Elizabeth Briand in Elder and Special Needs Law Journal from NYSBA
Elizabeth Briand, an associate with the Elder Law and Trusts and Estates practice groups, was interviewed for the New Member Spotlight in the Winter 2017 issue of the Elder Law and Special Needs Journal, published by the New York State Bar Association. She discusses how she came to practice in the areas of Elder Law and Special Needs and why she finds her practice so rewarding.
Ms. Briand is Chair of the section’s Sponsorship Committee and served as Program Co-Chair of the 2016 Annual Meeting.
Ms. Briand handles all matters relating to Elder Law, Estate Planning and Estate Administration, Medicare and Medicaid benefits, guardianship proceedings under Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law and Article 17A of the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act, drafting and administration of special needs trusts.
In addition to her involvement with the New York State Bar Association – Elder Law and Special Needs Section, Ms. Briand is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and a member of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association.
Read MorePartner Frances Pantaleo and Associate Elizabeth Briand Co-Present CLE for Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
On February 8, 2017, Partner Frances M. Pantaleo and Associate Elizabeth C. Briand will co-present a free CLE program on the preparation and submission of Medicaid home care applications to the attorneys of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley at their White Plains, New York location. Ms. Pantaleo and Ms. Briand will discuss the intricacies of Medicaid eligibility rules, the application process itself, and the advocacy that is often required in connection with seeking Medicaid home care services.
Bleakley Platt is proud of its support of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV). Ms. Pantaleo serves on the annual dinner committee of LSHV and will be joining its Board of Directors in April. In 2007, Ms. Pantaleo was presented with a Partners in Justice Award by LSHV in recognition of pro bono services she has rendered to the organization and its clients.
Ms. Pantaleo is the head of the Elder Law Practice group at Bleakley Platt and a member of the Trusts and Estates Practice Group. Ms. Briand is a member of the Elder Law and Trusts and Estates Practice Groups. Ms. Pantaleo and Ms. Briand handle matters relating to Elder Law, Estate Planning and Estate Administration, Medicare and Medicaid benefits, guardianship proceedings under Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law and Article 17A of the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act, and the drafting and administration of special needs trusts.
Read MorePartner Frances Pantaleo Speaks at NYS Bar Association Annual Meeting
On January 25, Partner Frances Pantaleo spoke on guardianship issues at the Annual Meeting of the New York State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Law Section, which was held at the Hilton Hotel in New York City. Her presentation, entitled “Is Guardianship the Answer?” provided an overview of proceedings for appointment of a guardian under Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law, the rules which govern administration of the guardianship and strategies which may avoid the need for appointment of a guardian.
A former Chair of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the New York State Bar Association, Ms. Pantaleo is a member of the Trusts and Estates Section and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). She is a member and has served as past-chair of the Elder Law Committees of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association and the Westchester County Bar Association.
Ms. Pantaleo is the head of the Elder Law Practice group at Bleakley Platt. She handles a broad range of matters with an emphasis on elder law, special needs planning, guardianship proceedings and drafting and administration of special needs trusts.
Read MoreBleakley Platt Partner Jennifer A. Lofaro Named Women in Business Honoree by 914INC.
Bleakley Platt is pleased to announce that Jennifer A. Lofaro, a Partner in the Commercial Finance and Real Estate Practice Groups, was honored by 914INC. at the sixth annual 2016 Women in Business awards luncheon, which took place on November 17th. Ms. Lofaro was among a group of eighteen area women recognized for their business accomplishments by 914INC., a prominent business lifestyle magazine.
Ms. Lofaro advises and represents regional and national institutional lenders and developers, as well as individual and corporate borrowers, in residential and commercial real estate transactions. She holds a J.D. from Pace University Law School and a B.A. from State University of New York at New Paltz. Ms. Lofaro is admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut, and she is a member of the Westchester Bar Association and the Westchester Women’s Bar Association.
We congratulate Ms. Lofaro and all of the 2016 Women in Business honorees for a well-deserved honor.
Read MorePartner Frances Pantaleo Speaking Before Professionals and Consumers on Elder Law and Special Needs Planning Topics
Bleakley Platt Partner Frances Pantaleo, who heads the firm’s Elder Law Practice Group, is speaking before several different groups on elder law and special needs planning topics this fall.
She will speak at two sessions at the Fall Meeting of the Trusts and Estates Section of the New York State Bar Association. Ms. Pantaleo and a colleague will discuss a case study advising parents of two children, one with special needs and one on the autism spectrum, in a session titled “Planning for the Client with Special Needs.” Ms. Pantaleo will be one of a group of speakers in a second session, “Selected Supplemental Needs Trusts Issues,” which will address matters including pooled income trusts, corporate trustees, labor law and liability issues regarding hiring care managers, aides and attendants.
Ms. Pantaleo will also present two elder care and retirement planning seminars for consumers at Ferncliff Cemetery, one in the beginning and a second at the end of October. Topics will include protecting assets, preparing for Medicaid, and advance and last minute planning techniques used to protect assets from long term care costs.
Ms. Pantaleo will serve as the Chair of the Westchester session of a day-long program, the Intermediate Elder Law Update, for the New York State Bar Association, held on November 2nd at the Elmwood County Club in White Plains.
Read MoreBleakley Platt Attorneys Named to New York Metro Super Lawyers 2016 and New York Metro Rising Stars 2016 Lists
Fourteen Bleakley Platt attorneys have beenselected to the New York Metro Super Lawyers list as top New York metro area lawyers for 2016. One partner and two associates were named “New York Metro Rising Stars.”
Each year, Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication, identifies no more than five percent of the lawyers in New York State as “Super Lawyers” – “outstanding lawyers” who have attained a “high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.” The selection process includes independent research and peer evaluations.
The attorneys receiving this honor are:
- Katrine A. Beck
- Joseph DeGiuseppe, Jr.
- Susan E. Galvao
- William P. Harrington
- Annette G. Hasapidis
- Mary Ellen Manley
- Robert D. Meade
- William M. Murphy
- Christopher C. Palermo
- Frances M. Pantaleo
- Matthew G. Parisi
- Raymond M. Planell
- Nancy J. Rudolph
- Mary Anne Wirth
Bleakley Platt Partner Stephen J. Brown and Associates Justin M. Gardner and Daniel P. Buckley were named to the 2016 New York Metro “Rising Star” List by Super Lawyers, an honor received by no more than 2.5 percent of lawyers in the state.
Read MorePartner Christopher Palermo Updates Summary of New York Law on Product Liability for Thomson Reuters Publication
Mr. Palermo recently completed the 2016 update summarizing New York law on product liability for the Practical Law International Sales and Marketing Guide. Mr. Palermo has contributed the section on New York product liability law for the Guide since 2013. Published by Thomson Reuters, the Guide is a subscription-only report that provides up-to-date insight in question-and-answer format on a wide variety of legal issues for companies doing business worldwide. The product liability section of the Guide provides an overview of product liability law in various jurisdictions around the world.
As a member of the Product Liability practice area at Bleakley Platt, Mr. Palermo represents clients in complex product liability and toxic tort litigation. He is an active member of the Executive Committee of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. To learn more about Mr. Palermo, click here.
Read MoreBleakley Platt Welcomes New Of Counsel Annette G. Hasapidis
Bleakley Platt & Schmidt, LLP is pleased to announce that Annette G. Hasapidis has joined the firm as Of Counsel and Co-Chair of the Appellate Practice Group. Ms. Hasapidis focuses her practice in the area of civil appellate litigation and strategic trial consultation in complex civil litigation for clients before state and federal trial courts in New York and Connecticut. She has extensive appellate experience, as she has appeared on more than 320 appeals. Ms. Hasapidis has served as a court-appointed guardian at the Appellate Division level.
While Ms. Hasapidis continues to maintain a successful solo practice serving clients in both New York and Connecticut, she is joining Bleakley Platt to address the needs of those clients in the appellate arena who may require the added support of a full-service law firm.
Ms. Hasapidis has been named to the Super Lawyers list since 2013. She is an Executive Board Member of the Pace University Law School Women’s Justice Center. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association Committee on Courts of Appellate Jurisdiction and its Pro Bono Appeals Subcommittee, the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, the Westchester County Women’s Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, the Westchester County Bar Association, the Dutchess County Bar Association, and the Orange County Bar Association.
Read MorePartner Susan E. Galvão Appointed to Bleakley Platt Executive Committee
Bleakley Platt & Schmidt is pleased to announce that Partner Susan E. Galvão has been appointed as a new member of the firm’s Executive Committee, which is charged with overseeing the management, growth and development of the firm.
William P. Harrington, Chairman of the Executive Committee, said, “As the firm builds towards the future, we are bringing fresh ideas and new perspectives to the Executive Committee. We look forward to Susan’s contributions and leadership.”
Ms. Galvão, Co-Chair of the Appellate Practice group and a member of the Litigation Practice group, joined Bleakley Platt in 1995. To learn more about Ms. Galvão, click here.
Other members of the Executive Committee are William P. Harrington, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Peter N. Bassano, Managing Partner, Robert Braumuller and Hugh D. Fyfe.
Read MorePartner Stephen J. Brown Profiled in Pace Law School Alumni News
Partner Stephen Brown was selected for a career profile in the recent Pace Law School’s Alumni Highlight. The article discusses his career history, from a receiving a B.A. in physics from The College of Holy Cross, to a position in the risk management group of Deloitte & Touche, and then attending Pace Law School, recently renamed the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, and his experiences at and since graduating from law school.
In May 2016, Pace Law School was renamed the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in recognition of its long-standing partnership with the family of the late Elisabeth Haub, a tireless environmental advocate and philanthropist, and a generous supporter of the law school.
Brown, who has served as President of the Pace Law School Alumni Board since 2012, joined Bleakley Platt as a partner this spring. Click here to read the complete article.
To learn more about Mr. Brown, click here.
Read MoreHugh Fyfe and Mary Casterella Co-Chair “Sunset on the Hudson” to Benefit Ministries of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement
Hugh Fyfe and his wife Mary Casterella co-chaired the seventh annual “Sunset on the Hudson” benefit to help support the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. Bleakley Platt was proud to be a Gold Sponsor for the event, which raises funds to benefit the various ministries of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, a Roman Catholic order of brothers and priests. The event took place at X20 – Xavier’s on the Hudson
The ministries affiliated with the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement include the Do Not Fear to Hope program, the first HIV/AIDS support group in the Hudson Valley, which was founded more than thirty years ago and St. Christopher’s Inn, which provides more than 1,200 men every year with food, clothing, shelter, alcohol and drug addiction counseling and healthcare services.
The order was founded at Graymoor in Garrison, New York in 1898 by Father Paul Wattson, SA, who has been endorsed for canonization by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Read MoreWilliam Harrington and Christopher Palermo Co-Author Book Review of Commercial Litigation Treatise
Litigation partners William Harrington and Christopher Palermo were asked to co-author a review of the latest edition of “Commercial Litigation in New York State Courts” (4th Edition 2015), published by Thomson Reuters and the New York County Lawyers’ Association. Their review appeared in the June issue of Westchester Lawyer Magazine.
The review acknowledges the increasingly limited amount of law firm resources dedicated to published books, but notes that this multi-volume treatise remains a “must have” for experienced commercial litigators and novices alike. The Westchester bench is well represented among the authors of various chapters in the treatise, with the following judges with Westchester ties (in alphabetical order) included: Appellate Division Justices Thomas A. Dickerson (Chapter 111: Consumer Protection) and Colleen D. Duffy (Chapter 123: Entertainment); and Westchester Commercial Division Justices Linda S. Jamieson (Chapter 22: Preliminary and Compliance Conferences and Orders) and Alan D. Scheinkman (co-author of Chapter 118: Commercial Real Estate).
Mr. Harrington is the Chair of the Firm and heads the Firm’s Litigation practice group. He is also the Chairman of the Westchester County Association. Mr. Palermo, a litigation partner at the Firm, was appointed by former Chief Judge of the State of New York Jonathan Lippman to the Commercial Division Advisory Council, which advises the Chief Judge on an on-going basis on matters related to the Commercial Division courts.
To read the review in its entirety, click here.
Reprinted from the Westchester Lawyer magazine, June 2016, Volume 3, No. 6., with permission of the Westchester County Bar Association, publisher.
Read MoreWilliam P. Harrington Co-Chairs 29th Annual Westchester Fund Breakfast to Provide Scholarships for Children in Westchester Catholic Schools
Firm Chairman William P. Harrington served as co-chair of the 29th Annual Westchester County Inner City Scholarship Fund Breakfast on June 8, 2016 at Westchester Country Club. His Eminence Timothy Michael Dolan, Archbishop of New York, spoke at the breakfast about the important role the Inner City Scholarship Fund plays in helping children of all faiths from families living below the federal poverty line to attend Catholic schools. 99% of seniors attending Catholic high schools graduate and 98% go on to college.
Mr. Harrington is a trustee of St. Joseph’s Seminary, a member of the New York Archdiocese Finance Committee and a long-time supporter of the Inner City Scholarship Fund. Proceeds from the breakfast, an annual event begun in 1987 by John Cardinal O’Connor, have provided scholarships to thousands of underserved children in Westchester County to attend local Catholic schools.
Read MoreHabitat Magazine Publishes Article by James Glatthaar and Katrine Beck
The May issue of Habitat Magazine, a monthly publication serving New York board members and property managers of co-operatives and condos, featured an article by partners Katrine Beck and James Glatthaar entitled “The Top 10 No-No’s for Board Newbies.” The article was timed to coincide with spring election season, when co-op and condo boards welcome new members who often arrive with fresh energy that may be misdirected. The advice from Mr. Glatthaar and Ms. Beck is gleaned from decades of experience working with co-op and condo boards. James Glatthaar and Katrine Beck are members of the Firm’s Cooperative and Condominium practice area, where they serve as General Counsel and Special Litigation Counsel to many Boards in NYC, Westchester, Rockland and Orange County.
Click here to read the Habitat Magazine article.
Read MoreBleakley Platt Partner Frances M. Pantaleo Named to 2016 Spring “Women in the Law” Business Edition by Best Lawyers
Bleakley Platt is honored to announce that Frances M. Pantaleo has been named by Best Lawyers® to its 2016 Spring “Women In The Law” Business Edition. This is the inaugural Women in the Law publication, and Ms. Pantaleo is one of only 14 women from White Plains selected for the list.
The editor of the publication notes that “this is a go-to short list of exceptional women attorneys, vetted by their peers, inspiring their colleagues and students, and, from coast-to-coast, exemplifying excellence in their practice.”
We congratulate Ms. Pantaleo on being selected for this honor. To view her attorney profile, click here.
Read MoreWilliam P. Harrington Honored by The Charles L. Brieant Center
William P. Harrington was selected as the 2016 Spring Gala honoree by the Charles L. Brieant Center, a not-for-profit organization that helps young people make the most of their lives by providing them with opportunities for growth, leadership, learning, and mentorship.
The late Judge Charles L. Brieant knew the importance of learning and played an instrumental role in developing the Center, where learning was made possible for children who would not otherwise have that opportunity. Each year, The Charles L. Brieant Center honors a person who embodies the spirit of developing the leader in every child and teen.
“Judge Brieant was a transformative figure in my life and the lives of many others,” said William P. Harrington. “He was a great judge, but an even better man. He taught me not only how to practice law, but why; to protect and advance the interests of justice throughout our society. I am proud of the wonderful work of the Charles L. Brieant Center and humbled to be a small part of the Judge’s enduring legacy.”
Mr. Harrington served as Law Clerk for the late Hon. Charles L. Brieant following his graduation from Fordham Law School in 1982. His clerkship with Judge Brieant was one of the cherished highlights of his life. He calls Judge Brieant his mentor, friend, and moral compass.
The Spring Gala: Learning Today… Leading Tomorrow was held on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at 6:30pm at The Briarcliff Manor located at 25 Studio Hill Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY.
Read MoreBleakley Platt Partner Fran Pantaleo Joins Older Americans Act Advisory Council (OAAAC)
Mae Carpenter, the Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services, has invited Partner Fran Pantaleo to become a member of the Older Americans Act Advisory Council (OAAAC).
As a member of the Advisory Council, Ms. Pantaleo will provide advice and assistance in making recommendations to the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) on programming and policy matters relating to seniors. Council members serve as formal liaisons between the DSPS and the public to ensure that DSPS understands public concerns and that their actions and programs are well communicated to seniors in the community.
To learn more about Ms. Pantaleo, click here.
Read MoreBleakley Platt Announces New Partner
Bleakley Platt is pleased to announce that Stephen J. Brown has become a member of the firm. His practice focuses on litigation, corporate and trust and estate matters for clients before state and federal trial courts in New York and Connecticut.
Mr. Brown received his J.D. from Pace Law School (cum laude) and is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross. Click here to read his attorney profile.
Read MoreNews from the Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Group
Partner Janet Linn held a leadership role at the annual meeting of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Section of the New York State Bar Association on January 28 in New York City. Ms. Linn, a member of the Executive Committee of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Law Section, also serves as co-chair of the drug committee and is a member of the biologics committee.
Ms. Linn moderated a panel discussion at the annual meeting titled “Legal Developments During 2015: Expanding Federal and State Antitrust Enforcement Against Drug Companies, Shrinking Patent Protection in the Life Science Area, and Amarin v. FDA: FDA Regulation of Off Label Marketing.” She spoke about recent decisions on obtaining approval for biosimilars and patenting in the life sciences.
Read MoreChristopher Palermo Elected to Executive Committee of Food, Drug and Cosmetic Law Section of the New York State Bar Association
Litigation partner Christopher Palermo was elected to the Executive Committee of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Law Section of the New York State Bar Association at NYSBA’s Annual Meeting. The section, one of the first to be organized by the NYSBA, serves to help attorneys stay informed of the latest developments in the food, drug and cosmetic law field. With a membership that includes in-house, law firm and government attorneys who practice in this constantly changing area of the law, the section leadership provides practical advice concerning industry issues.
Mr. Palermo has represented pharmaceutical companies in government investigations, class action litigation and claims brought by state Attorneys General involving the marketing and pricing of pharmaceuticals, and often serves on the faculty of Continuing Legal Education programs on topics of interest to the pharmaceutical industry. Click here to learn more about Mr. Palermo.
Read MorePartner Pantaleo and Associate Briand at the NYSBA Elder Law and Special Needs Section Annual Meeting
The Elder Law practice area of Bleakley Platt was well-represented by Partner Frances Pantaleo and Associate Elizabeth Briand at the New York State Bar Association’s Elder Law and Special Needs Section annual meeting, which took place on January 26th in New York City.
Ms. Pantaleo moderated a Surrogate’s Court Panel. Surrogates from Westchester, Bronx, Queens, Broome and Albany counties discussed how Surrogates from around the state handle SCPA 17-A Guardianships and applications for Special Needs Trusts. The Surrogates discussed issues such as bonding, annual accountings, budgets, investment discretion and the use of corporate trustees when a SCPA 17-A Guardian applies for the creation of a Special Needs Trust. They also discussed proposed amendments to SCPA 17-A.
Ms. Briand served as Program Co-Chair of the annual event, assisting with speakers, encouraging attendance by members of the judiciary and coordinating with the Section Chair. She also serves as Chair of the Sponsorship committee for the section.
For a schedule of the program, click here.
On February 18th, Ms. Pantaleo will give a presentation entitled “Be Prepared: Essential Documents to Protect your Finances and Health as you Age” at My Second Home, an innovative intergenerational approach to adult day services.
Also on February 18th, Ms. Briand will speak to the Community Synagogue of Rye on the importance of preparing Advanced Directives, legal documents used to appoint agents to manage finances and health care and convey wishes regarding end of life care.
Read MoreJoseph DeGiuseppe Publishes Article in CI Newsletter
Partner Joseph DeGiuseppe, who heads up Bleakley Platt’s Labor and Employment Law and Immigration practice areas, published an article in the January 2016 issue of CI Newsletter titled “What the New York State Manufacturers Need to Know About Independent Contractor Misclassification.” CI Newsletter is a monthly publication produced by The Council of Industry, a prominent manufacturers’ association for the Hudson Valley since 1910.
The article discusses the problems that manufacturers have with misclassification of independent contractors. It presents a general description of the characteristics used to determine independent contractor status and provides insight into federal court cases and Department of Labor rulings on this significant issue.
To read the article, click here.
Learn more about Joseph DeGiuseppe.
Read MoreBleakley Platt Partners Beck and Glatthaar in New York Real Estate Journal
Partners Katrine Beck and James Glatthaar were included in the Year in Review issue of the New York Real Estate Journal.
Ms. Beck’s review of the year discussed a matter in her co-op and condo practice involving a Special Election. Together with her clients, Ms. Beck formulated a cost-effective strategy for calling a Special Election and conducting an election which was ultimately held without the need for protracted litigation. Once the election was held and the outgoing board realized that the new group was organized, energetic and willing to defend their interests, the outgoing board stepped aside and worked with the new incoming group to transition the Board of Directors. The new Board has already made strides to clean up arrears, better communicate with its shareholders and plan for long term capital projects.
Mr. Glatthaar’s review of trends throughout the year noted the impact of low interest rates in 2015. He reports that three cooperatives and a condominium that he represents all refinanced mortgages to borrow additional funds for capital improvements while simultaneously reducing operating costs.
To learn more about our co-operative and condominium law practice, click here
Read MorePartner James Glatthaar Appointed to Judicial Screening Committee
James Glatthaar, Partner in the Real Estate and Co-Op and Condominium Practice Groups, was appointed by the Mayor of White Plains to the Judicial Screening Committee for White Plains City Court to qualify applicants for the position of City Judge. The Committee, made up of mayoral appointees, reviewed resumes and CVs of twenty four candidates, conducted in depth interviews, evaluated each candidate and submitted a confidential report to the White Plains Common Council. Mr. Glatthaar commented that it was a great civic responsibility and he was honored to have had the experience.
Read MorePartner Katrine A. Beck Appointed to Board of Directors of Girls Inc.
Bleakley Platt Partner Katrine A. Beck appointed to Board of Directors of Girls Inc. Westchester which is the local affiliate of a national organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold, providing more than 140,000 girls across the U.S. and Canada with life-changing experiences and solutions to the unique challenges girls face. The Girls Inc. Experience consists of people, an environment, and programming that, together, empower girls to succeed. Trained staff and volunteers build lasting, mentoring relationships in girls-only spaces that are physically and emotionally safe and where girls find a sisterhood of support with shared drive, mutual respect, and high expectations. Hands-on, research-based programs provide girls with the skills and knowledge to set goals, overcome obstacles, and improve academic performance. Informed by girls and their families, Girls Inc. also works with policymakers to advocate for legislation and initiatives that increase opportunities for girls. At Girls Inc., girls grow up healthy, educated, and independent. For more information on Girls Inc. please visit www.girlsincwestchester.org
Read MoreBleakley Platt Announces New Counsel
Bleakley Platt & Schmidt is pleased to announce that Grant E. Pollack, Esq., P.C. has become affiliated with the firm in the Corporate, Intellectual Property and Litigation Practice Groups. Grant is an intellectual property attorney with twenty-five years of experience in intellectual property litigation, patent procurement and analysis, intellectual property due diligence, licensing, and client counseling. Grant also has expertise in counseling clients on privacy protection issues.
We are very pleased to add Grant’s expertise to Bleakley Platt’s highly experienced and accomplished group of intellectual property attorneys. With his addition, Bleakley Platt offers its clients the full range of intellectual property litigation and prosecution in patents, trademarks and copyrights, as well as unfair competition and trade secret litigation.
Read MorePartner Jim Glatthaar Teaching CLE on Landlord-Tenant Law
Jim Glatthaar will be a member of a distinguished faculty at a CLE seminar on Landlord-Tenant Law presented by Sterling Educational Services on November 19 at the Crowne Plaza in White Plains. Mr. Glatthaar, along with three other attorneys, will discuss the legal issues facing landlords, including tenant’s and landlord’s rights and obligations, evictions, the impact of tenant or landlord bankruptcy and ethical considerations in landlord-tenant law, among other issues. The seminar is geared for attorneys, building owners, real estate developers, tenants, building managers and leasing agents.
Read MoreJoe DeGiuseppe to Speak at SES Employment Law Seminar
Joe DeGiuseppe, the head of the Firm’s Immigration and Employment Law Practice Groups, will speak on November 12, 2015, at a CLE accredited seminar being sponsored by Sterling Education Services, Inc. (SES) on the “Fundamentals of Employment Law Seminar.” Joe will give a presentation on the topic of “Immigration Compliance Issues.”
The SES seminar will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Downtown in White Plains, New York, from 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m. Reservations for this seminar can be made by contacting SES at (715) 855-0495 or visiting its website at http://store.sterlingeducation.com/seminar/15NY11274-Fundamentals-of-Employment-Law-White-Plains-NY.
Read More11 Bleakley Platt Attorneys Selected to 2015 New York Metro Super Lawyers List
Each year, Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication, identifies no more than five percent of the lawyers in New York State on its “Super Lawyers” list — “outstanding lawyers” who have attained a “high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.” The selection process includes independent research and peer evaluations. The publication recently announced that 11 Bleakley Platt attorneys were selected to the New York Metro “Super Lawyers” list in 2015. The attorneys receiving this honor are:
- Joseph DeGiuseppe, Jr.
- Susan E. Galvao
- William P. Harrington
- Robert D. Meade
- William M. Murphy
- Christopher C. Palermo
- Frances M. Pantaleo
- Matthew G. Parisi
- Raymond M. Planell
- Nancy J. Rudolph
- Mary Anne Wirth
In addition, Bleakley Platt associate Justin M. Gardner was named to the 2015 New York Metro “Rising Star” List by Super Lawyers, an honor received by no more than 2.5 percent of lawyers in the state.
Read MoreTransactions Closed Summer 2015
The Firm represented clients on the following merger and acquisition transactions that closed this summer:
- Northeast Radiology of CT, LLC in its purchase of the membership interests of HVRA of Danbury, LLC and HVRA of New Milford, LLC from Housatonic Valley Radiological Associates, P.C.
- Premier Physical Therapy and Wellness P.C., four affiliated companies and their owners in the sale of their assets to Professional Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, P.C. and PPT Management, LLC.
- Ergotech Group, Inc. in the transfer of its assets to Ergotech Group, LLC and Sale of the latter company’s membership interests to Innovative Office Products, LLC.
Joe DeGiuseppe to Speak at NYS Cemetery Association Annual Conference
Joe DeGiuseppe, the head of the Firm’s Labor and Employment Law Practice Group, will be a guest speaker at the NYS Cemetery Association’s Annual Conference on October 5, 2015, at The Sagamore in Bolton Landing, NY. Joe will be speaking on the topic of “The Misclassification of Employees as Independent Contractors” and the potential consequences thereof for employers. More information on the Conference can be obtained from the NYSAC’s website at nysac.com or by calling the NYSAC at 518-434-1134.
Read MoreBleakley Platt Making a Difference for Children
Led by Mary Ann Zeolla, with special thanks to Susan Galvao and her daughters and Mary Casterella, who shopped and packaged the clothing, the firm delivered new back to school clothes for a group of children who are part of the Grandparents Coalition in Mount Vernon and Yonkers. In addition, funds given generously by individuals were donated to the Back-To-School Clothes for Kids headquarters.
Read MoreFrances Pantaleo to Speak at Prestigious Estate Planning Conference
Partner Frances Pantaleo has been invited to present at the 46th annual Sidney Kess New York Estate, Tax & Financial Planning Conference, sponsored by UJA-Federation on September 10th. Her presentation will cover estate planning for families who have individuals with special needs, why supplemental needs trusts are necessary, how they are funded, the selection of trustees and evaluating when to seek guardianship under Article 17A of the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act or Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law.
Read MoreBleakley Platt Proud to Sponsor 9/11 Serve & Remember Event
Bleakley Platt is an event sponsor of the 9/11 Serve Remember day of service, presented by the Young Professional’s Group of the WCA, in partnership with Volunteer New York. Justin Gardner, who serves on the Young Professional’s Executive Committee, will be joined by associates and staff members of the firm at the day of service. Hundreds of volunteers will gather at the County Center to assist area not–for-profits, assembling kits for activities and projects and creating security blankets for children in hospitals, shelters and foster care programs.
Read MorePartner John S. Diaconis and Ari J. Diaconis Article Published in ARIAS Quarterly
Mr. Diaconis and his son Ari Diaconis co-authored “Six Years After Hall Street: The Continued Viability of Manifest Disregard, Jurisdiction by Jurisdiction” for the First Quarter 2015 issue of ARIAS Quarterly, a publication of the AIDA Reinsurance and Insurance Arbitration Society. The article presents an overview of the use of manifest disregard in challenging arbitration awards.
Click here to read the complete article. Click here to learn more about John S. Diaconis.
Read MoreSons of the American Revolution present George Washington First in Honors Medal to Managing Partner Peter Bassano
On Sunday, June 18, Peter Bassano was awarded the George Washington First in Honors Medal from the New York Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution in recognition of his thirteen years of community service and leadership as a member of the White Plains Board of Education. The award was presented at the 90th year anniversary celebration of the historical White Plains Gedney Association at which Mr. Bassano also received the New York State Assembly Citation for public service from Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and Assemblyman David Buchwald.
Managing Partner Peter Bassano was honored at the June meeting of the White Plains School District. Board President Rosemarie Eller thanked Mr. Bassano for his exceptional leadership of the district and presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Westchester-Putnam School Boards Association. Mr. Bassano was also recognized by the White Plains PTA Council and the White Plains Teacher’s Association. The district’s summer newsletter noted his retirement along with that of Superintendent of Schools Tim Connors. Click here to view the newsletter.
Read MoreReal Estate Partner James Glatthaar in The New York Times
James W. Glatthaar, whose real estate practice includes cooperative and condominium law and real estate litigation, was contacted by The New York Times to respond to a reader’s question. The issue centers around a co-op shareholder’s desire to withhold a portion of his maintenance fee because the co-op swimming pool will be closed for the season due to outstanding permits and needed repairs. The property management company informed the shareholder that a collection company would be retained to recover any withheld amount. The question: does the shareholder have any recourse? Mr. Glatthaar’s response appears in the “Ask Real Estate” column in the Sunday, July 5 edition of The Times. To read a comprehensive discussion of this issue, please visit our Client Advisory page. Click here to learn more about James W. Glatthaar.
Read MorePartner Hugh Fyfe and Mary Casterella Co-Chair Benefit for Ministries of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement
Partner Hugh Fyfe and his wife Mary Casterella, a Bleakley Platt employee, served as co-chairs of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement’s sixth annual Sunset on the Hudson benefit on May 14 at X20 – Xavier’s on the Hudson. Bleakley Platt was proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the event, which raises funds to benefit the various ministries of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, a Roman Catholic order of brothers and priests. The order was founded at Graymoor in Garrison, New York in 1898 by Father Paul Wattson, SA, who has been endorsed for canonization by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The ministries affiliated with the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement include the Do Not Fear to Hope program, the first HIV/AIDS support group in the Hudson Valley, which was begun more than thirty years ago, and St. Christopher’s Inn, which provides more than 1,200 men annually with food, clothing, shelter, alcohol and drug addiction counseling and healthcare services.
Read MorePartner William Mulligan Addresses Fordham Law School Alumni – Westchester-Putnam Chapter
Partner William H. Mulligan, Jr. was invited to introduce Professor Constantine Katsoris at the recent 58th Annual Alumni Dinner of the Fordham Law School Westchester-Putnam Chapter Dinner in Bronxville, NY on June 1. Professor Katsoris was one of two professors presented with this year’s Gov. Malcolm Wilson Distinguished Alumnus Award. Mr. Mulligan, a former President of the Chapter, spoke briefly before a crowd of more than 125 alumni and friends, which included a large number of State and Federal Judges. A second award was also presented to Professor Joseph Sweeney.
Read MoreBleakley Platt Attorneys are Commencement Speakers at Area High Schools
Managing Partner Peter Bassano will be the commencement speaker for the White Plains High School graduation on June 25 at the County Center. Mr. Bassano served on the White Plains School Board of Education from 2002 to 2015, and devoted years of service to guiding the school district through changes and challenges.
Attorney Mary Anne Wirth was the commencement speaker at her alma mater, Maria Regina High School on June 6. A 1971 graduate and a member of the Board of Trustees, Ms. Wirth spoke on the important lessons she learned at Maria Regina, including lessons of faith, friendship and concern for others. Among her accomplishments, Ms. Wirth served as Associate Independent Counsel in the Office of the Independent Counsel Kenneth W. Starr in Washington D.C. from 1997 to 1998.
Read MoreIntellectual Property Litigation Partner Janet Linn Spoke at NYC Bar Program
On June 16, Partner Janet Linn spoke at a program presented by the NYC Bar’s Committee on Women in the Legal Profession, titled “Managing Your Intellectual Property Career.” She was joined by Uli Holubec, Senior Legal Editor, Intellectual Property & Technology, Practical Law, Thomson Reuters, Judy McCool, Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs, Home Box Office, Inc. and moderator Ayala Deutsch, Senior Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, NBA Properties, Inc. The program provided practical insights on how to succeed in IP law, with a focus on the challenges women face in balancing family and professional roles and responsibilities.
Read MoreEstate Planning Partner Frances Pantaleo Spoke at Hudson Valley Regional Dementia Conference
Partner Frances Pantaleo was among a distinguished group of speakers at the first annual Hudson Valley Regional Dementia Conference, presented by the Alzheimer’s Association on Tuesday, June 9 at the Double Tree Tarrytown. This full day conference was designed for individuals who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, family members, caregivers and professionals who provide support and services. Ms. Pantaleo’s presentation, “Legal and Financial Issues for Individuals with Dementia: Picking Up the Pieces,” will be part of the morning Family track.
Click here to learn more about the event.
Read MoreEstate Planning Partner Frances Pantaleo Quoted in Westchester Magazine
Partner Frances Pantaleo was interviewed for an article in the June issue of Westchester Magazine on planning for incapacity. She recommends that everyone, not just seniors, think beyond wills and trusts and have documents prepared to allow designated individuals to make medical and financial decisions, and to gain access to medical records. For information about these and related issues, Ms. Pantaleo may be contacted by phone or email. Click here for her contact information.
Read MoreBleakley Platt is pleased to announce that Katrine Aliha Beck has become a member of the firm.
Bleakley Platt is pleased to announce that Katrine Aliha Beck has become a member of the firm. Her practice focuses on general liability claims, municipal law matters and commercial disputes. Her clients include individuals; small businesses; public and private corporations; property managers; condominium and co-op boards; and insurance carriers.
Ms. Beck received her J.D. from Albany Law School and is a 1996 graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey. Click here to read her attorney profile.
Read MoreBleakley Platt is pleased to announce that Michael G. Lewis has become a member of the firm.
Bleakley Platt is pleased to announce that Michael G. Lewis has become a member of the firm. He has a multi-faceted practice focusing on environmental, real estate and litigation matters. Mr. Lewis was the former Chief Legal Officer for LUKOIL North America and has served as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at Getty Petroleum Marketing Inc.
Mr. Lewis received his J.D. from New York Law School in 1994 and a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts Boston in 1989, magna cum laude. Click here to read his attorney profile.
Read MoreBleakley Platt’s Janet Linn Speaks at the NYC Bar Center on Patent Litigation at the International Trade Commission
On April 9, 2015, Partner Janet B. Linn spoke at the NYC Bar Center on the topic “Patent Litigation at the International Trade Commission.” Ms. Linn spoke as a member of the faculty of a CLE program sponsored by the New York City Bar Association designed for attorneys who do not practice patent law but seek to understand the scope, acquisition and enforcement of patent rights. Ms. Linn spoke on the topic of the U.S. International Trade Commission and how patent litigation under the ITC’s broad investigative responsibilities on matters of trade differs from patent litigation in the federal district courts
Read MoreBleakley Platt Partner Frances M. Pantaleo to Co-Chair CLE Program “Utilizing SNT’s for Persons with Disabilities”
Partner Frances M. Pantaleo is statewide Co-Chair of an upcoming Continuing Legal Education program “Utilizing SNT’s for Persons with Disabilities” which is being offered at six sites throughout New York State by the New York State Bar Association. In addition to co-chairing the program, Ms. Pantaleo is the author of the program materials regarding the drafting of Supplemental Needs Trusts and will be the Moderator and a speaker at the Westchester program which takes place on May 12th at Elmwood Country Club.
Read MoreBleakley Platt Partner Janet Linn quoted in IP Law 360
On January 21, 2015, Janet Linn, an intellectual property litigation partner at Bleakley Platt, was quoted in IP Law 360. Ms. Linn commented on the significance of the Supreme Court’s decision in Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. v. Sandoz, Inc. (Jan. 20, 2015), deciding the appropriate standard of appellate review of the factual findings underlying the district court’s claim construction in a patent litigation. She observed that the decision to accord deference to the findings should result in more detailed and thorough District Court claim construction opinions, providing the litigants, and the Federal Circuit on an appeal, a better understanding of the District Court’s reasoning.
Read MoreBleakley Platt Proudly Sponsors Food Bank for Westchester
The Food Bank for Westchester held its annual Valentine’s Day “Take Heart Against Hunger” Dinner on Friday, February 6, 2015 at the Tappan Hill Mansion. Bleakley Platt was delighted to be a Platinum Sponsor of this year’s dinner which raised over $200,000.
The Westchester Food Bank is the backbone of Westchester County’s emergency food distribution network, acquiring, warehousing and distributing food to over 265 front-line hunger relief programs, including food pantries, soup kitchens, low-income child and adult day-care centers and shelters. The Food Bank distributes about 14 tons of food a day – nearly 7.2 million pounds of food a year. Since they began this mission in 1988, the Food Bank for Westchester has distributed over 100 million pounds of food to feed hungry Westchester residents.
Bleakley Platt & Schmidt, LLP, as one of the original organizers of The Westchester Food Bank in 1988, has remained a strong supporter of the organization and its mission. Chairman, Bill Harrington served as a member of the Food Bank’s Board of Trustees and its Chairman for more than a decade. Many of the firm’s attorneys, staff and their families have volunteered their time to the Food Bank doing everything from negotiating the construction contracts for the Elmsford facility to sorting food and packing boxes.
Bleakley Platt congratulates the Food Bank for Westchester on its successful event and on its merger with Westchester Coalition for the Hungry and Homeless. We look forward to continuing to support the combined organization in its ongoing efforts to provide meals for the hungry of Westchester County.
Read MoreBleakley Platt’s Janet Linn and Chris Palermo Speak at NYS Bar Association Food, Drug and Cosmetic Section’s Annual Meeting on Recent Developments in Food and Drug Law
Partner Janet B. Linn moderated the panel “Food Labeling, Patent Settlements, Forced Switches, and Gene Patents: A Review of Recent Legal Developments in Antitrust, Intellectual Property, and False Advertising Affecting Food and Drugs in 2014” at the Annual Meeting of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Law Section of the New York State Bar Association on January 29, 2015 at the New York Hilton Midtown. Partner Christopher C. Palermo also served as a panelist. Panelists discussed recent developments in food and drug law in 2014, including State of New York v. Actavis PLC and Forest Laboratories, LLC; a review of antitrust liability for Hatch-Waxman settlements since the Supreme Court’s decision in FTC v. Actavis; an update of the patentability of natural phenomena since the Supreme Court decision on gene patents in Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics; recent developments with approvals of biosimilars; and a discussion of how POM Wonderful LLC v. Coca Cola Co. has changed the rules for labeling foods and beverages.
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