MA S1274

Amends Chapter 221, Section 40 of Massachusetts General Laws to expand penalties for attorney misconduct including deceit, collusion, making false statements to tribunals, failing to disclose adverse legal authority, and offering false evidence

Eliminates absolute immunity, litigation privilege, and qualified immunity for attorneys who engage in perjury, evidence fabrication, fraud on the court, obstruction of justice, or other specified misconduct

Establishes treble damages (compensatory and punitive) recoverable in civil actions by any litigant harmed by attorney misconduct, with no statute of limitations for filing claims

Applies to all attorneys including government attorneys, municipal counsel, town counsel, and private firms retained as municipal counsel

Authorizes the Supreme Judicial Court or Superior Court to remove attorneys for fraud, deceit, malpractice, or gross misconduct, with removal proceedings conducted by a court-designated attorney