denying or revoking various municipal licenses.
  • Provide guidance relative to public procurement procedures and drafting contracts.
  • Represent awarding authorities in bid protest hearings.
  • Conduct trainings on sexual harassment, Open Meeting Law and Public Records.