What the SJC’s Prompt Payment decision means for businesses
Bernkopf partner Bob Stetson will be addressing the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in J.C. Cannistraro, LLC v. Columbia Construction Co. during an upcoming Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly panel, “What the SJC’s Prompt Payment decision means for businesses”. The webinar will take place July 30 from 10–11 AM. Bob will be joined by Bradley Croft from Ruberto, Israel & Weiner and Jeff Bernarducci from Hinckley Allen.
In Cannistraro, the SJC found that an arbitrator stayed within their authority by permitting a general contractor to recover overpayments from a subcontractor, notwithstanding the contractor’s initial failure to follow the Prompt Payment Act’s good-faith invoice rejection procedures. The panel will explore the litigation itself, how the SJC arrived at its decision, and practical takeaways for businesses moving forward. Bob also brings firsthand insight to the discussion, having authored and submitted an amicus brief to the court on behalf of the Real Estate Bar Association and The Abstract Club.
The decision reinforces the extraordinary deference Massachusetts courts afford arbitration awards. At the same time, it leaves important questions unresolved about how the Prompt Payment Act’s requirements will apply going forward, making this a timely discussion for owners, contractors, and subcontractors alike.
Click here to register today.
Event Details
Thursday, July 30, 2026
10:00AM-11:00AM ET
