Lauren J. Weitzen

Chief Operating Partner

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Management Committee

Lauren Weitzen is a determined advocate and skilled criminal defense litigator. She represents individuals facing investigations and charges in state courts across Massachusetts. With significant courtroom and trial experience, her extensive knowledge of criminal law and commitment to and zeal for justice enables her to provide her clients with strong, unwavering, and effective advocacy. Lauren’s experience and familiarity with the often-evolving law allows her to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of available defenses and to advance particular case strategies on behalf of her clients. She has represented clients charged with cases ranging from drug offenses, domestic violence, sex crimes, property offenses, to motor vehicle offenses.

Lauren also advises clients on how to minimize their contact with the criminal justice system, including guiding them through police investigations, Clerk Magistrate hearings, and pre-trial diversion options.

Since the numerous changes implemented from the recent Criminal Justice Reform Act, Lauren represents individuals seeking to seal or expunge prior criminal records (G.L. c. 276 § 100A-K). Her practice also includes various other collateral criminal matters including obtaining or defending against restraining orders (G.L. c. 209A) and harassment prevention orders (G.L. c. 258E), and matters involving the Sex Offender Registry Board.

Prior to joining Lawson & Weitzen in 2014, Lauren was Staff Attorney and a Supervising Attorney with the Committee for Public Counsel Services Public Defender Division, where she gained invaluable trial experience and an intimate knowledge about the inner workings of our criminal justice system. Lauren volunteers with the Suffolk Law School Alumni Mentor Program and as a judge with the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Mock Trial Competition. She remains a bar advocate, accepting court appointed cases for indigent defendants, with the Middlesex County Bar Advocate Program.

Lauren actively supports the American Civil Liberties of Massachusetts and is a member of the event committee for its annual Bill of Rights dinner. She lives in Needham with her husband and two young children.



Representative Matters

Commonwealth v. Ramirez, Cambridge District Court – Client, detained by immigration authorities following an arrest for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol was not transported from detention to the courthouse despite multiple court orders. Lauren collaborated with the Immigration Impact Unit of CPCS and the ACLU of Massachusetts and, upon the ACLUM, with attorneys from Foley Hoag, LLP, filing a federal lawsuit, Lauren’s client was finally properly transported for trial. Once in court, Lauren secured a Not Guilty verdict following a bench trial. As a result of the verdict, the client was able to obtain an order securing his release from immigration custody.
https://www.aclum.org/en/cases/ramirez-v-tompkins https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2019/01/30/ice-detainees-can-now-answer-state-charges
Not Guilty jury verdict for client accused of committing an Assault and Battery on a Family/Household Member
Successful Motion to Dismiss due to lack of evidence for client charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
Obtained Pre-trial Probation, pursuant to G.L. c. 276, § 87, for client charged with Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest
Post-conviction Motion to Withdraw Plea allowed for client facing dire immigration consequences as a result of the prior plea with former counsel; successfully negotiated an agreeable outcome for the offense that would protect the client’s current immigration status
Successfully vacated an active Restraining Order
Not Guilty bench trial verdict for client charged with Operating under the Influence of Alcohol
Petition to Expunge allowed for client with prior record from when she was 19 years old
Obtained suppression of drug evidence following a Motion to Suppress in case charging client with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana; case dismissed as a result
Motion to Suppress client’s statements allowed in case charging Indecent Assault & Battery on a Person over 14
Petition to Seal allowed after client successfully completed a continuance without a finding for Resisting Arrest and Assault & Battery on a Police Officer
Obtained a Harassment Prevention Order for a client facing constant unwanted in-person and electronic contact from a former partner



Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Massachusetts Bar Association

Boston Bar Association

Women’s Bar Association

Middlesex County Bar Association



Publications

Scott P. Lopez & Lauren J. Weitzen, Watershed Changes to Eyewitness Identification Law in Massachusetts, 60 Boston Bar J. (January 2016)



Awards & Recognition

Super Lawyers Rising Star 2014-2020

Avvo Clients’ Choice Award 2017-2018



Contact

LWeitzen@Lawson-Weitzen.com

Boston Office: 617-439-4990  

Education

Suffolk University Law School, JD

University of Wisconsin-Madison



Bar Admissions

Massachusetts (state and federal)