Beginning November 16, 2024, New York employers will face changes in how they handle criminal background checks with the implementation of the Clean Slate Act. This new legislation introduces the automatic sealing of certain criminal records and imposes new obligations on employers regarding background check disclosures. Key Implementation Timeline The New York State Unified Court… Read More

Episode 8 of Empire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business Law has just been released! In this episode, host David Pfalzgraf sits down with Evan Giokas and CJ Montante, the co-founders of MGM Coaching. MGM Coaching is a Buffalo-based consulting firm that helps optimize teams and companies by empowering employees to recognize and leverage their unique abilities… Read More

Partner Jamie Batt will moderate an upcoming panel discussion hosted by the Construction Exchange of Buffalo & WNY. This event, titled “Buying and Selling a Construction Business: Succession Planning Strategies,” is set for November 7th from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Giancarlo’s in Williamsville. The discussion panel will address succession planning considerations from banking,… Read More

Partner Dan Sarzynski will be presenting for the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) Buffalo Niagara Chapter on Tuesday, November 19. Dan leads our Construction Law and Banking & Creditors’ Rights groups and serves on the CFMA Buffalo Niagara Chapter’s Board of Directors. He will deliver relevant legal updates on key topics including the 5% retainage… Read More

Stuart Smith is a partner in Rupp Pfalzgraf’s Business Law group, with a focus on Veterinary Law & Ethics. He has been practicing law for just short of nine years. Why did Stuart choose to work at Rupp Pfalzgraf? Stuart chose to work at Rupp Pfalzgraf due to its entrepreneurial spirit that allows attorneys the… Read More

Estate planning is often a daunting task, but it is crucial for your future. You need a plan in place in case something happens to you or your loved ones in New York. There are so many ways you can leave something for your loved ones and ensure you or your financial affairs are also… Read More

Episode 7 of Empire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business Law is out now! In this episode, managing partner David Pfalzgraf sits down with Nagendra Raina of Buffalo Games for an engaging conversation. Buffalo Games is a rapidly growing Buffalo-based manufacturer of board games and toys that has quickly established itself as one of the world’s largest… Read More

Jill Allen is a partner in our Insurance Defense group. She has been practicing law for eight years. Why did Jill choose to work at Rupp Pfalzgraf? Jill chose to work at Rupp Pfalzgraf because of the culture more than anything. Attorneys can work in an industry that can be stuffy, and at Rupp Pfalzgraf,… Read More

Dan Sarzynski is a Rupp Pfalzgraf partner and the leader of our Banking & Creditors’ Rights and Construction Law group. He has been practicing law for 24 years. Why did Dan choose to work at Rupp Pfalzgraf? Dan was the first associate hired by the firm in 2002. The firm wasn’t quite two years old… Read More

Much of the estate planning discourse in New York revolves around married couples and their families. However, estate planning for single people in New York is still important. There are unique considerations, however, that you need to take into account. Understand intestate laws in New York Even if you are single, your assets must go… Read More

Jacob Honan is an associate attorney in our Business Litigation group. He has been practicing law since 2020. Why did Jacob choose to work at Rupp Pfalzgraf? Jacob chose to work at Rupp Pfalzgraf for a few reasons. Being a Buffalo native, he wanted to work for a firm with a strong Buffalo presence like… Read More

Episode six of Empire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business Law is out now! In this episode, host and managing partner David Pfalzgraf sits down with Mike Wisler, Chief Information Officer for M&T Bank. Mike shares his journey from growing up in central Ohio to joining Capital One when it was still a start-up, long before it… Read More

We are thrilled to announce that partner Jim Graber has been named a winner of this year’s 40 Under 40 by Buffalo Business First! The 40 Under 40 list recognizes Western New York professionals under the age of 40 who have achieved notable success in their careers and make significant contributions to the community. Jim… Read More

Episode five of Empire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business Law is out now! In this episode, host and managing partner David Pfalzgraf talks with Jamie Obletz, a key leader at Delaware North, about how he navigated his role during one of the most turbulent times in the industry. Jamie reflects on the challenges he faced when… Read More

Throughout New York, some people spend their lives taking care of disabled family members. If you’re caring for a disabled member of your family, you don’t want this care to end after you pass away. Fortunately, special needs trusts can help you achieve this important goal. What are special needs trusts? A special needs trust… Read More

Marco Cercone is a partner at Rupp Pfalzgraf and the leader of our Property Insurance Litigation and Antitrust groups. He has been at the Firm for over 21 years. He practices in the areas of first-party insurance coverage, subrogation, and antitrust. Why did Marco choose to work at Rpp Pfalzgraf? When Marco started at Rupp… Read More

Alex Bitar is an associate in our Insurance Defense group. He has practiced law in New York for about five years. Why did Alex choose to work at Rupp Pfalzgraf? Alex really enjoys the environment at Rupp Pfalzgraf. It’s not often you have upper management taking care of everyone so much, and it feels like… Read More

Thomas Lang, a partner in our Health Law and Elder Law groups, will be presenting at the Network in Aging (NIA) Lunch & Learn event on Wednesday, August 28th. Thomas will share his insights as a Health Law and Elder Law attorney, offering valuable tools and tips for protecting and preserving assets when a loved… Read More

Steve Kos is a partner in our Business Litigation and Health Law practice groups. He has been practicing law for eleven years. Why did Steve choose to work at Rupp Pfalzgraf? Steve chose Rupp Pfalzgraf because he is a big believer in Buffalo and our community. Prior to joining Rupp Pfalzgraf, he had a sense… Read More

Understanding tax rules is a critical part of beginning the estate planning process. Your heirs may be required to pay estate taxes, depending on the value of your assets. Particularly if you don’t take advantage of options that can reduce tax liability. Understanding estate tax rules If you leave behind more than $6.11 million, your… Read More

Ricky Luthra is a partner in our Business Law practice group. He has been practicing law for 10 years. Why did Ricky choose to work at Rupp Pfalzgraf? Ricky chose to work at Rupp Pfalzgraf because of the people and the great collegial atmosphere that we have. Within his practice group, he’s able to work… Read More

Someone who amasses significant debt faces obligations to repay the creditors. Any failure to do so might result in a ruined credit score and a lawsuit. Family members may assume the debts become uncollectible when the debtor passes away. However, that is not always the case under New York law, as settling an estate’s debt… Read More

Attorney Spotlight: Adam Brasky This week’s attorney spotlight is Adam Brasky, a partner in our Banking & Creditors’ Rights group. He has been practicing law for just under 10 years. Why did Adam choose to work at Rupp Pfalzgraf? Adam chose Rupp Pfalzgraf because of the people. He says we have a great group of… Read More

Episode 4 of Empire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business Law, is out now! This episode, host and managing partner David Pfalzgraf speaks with Sharon Cryan, the innovative founder of FoodNerd. FoodNerd is transforming children’s snacks with nutrient-dense options that encourage healthy habits from a young age. Sharon’s mission is to revolutionize children’s diets today and in… Read More

Most residents of New York seeking to make a will are interested in the associated costs. Proper planning can usually ensure that you stay well within your budget. Here are the main options that you have when making a will. Creating the first draft of the will yourself The complexity of the process depends on… Read More