Legal Alerts

In May, New York State passed the New York Health and Essential Rights (“HERO”) Act, which took effect on June 4, 2021.  The HERO Act imposes many workplace safety requirements on employers with the aim of preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne diseases. 

Every year, Hurwitz & Fine welcomes several law students to work in our office and gain valuable insight into the inner workings of a law firm through our Summer Law Clerkship. On a day-to-day basis, these law clerks support the firm’s attorneys with a variety of tasks, including research, writing projects and case preparation

Insurance Coverage attorney Ryan P. Maxwell was featured in an article in LAW360's Opinion column, "8th Circ. Gives Insurer First Appellate COVID Coverage Win."

On Friday, July 2, 2021, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals rendered a decision in Oral Surgeons, P.C. v. The Cincinnati Insurance Company, Case No. 20-3211 (8th Cir. July 2, 2021), upholding the decision of the trial court from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. Attorney Ryan P. Maxwell provides updates.

Governor Cuomo announced yesterday that New York’s COVID state of emergency, in place since March 7, 2020, has expired as of today, June 24, 2021.  What this means in terms of remote notarization of documents is unclear as the Governor had issued Executive Order 202.7 providing for remote notarization of documents, which had been extended through and including July 5, 2021.  In essence, we have conflicting guidelines as to how to treat this issue. 

Insurance Coverage Attorney Scott D. Storm was featured in the Summer 2021 edition of SIU Today for his article, "Remote Virtual EUOs—No Need for Bathroom Breaks Anymore!" Scott's article focuses on whether it is effective to return to conducting examinations under oath in-person or remotely, post-pandemic. 

Hurwitz & Fine's President/Managing Partner Jody E. Briandi joined a panel of local figures in the greater Buffalo community to speak on the importance of embracing diversity and inclusion in the workplace on Wednesday, June 16, 2021.

Hurwitz & Fine’s head of Business & Commercial Litigation department, Andrea Schillaci, was recently sworn in as President of the Buffalo Niagara Chapter of NAWBO.

Hurwitz & Fine Litigation Chair Michael F. Perley was recently sworn in as 2021 – 2022 President of the Erie County Bar Foundation. 

Thomas Casella has joined Hurwitz & Fine as a member of the Insurance Coverage group.  He brings 15 years of legal experience to the team, 10 of those in the insurance industry holding a number of roles including Staff Attorney, Complex Claims Supervisor and Senior Risk Manager.  Mr. Casella is also experienced with ADR, having mediated many complex, high value claims nationwide with excellent results. 

On May 24, 2021, a series of Administrative Orders were issued affecting procedures in residential evictions, commercial evictions, and foreclosure matters. Attorney Alexis M. Florczak provides updates. 

Labor & Employment Attorney Joseph S. Brown answers five commonly asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination policies.

Despite the recent lifting of mask mandates for vaccinated people across the state, New York has imposed a new COVID safety law, which employers should be aware of.  The new law, the New York Health and Essential Rights (“HERO”) Act, was passed in early May and goes into effect on June 4, 2021. 

Business & Commercial Litigation Chair Andrea Schillaci and Insurance Coverage Associate Ryan P. Maxwell were recently published in the New York Law Journal for their article on the scope of commercial insurance coverages, including supply chain and contingent business interruption.

Kara M. Eyre has joined Hurwitz & Fine, P.C. as an associate in the Premises Liability, Products Liability, Medical Malpractice & Nursing Home Liability and Transportation Negligence practice groups.

A newly proposed law in the New York State Senate, which would provide a one-year lookback window for adult survivors of sexual assault, was reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee this week.  The proposed law, known as the Adult Survivors Act (“Act”), would implement a one-year lookback window for individuals who were sexually assaulted as adults to file claims against their abusers, even if the statute of limitation has already expired. 

Insurance Coverage Chair Dan Kohane, Members Lee Siegel and Diane Bucci, and Associate Brian Barnas, were recently published in Law360’s Expert Analysis section for their article on new legislation being debated in Albany.

Attorney Brian M. Webb provides a short Automobile Liability primer, which highlights several of the key issues to keep in mind when analyzing motor vehicle claims that are venued in New York State.

Litigation Attorney Eric Andrew discusses the practical hazards of negotiating and effectuating settlements in the age of COVID.

Hurwitz & Fine President/Managing Partner Jody E. Briandi was among those honored in the inaugural New York Daily Record’s 2021 Power 50 list.