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Timely analysis, statutory changes, and practical legal guidance from our team across New York and New Jersey.

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Clear answers to complex legal questions, straight from practicing attorneys. Expert commentary on real estate, corporate litigation, employment law, and cross-border matters.

SBA Loan Forgiveness Applications Available | Business Owner Update
Well, we have all been hearing a lot about the Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and the Paycheck Protection Program.

He Said, She Said, Now He's Dead. When Romance Ends in Blood | Cup of Joe
This week, we head over to Livingston County in Western New York, about an hour and 45-minute drive west from Syracuse and 5 and a half hours northwest from Manhattan.

Keeping The Shipping Lanes Open | Day In The Life
The master was close to entering into a contract with a shady maritime agency for work placement upon a vessel in the Gulf of Mexico.

Robert Bolt's "A Man For All Seasons" | Legal Reads
My choice for Lit Legal Read today is "A Man For All Seasons," a play by Robert Bolt, based on the life of Sir Thomas More.

Was your flight cancelled due to COVID-19? You may be entitled to a full refund.
Some airline companies have offered vouchers or waived change fees in an attempt to service their customers. However, travellers should receive full refunds for cancelled flights caused by extraneous circumstances.

Drug Addict Sues Dealer For Addiction | Cup of Joe
With that question, other powerful questions arise – philosophical, moral, spiritual. Should someone be able to blame others for choices they have made?

Giannis Antetokounmpo Files $2M Lawsuit Over ‘Greek Freak’ Infringement | Featured in New York Post
The league’s reigning MVP is putting a full-court press on pretenders looking to cash in on his trademarked nickname, “Greek Freak,” a Manhattan federal court suit says.

How To Become A Lawyer Pt. 2 | Bar Tips
Some people know that they want to be a lawyer as early as high school, some in college, others later in life in the middle of another career. How do you set the course on the path to lawyerdom?

Moratorium on Evictions Extended from June 20 to August 20 | Legal Update
Renters, commercial and apartment dwellers alike, can enjoy a sigh of relief. Landlords, will have to find a way to continue operating their properties with severely reduced operating cash with no rent money coming in.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Files $2 Million 'Greek Freak' Lawsuit Over Counterfeit Merch | Featured in The Blast
NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo has filed a federal lawsuit demanding a company be stopped from illegally profiting off his name.

Buying a Home in NYC During Lockdown: Virtual Closings & Escrow Closings | Featured on PropertyShark
Despite a strange and difficult time for New Yorkers amidst social distancing and stay-at-home orders, all industries are looking to technology to keep businesses moving.

The Case of the Misunderstood College-Student/Stalker | Cup of Joe
In this week’s case, we head up to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York – the Finger Lakes region.

How To Become a Lawyer Pt. 1 | Bar Tips
Do you find yourself drawn to movies like The Firm or To Kill A Mockingbird? Do you get excited when you can binge on TV shows like Boston legal or Suits? Or are you a hardcore fan of Cup of Joe?

Released From Queens Jail After A 5 Minute Skype Call | Day In The Life (Remote Edition)
I am sure most people have heard that courts for the most part have come to a grinding halt. That is not true and criminal courts continue to process people who are arrested every day.

Interim Comment on Use of Remote Notarizations, Pursuant to Executive Order 202.7 | Featured on New York Law Journal
On March 19, 2020, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed Executive Order 202.7, which authorizes notaries public to officiate documents remotely.

Are you a college or graduate student? You may be entitled to a tuition refund. | Legal Update
Covid-19 has impacted students across the country as their universities abruptly closed mid-semester and they were forced to relocate.

What to do if a check made to you is stolen or cashed out by someone else? | Q&A
I traded my car in at a dealership in New Jersey and was told that I would get a refund in the mail for the GAP insurance paid.

Joint Custody - Who Decides Whether To Vaccinate? | Cup of Joe
Out of the rubble of an ugly divorce, Elizabeth goes on a trip to Italy, India, and Bali. In Italy, Elizabeth eats.

Tips On How To Keep Our Environment Clean This Earth Day
In honor of the 50th anniversary of #EarthDay , we asked our team to share some tips on how to help make our planet greener and healthier. Even the planet needs some TLC. How are you all celebrating this Earth Day from…

A Case of Bullying - A Prep School's "Chosen" One | Cup of Joe
This week we will study a case out of Norwich, New York in Chenango County. It lies near the center of the triangle that can be drawn connecting the cities of Syracuse, Albany, and Binghamton.

Sarena Straus' "BRONX D.A. or True Stories from the Sex Crimes and Domestic Violence Unit" | Legal Reads
Greetings, law fans, and welcome back to another installment of Lit Legal Reads! In this series we talk about books dealing primarily with the law and the practice and problems of the law profession.

WILLS & TRUSTS: Why You Must Be Prepared When The Unexpected Happens
The current worldwide pandemic has led many Americans to develop cabin fever and anxiously sputter into virtual action, frantically planning for their future and putting their finances in order.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Victorious In $2 Million Court Battle Over 'Greek Freak' | Featured in The Blast
NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo has reached a settlement in the federal lawsuit he brought against a sports company using his nickname without permission.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) Break Down | On Air with Cosmos FM
Our attorney, Lydia Vradi, was invited to go on air with Cosmos FM - 91.5 NY Hellenic Public Radio to discuss the various funding options for businesses that may be affected by COVID-19 and recent closures.

New Ch. 11 Bankruptcy Codes Provide Relief for Small Businesses
Chapter 11 bankruptcy , frequently described as reorganization bankruptcy, often provides businesses with a plan to reorganize and restructure, in order to pay their debt and keep their business alive.

Choice Of Evils Defense | Cup of Joe
You like horses? This week we head to Monticello in Sullivan County, home of the Monticello Raceway. It is located in the Catskill Region about 85 miles NW of Manhattan, and 165 miles SW of Syracuse.

What Can We Expect From Workplace Discrimination Claims After COVID-19? | Legal Analysis
Due to the coronavirus, employers are given the green light to let go of anyone in their company without the worry of being sued for discrimination whether it is pregnancy, race, or disability related.

Miyamoto Musashi's "The Book of Five Rings" | Legal Reads
Joe D. Nohavicka gave me this book when I first met him in 2005 and I have read it at least 10 times, as translated in 3 different versions.

How To Strengthen & Protect Your Brand
We know how hectic owning a small business can be, especially when juggling a personal life, but it is also extremely rewarding to see your creation become successful.

Who Owns My Tattoos, Really? | Cup of Joe
The April Fools installment of Cup of Joe is about tattoos. The topic is, Who Owns My Tattoos, Really? Sounds like a simple question with an easy Answer. It’s not.

Why You Should Transfer Your Property to an LLC | Featured on PropertyShark
Many people purchase real estate under an individual’s name, but this can result in personal liability being extended to the property in the event that the property is subject to liens and/or judgments.

Christopher Darden's "In Contempt" | Legal Reads
My choice for Lit Legal Reads today is In Contempt, by Christopher Darden. Who is Christopher Darden? He, was the second-seat prosecutor on the O.J. Simpson trial -- The “Trial of the Century.”

Guidance For Employers: Requirements Under the New Federal & State COVID-19 Leave Laws
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requires some employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.

COVID-19 Outbreak Causes Welfare Limits to Cease Temporarily | Featured on PacerMonitor
When Clara Peterkin got wind of a new virus outbreak, she never dreamed it would lead to her being unemployed.

College Sued By Student For Deliberate Indifference To Complaint of Sexual Assault at Frat Party | Cup of Joe
This week’s case brings us to the campus of Union College over in scenic Schenectady, New York, a little north of Albany, and two hours east from Syracuse.

What is a force majeure? | Contracts 101
What is "force majeure"? It is a provision in a contract that excuses an obligation.

New York Now Allows E-notarized Documents | Legal Update
As part of the executive order, Continuing Temporary Suspension and Modification of Laws Relating to the Disaster Emergency, any “notarial act that is required under New York State law” is allowed to be performed using…

John Douglas' "Mindhunter" | Legal Reads
My first contribution is Mind Hunter by John Douglas. Douglas was the head and founder of the FBI's Investigative Support Unit. What does that mean?

Subletting vs. Assigning for Commercial Tenants: Which to Choose When You Want to Get Out of Your Lease | Featured on PropertyShark
Tenants of commercial or residential spaces who find that their lease no longer suits their needs have the option to sublease or assign the premises.

Can business interruption coverage help with losses during COVID-19? | Legal Analysis
Many businesses have already begun to feel the devastating effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. To help soften the blow, companies may benefit from reviewing their business interruption coverage policies.

How To: Perform Due Diligence When Buying Property | Featured on LIC Magazine
Our attorneys break down everything you need to know when going through the buying process.

Kafka's "The Trial" | Legal Reads
Greetings, law fans, and welcome back to another installment of Lit Legal Reads! In this series we talk about books dealing primarily with the law and the practice and problems of the law profession.

Zip-Line Passenger Crashes into Tree and Sues Cruise Line | Cup of Joe
This week, we head down to beautiful Montego Bay, Jamaica. A few years ago, while on a plane that had just landed at Montego Bay, with all passengers still seated, a tall, thin Jamaican flight officer appeared at the…

A Cup of Joe | One-Time Alcohol Binge Ends Career of Merchant Marine Academy Student
This week, Cup of Joe ships out to Bahrain, a Kingdom in the Middle East. Legend states that it was the location of the Garden of Eden.

How To: Close On Real Property In New York | Featured on LIC Magazine
Our attorneys break down everything you need to know when closing on real property in New York.

Class Action Lawsuit Against NYC Claims Speed & Traffic Cameras Violate The Law
Attorney Israel Klein has been at the forefront of this legal issue for years, arguing that speed camera and red light camera violations issued by the City are invalid due to a major technical error.

A Cup of Joe | Drunk Cruise Passenger Falls Over Ship Railing
Samantha’s first cruise was supposed to be a weekend getaway with girlfriends — a few days of fun while her husband stayed home with their four kids….

New York Broker Fees: Legal or Banned? | Featured on PropertyShark
Specifically, this would mean that New York renters would no longer have to spend thousands of dollars up front to cover the cost of a security deposit and brokers fees (which could be up to 15 % of their yearly rent).

A Cup of Joe | Are You Really Fired If Your Boss Doesn't Actually Say "You're Fired"?
“You’re Fired!” Only Way to Know If You’re Terminated From A Job?

NBA's Antetokounmpo Sues Over 'Greek Freak' Phone Case | Law360 Feature
Giannis Antetokounmpo is suing a phone accessory company for trademark infringement over a case that features a cartoon image of the reigning NBA most valuable player going up for a dunk and is named after…

Legal Dangers of Misrepresentation by Brokers | Featured on PropertyShark
Selling a home is similar to selling a product. In order to appeal to buyers, listings need to have appealing photos, detailed descriptions of the property and vital information about the surrounding area.

A Cup of Joe | Can Workplace Sexual Harassment in Broome County be Swept Away?
Broome County – Binghamton. Three-hours and fifteen-minute drive north from Manhattan.

New York Bans Broker Fees For Renters | Real Estate Law Update
Before getting the keys to their new apartment, New York renters typically have to cough up thousands of dollars upfront to cover security deposits and broker fees.

A Cup of Joe | 15-Year-Old Student Dies On Disneyland Band Trip
Must the Show Always Go On? 15-Year-Old School Band Member Dies On the Road

PropertyShark Feature | Buyer's Broker Agreements
When looking for the perfect property or home to buy, real estate brokers can be quite helpful. These brokers use their agency resources to help clients find exactly what they are looking for.

A Cup of Joe | Aerosmith Refuses to Allow Drummer to Play At Grammys - Drummer Sues
AEROSMITH REFUSES TO ALLOW DRUMMER TO PLAY AT GRAMMYS – DRUMMER SUES

New York State Employment Law Update: Salary History Ban
As of January 6, 2020, all New York State employers and human resources professionals are banned from asking about a job applicant’s salary history.

A Cup of Joe | Revenge Porn Video Leads To Violent Assault
Friends -- That One When I Posted Sex Video of You And Your Boyfriend On Twitter

PropertyShark Feature | Legal Agreements To Protect Landlords
When a landlord looks to make their next big move – whether it’s refinancing a loan or selling their property – certain provisions in their original lease with tenants determine the process and rights of both parties.

A Cup of Joe | Former NYPD Murders Man During Road Rage Shooting
Chenango County, New York: once the territory of the Oneida people, one of the first Five Nations of the Iroquois. Birthplace of Nancy Matthews Elliott (b.

A Cup of Joe | Alec Baldwin Sued For Slander by Fan
Greenwich Village, New York City – “The Village.” Excellent! There is a townhouse located at 14 West 10th Street, called the “House of Death.” It is haunted by at least 22 ghosts.

New Year's Eve Emergency Order To Show Cause | Day In The Life
On Tuesday, New Year’s Eve, our attorneys were rushed downtown to court when opposing counsel submitted an emergency order to show cause that very day.

A Cup of Joe | Should Courts Become Collectors For Criminals?
And we end the year with a strange case that asks a strange question:

A Cup of Joe | Patient Commits Suicide, Patient’s Wife Sues Doctor
Staten Island!! Richmond County: It contains the southern-most point in the state, South Point, and it is the only borough in New York City that does not share a land border with another borough.

Illegal Status: Passport to the Zone of Evidentiary Untouchability? | Featured on NYLJ
When a prior instance of misconduct involves the immigration status of a witness, in view of the current political and societal climate on the subject, should a different standard be applied as to the limitation of a…

Why Landlords Should Consider Continuous Operations Clauses | Featured on PropertyShark
With the holiday season in full effect, the retail business in New York City is booming. In fact, holiday sales are expected to rise by as much as 4% .

A Cup of Joe | Who Killed Matt's Mom?
A Whodunnit in Washington County, New York: Who Murdered Matt’s Mom?

Public Figures & The Right Of Publicity
Celebrities are constantly in the public eye, often shying away from cameras and other times lovingly embracing them.

A Cup of Joe | Should a 16-Year-Old Cyber-Terrorist be Punished as an Adult?
This week we go up to Hamburg, New York, way over in Erie County, near Buffalo. Just an under 7 hour-drive northwest from our office at 950 Third Avenue in Manhattan, and a 2 ½ hour drive west from The Bleu Monkey in…

3 Essential Launch Tips For New Business & Startup Owners
Starting a small business or startup can seem like a daunting task that leaves you wondering where to start. The best place to begin is by creating an executive summary which is essentially your business’s calling card.

Securing Space in NYC: Security Deposits & Down Payments | Featured on PropertyShark
When looking to rent or purchase real estate in New York, two different instruments of payment that are used to secure one’s interest are security deposits and down payments.

A Cup of Joe | The Case of Willie Mack: “But Officers, It’s Not What it Looks Like!”
This week, we head up to Elmira, New York, in Chemung County. It is located in the southwestern part of New York State, along the Pennsylvania border, in a part of New York called the Southern Tier .

EMPLOYER UPDATE: The Top 5 Employment Law Updates of 2019
All employers must provide departing employees with a written statement listing the date of separation AND the date of cancellation of the employee's benefits.

A Cup of Joe | Can a Legal Technicality Cause Justice to Crash?
This week’s case brings us up to Montgomery County, located in the heart of New York's Mohawk Valley region.

Special Report: The Vanishing Bronx Homeowner | Featured on Norwood News
PN Real Estate Attorney, Nataly Goldstein , spoke to Norwood News for their November feature article on "The Vanishing Bronx Homeowner."

A Cup of Joe | Trip At The Supermarket: Who to Sue?
This week we head up to New Rochelle, in Westchester County, New York; it’s the home of Salesian High School.

Are NYC Pieds-a-Terre Facing Additional Taxation? | Featured on PropertyShark
New York City is always looking for ways to increase income to maintain the transit system, parks and other government facilities, which are usually funded by increases in taxes.

A Cup of Joe | Masked Home-Invasion Murderer On Trial
This week we head over to Binghamton, in Broome County, New York. It’s about a 2 ½ drive northwest from 3 rd Avenue in Manhattan, and an hour and 15 minutes due north to Marshall Street in Syracuse.

A Cup of Joe | Can a simple fight with your neighbor lead to YOUR eviction?
This week’s case brings us to Cohoes, New York, located in the northeast corner of Albany County . It is about a 2 ½-hour drive due north from Manhattan and 2 ½-drive due east from Syracuse.

Purchasing Real Estate Under an LLC: No Longer an Option? | Featured on PropertyShark
The New York City real estate world is slowly evolving its regulations to create a more transparent market.

Understanding New York’s Foreclosure Process | Featured on PropertyShark
The foreclosure process can be daunting and painfully intricate. Here’s what you need to know about the process.

A Cup of Joe | “Who’s Watching the Baby?” Excuse Used To Enter Home Without Warrant
This week’s case takes us to Erie County in the region of the state called Western New York. (Not West New York, that’s New Jersey). It includes the cities of Rochester, Niagara Falls, Jamestown, and Buffalo.

A Cup of Joe | Severe Paddling and Caging of Companion Pet Gets Owner Cuffed by Cops
This week’s case brings us up to Saratoga County, NY: a 3-hour drive north from Manhattan, and a two-hour drive east from Syracuse.

A Cup of Joe | Husband Pays His Tenant To Murder His Wife
This week’s grisly case brings us up and over to Steuben County, NY, located in the state’s Southern Tier region, which sits right on top of Central Pennsylvania’s northern border.

The Broker’s Guide to Social Media: Beware of Antitrust Violations | Featured on PropertyShark
When the average American homebuyer or seller decides that it’s time to enter the real estate market, timing is everything. The real estate game is fickle, and a change of a single variable could shift the entire market.

An Uncivil War -- Accident Pits Firefighters, Robert E. Lee & Kyle Verstraete Against Each Other
This week’s case brings us to Wayne County, New York, sitting right off of Lake Ontario, about a 5-hour drive northwest from Manhattan and less than 50 miles west from Syracuse.

Cup of Joe | Can a Kiss Cause Alcohol Detection in a SCRAM Ankle Bracelet?
This week’s case brings us up to Peekskill, NY -- about an hour away from Manhattan by MetroNorth, and a 3 hour 45 minute drive to Syracuse.

'Palin v. New York Times’: Limitation on Litigant’s Freedom To Fashion Procedural Efficiency | Featured on New York Law Journal
"In New York litigation practice it has been long understood that, unless against public policy, parties to a civil dispute are free to chart their own litigation course, and they may agree on a way which a controversy…

Power Play — How Utilities Can Lay Claim to Private Front Lawns | Featured on NBC New York
When an electric utility company informed a Westchester County resident that they were claiming part of her front yard to install a utility pole, NBC New York decided to investigate.

NBA Star Secured Settlement for 'Greek Freak' Trademark Lawsuit
Law360 (August 19, 2019, 4:37 PM EDT) -- NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo has reached a settlement to end a trademark lawsuit he filed last month in New York federal court over a line of unauthorized merchandise featuring…

Is Anyone Really Benefiting from the 2019 Rent Regulation Laws? | Real Estate Law Update
NYC-based boutique law firm Pardalis & Nohavicka brings the latest legal updates from the world of real estate to PropertyShark.

Cup of Joe | Can the Police Pull You Out of Your Home Without A Warrant?
“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”-- Abraham Lincoln

Cup of Joe | Severely Shy Worker Fired After Assigned to Courthouse Customer Service Position Sues for Disability Discrimination
“Companionship is a foreign concept to some people. They fear it as much as the majority of people fear loneliness.”

Japan Set to Create Hybrid Mammal for Organ Donation, Unleash Ethical Storm
In a move certain to set medical ethicists’ heads spinning, stem-cell researchers in Japan are launching a study with an aim to create hybrid animals out of rats and mice that will produce human organs for medical…

Cup of Joe | “Cool” Mom Supplies Teen Daughter’s Friend With Recreational Drugs - Arrested for Manslaughter
“Motherhood: All love begins and ends there.” – Robert Browning

Cup of Joe | Demoted 61-Year-Old MTA Bus Driver Who Was Told, "Lucky to Work at All,” Sues for Discrimination
“Old age is like a plane flying through a storm. Once you're aboard, there's nothing you can do.”

Fixtures & Equipment: Taking Everything, Even the Kitchen Sink | Featured on PropertyShark
The kitchen sink has been the source of many remarks over the last century, usually having to do with people “taking everything BUT the kitchen sink.”

The Future of Gun Control in New York | New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. City of New York
On January 22, 2019, the United States Supreme Court granted certiorari in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. City of New York, marking the first time since 2010 that the Court would weigh in on the…

A Cup of Joe | Babysitter Hit By Child With Golf Club Sues Child’s Parents For Injuries
This week’s case takes us to Garden City, Long Island, where Telly Savalas was born (1929). Telly is best known for his role as a tough, New York City detective in the 1970s television series, Kojak.

NBA Star Accuses Artist Of Selling Fake 'Greek Freak' Merch | Featured on Law360
"Giannis Antetokounmpo literally came from nothing and he has worked extremely hard to get to where he is today," the basketball player's attorney, Anastasi Pardalis, told Law360.

