Brookline Pays Former Town Attorney to Resolve Pay Gap
The town issued a settlement payment to a former employee following concerns over salary discrepancies with a predecessor.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Remote Work
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In late July 2026, Brookline issued a $4,991.75 payment to former town attorney Barri Friedland. The payment was approved for risk management purposes to address a racial pay discrepancy between Friedland and her predecessor, Elena Ben David.
Why it matters
The town provided the funds to address potential litigation and reputational risks associated with the salary differences identified during Friedland's tenure. This resolution follows an internal assessment of compensation structures for legal staff in the town government.
The town paid former attorney Barri Friedland a weekly salary of $2,350.60, while her predecessor Elena Ben David earned $2,382.13 per week. This disparity resulted in a total annual pay difference of approximately $6,700.
The players
Barri Friedland
She served as a town attorney in Brookline for an eight-month period.
Elena Ben David
She was previously employed as a town attorney in Brookline starting in April 2024.
Joe Callanan
He serves as a town official who requested adjustments to staff compensation.
The details
Barri Friedland served as a town attorney for eight months after being hired in October 2025. The Town Administrator authorized the payment after an examination of pay records that compared Friedland's compensation to that of Elena Ben David, who was hired in April 2024.
Timeline
April 2024: Elena Ben David was hired as a town attorney.
October 2025: Barri Friedland was hired as a town attorney.
March 13, 2026: Joe Callanan sent a memo requesting pay increases.
June 2026: Barri Friedland resigned from her position.
Late July 2026: The town issued the settlement payment to Friedland.
Market Landscape
The town's decision to issue a settlement payment follows a pattern of municipal compliance to avoid the legal risks outlined by the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act. Such payouts underscore the growing institutional priority placed on correcting compensation disparities to maintain labor standards.
This payment represents a shift in how the town addresses compensation complaints to mitigate administrative and legal costs. Residents and taxpayers may see increased focus on transparency in municipal payroll structures to prevent future liability.
The takeaway
Town administrations increasingly use risk management settlements to resolve internal compensation disputes quickly. These actions serve as a financial corrective measure when payroll discrepancies are identified in public service roles.
Further reading
For more information on employment policies, see the Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Brookline.
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