Joe concentrates his practice in life, health and disability insurance defense, ERISA, and land use litigation, including environmental litigation. He is a past member of the firm’s Management Committee and the former chair of the firm’s Litigation Group.
He serves as counsel for numerous life, health and disability insurers, self-insureds and third-party administrators at all levels of state and federal courts throughout Massachusetts. His representation includes the full spectrum of issues arising from both individual and group coverage, under both state and federal law, including ERISA. Joe also represents business clients in addressing litigation issues that arise in the context of land use and environmental concerns. This includes representing clients in connection with administrative appeals and enforcement actions involving the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Protection Agency as well as actions involving private parties, including litigation related to contaminated property and regulatory compliance.
Education
- Boston College Law School, JD
- Boston College, BA, magna cum laude
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court for Connecticut
- U.S. District Court for Massachusetts
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Affiliations
- American Bar Association, Life, Health and Disability Insurance Law Committee; Employee Benefits Committee
- Defense Research Institute, Life, Health and Disability Committee
- New England Claims Association
- Worcester County Bar Association, former chair, Environmental Law Section
- Town of Northborough, past chair, Planning Board and Conservation Commission
- Higgins Armory Museum, former president and trustee
- United Way of Central Massachusetts, Board of Directors
- YMCA of Central Massachusetts, Board of Governors
- U.S. Marine Corps
Awards & Recognitions
- Included in The Best Lawyers in America® for Insurance Law and Litigation (2025)
- Named a Massachusetts “Super Lawyer” by Boston magazine and Law & Politics (2008 – present)
Articles & Speaking Engagements
- “ERISA Case Law Update by Mirick, O’Connell,” In-House Counsel Sub-committee of the DRI Life, Health, Disability and ERISA Committee, webinar (August 31, 2023)
- “Legal Year in Review,” New England Claims Association, Annual Presentation (2006 – 2023)
- “Misrepresentation in the Life, Health, and Disability Insurance Application Process: A National Survey,” 3nd Edition, American Bar Association, 2022 (editor and contributing author)
- “ERISA Survey of Federal Circuits,” American Bar Association, 2022 (contributing author)
- “Residual vs. Total Disability: An Old Issue Revisited,” Defense Research Institute’s Life, Health and Disability News, June 2019
- “The Challenge of Residual Disability Claims,” Eastern Claims Conference (March 2019)
- “Hot Topics in Disability Litigation,” Defense Research Institute Webinar and Seminar (March 2019)
- “Resolving Insurance Claims Disputes Before Trial,” Americal Bar Association, 2018 (contributing author)
- “Litigating Disability Insurance Claims,” American Conference Institute (2003, 2007, 2012-2018)
- “The Law of Life Insurance,” Defense Research Institute, 2017 (contributing author)
- “ERISA Litigation,” American Conference Institute (2014-2017)
- Mock Deposition and Mediation Workshops, International Claims Association (2015-2017)
- “Minor and Beneficiary Disputes and the Role of Interpleaders”, Defense Research Institute’s Life, Health, Disability and ERISA Seminar (April 2015)
- “Managing the Relationship with Insurance Agents Before and During Litigation,” American Bar Association Midwinter Symposium (January 2014)
- “Life Insurance Litigation,” American Conference Institute (2012 and 2013)
- “New Appleman on Insurance Law Library Edition,” Matthew Bender & Company, Inc., 2013 (contributing author)
- “Appropriate Care: How Much is Enough?,” Defense Research Institute’s Life, Health and Disability Newsletter, February 2012
- “Legal and Regulatory Update,” JHA Risk Forum (August 2010)
- “Imposters in the Life Insurance Application Process” American Bar Association Midwinter Symposium (January 2010)
- “Misrepresentations in the Life, Health and Disability Application Process,” American Bar Association Midwinter Symposium (January 2009)
- “The Fundamentals of ERISA Benefit Litigation,” MCLE, 2008 (co-author)
- ERISA Litigition,” MCLE (July 2008)
- “ERISA Benefit Claims Regulations,” American Bar Association Midwinter Symposium, (January 2007)
- “The Interplay between Total and Residual Disability Provisions: When ‘Total’ Means Total,” Defense Research Institute’s Life, Health and Disability Newsletter, Fall 2004
- Mirick O’Connell Life, Health & Disability Newsletter (co-editor)
- Regular contributor to the newsletters of the American Bar Association’s Life Insurance Law Committee and Defense Research Institute’s Life, Health and Disability Committee
Life, Health & Disability Update: Reduction in Disability Benefits Pursuant to Lifetime Rider Again Upheld
February 6, 2025 | Articles
28 Mirick Attorneys Named to 2024 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List
November 14, 2024 | In The News
Joe Hamilton and Chris Collins to Present at the 2024 ICA Annual Education Conference
September 8, 2024 | Events, In The News
Life, Health, Disability & ERISA Litigation Report
September 8, 2024 | Articles
David Surprenant Named the Best Lawyers® 2025 Business Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Worcester; 18 Mirick Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in 2025 Edition of Best Lawyers® and 6 Selected for Ones to Watch in America®
August 15, 2024 | In The News
24 Mirick O’Connell Attorneys Named to 2025 Best Lawyers® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch List
August 15, 2024 | In The News
Massachusetts Appeals Court Upholds Insurer’s Interpretation of Lifetime Total Disability Benefit Rider
June 25, 2024 | Articles
Life, Health, Disability & ERISA Litigation Report
March 19, 2024 | Articles
28 Mirick Attorneys Named to 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List
October 12, 2023 | In The News
25 Mirick Attorneys Recognized as 2023 Best Lawyers® and Ones to Watch™
August 18, 2023 | In The News
