(Better Business Bureau in E. MA, ME, RI & VT)
Keeping families together
Kevin Patrick Seaver founded The Law Office of Kevin Seaver in Boston over thirty years ago. His journey into law and establishment of his firm represent his commitment to justice and belief in the power of individual agency.
After graduating from law school, Kevin Seaver, driven by a sense of independence and a desire to chart his course, sidestepped the traditional path of joining a law firm. Kevin Seaver told us, “There were two things I knew when I graduated from law school. Number one: I don't think I'm cut out to work for somebody else because I'm too much of a cowboy. And number two: I don't think working for somebody else was smart because I've never worked nine to five. I love what I do. So, I was always researching and looking for something to help me to win a case. And when I first started, I don't think I had the prerequisite skills to work in a major law firm. I just didn't think it was part of my DNA. Prior to becoming a lawyer, I had worked in a corporation, and I just didn't like the politics. I knew I needed to work for myself because I wanted to be able to rise on my own merits, not based upon some type of political situation in a corporation.”
When Kevin Seaver began his firm in 1991, he handled civil, criminal, and family law, specifically cases involving the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF). Kevin Seaver’s very first case was a complex DCF one, and other lawyers at his firm shied away from it. “I had a case when I was first out of law school, and nobody wanted to touch it. They realized how complicated the case was. And I was either too stupid or too young or perhaps both not to recognize the case’s complexity. They handed it to me, and I ran with it.”
After winning several DCF cases, Seaver realized he had an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in DCF law. Driven by his genuine passion for preserving family unity and protecting the rights of his clients, he started focusing on DCF cases: “As time went on, I focused on DCF because it just seemed to be more of something I was drawn to. I really enjoy keeping families together,” he said.
Seaver further explained that in the cases he works on, children are removed from their homes because of allegations or situations that could be interpreted differently. “We need to create a better system because I don't think anybody benefits when a child goes into foster care. Of course, there are certain cases where they have to, where parents could have a terrible drug or alcohol problem, or a child's been abused—you have to find a respite for that child. But I think we got to look at the family first. There are so many things that eliminate families from being a caretaker for a child that I just don't think are right. I think we have to be more lenient. For example, someone's been in prison. Well, if you did the crime, you did the time; you should be able to go back to life and be a parent again, or be a caretaker, or participate in our society. I just think it's too onerous. I just see children going into foster care when I see loving, caring, nurturing families, especially grandparents out there that are not being explored, not being utilized as foster parents. And that's not good.”
Parents and grandparents hire Kevin Seaver to help keep their families intact, and the attorney offered an overview of his process. “I prepare them to meet with DCF, and I teach them the do's and don'ts of what you should or should not say. I give them a checklist for their home. And I make sure that they don't sign any documents that are going to hurt or harm them. I make sure their rights are not violated. One of the most important things that parents fail to understand or realize is that the US Constitution says ‘we the people,’ not ‘we the adults’. No matter how young they are, children have important fundamental US constitutional rights that are violated every day by well-intentioned, well-meaning adults. If you don't know what your legal rights are, you have no legal rights. And that's where we come in. We put you back in your happy place.”
Kevin Seaver said that he approaches each case with a meticulously crafted plan, empowering his clients with knowledge of their rights and guiding them through the complexities of the legal system. “I do two things: I give my clients a plan, an easy user-friendly, step-by-step plan. And then the second thing I do is I hold them accountable.”
When asked what he likes best about his job, Kevin Seaver said, “You're putting families back together again. Nobody walks out unhappy. In my cases, people love me because I keep their family safe, and the kids are not removed from their homes. You know, the parents are thrilled, the grandparents are thrilled and the children are thrilled. It's a win-win.”
In addition, Kevin Seaver's genuine empathy and compassion for his clients shine through. He views his work not merely as a profession but as a calling. “I love what I do. I get up early every day. I stay late. I work all the time, but I don't consider it work. I love helping people. I go out and give every case a thousand miles per hour to do everything I can to help that client with that case. I return calls. I give clients my personal cell phone because if somebody's in trouble, I want them to call me.”
Beyond his legal practice, Kevin Seaver is an unabashed enthusiast for his hometown of Boston and the broader New England region. For him, Boston represents a vibrant tapestry of culture, education and opportunity. From its renowned academic institutions to its world-class hospitals and lively arts scene, Boston embodies the spirit of innovation and resilience that Kevin Seaver holds dear. As a proud Bostonian, he revels in the city's rich history, diverse communities and unparalleled culinary delights. “I live and work in the greatest city on the planet,” he said.
For more information about the Law Office of Kevin Seaver, check out their BBB profile. To learn more about BBB and read more stories like this, visit Behind the Business Stories with BBB in Eastern MA, ME, RI & VT.
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