With the housing market oscillating from a buyer’s market to a buyer’s nightmare throughout the pandemic, many are optimistic that 2023 will give buyers some more leverage as mortgage rates start to cool off from what they were in 2021 ...
Read More »Civil Litigation: The cost of convenience: Tips to avoid litigation when granting authority
To avoid the annoyance of troublesome processes and procedures, people and businesses sometimes choose to make decisions based on convenience. For some, convenience comes in the form of quick grants of authority to another for one-off business-related tasks. When authorization ...
Read More »Commentary: Life estate deeds in estate planning
With a rise in the value of land over the past decade, one’s largest asset oftentimes ends up being their home. While a last will and testament usually cover the transfer of title of real estate upon death, life estate ...
Read More »White Collar Corner: DOJ signals softer stance toward criminal defendants
White collar defense lawyers have taken notice of a recent memo in which U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland urged Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors to proceed thoughtfully when pursuing indictments, plea agreements or long prison sentences. In the Dec. 16, ...
Read More »Commentary: Can moving out before a divorce cause problems?
Depending on your living situation, children, and the conditions of a divorce, you or your soon-to-be ex-spouse may consider moving out of the shared home before the divorce is finalized. Leaving the house might seem like the best thing to ...
Read More »Commentary: Recent labor and employment changes affect NY employers: What you need to know
By now, many of us have put 2022 out of our minds and are forging ahead into the new year. As we do so, it is essential for employers to understand labor and employment law changes that could affect them ...
Read More »IP Frontiers: Knowing your entity status: Reduced fees carry increased penalties for honest mistakes
Just before the New Year, President Biden signed into law the Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022 (the “Act”), with the goal of addressing disparities in the U.S. patent system and expanding access to patents among underrepresented communities. The Act ...
Read More »Your Counsel: New York leave laws explained
Lawyers tend to limit their practice to a few areas. Nonetheless, people come to us with myriad problems — many of which fall outside our expertise. Through this column, we provide practical information to help you assist those who have ...
Read More »Commentary: Case examines balance between trademark protection, First Amendment rights
The Supreme Court recently agreed to review a somewhat novel case involving potential trademark infringement and the First Amendment. VIP Products, LLC v. Jack Daniels Properties, Inc., No. 22-148. VIP Products manufactured and sold a series of rubber dog toys ...
Read More »Pro Bono Spotlight: Partnership is our strength
This was the theme for the 2022 NYSBA Partnership Conference that was held in person for the first time since the pandemic. In two days, more than 400 attorneys benefited from guidance regarding 21 programs covering critical areas of law ...
Read More »Western District Case Notes
This article originally appeared in The Bulletin, the official publication of the Bar Association of Erie County. It is reprinted here with permission. Venue In Bausch & Lomb, Inc. v. Zea Vision LLC, 20-cv-06452-FPG (Aug. 31, 2022) — an action ...
Read More »Commentary: NY school districts required to replace Native American mascots or obtain tribe approval
The New York State Education Department recently issued a letter stating that public school districts must “affirmatively commit to replacing [their] Native American team name[s], logo[s], and/or imagery by the end of the 2022-23 school year” unless they obtain approval ...
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