On Friday, October 17, 2025, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County issued a public reprimand to attorney Albertina Cerveira-Hajjar following a disciplinary review. The reprimand stems from her handling of multiple fiduciary roles, specifically her actions as guardian and conservator for the late Mary Gifford, as personal representative of Gifford’s estate, and as personal representative of the estate of Veronica Noren.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Albertina Cerveira-Hajjar,” with case no. BD-2025-031.
The Board of Bar Overseers had filed its recommendation and vote on April 15, 2025, leading to a hearing held on July 16, 2025, which Cerveira-Hajjar attended. Justice Serge Georges presided over the matter, ultimately issuing the order in accordance with a Memorandum of Decision also dated October 17, 2025.
The disciplinary proceedings originated from a petition citing Cerveira-Hajjar’s conduct in the aforementioned fiduciary capacities. As Gifford’s guardian and conservator, appointed by the Probate and Family Court Department in August 2011, Cerveira-Hajjar failed to file required annual reports and updates to Gifford’s care plan, even after receiving a notice of noncompliance from the Probate Court. While she did file an initial temporary conservator’s inventory, she did not follow up with the required annual reports.
After Gifford’s death in May 2014, Cerveira-Hajjar neglected to complete final accountings or file a death certificate for approximately seven years, delaying the closure of the conservatorship and distribution of assets.
Regarding the Noren estate, Cerveira-Hajjar was appointed personal representative after Noren’s death in August 2012, when Noren’s will left the bulk of her estate to Gifford. Attorney Frederick Barry had initially petitioned for formal probate and was appointed special personal representative, selling Noren’s home in July 2013 for over $823,000. These proceeds were later transferred to Cerveira-Hajjar’s control in May 2014, totaling over $829,000.
The court noted that while Barry was not always prompt in providing necessary records, Cerveira-Hajjar also failed to exercise sufficient diligence in obtaining the required documentation. She contacted Barry infrequently between late 2013 and early 2014, and not at all in 2015. Eventually, she retained attorney Matthew Beaulieu in September 2016 to assist in obtaining the documents.
Discrepancies arose in Barry’s final account as special personal representative, filed in January 2017, leading Beaulieu to file an objection in February 2017. An affidavit of objections was not filed until September 6, 2019, after approximately 2.5 years. In October 2019, Barry conceded a $50,000 discrepancy in the Noren home sale proceeds.
Concerning the Gifford estate, Cerveira-Hajjar initially told Gifford’s niece, Jane Eagan, that there was “no money left,” despite holding approximately $829,000 from the Noren estate and $40,000 from the Gifford conservatorship. It wasn’t until 2020, when an asset recovery company notified Eagan of unclaimed funds, that Cerveira-Hajjar confirmed Gifford’s inheritance from Noren.
Attorney Jamie Kelaher was subsequently retained, who petitioned for late and limited formal probate in August 2020 and was appointed personal representative of the Gifford estate. Kelaher secured a partial distribution of $750,000 for the heirs and recovered nearly $145,000 in escheated funds. Cerveira-Hajjar finally filed the required conservatorship inventories and accounts in September 2021.
In addition to the public reprimand, Cerveira-Hajjar is required to enter into a one-year mentorship agreement with an experienced trusts and estates attorney and complete at least three hours of approved continuing legal education in estate administration. The mentorship aims to provide guidance and oversight in her handling of future cases, while the continuing education will reinforce best practices in estate administration.
The Disposition states:
“It is ORDERED that the Respondent, Albertina Cerveira—Hajjar, is hereby publicly reprimanded.”
According to Avvo.com, Ms. Cerveira—Hajjar is an attorney in Brookline, Massachusetts. She attended the New England School of Law. She was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1983.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
