The lack of affordable housing cannot be solved by focusing solely on multifamily housing. Instead, housing advocates must find ways to make single-family homes affordable.
Americans agree that the country is suffering a housing-affordability crisis, and nowhere is this more evident than Long Island. There are more than 817,000 single-family detached dwellings on the Island, comprising 79.1 percent of the regional housing stock, while apartments make up just 8.3 percent of housing units in Nassau County and 4.2 percent in Suffolk County.
The Earth Day celebration started with an event that drew millions together to address environmental issues and has been with us for more than five decades. Today, newly enacted laws address climate disclosure and climate trading programs and bring market forces directly into the sustainability equation. Market-focused approaches are controversial with some of America’s largest companies, but paradoxically, America’s CEOs have indicated that sustainability strategies are their top operational priority in the coming years – and they expect significant returns from sustainability investments over the next three to five years.
As a reminder to our corporate clients, the new FTC rule banning non-compete agreements nationwide (except in limited circumstances) is slated to go into effect on September 4, 2024. As noted in prior articles, the FTC included an exception in its final rule for Senior Level Executives who sign a non-compete agreement before the rule goes into effect on September 4th.
While it seems like the New York State Labor Law was just amended to expand breastfeeding rights to nursing mothers, it has been amended again with the 2024-2025 Fiscal Budget and this change is a big one. Effective June 19, 2024, New York State employers must provide thirty (30) minute paid breaks for nursing mothers each time an employee has a need to express milk for up to three (3) years following childbirth. This new law also requires employers to permit employees to use their existing paid break and meal periods to express breast milk when breaks longer than thirty (30) minutes are needed. This new law applies to all New York State employers regardless of size.
One of the most memorable scenes from the 2002 movie “Chicago” is when attorney Billy Flynn breaks into a rendition of “Razzle Dazzle” to explain how he’ll use sleight of hand to convince a jury to acquit Roxy Heart on murder charges.
“Chicago” is fiction, of course, but the reality of the jury-trial process is that jurors can indeed be swayed by a turn of phrase or a defendant’s celebrity status. Obviously, this is playing out right now in the historic trial of former President Donald Trump, who is facing a “jury of his peers” for alleged criminal wrongdoings regarding his relationship with a porn actress.
With our new remote work environment, employers need to be knowledgeable of a wider variety of laws. One such law to be aware of is the New York City Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (NYC ESSTA) and the amendments that went into effect on October 15, 2023 and March 20, 2024. The October amendments clarified which employees were included when determining the amount of leave to be provided and whether leave was paid or unpaid. The March amendments added a private right of action for employees to sue for violations without the necessity of first going through the administrative process.
Michael Sahn, Co-Managing Member, of Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano PLLC, was selected by Long Island Business News as one of Long Island Business Influencers in Law for 2024. LIBN's editorial team has recognized attorneys whose leadership and inspiration have impacted the Long Island community in a profound way with regards to law.
Firm Partners, John C. Farrell and Edward McCabe are being honored by Richner Communications, Inc./ The Herald Community Newspapers as Top Lawyers in the areas of Land Use and Zoning and Litigation.
Earth Day has been with us for over five decades. Environmental issues are just as relevant now as they were for the original Earth Day event that drew 20 million people together to discuss issues including clean water and clean air. Today, government is advancing new climate initiatives. These new approaches move beyond what many would consider traditional environment laws addressing water pollution, wetland impacts, or cleanup of contaminated soils.
Stephanie Goodwin from the Firm took part in a check presentation with sponsors of the Marcum Workplace Challenge in Melville on Giving Tuesday, November 28. The event raised $85,000. Sahn Ward was a supporting sponsor of this year's Challenge, which took place on July 25 at Jones Beach State Park.
Member Elisabetta Tredici Coschignano and Partner Ellen Savino enjoy a great holiday event hosted by the Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island (CIBS) at The Paramount in Huntington.
Tom McKevitt, Special Counsel with the Firm, was the honoree at the BIANCO (Building Inspectors Association of Nassau County) 2024 Dinner and Installation Ceremony. BIANCO honored Mr. McKevitt for his outstanding contribution to continuing education for building officials by teaching classes for BIANCO and across New York State.
Michael Sahn, Jon Ward, Joseph Bjarnson and Joshua Brookstein shared the honor of representing our Firm at the “Ribbon Cutting” ceremony for the Petrocelli Surgical Pavilion at North Shore University Hospital. We are proud to represent Northwell Health, and especially grateful to be part of the dedicated Northwell team of executives, design professionals, and medical staff who brought this state-of-the-art healthcare facility from the drawing board to reality. The PSP accommodates new ICU patient rooms and operating rooms for the most sophisticated and advanced medical procedures and services to benefit patients throughout metropolitan region.
Elisabetta T. Coschignano, received an award as one of the top Commercial Real Estate Attorneys at Richner LIVE’s R.E.A.L. (Real Estate Achievement + Leadership) Awards.
John Parker, the Partner who leads the Firm’s Environmental, Energy, and Resources Law group, has successfully navigated another important redevelopment project through remediation and cleanup under the New York Brownfields program. Upon completion of the brownfield program, it will bring 54 new housing units, and retail shops, to a site that was formerly contaminated by a dry cleaner. This project will bring a much-needed Transit Oriented Development to Roslyn, benefitting the local economy and community.
Governor Hochul has signed into law a bill that will have significant implications for sellers of residential real property. The new law, effective on March 20, 2024, modifies existing law relating to a seller's obligation to disclose any information prior to selling residential real estate in New York State. Prior to 2002, most transactions proceeded under the assumption of “caveat emptor”, meaning “buyer beware”. A purchaser was expected to conduct its own due diligence and inspections regarding its purchase of property.
Many projects, large and small, can run into freshwater wetlands permitting as part of the land use approval process. Wetlands also give rise to enforcement and compliance concerns. This is not surprising, considering that there are approximately over 20,000 acres of freshwater wetlands on Long Island.
Sahn Ward was proud to be a sponsor of the Vision Long Island Smart Growth Summit, which was held on December 1 at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. Over 1,000 people, including elected officials, attended. The event featured 20 topics and approximately 130 speakers discussing topics related to housing development, pedestrian safety, downtown revitalization, and infrastructure investment.
Many projects, large and small, can run into freshwater wetlands permitting as part of the land use approval process. Wetlands also give rise to enforcement and compliance concerns. This is not surprising, considering that there are approximately over 20,000 acres of freshwater wetlands on Long Island.
Sahn Ward was proud to be a sponsor of the Vision Long Island Smart Growth Summit, which was held on December 1 at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. Over 1,000 people, including elected officials, attended. The event featured 20 topics and approximately 130 speakers discussing topics related to housing development, pedestrian safety, downtown revitalization, and infrastructure investment.
Joel Shafferman, Counsel with the Firm, was interviewed by Our Town for a story about the WeWork bankruptcy. In the article, Mr. Shafferman said that WeWork may have to negotiate a deal with the landlords that would allow the entity to pay off the old rents on the properties over time. He also said it would benefit WeWork to file its bankruptcy claim in New Jersey, which falls under the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, instead of New York, which is under the jurisdiction of the Second Circuit.
“Rules and regulations of bankruptcy codes in the Third Circuit are slightly different from those in the Second Circuit, and WeWork might have wanted to go to the former because they’re a little more pro-debtor,” Mr. Shafferman said.
John Farrell and Edward G. McCabe, two of Sahn Ward’s most experienced attorneys, lead the Firm’s Suffolk County office, located at 1300 Veterans Memorial Highway, in Hauppauge. The Firm opened the Suffolk office in 2018 to serve its clients in Suffolk County, and for the convenience of its attorneys who have hearings and proceedings before courts, administrative agencies and tribunals in Suffolk. The Firm’s Suffolk based practice has grown substantially since the Suffolk office opened.
This was reported by the New York Real Estate Journal and Long Island Life & Politics.
To read the NYREJ article, click here.
As the Firm begins its 25th anniversary year, Sahn Ward is proud to announce that Elisabetta T. Coschignano has become a Member of the Firm. In recognition of Ms. Coschignano’s accomplishments and contributions to the Firm’s growth and development, including her role in mentoring the Firm’s younger attorneys, the Firm has changed its name to Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano PLLC. The Firm is also pleased to announce that Michael H. Sahn and Jon A. Ward will share the roles and responsibilities of Co-Managing Members to guide the Firm in its continued service to its clients, and its expanding practice, in the years ahead.
A New Year means new corporate filing requirements for local businesses and corporations. Effective January 1, 2024 all domestic and foreign corporations are required to file Beneficial Ownership Information. Partner, Erika L. Conti discusses the new corporate requirements and how it may affect your business.
John Parker, the Partner who leads the Firm’s Environmental, Energy, and Resources Law group, has successfully navigated another important redevelopment project through remediation and cleanup under the New York Brownfields program. Upon completion of the brownfield program, it will bring 54 new housing units, and retail shops, to a site that was formerly contaminated by a dry cleaner. This project will bring a much-needed Transit Oriented Development to Roslyn, benefitting the local economy and community.
The redevelopment project was covered by Newsday.
Michael H. Sahn, Managing Member with Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano PLLC, authored an article entitled, “In Government, An Age-Old Issue With No Easy Solution” for the January 8 issue of InnovateLI. Mr. Sahn explains that, although most Americans are in favor of setting a maximum age limit on elected officials, so that younger individuals can take elective office, this is difficult to accomplish, as it requires Constitutional amendments or new legislation by federal, state and local governments, including legislation for term limits.
Holidays and other special occasions can be equally exciting and exhausting, but another layer of complexity is addressing these events following a divorce. Taking one household and dividing it into two translates into distributing special days of the year and should be addressed in advance with the appropriate thoughtfulness and attention, as to avoid any unnecessary hiccups.
Kodomo will be operated by Chef Marc Spitzer, who has also worked at Bondst, Le Cirque 2000 and The Russian Tea Room. The restaurant is being created to be one of the top dining destinations and high-end restaurants in Long Island. Kodomo will serve the finest dishes using top-quality local fish and produce, as well as ingredients flown in from Japan and its famous Toyosu market. They will also have one of the largest, if not the largest, sake list on Long Island.
Firm Partners Joshua D. Brookstein and Wayne G. Edwards secured a special use approval for Kodomo, a new sushi restaurant, to operate in the Village of Roslyn, located at 1401 Northern Boulevard. NMS Hospitality built out Kodomo in a historic building in the heart of Roslyn, bringing the building to its original state, while adding an extension to the site.
Kodomo will be operated by Chef Marc Spitzer, who has also worked at Bondst, Le Cirque 2000 and The Russian Tea Room. The restaurant is being created to be one of the top dining destinations and high-end restaurants in Long Island. Kodomo will serve the finest dishes using top-quality local fish and produce, as well as ingredients flown in from Japan and its famous Toyosu market. They will also have one of the largest, if not the largest, sake list on Long Island.
With a new year comes new labor laws on the New York State and federal level. This article will touch upon the important changes in the labor laws that New York State employers will face in 2024, as well as anticipated legislation to consider when reviewing and revising your employment documents in the coming year.
Minimum Wage Increase: Beginning on January 1, 2024, the minimum wage will increase to $16.00 per hour in New York City, Westchester and Long Island, and $15.00 per hour in the rest of the state.