News & Insights

Is Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg an Employer Under the New York City Human Rights Law

Is Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg an Employer Under the New York City Human Rights Law

Employers are responsible for protecting employees from sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace under federal, New York State and New York City laws. While the business itself may be liable for the unlawful actions of its employees, generally, individuals associated with the business’s ownership or management are not personally liable under the law. This … Read more

Don’t Lie on an Insurance Application or Your Policy May Be Voided

Don’t Lie on an Insurance Application or Your Policy May Be Voided

An insurance application typically requires applicants to answer several questions which allow the insurance company to assess whether it will provide insurance and, if so, how much it will charge. Applicants must be careful about how they respond because if they lie or make a “material misrepresentation” they risk losing coverage. It is well-settled law … Read more

Suing an Unlicensed Home Improvement Contractor Is Not as Easy as You Think

New York City (and various other counties throughout the State) now impose a requirement that all contractors doing home improvements must have licenses issued by the municipality where the work is to be performed. Indeed, in 2006, the NYC Administrative Code added Title 20, Chapter 2, Subchapter 22 which addresses home improvements and sets out … Read more

Preserving an Inheritance as Separate Property in the Event of Divorce

When a couple prepares to marry, one question which may arise is whether they should enter into a prenuptial (or antenuptial) agreement, which among other things sets forth what happens to their assets in the event of a divorce. There are many situations in which this may be appropriate, including when there is a significant … Read more

Does a Lease’s “No Pet” Provision Apply to Emotional Support Animals?

All landlords should know they cannot discriminate against those who are disabled. The New York Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination throughout the State on the basis of disability, including in housing situations. However, many landlords may not be aware of how broadly the law applies especially in light of a recent court decision protecting disabled … Read more