Diane DeGiacomo's Email & Phone

[email protected] Pittsfield Tel 413-443-4771 Fax 413-443-7694 DD 413-629-1345 Diane has been a trial lawyer for over 20 years and is chair of the firm's litigation department. Inside or outside a courtroom, whether advising an employer on workplace issues or helping a family in the process of separation, Diane is fully committed to advancing the interests of her clients. A passionate advocate, she takes time to understand the needs of each client and design individualized, flexible strategies to meet those needs. AREAS OF PRACTICE Civil Litigation Employment Litigation and Counseling Domestic Relations and Family Law Medical Malpractice Defense Personal Injury EDUCATION Boston College, B.A., 1980, magna cum laude Seattle University School of Law, J.D., 1987, magna cum laude Externship, 1987, Honorable Eugene A. Wright, 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals BAR ADMISSIONS Massachusetts Washington MEMBERSHIPS Berkshire Bar Association Massachusetts Bar Association Massachusetts Academy of Trial Lawyers COURT ADMISSIONS U.S. District Court, Washington, Western District U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts ContactSite MapHome News Alerts Experience Highlights Selected by Boston Magazine as one of Massachusetts' Super Lawyers in 2010. Selected in 2009 for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America in the specialty of Family Law. Member of the Domestic Relations Bench Bar Committee and tries cases regularly in the Berkshire Probate and Family Court. Successfully represented employer in the first case in which the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld a private employer's drug testing program: Folmsbee v. Tech Tool. Represented insurance company before Supreme Judicial Court in landmark case involving the interpretation of a pollution exclusion clause in insurance policies: Goodman v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co. Represents private schools and nonprofit corporations in areas of health and education. Serves as outside counsel to largest health care system in Berkshire County in defense of medical malpractice claims. Frequently handles cases before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Serves as a panelist in seminars and round table discussions for continuing legal education in the areas of trial practice, employment law and domestic relations. Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications "Bankruptcy and Family Law," featured speaker, Massachusetts Bar Association 20th Family Law Conference. "Employment Law" featured speaker for Berkshire Association for Paralegals and Legal Secretaries, November 12, 2008. "Recent Developments in Employment Law," featured speaker, Human Resource Association of Berkshire County, March 12, 2008. "Employment Issues in the Information Age," featured speaker, Human Resource Association of Berkshire County, January 9, 2008. "The Most Common Mistakes You Can Make With Your Employee Handbook in Massachusetts," featured speaker, Lorman Educational Seminars, July 25, 2006. "Workplace Privacy," featured speaker for Associated Industries of Massachusetts, April 2006. "Criminal Background Checks Present Benefits, Burdens for Employers," published article, Berkshire Trade and Commerce, May 2006. Featured in video of mock hearing for judicial enhancement, 2006. In the Community Diane is very active with the Lenox public schools, where she has served as president of the PTO and on the superintendent search committee. She annually serves on the review committee of the school's Code of Conduct and Student Handbook. Since 2006, she has been the lawyer coach for the Lenox Mock Trial Team, which finished in the top 16 of the state in 2007. Diane is also a member of the Berkshire Players, a group of local lawyers and judges who produce plays for fund raising in support of higher education. She has appeared on the stage of the Berkshire Theater Festival in "Twelve Angry Jurors" and "The Caine Mutiny Court Marshal" and will be in "Inherit the Wind" in April 2009.