Latest Thornton Law Firm headlines

The scathing 377-page report by a court-appointed special master took aim at the business practices of three well-known firms, including Boston-based Thornton Law Firm and its managing partner, former representative Garrett Bradley.

Spotlight Follow-up

Investigation alleges misconduct by Thornton Law Firm, recommends severe sanctions

The revelations and findings contained in the long-awaited report may change the way courts across the country handle class action lawsuits.

BOSTON, MA. 08/ 31/ 2011: NEW AMERICANS U.S. District Judge Mark L. Wolf welcomes 3,600 new U.S. citizens from more than 130 countries during a naturalization ceremony attended by the director of the Vermont Service Center of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Dan Renaud, and featuring the USS Constitution Color Guard at the TD Garden. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION : METRO TOPIC :01standalonephotos REPORTER Brian Ballou

Lawyers ask federal judge to step down from landmark overbilling case

Lawyers from the firm Labaton Sucharow argued that federal Judge Mark Wolf is biased against them in a case where they’re accused of inflating legal fees.

10/21/2010 BOSTON, MA L-R State Police Major James Hanafin, DA Jonathan Blodgett, and AG Martha Coakley speak to the media during a press conference at Attorney General Martha Coakley's office to announce that 31 people have been charged after an investigation into organized crime and drug trafficking, including supposed New England mob boss Mark Rossetti. (Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe) Library Tag 01202011 Globe North 1,2

Thornton Law Firm didn’t break state campaign finance laws, prosecutor says

The decision ends the state inquiry into Thornton Law Firm. But federal investigations, which began in 2016, are ongoing.

SPOTLIGHT UPDATE

Former top Mass. lawmaker often helped his business, family

Former House assistant majority leader Garrett Bradley had a pattern of taking actions that advanced his business and personal interests.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey.

Spotlight Follow-Up

Regulator sees ‘evidence of violations’ at Thornton Law Firm

Regulators told Attorney General Maura Healey they have evidence the law firm and its attorneys broke multiple laws.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey.

Adrian Walker

Thornton Law case shouldn’t be dropped

The firm reimbursed its partners for well over $1 million in donations to Democratic candidates. But a reckoning may soon be coming — as well it should.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey.

SPOTLIGHT FOLLOW-UP

Healey hands Thornton Law case to independent prosecutor

Under pressure from Republicans, the Mass. AG said she would step aside in the probe of the firm, which donated to her 2014 campaign.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey.

SPOTLIGHT FOLLOW-UP

Boston law firm could be charged on donations

Campaign finance officials plan to ask Attorney General Maura Healey to consider prosecuting partners at Boston’s Thornton Law Firm.

US District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf will appoint a special master in an investigation of law firms in Boston and elsewhere.

spotlight update

A federal judge is the latest to scrutinize Thornton Law

A federal judge plans to investigate whether prominent law firms in Boston and other cities dramatically inflated legal bills.

SPOTLIGHT UPDATE

Firms profited from Garrett Bradley’s ties

The former state representative tapped his connections to make millions from pension fund lawsuits.

Spotlight Follow-up

Critics hit law firms’ bills after class-action lawsuits

Boston’s Thornton Law Firm, already under investigation for campaign donations, is at the center of controversy over overstated legal fees.

According to the Spotlight Report, Thornton Law Firm reimbursed partner Garrett Bradley (above), a former state representative, for donations made to candidates.

SPOTLIGHT FOLLOW-UP

Federal prosecutors launch probe of law firm over donations

The US attorney’s office is looking into Thornton Law Firm’s practice of reimbursing partners for millions of dollars in political donations.

spotlight follow-up

Candidates returning donations from Thornton Law Firm attorneys

As of Nov. 1, the figure exceeded $300,000.

Hillary Clinton and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh both said they would return thousands of dollars in donations from Thornton Law Firm.

Clinton, Walsh return donations from Boston law firm

Several politicians are returning thousands of dollars in donations from lawyers at Thornton Law Firm following a Spotlight Team report.

A campaign spokeswoman for incumbent Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte (right) had called on Governor Maggie Hassan earlier Sunday to return the donations.

New Hampshire governor Maggie Hassan to return lawyers’ donations

The New Hampshire governor will return $51,000 after the Globe reported Thornton Law Firm had apparently reimbursed partners for contributions.

Michael Thornton made his name in the law by becoming a national leader in handling asbestos-related cases.

SPOTLIGHT TEAM

Law firm ‘bonuses’ tied to political donations

A small Boston law firm became a top funder of the national Democratic Party by paying lawyers “bonuses” for their political donations.