Boston, September 9, 2025
News Summary
Foley Hoag LLP has published an update addressing key legislative and regulatory changes in Massachusetts, covering areas like energy, healthcare, and data privacy. The firm also provided guidance on best practices regarding email communications and confidentiality, emphasizing the importance of client engagement for protection of sensitive information. The announcement serves as a resource for businesses and stakeholders to navigate evolving legal requirements.
Boston
Summary — Key legal and policy updates from Foley Hoag LLP (October 9, 2025)
Foley Hoag LLP released a consolidated update on October 9, 2025, highlighting recent Massachusetts legislative and regulatory developments across energy, healthcare, data privacy, and public utility matters, along with firm-level guidance on information submission, privacy, and attorney-client relationships. The announcement underscores that accepting the firm’s cookie policy permits collection of website usage data as described in its Privacy Statement, unilaterally transmitted emails do not create an attorney-client relationship or confidentiality obligation, and information sent by non-clients may be used or disclosed unless protections are agreed to in advance. The firm also reiterated that prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters and noted availability of attorneys in its Boston and Washington, DC offices for discussions about potential client relationships and confidentiality protections.
Details — What the update covers and practical implications
The update categorizes recent legislative and regulatory activity into multiple areas of law and policy, including clean energy, energy storage, and activities of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. Health-related items are grouped under prescription drug coverage, telehealth, healthcare industry regulations, and health information. The firm also flagged matters involving security and privacy alerts, risk management, and relevant state laws.
From a user and client protection perspective, the firm emphasized several procedural and risk-management points. Acceptance of the website cookie policy constitutes consent to the collection and analysis of site traffic and user experience data as described in the firm’s Privacy Statement. Individuals should be aware that sending information to the firm by email without prior engagement does not create an attorney-client relationship or impose confidentiality obligations on the firm. Submissions by persons who are not prospective clients may be disclosed or used by the firm unless there is a previously agreed arrangement to treat the material as provided for prospective client evaluation. To obtain confidentiality protections before sharing sensitive information, individuals are advised to contact an attorney at the firm to discuss potential representation and any necessary safeguards.
Resources and personnel
The update identifies several contributors and firm contacts associated with ongoing publications and client alerts. Notable names associated with the materials include Zachary Gerson (Partner) and Kevin Y. Chen (Associate). The firm noted that additional partners and associates across practice areas are available at the Boston and Washington, DC offices. A general contact phone number and email address were provided for inquiries and for arranging discussions about representation or confidentiality: +1.617.832.1299 and erice@foleyhoag.com.
Why this matters
The compilation of updates aims to help businesses, health care providers, energy sector participants, and other stakeholders track evolving state-level rules and regulatory actions that may affect compliance obligations, funding and incentive programs, telehealth delivery, prescription drug coverage, and data-security practices. The highlighted procedural warnings regarding email submissions and the default non-confidential treatment of unsolicited materials are intended to reduce client risk and to encourage proactive engagement with counsel where confidentiality or privileged handling of information is required.
Background and context
Foley Hoag LLP is an established law firm that regularly publishes summaries of legislative, regulatory, and policy developments. The October 9, 2025 update continues a pattern of topical alerts organized by subject area to assist readers in identifying items relevant to their operations. The firm’s statements on cookies, privacy, attorney-client formation, and prior-results disclaimers reflect common law-practice norms and website-data practices used by many professional services organizations. These statements are intended to clarify the steps needed to secure legal representation and confidentiality protections, as well as to remind readers that legal outcomes depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each matter.
FAQ
How can I get more information about the legislative updates?
The update lists multiple topic areas including energy, healthcare, public utilities, and privacy. For specific guidance or to discuss how these developments affect a particular situation, contact an attorney at the firm using the provided phone number or email to arrange a consultation.
Does sending an email to the firm create an attorney-client relationship?
No. The firm’s guidance clarifies that unilateral transmission of information via email does not create an attorney-client relationship or an obligation of confidentiality. Explicit engagement and agreement are required for such a relationship to exist.
What happens if a non-client submits information to the firm?
Information submitted by persons who are not clients may be used or disclosed by the firm unless the parties have previously agreed that submissions are being made as prospective-client materials with agreed confidentiality protections.
How does the firm use cookies and website data?
Acceptance of the cookie policy permits the collection and analysis of website usage data to improve user experience and functionality. Details on data collection are described in the firm’s Privacy Statement.
Are prior case results a guarantee of future outcomes?
No. The firm explicitly notes that prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters. Each legal issue is judged on its own facts and applicable law.
Who are the named contributors to these updates?
The update lists contributors including Zachary Gerson (Partner) and Kevin Y. Chen (Associate), among other partners and associates across relevant practice areas.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | October 9, 2025 |
| Location | Boston |
| General Contact Phone | +1.617.832.1299 |
| General Contact Email | erice@foleyhoag.com |
| Office Locations | Boston; Washington, DC |
| Primary Topic Areas | Legislation; Department of Public Utilities; Clean Energy; Department of Energy Resources; Energy Storage; Prescription Drug Coverage; Telehealth; Healthcare Regulations; Security & Privacy; Risk Management; State Laws; Health Information |
| Notable Contributors | Zachary Gerson (Partner); Kevin Y. Chen (Associate); additional partners and associates |
| Key procedural notes | Cookie consent applies to data collection; email alone does not create attorney-client relationship; unsolicited submissions may be used or disclosed; prior results not predictive of future outcomes |
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Additional Resources
- Foley Hoag: Startup Party with a Purpose
- Wikipedia: Energy Storage
- Foley Hoag: Massachusetts Energy Storage Procurement Underway
- Google Search: Energy Legislation
- Foley Hoag: Expanded Protections for Reproductive Health
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Health
- Foley Hoag: Best Lawyers Recognizes Over 100 Foley Hoag Attorneys
- Google News: Healthcare Regulations
- Foley Hoag: Foley Hoag Grows Life Sciences Deal Team
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