JANUARY 28, 2025
Justice Law Collaborative (JLC) co-founder and partner Kim Dougherty will this week join a panel of female legal industry leaders at the National Trial Lawyers Summit in Miami to co-present at the Women’s Leadership Forum. Read More
Last week, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly hosted its inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit to provide the tools, resources and experience to further cultivate greater female leadership across the Bay State’s legal industry. The half-day networking and educational seminar included tracks on finding the elusive work-life balance, launching your own law firm, and building personal brand to grow a client base.
Justice Law Collaborative (JLC) co-founder and partner Paula Bliss was tapped for a panel focused on legal entrepreneurship. Her selection was based on JLC’s consistent success throughout the firm’s three short years of operation. In that brief time, JLC has achieved exceptional results litigating the rights of individuals harmed by corporate negligence or greed as well as those that have suffered at the hands of abusers. Further, in the creation of their law practice, the co-founders of Justice Law Collaborative further built upon a foundation of superior legal prowess with the addition of a trauma-informed framework.
“It is not unusual for women in law to earn a seat at the table however it is challenging for them to own the first chair,” said Paula Bliss. “As attorneys and legal industry entrepreneurs, our goal is to grow the success rate of women achieving greatness in law not only as lawyers, but as firm leaders, mentors, and executors of their own destinies.”
Today, Justice Law Collaborative further differentiates itself by focusing on networking, mentorship, collaborative versus competition, and a dedication to support women in law. The firm earned position on the 2025 Best Law Firms® list and was highlighted by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as a top Women Led Law Firm (2024). Justice Law Collaborative also received a 2024 Empowering Women Award by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in the Fall of 2024.
(November 25, 2024)
Best Law Firms®, the gold standard in legal industry recognition, recently published its 2025 Best Law Firms rankings, recognizing an elite group of firms achieving superior results at regional and national levels and those dedicated to legal excellence. Included in the rankings was Justice Law Collaborative, (JLC) which was ranked as a Tier 1 in both Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation.
Three years ago, JLC co-founders Paula Bliss and Kim Dougherty had a big idea. The talented attorneys with deep legal experience dreamed of building a different type of law firm. They prioritized collaboration over competition. They pursued meaningful casework. They leveraged the successes of their legal victories to reframe and modernize state and national legislation. And, they became vocal champions for a woman’s voice–professionally and personally.
In a few short years, JLC’s colleagues, clients, and peers have noted the firm’s steadfast resolve and the tireless dedication of its team members. The firm has represented athletes abused by Olympic coach Larry Nassar, teenagers tormented by hostile, uncertified schools parading as therapy-based programs for “troubled teens,” (TTI) and has represented consumers or patients are harmed by corporate greed and negligence. Additionally, JLC is at the forefront of legislative reform, spearheading efforts to modify statutes of limitations and enact new laws to protect the innocent and to provide proper financial and judicial remedies to victims.
Most recently, the JLC team announced aggressive national class action lawsuits against CooperGenomics, Inc., CooperSurgical, Inc., The Cooper Companies, Inc., Reproductive Genetic Innovations, LLC., Progenesis, Inc., and Natera, Inc., alleging consumer fraud, breach of warranty, and related claims arising out of the defendants’ advertising and sale of a genetic test called preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), which is used during the IVF process.
“We are deeply grateful for the showering of accolades, recognition and support,” said JLC co-founder Paula Bliss. “Words cannot express how much it means to us although our focus remains on the work at hand–finding justice for our clients and the resolve to leave an indelible mark on the legal industry as a whole.”
Media contact: Wendy Agudelo (for Justice Law Collaborative, LLC); wendy@imageprofessors.com.
(November 21, 2024)
Kimberly Dougherty, co-founder and partner of Justice Law Collaborative will participate as a speaker at the 6th Annual South Shore Conference for Women on Thursday, November 14, 2024.
Created and hosted by She’s Local, the all-day event showcases a series of speaker tracks and networking opportunities for women. Selling out every year, the conference amasses speakers, vendors, entertainers, sponsors, business owners, and community leaders for a full day of learning, networking, and collaborating with relatable local women – each inspiring in their own way. The theme for this year’s event is “from here,” (#fromhere2024) signposting the importance of women in their communities and the entirety of their various roles as professionals, entrepreneurs, wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, and colleagues.
Dougherty will serve on a panel “Living Authentically Through Advocacy, Self-Care & Healing” to unpack self-care and champion advocacy through greater self-awareness, acting with intention, reframing negative self-talk and the opportunistic framework around taking greater risks. She will co-present with two other regional female leaders including entrepreneur Cassandra Hersey (Speakeasy Beauty & Yoga, LLC) and Katie Kearney, the Event & Sponsor Coordinator at the Plymouth Public Library Foundation.
“Having hosted our own workshops and events with women in the legal profession, I am intimately familiar with the power of female collaboration,” shared Dougherty. “Women are often faced with barriers to entry yet as barriers are removed, women can move mountains. I find tremendous value in networking with other women given relatable experiences as together, we discover how to either sidestep or remove obstructive barriers. She’s Local provides open access to connect, share, and collaborate with other female powerhouses in the area – each with their own skill sets, experiences, and capabilities to share. What could be better?”
Justice Law Collaborative was co-founded by Dougherty and her business partner Paula Bliss in 2021 to fill a void in trauma-informed litigation and social justice. In the last three years, the firm has grown to a team of 15, gained greater visibility for its legal victories against high-profile physical and sexual abusers, and has brought swift and lasting changes across state and nationwide legislatures. The firm currently employs women of diverse ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, religion, and sexual orientation. Within its highly diversified mix of personnel are single mothers, students, and family breadwinners – all who receive dedicated attention through mentorship, professional development, and collaboration.
Dougherty has consistently held officer positions across professional legal organizations including the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Lawyers, the American Association for Justice, and the National Trial Lawyers. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Katie’s Save, a nonprofit organization riveted on creating systemic change at colleges and universities to promote mental health, protect students, and prevent suicide, and Easton (MA) Tiger Youth Lacrosse. She also volunteers as the Easton Boys Lacrosse coach.
Doughtery’s firm earned both Best Women-Led Law Firm and Empowering Women honors from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in 2024, and she has herself been recognized as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer® and by Best Lawyers® for multiple, consecutive years.
Media contact: Wendy Agudelo (for Justice Law Collaborative, LLC); wendy@imageprofessors.com.
(November 7, 2024)
Brady Hargraves is a young man who transferred from Natick High School to Xaverian Brothers High School to repeat his freshman year after the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on both his mental health and academic performance.Read More
Last week, CNN’s The Lead Host Jake Tapper interviewed Gina and Stephen Meyer, co-founders of the family’s nonprofit Katie’s Save for which JLC’s Kim Dougherty has been an avid supporter and vocal advocate. Read More
OCTOBER 24, 2024
Former IVF patients in the USA have filed class action lawsuits against several companies for misleading them about the efficacy of PGT-A. Read More
BOSTON, MA, PHILADELPHIA, PA, and TAMPA, FL (October 16, 2024) – Constable Law, Justice Law Collaborative, and Berger Montague PC announce the filing of nationwide, class action lawsuits against CooperGenomics, Inc., CooperSurgical, Inc., The Cooper Companies, Inc., Reproductive Genetic Innovations, LLC., Progenesis, Inc., and Natera, Inc., alleging consumer fraud, breach of warranty, and related claims arising out of the defendants’ advertising and sale of a genetic test called preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), which is used during the IVF process.
Read More
Paula Bliss, co-founder and partner of Justice Law Collaborative, which provides trauma-informed legal services, will participate as a speaker at the 8th Annual MetroWest Conference for Women on September 19, 2024.
Created and hosted by She’s Local, the all-day event showcases a series of speaker tracks and networking opportunities for women. Selling out every year, the conference amasses speakers, vendors, entertainers, sponsors, business owners, and community leaders for a full day of learning, networking, and collaborating with relatable local women – each inspiring in their own way.
The theme for this year’s event is “from here,” (#fromhere2024) signposting the importance of women in their communities and the entirety of their various roles as professionals, entrepreneurs, wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, and colleagues. Bliss will serve on a panel to unpack the ‘work-life balance’ myth, and why successful women leaders, to achieve true prosperity, should instead focus on ‘work-life integration.’ She will co-present with two other regional female leaders including Ali Corton, Branch Director, ERA Key Realty Services, and entrepreneur, business owner and artist, Jennifer Earle.
“Women are incredibly capable as they master not only everyday responsibilities, but lead major corporations, operate entrepreneurial businesses, and affect tremendous change in their communities and industries,” says JLC co-founder and partner Paula Bliss. “My partners and I operate one of a small handful of female-founded and led litigation firms in the Bay State, an industry historically dominated by men. We believe that our success comes from our commitment to our firm, our families, our communities, and our personal growth. In addition to litigating our cases, for example, my business partner Kim coaches a boys’ lacrosse team, we spend significant time volunteering locally and nationally, and also invest time and resources into legislative efforts to improve the protections for children and consumers. Juggling our families and professional aspirations can be challenging, however finding ways to lean into your tribe–be it family, neighbors, friends, colleagues, and community, is key to doing it all, even if not all at once.”
Bliss has devoted her entire legal career to giving a voice to and finding justice for those who have been harmed, particularly by large multi-million dollar companies. She has previously represented hundreds of consumers with life-altering injuries from over-promoted and unsafe medications and medical devices. She has fought big tobacco companies and is currently focused on reproductive rights associated with in vitro fertilization(IVF). Bliss earned her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law. She has been decorated with the Top Women of Law Award, and is consistently ranked as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer.
She’s Local is a 100% volunteer-led and run provider of conferences, workshops, and events targeted at professional women throughout New England. The not-for-profit organization is supported by regional community boards in the South Shore, North Shore, Metro West, Merrimack Valley, Pioneer Valley, Westchester/Fairfield & Central Massachusetts dedicated to supporting and connecting women in their local region. Conferences and events, which amass women living similar lives and with similar struggles and shared interests, are designed to be financially and geographically accessible to all.
Jen Maseda conference founder and CEO of She’s Local Inc. said, “After seven years of sold-out conferences, we remain committed to providing the most affordable, relevant, and relatable local opportunity available to all women. Our mission is to showcase the talents of as many local women as possible and hopefully, to continue to reduce the opportunity gap for women across our region.”
Justice Law Collaborative was co-founded by Bliss and her business partner Kim Dougherty in 2021 to fill a void in trauma-informed litigation and social justice. In the last three years, the firm has grown to a team of 15, gained greater visibility for their legal victories against high-profile physical and sexual abusers, and has brought swift and lasting changes across state and nationwide legislatures. The firm has represented athletes abused by disgraced Olympic coach Larry Nassar, teenagers tormented by hostile, uncertified schools parading as therapy-based programs for troubled teens (“Troubled Teen Industry”/TTI), and has tackled large industries (pharmaceutical, reproductive medicine, tobacco, etc.) when consumers or patients are harmed by corporate greed and negligence.
The firm currently employs women of diverse ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, religion, and sexual orientation. Within its highly diversified mix of personnel are single mothers, students, and family breadwinners – all who receive dedicated attention through mentorship, professional development, and collaboration.
The MetroWest Women’s Conference will be held in Framingham, MA and tickets for the one-day networking and learning event can be purchased via this link.
Media contact: Wendy Agudelo (for Justice Law Collaborative, LLC); wendy@imageprofessors.com.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024
The 2025 Edition Recognizes Co-Founders and Partners for Exceptional Work in Personal Injury and Product Liability Litigation
Paula Bliss and Kimberly Dougherty, lawyers and co-founders of the Justice Law Collaborative (JLC) have been named to the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America® which highlights the top 5% of outstanding legal talent across the United States. Inclusion on this distinguished list highlights the attorneys’ and the firms’ continued dedication and exceptional contributions to the field of law.
Justice Law Collaborative was co-founded by Bliss and Dougherty in 2021 to fill a void in trauma-informed litigation and social justice. In the last three years, the firm has grown to a team of 14, gained greater visibility for its legal victories against high-profile physical and sexual abusers, and has brought swift and lasting changes across state and nationwide legislatures.
The firm is recognized for its involvement in high profile cases, representing survivors of sexual assault and abuse, the “troubled teen industry”(TTI),and individuals harmed by products or medical malpractice.
“Earning recognition from our industry peers makes us incredibly proud, shared Kim Dougherty, co-founder of Justice Law Collaborative. “We started our firm not only to serve as a voice for our clients, but to be vocal champions for women in the field of law. Our client’s stories fuel our deep commitment to cause and our industry colleagues and peers motivate us to be as strategic and creative as possible in our chosen profession.”
Best Lawyers® is committed to the legal industry and its professionals, recognizing those who drive innovation and uphold the highest standards. Phillip Greer, CEO of Best Lawyers said, “We are proud to showcase the remarkable achievements of these lawyers, who contribute significantly to the legal industry and their clients’ overall success.”
For more than 40 years, Best Lawyers® has been esteemed by both legal professionals and the public as a premier benchmark for legal integrity and distinction in the United States. Consequently, being recognized by Best Lawyers is a testament to exceptional practice. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers recognitions are compiled based on exhaustive peer evaluations. More than 23 million evaluations were analyzed to compile the 2025 edition, resulting in 80,000 lawyers earning placement on the prestigious list.
About Best Lawyers®
Best Lawyers® is the oldest and most respected peer-review research and marketing company in the legal profession. Best Lawyers compiles extensive recognitions by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which tens of thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate the work of their fellow legal professionals within their local market and specialty. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, recognition by Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. For more information, visit www.bestlawyers.com.
About The Justice Law Collaborative
Justice Law Collaborative (JLC) embodies the highest level of professional, trauma-informed legal expertise associated with social justice. Led by attorneys with deep experience in civil rights, sexual assault and discrimination, medical malpractice, and personal injury cases, the firm has represented athletes abused by Olympic coach Larry Nassar, teenagers tormented by hostile, uncertified schools parading as therapy-based programs for troubled teens, and has tackled large industries (pharmaceutical, reproductive medicine, tobacco, etc.) when consumers or patients are harmed by corporate greed and negligence. Additionally, JLC is at the forefront of legislative reform, spearheading efforts to modify statutes of limitations and enact new laws to protect the innocent and to provide proper financial and judicial remedies to victims.
**Media contact: **Wendy Agudelo (for Justice Law Collaborative, LLC); wendy@imageprofessors.com.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2024