A recent New York court decision provides a lesson in why having a well-drafted contract is so important. The case involved a mortgage broker who lost out on a commission and legal fees when the property owner found its own financing. Both parties spent money to litigate the issue, which could have been avoided had … Read more
In the last few years, business owners have brought several lawsuits against banks and credit card companies over their high swipe fees. In May of 2025, we advised our clients that the In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, or “Swipeopoly” case had settled and business owners could make a claim … Read more
Over the last one and a half years, business owners have faced regularly changing information regarding whether they were required to comply with the Federal Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) and disclose their beneficial owners. Our firm published its first post on the CTA on February 29, 2024. Since then, we’ve published numerous updates that … Read more
In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) significantly raised the estate tax exemption. However, the increase was made temporary, leaving families uncertain as to how to structure their estate plan. This uncertainty has now been resolved with a new, higher exemption that is permanent. Estate Planning Under the TCJA The TCJA increased the … Read more
New York is one step closer to significantly limiting the use of non-compete agreements with passage of a new bill by the Senate. A non-compete agreement is a tool used by employers to keep employees from quitting by restricting their ability to work for a competitor after they leave their jobs. Many jurisdictions have done … Read more
The legalization of Electronic Wills or “E-Wills” is coming closer to happening in New York. On April 11, 2025, a bill was proposed by Chantel Jackson, Nader Sayegh, Mary Jane Shimsky and Karen McMahon of the New York State Assembly to implement the integration of E-Wills into New York Law. The bill is Assembly Bill … Read more
Co-tenants own real property together, with each co-tenant having an “equal right to possess and enjoy” the property as if they owned it alone. However, in certain situations, a co-tenant can use the doctrine of adverse possession to become the sole owner of the real property, eliminating the interest of the co-tenant. Adverse possession is … Read more
An easement is an agreement that gives one property owner (known as the “dominant estate”) the right to make certain limited use of someone else’s property. The property subject to an easement is known as the “servient estate”. While there are significant benefits to having an easement, there are also unavoidable obligations assumed by the … Read more
In New York, commercial and residential tenant rights can vary. One such area involves a commercial tenant’s ability to seek a temporary injunction preventing a landlord from terminating the lease. To obtain a Yellowstone injunction, as it is known, tenants must meet four criteria. While the criteria may seem straightforward, a recent decision of the … Read more
The rapid growth of new technologies like artificial intelligence has raised significant issues for entertainers and celebrities. Many contracts have recently been expanded to contain provisions related to the creation and use of digital replicas. Typically, these clauses allow a party to digitally reproduce and use an individual’s voice, appearance and demeanor, including developing an … Read more
A recent New York court decision provides a lesson in why having a well-drafted contract is so important. The case involved a mortgage broker who lost out on a commission and legal fees when the property owner found its own financing. Both parties spent money to litigate the issue, which could have been avoided had … Read more
In the last few years, business owners have brought several lawsuits against banks and credit card companies over their high swipe fees. In May of 2025, we advised our clients that the In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, or “Swipeopoly” case had settled and business owners could make a claim … Read more
Over the last one and a half years, business owners have faced regularly changing information regarding whether they were required to comply with the Federal Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) and disclose their beneficial owners. Our firm published its first post on the CTA on February 29, 2024. Since then, we’ve published numerous updates that … Read more
In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) significantly raised the estate tax exemption. However, the increase was made temporary, leaving families uncertain as to how to structure their estate plan. This uncertainty has now been resolved with a new, higher exemption that is permanent. Estate Planning Under the TCJA The TCJA increased the … Read more
New York is one step closer to significantly limiting the use of non-compete agreements with passage of a new bill by the Senate. A non-compete agreement is a tool used by employers to keep employees from quitting by restricting their ability to work for a competitor after they leave their jobs. Many jurisdictions have done … Read more
The legalization of Electronic Wills or “E-Wills” is coming closer to happening in New York. On April 11, 2025, a bill was proposed by Chantel Jackson, Nader Sayegh, Mary Jane Shimsky and Karen McMahon of the New York State Assembly to implement the integration of E-Wills into New York Law. The bill is Assembly Bill … Read more
Co-tenants own real property together, with each co-tenant having an “equal right to possess and enjoy” the property as if they owned it alone. However, in certain situations, a co-tenant can use the doctrine of adverse possession to become the sole owner of the real property, eliminating the interest of the co-tenant. Adverse possession is … Read more
An easement is an agreement that gives one property owner (known as the “dominant estate”) the right to make certain limited use of someone else’s property. The property subject to an easement is known as the “servient estate”. While there are significant benefits to having an easement, there are also unavoidable obligations assumed by the … Read more
In New York, commercial and residential tenant rights can vary. One such area involves a commercial tenant’s ability to seek a temporary injunction preventing a landlord from terminating the lease. To obtain a Yellowstone injunction, as it is known, tenants must meet four criteria. While the criteria may seem straightforward, a recent decision of the … Read more
The rapid growth of new technologies like artificial intelligence has raised significant issues for entertainers and celebrities. Many contracts have recently been expanded to contain provisions related to the creation and use of digital replicas. Typically, these clauses allow a party to digitally reproduce and use an individual’s voice, appearance and demeanor, including developing an … Read more