Aggressive Advocacy. Compassionate Counsel.
Margaret Carter opened Carter & Associates in a two-room office on Tremont Street in 1998 with one paralegal and a conviction that Boston deserved a law firm that fought like a big firm but treated every client like family. She had spent ten years at one of the city's most prominent practices — arguing cases in Suffolk Superior Court, Middlesex County, and federal court — watching talented attorneys burn out under billable-hour pressure while clients waited weeks for a returned phone call. That experience shaped everything about how Carter & Associates operates.
Boston's legal tradition runs deep: the city that produced John Adams, Learned Hand, and some of the most consequential constitutional arguments in American history is not short on legal talent. Margaret built this firm to honor that tradition — rigorous preparation, honest counsel, and relentless advocacy — while rejecting the impersonal culture that too many large firms have let take root. James Rodriguez joined in 2012 and brought a trial-ready intensity to personal injury and family law that insurance companies quickly learned to take seriously. Dr. Elena Vasquez came aboard in 2018 as appellate counsel, adding First Circuit expertise and constitutional depth. Nicole Baptiste, the firm's senior paralegal, has been the organizational backbone since 2010, managing case flow and client communication with precision.
Twenty-five years later, Carter & Associates has recovered over $150 million for clients across personal injury, family law, business litigation, criminal defense, and estate planning. The firm occupies a full floor on Boylston Street with a team of attorneys, paralegals, and investigators who share Margaret's obsession with preparation and responsiveness. They still take cases other firms turn down, still answer the phone on weekends, and still measure success by the lives changed — not the hours billed.
“To provide aggressive, strategic legal representation to individuals and businesses in Greater Boston while maintaining the accessibility, honesty, and personal attention that larger firms sacrifice for scale.”
The principles that drive Carter & Associates Law
Every case is personal. We pursue the strongest possible outcome for our clients regardless of the opponent's size, resources, or reputation.
Every client gets their attorney's direct number. We return calls the same day because uncertainty during a legal matter is unacceptable.
We tell clients the truth about their case from day one — the strengths, the risks, and the realistic range of outcomes. No false promises, no inflated expectations.
We investigate every angle, depose every witness, and know the opposing case better than opposing counsel. Preparation wins trials and forces favorable settlements.
Legal disputes are among the most stressful experiences in a person's life. We treat every client with empathy, patience, and respect throughout the entire process.
The professionals behind our success
Senior Partner & Founder
JD, Harvard Law School, Massachusetts Bar 30+ years, AV Martindale-Hubbell
Margaret founded Carter & Associates in 1998 after a decade at one of Boston's most prominent firms, driven by the belief that aggressive legal advocacy should not come at the cost of personal attention. A Harvard Law graduate who cut her teeth in the Suffolk County courts, she has personally recovered over $80M for injured clients and still gives every new client her personal cell number.
Managing Associate
JD, Boston University School of Law, Super Lawyers Rising Star, PI & Family Law
James handles the firm's personal injury and family law caseload with a trial-ready approach that insurance companies and opposing counsel take seriously. His clients know him for answering calls on weekends and fighting for every dollar they are owed.
Of Counsel — Appellate & Constitutional Law
JD, Yale Law School, former federal appellate clerk, published scholar
Elena spent five years clerking for a federal appellate judge in the First Circuit before joining Carter & Associates. She brings razor-sharp legal writing and constitutional expertise to the firm's most complex appellate matters and has successfully overturned adverse judgments at both state and federal levels.
Senior Paralegal & Client Relations Manager
ABA Certified Paralegal, 14 years litigation experience, bilingual English/French
Nicole manages case files, coordinates with courts and opposing counsel, and serves as the primary point of contact for clients throughout their cases. Clients consistently praise her responsiveness and her ability to explain complex legal timelines in clear, plain language.
Trusted law firm professionals in Boston, MA
Proudly serving Boston, MA and surrounding communities
Experience the difference that $150M+ experience makes
Carter & Associates Law
Assistant
Hi there! Welcome to Carter & Associates Law. How can I help you today?
I can answer questions, schedule appointments, and provide quotes — available 24/7, even after business hours.
Try asking me about services, pricing, hours, or anything else. This is a demo of VantaWeb's AI chat — on your live site, it's fully trained on your business.
Powered by VantaWeb