BOSTON, August 27, 2026 – Ligris + Associates PC announces that the Hon. Randy Kaplan (Ret.) and Co-Managing Partner Christos Viores have been selected as finalists for ALM | Law.com’s 2026 New England Legal Awards. Judge Kaplan is a finalist in the “Outstanding Officiators” category, and Viores is a finalist in the “Legal Innovators & Disruptors” category. NELA winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at The Westin Copley Place in Boston on October 8.

The New England Legal Awards are a distinguished celebration of professional excellence within the legal community across Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The Outstanding Officiators category celebrates judges or retired judges practicing as mediators or arbitrators doing exceptionally poignant and effective work. The Legal Innovators & Disruptors category recognizes lawyers who have broken the mold in the accomplishment of significant industry improvements and used new and innovative tactics to achieve goals.

Judge Kaplan has demonstrated exceptional leadership and legal expertise throughout her distinguished career. Appointed as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court in 2001 by Governor Jane M. Swift, she served until 2019, primarily in Suffolk, Middlesex, Essex, and Nantucket Counties. During her tenure, Judge Kaplan was instrumental in adjudicating complex family and probate matters, earning a reputation for fairness and deep legal acumen. After nearly 20 years of service, she now serves as a certified Mediator/Conciliator and focuses her practice on divorce mediation, conciliation and arbitration. Judge Kaplan is admitted to the Massachusetts Bar, U.S. District Court for Massachusetts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

As Co-Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer, Viores prioritizes the continuous improvement and development of sophisticated systems, protocols and technology at Ligris. His operational philosophies and innovative process have simplified the complex and laborious steps involved in real estate transactions. For example, Viores implemented advanced project management software that enables the firm to identify problems and create solutions in real-time. In addition to being tech-forward, Viores’ leadership style promotes transparency and accountability, which has maximized the firm’s operational efficiency.

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About Ligris + Associates PC

With offices in Boston and Newton, Ligris + Associates PC has built a reputation as a place where legal excellence meets innovative client service. The firm’s practice divisions in real estate, business law, creditors’ rights, family law, immigration law, and litigation consistently attract Massachusetts’ most sophisticated clients and most talented attorneys. From 2022-2026, Ligris was named by The Boston Business Journal as one of the “Best Places to Work.”

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