Legal Alerts
Hurwitz & Fine Ranks as Eighth Largest Buffalo Law Firm
Hurwitz & Fine is listed as the #8 Largest Buffalo Law Firm as ranked by Business First, for the second year in a row.
Amherst Bee: Hurwitz & Fine to review 2020 employment litigation, advise businesses on future
Labor & Employment Attorney Joseph S. Brown was featured in the Amherst Bee on January 13, 2021, discussing the upcoming Hurwitz & Fine webinar "Employment Litigation Update: A Review of 2020 and What's Ahead" in partnership with the Amherst Chamber of Commerce.
Scott D. Storm Joins Hurwitz & Fine as an Insurance Coverage Member
Scott D. Storm has joined Hurwitz & Fine, P.C. as a member in the Insurance Coverage practice group. Scott has over 20 years of legal experience handling insurance coverage and defense litigation, including special investigation matters.
Contractual Indemnification in Labor Law §§ 240(1) and 200 Cases and the Different Applications Between Construction Contracts and Leases
This primer discusses the General Obligations Law §§ 5-322.1 and 5-321 in the context of contractual indemnification claims involving Labor Law §§ 240(1) and 200 cases.
COVID-19 Update: New Guidance from NYS on Shortened Quarantine Timeline and Handling Quarantine Leave Following Expiration of the FFCRA
This alert summarizes the updated NYS guidelines and the implications for employers with respect to paid leave under NYS COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave and the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which was not extended beyond December 31, 2020.
First Connecticut Court to Rule Finds COVID-19 Business Income Claim Not Covered
In a case of first impression, a Connecticut federal court held that a standard virus exclusion precludes coverage for claims of COVID-19-caused business income loss. The insured argued that the loss was caused by stay-at home orders, not the virus, but the court rejected that argument finding that the executive orders were inseparable from the virus itself.
NRRDA: New York Appellate Court Shoots Down Retailer's Claim of Immunity in Firearm Ammunition Sale
General Liability Defense Attorney Brenna C. Gubala was featured in the National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association's (NRRDA's) December newsletter for her article "New York Appellate Court Shoots Down Retailer's Claim of Immunity in Firearm Ammunition Sale."
EEOC Releases Guidance on COVID Vaccine: Six Key Employer Considerations
As we look forward to a widely available COVID-19 vaccine (and a potential return to normalcy), employers may be considering mandating that their employees get vaccinated. However, there are important Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), Title VII, and Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (“GINA”) implications that employers must consider.
New Modified NY Power of Attorney Law to Make Form Simpler and Easier to Execute
On December 15, Governor Cuomo signed an amendment to New York’s power of attorney law (General Obligations Law Article 5, Title 15) that will make the power of attorney form simpler and easier to correctly execute.
Buffalo Business First: For first-year lawyer, tracking Covid-19 business interruption cases has provided opportunities
Insurance Coverage Attorney Ryan P. Maxwell was featured in a profile from Business First on December 17, 2020, speaking about business interruption cases stemming from COVID-19 and his career experience.
Alexis M. Florczak Joins Hurwitz & Fine as a Business Law and Economic Development Associate
Alexis M. Florczak has joined Hurwitz & Fine, P.C. as an associate in the Business Law and Economic Development practice groups.
Employers Take Note: NYS WARN Act Notice Requirements Expanded
With the prevalence of COVID-related layoffs and reductions in force this year, employers may have recently brushed up on their obligations under the New York State Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“NYS WARN Act”). However, employers should be aware that the state recently expanded employers’ notice obligations under the WARN Act.
Buffalo Business First: Fines are hefty for businesses that violate New York-mandated restrictions
Labor & Employment Attorney Joseph S. Brown spoke with Buffalo Business First on December 2, 2020 about fines businesses could face if they violate New York-mandated COVID-19 restrictions.
ABA Pretrial Practice & Discovery Committee's Practice Points: Working with Foreign-Language Documents in Depositions and Trials
Attorney Cara Cox was featured in the American Bar Association's Pretrial Practice & Discovery Committee's Practice Points for her article "Working with Foreign-Language Documents in Depositions and Trials."
New York’s Cluster Action Initiative: How to Determine if Your Business is “Essential” in a Red Zone
With Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently stating that portions of Erie County were on track to go into the Red Zone, it is important to assess whether your business is considered “essential” under guidance issued by Empire State Development Corporation (ESD). This alert provides a brief overview of the Cluster Action initiative and how to determine if a business is considered essential in the Red Zone.
Best Law Firms 2021: Crisis Management
Hurwitz & Fine President/Managing Partner Jody E. Briandi was published in U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms 2021" for her thought leadership piece on crisis management and transition during a pandemic.
New York Expands Protections of Free Speech and Petition Rights by Expanding Anti-SLAPP Law
Earlier this week, Governor Cuomo signed S.52A/A.5991A into law, which expands protections against SLAPP lawsuits.
Hurwitz & Fine, P.C. Ranked as a Tier One Law Firm in Eight Practice Areas in 2021 U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers
Hurwitz & Fine, P.C. is proud to be ranked as a Tier One law firm for 2021 in eight practice areas by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®.
NYS Paid Sick Leave: Guidance Issued, but Questions Still Remain
This article discusses the highlights of the new guidance and identifies areas where employers must still tread carefully as further clarification has not been provided.
New York Adopts New Guidelines Allowing Out-of-State Travelers to "Test Out" of Mandatory 14-Day Quarantine
On October 31st, NY Governor Cuomo announced the state would be scrapping the Travel Advisory List in favor of a testing-based approach that now allows a traveler to “test out” of the mandatory 14-day quarantine.