There are times when it can be tempting to make certain representations to municipal authorities to facilitate procuring an approval. If untrue, they may come with some devastating consequences. In Caspian Realty, Inc. v. Zoning Bd. of Appeals of Town of Greenburgh, 68 A.D.3d 62 (2d Dept. 2009) the applicant sought site plan approval from a planning board for a proposed furniture store, where the…

Every year there a number of new developments in rules, regulations and laws governing labor and employment. Whether this is in regard to personal social media accounts, pay transparency acts, freelance contractor agreements, and even drug tests and background checks, employers must be in the know. If inadvertently unaware, you could face fines, lawsuits and penalties. Long Island Business News spoke with three labor and…

“Julia has consistently achieved a high level of CRE tax assessment reductions for our clients since she joined our firm. She understands how important it is for property owners to reduce their single greatest expense and takes great care to achieve the best possible results for them.” - John Terrana, Co-Managing Partner at Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP. Who are the key people in your life…

Welcome to 2024! Turbulent times is an understatement, with interest rate fluctuations, inflation, rising vacancy rates, and stretched municipal budgets. Think goal line adjustments. The Fed Sentiment says we are at peak rates, but staying put is problematic. Rates remain elevated, and even if more predictable, owners face struggles to refinance given increased operating expenses (OPEX), wobbling rental rates and shrinking tenant demand. Investors are…

An issue that has been a subject of recent litigation is whether loan officers are entitled to receive overtime pay. It is often the presumption that since loan officers are frequently paid on commissions and, if successful, are paid well in excess of six-figures, if not seven-figures, they are exempt from overtime. However, the manner in which and amount of pay a loan officer receives…

On March 20, 2024, a new law goes into effect which significantly modifies the New York Property Condition Disclosure Statement (PCDS) which replaces and modifies a law that has been on the books since 2002.  This law, which applies to sales of residential real estate, arms buyers of residential property with more information about various aspects of a property.  (Note, residential real estate means a…

Gregory S. Lisi shared his forecast for the Employment and Labor Industry in 2024. The year 2024 will be a watershed year for Labor & Employment Laws for all sized companies.  The big issues will include; 1) tracking wage and hour issues for employees who work from home; 2) working with the uptick in union organizing attempts of small and mid-sized companies; 3) navigating the…

What was your greatest professional accomplishment or most notable project, deal, or transaction in 2023? Aside from obtaining large tax assessment reductions for commercial property owners, I predicted in the pre-season that Aaron Rodgers would be injured by the third NY Jets game and out for the year. Instead, it happened four plays into the season. When you are a NY Jets fan you can never…