Legal Alerts
Remote Notarization to Return (with a Fully Electronic Option)
In the face of another pandemic surge, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation (S1780C) to reinstate remote notarization.
Remote Notarization to Return
In the face of another pandemic surge, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation (S01780) to reinstate remote notarization.
Update on OSHA’s COVID-19 Mandate: What New York Employers Need to Know
Labor & Employment attorney Joseph S. Brown provides an update on the OSHA COVID-19 mandate and what this means for New York private employers with one hundred or more employees.
COVID-19 Immunity Litigation Update
Covid-19 has yielded a significant amount of personal injury litigation against health care institutions and individual providers. In response, the federal government and many state governments have passed statutory immunity from civil and/or criminal liability for health care provided during the pandemic.
New York Nursing Home Regulatory Changes 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic instigated a wave of legislation in New York state targeted at nursing homes. Hurwitz Fine explores the implications and practicalities of this legislation rollout for facilities, and the potential impact that these new regulations may have on future litigation.
PFL Amendments Expand Definition of Family Member and Offer Clarification on Intermittent Leave
Employers have been complying with New York State’s Paid Family Leave Act (“PFL”) since 2018. PFL mandates time off for employees to care for family members with serious health conditions, among other reasons. Last month, Governor Hochul enacted an amendment to PFL, to expand the definition of covered family members. Labor and Employment attorney Katherine L. Wood expands on this.
Clickbait: A Refresh on Social Media Discovery
With social media being a dominant force in our lives today, that desire for likes and followers can have a drastically negative impact on a plaintiff’s claim. Our Long Island attorney Jesse Siegel provides some guidance on how to maximize social media discovery in defending your claim.
Hurwitz & Fine's 2021 Adopt a Family
Every year around the holidays, Hurwitz & Fine’s Safety and Wellness Committee partners with a local organization to conduct our Adopt-a-Family drive. This year, we partnered with Child and Family Services of Western New York to bring some holiday cheer to a local, in-need family.
OSHA Unveils COVID-19 Rule For Private-Sector Workers: What your business needs to know
On November 4, 2021, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued a new Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) “intended to establish minimum vaccination, vaccination verification, face covering, and testing requirements to address the grave danger of COVID-19 in the workplace.”
Employment and Business litigator Joseph S. Brown provides an overview of the basics of the ETS, an update on legal challenges to the rule, and what employers can do now to prepare.
New York Court of Appeals Holds that Foreign Corporation's Designation of an Agent for Service of Process is not Consent to General Jurisdiction.
On October 7, 2021, the New York Court of Appeals addressed the issue of whether a foreign corporation consents to general jurisdiction by registering to do business in the State of New York and designating a local agent for service of process as required by Article 13 of the NY Business Corporation Law in order to be authorized to transact business in the state. Litigation associate Cara M. Pascarella advises.
Lee Siegel Quoted in Law360 Article on COVID Coverage in High Courts
Insurance Litigator Lee S. Siegel was quoted in a Law360 article, "COVID-19 Coverage Fights Head to State High Courts" by Shawn Rice. He comments on whether the courts will be consistent with their decisions on COVID-19 coverage fights or will take a more state-specific approach.
Managing Partner Jody E. Briandi featured in 2022 publication of U.S. News - Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms"
Hurwitz and Fine Managing Partner, Jody E. Briandi was recently featured in the 2022 publication of U.S. News - Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" for her article, "Navigating the New Normal," in which she discusses how the pandemic has affected law firm culture and work environment
Michael J. Williams Joins Hurwitz & Fine as Special Counsel in the Firm’s General Liability Defense Department
Michael J. Williams has joined Hurwitz & Fine, P.C. as special counsel in the firm’s general liability defense department. Mike will be focusing his practice on product liability, medical device litigation, defense of institutions involved in claims brought under New York’s Child Victims Act and municipal law with a focus on firefighters.
NYS Department of Labor Issues FAQs on Employment Issues Related to Recreational Cannabis Use
Attorney Joe Brown summarizes the key takeaways from the recent FAQ document released by the New York State Department of Labor on cannabis and the workplace.
EEOC Releases Guidance on COVID Vaccine Mandates and Employer Incentives
New guidance released by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) on October 13, 2021, discusses vaccine mandates and employer incentives for vaccination. The new guidance also discusses employer requests for vaccine confirmation and confidentiality of employees’ vaccine information. Attorney Katherine L. Wood advises on this guidance.
Hurwitz & Fine’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee Sponsors Buffalo United for Afghan Evacuees Charity Drive
Since the beginning of October, Hurwitz & Fine’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee has been collecting personal hygiene and household items across the firm’s multiple offices to benefit the Buffalo United for Afghan Evacuees organization.
Governor Hochul Signs Legislation Requiring Advance Release of Documents Discussed at Public Meetings
On October 19, 2021, Governor Hochul signed legislation to amend the Open Meetings Law. Specifically, documents to be discussed at open meetings are to be made available to the public upon request or on an agency’s website at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
NY HERO ACT UPDATE: COVID-19 Designation Extended to October 31, 2021, New Guidance and Updated Model Plans
The Commissioner of Health has extended the designation of COVID-19 as a highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health under the New York Health and Essential Rights (“HERO”) Act until October 31, 2021. The New York State Department of Labor released updated Information & FAQs on the HERO Act and updated the Model Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Plan. This alert summarizes these recent developments.