Press Release  Supreme Judicial Court Announces New Officers and Members of the Massachusetts Clients’ Security Board

BOSTON, MA — The Supreme Judicial Court today announced the appointment of a new Chair and Vice Chair of the Clients’ Security Board, and the appointment of two new members to the board.

Gary M. Weiner was named chair effective January 10, 2023. He has been a CSB member for four years and most recently served as vice-chair. Mr. Weiner is the sole shareholder of Weiner Law Firm, P.C. located in Springfield, where his primary area of practice is bankruptcy, commercial litigation, and collections. He is a graduate of Syracuse University and Suffolk University Law School.

Sally R. Gaglini was named vice-chair. She has been a CSB member for three years and most recently served as secretary. Ms. Gaglini is the founder of the Gaglini Law Group LLC, and her practice is concentrated in probate, fiduciary and family law, and entertainment law with a specialized emphasis on young performers. She is a graduate of Brandeis University and Suffolk University Law School.

The new members are attorneys Lauren F. Olanoff and Tal M. Unrad. They were each appointed for a term of five years, ending December 1, 2027. They fill the positions formerly held by attorneys David R. Chenelle, who served as chair, and Steven B. Stein, who served as treasurer. 

Lauren F. Olanoff is a partner at Egan, Flanagan and Cohen, P.C. in Springfield, where her primary area of practice is civil litigation. She is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Tulane University Law School.

Tal M. Unrad is a partner at ArentFox Schiff LLP in Boston, where he concentrates his practice on commercial transactions including mergers, acquisitions, and distressed transactions. He is a graduate of Tufts University and the University of Connecticut School of Law.

The Clients’ Security Board (CSB) was established by the Supreme Judicial Court in 1974 as an independent administrative body to preserve the public’s trust in the legal profession by reimbursing clients whose lawyers have stolen their funds. The responsible lawyers must have been suspended or disbarred or have resigned or died. The Supreme Judicial Court appoints seven Massachusetts lawyers to make all awards. Board members serve five-year terms without compensation and act as public trustees for the Clients’ Security Fund. Since 1974, the board has awarded over $57 million to more than 2,400 claimants. The disciplined or deceased lawyers responsible for those claims represent less than 0.04% of the licensed lawyers in Massachusetts. All funds used to make awards come from Massachusetts lawyers through their annual registration fees. No public funds or tax dollars are used for any reimbursements. 

The activities of the board are governed by Supreme Judicial Court Rules 4:04 - 4:09 and the Rules of the Clients’ Security Board. Although it is an official body subject to the supervision of the Supreme Judicial Court, no public funds are spent to support the board.

###