Politics & Government

Town Solicitor Moving on After 20-Year Relationship with Braintree

Carolyn Murray has served as Braintree's first full-time lawyer.

Carolyn Murray has moved between working for the Town of Braintree, Mayor Joseph Sullivan and a private law practice for 20 years.

She started with Braintree as a paralegal back in 1994, worked with Sullivan when he was at the State House and Massachusetts Lottery, was Braintree's executive secretary for a time, and became the town's first full-time attorney with the transition to a new form of government six years ago.

In between, she worked for municipal law firm Kopelman and Paige, from time to time as outside counsel to Braintree. At the end of this week, the Boston-based firm will welcome Murray as a partner, ending her longtime affiliation with the town.

"It's really bittersweet to be honest," Murray said of her departure, scheduled for Friday.

Numerous town officials joined Murray, her husband and daughter for cake and memories for a farewell party at Town Hall Wednesday night. During her final two days, Murray said she will work on a few zoning decisions.

Over the last six years, Murray has multi-tasked with incredible proficiency as Town Solicitor, Sullivan said Wednesday, working on, among other issues, sensitive human resources matters, collective bargaining and municipal finances.

"Professionalism is in her blood," Sullivan said. 

Sullivan said the town is better for having her services, something he pushed for when running for mayor in 2007. Having a full-time attorney gives Braintree a consistency of legal opinions and someone who really knows the community.

"She cares deeply about Braintree," Sullivan said. "We're her adopted town."

Murray, a Hingham resident, will bring her municipal law experience to a firm that counsels more than one-third of the cities and towns in Massachusetts, according to Kopelman and Paige's website. The firm also represents regional transit authorities and performs work in labor, real estate and other sectors.

Replacing Murray will be difficult, Sullivan said, but he said he expects to have an announcement on the subject next week.

"She leaves a void, yet we have to persevere," he said.


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