Brian M. Hurley

        Counsel
        Contact Info

        Brian is a litigation lawyer focusing on real estate-related litigation, including land use, environmental, title and title insurance claims and disputes. Brian advises institutional, commercial and individual clients on a wide variety of litigation issues and represents them in the state and federal courts of Massachusetts.

        Brian joined Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster in 1979 after serving as trial counsel in the United States Navy Judge Advocate General Corps. Before that, he clerked for the Honorable John E. Fenton, Jr. of the Trial Court. In 2022, Rackemann combined with Verrill Dana LLP.

        Brian has frequently lectured on litigation matters for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Foundation, American Land Title Association, Real Estate Bar Association and National Business Institute. He has published written materials on a variety of complex litigation and real estate topics.

        Outside of the office, Brian enjoys traveling and spending time with his grandchildren.

        Services/Industries

        Education

        • Suffolk University Law School (J.D.)
        • Golden Gate University (M.P.A.)
        • College of the Holy Cross

        Public Service

        • Adjunct Professor of Law, Trial Evidence, Suffolk University Law School (1995-2010)
        • Advisory Committee Chairman, Massachusetts Trial Court
        • Member, Zoning Board of Appeals, Town of Milton (1995-2015)
        • Trustee, Vineyard Open Land Foundation (Brian’s practice has involved a number of cases on Martha’s Vineyard)

        Bar Admissions

        • Massachusetts

        Court and Other Admissions

        • U. S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
        • U. S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
        • U. S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
        • United States Supreme Court

        Memberships

        • Member, Dukes County Bar Association

        Honors

        • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® under Litigation-Real Estate, Real Estate Law in Boston, Massachusetts (2024-2026)
        • Selected as the The Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” for Litigation – Real Estate in Boston (2019)
        • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® (2018-2020)
        • Selected by peers for inclusion in Massachusetts Super Lawyers under Land Use/Zoning (2004-2021, 2024-2025)

        Learn more about the third-party ratings, rankings, and selection processes used for inclusion.

        Firm Highlights

        Alerts and Newsletters

        Maine’s New Employer Surveillance Law, 26 M.R.S. § 620-A

        Effective July 14, 2026 Maine employers that electronically monitor employees must comply with a new disclosure law effective July 14, 2026. Under...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Recognized by U.S. News as One of the Best Law Firms to Work for in 2026

        BOSTON, Mass., BANGOR and PORTLAND, Maine, GREENWICH and WESTPORT, Conn., – Verrill has been featured on U.S. News’ 2026 Best Companies to Work...
        Blog

        SECURE 2.0 Roth Catch-Up Rules and the 403(b) 15-Year Catch-Up: What Tax-Exempt Employers Need to Know

        Tax-exempt employers whose 403(b) plans offer catch-up contributions for participants age 50 and above should be well on their way to compliance with...
        Media Mentions

        Robert Keach Quoted in Law360 on SIMAD Summer Camp Bankruptcy Sale

        Verrill attorney Robert Keach was recently quoted in a Law360 article examining the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings involving SIMAD Holdings and...
        Media Mentions

        Chris Tsouros Featured in Law360’s Coverage of Sports Real Estate Deals

        Verrill Partner Chris Tsouros was recently recognized in a Law360 article highlighting law firms involved in significant sports real estate projects...
        Blog

        What Maine’s New Employer Surveillance Law Means for Maine Employers

        Maine employers who monitor their workforce, whether through productivity software, GPS, call recording, or cameras, have a new compliance obligation...
        Blog

        Run Don’t Walk: The Implication of “While Supplies Last” Prize Promotions

        This month a big-chain grocery store has been offering daily mystery boxes during specific timed drops on a first-come, first-served basis, to users...
        Blog

        Maine’s Noncompete Statute is Reshaped for Health Care Workers: What You Need to Know

        Employers of individuals who are licensed under state law to perform, or provide, health care services in the State of Maine should be prepared for...
        Media Mentions

        Steven Davis Featured in the Environmental Business Journal

        Steven Davis, President of Verrill Strategic Consulting, was recently interviewed and featured in the Environmental Business Journal, Volume 39...
        Blog

        What is a Bonus for Purposes of ERISA?

        An ongoing dispute about a Department of Labor advisory opinion published last September raises a basic but unanswered question under the ERISA: What...
        Media Mentions

        Verrill Recognized by WMTW for Partnership Supporting Hunger Relief in Maine

        Verrill was recently featured in coverage by WMTW News 8 for its role in a collaborative effort to combat food insecurity across southern...
        Press Releases

        33 Verrill Attorneys, Across Four Offices, Recognized in the 2026 Chambers USA Guide

        BOSTON, Massachusetts, PORTLAND, Maine, WESTPORT, Connecticut, and WASHINGTON, D.C. – Verrill has been recognized as a Leading Firm in 14...