Prepared By: Marc Romanowski On April 8, 2026, the Albany County Supreme Court issued a consolidated decision annulling the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (“NYSDEC”) new freshwater wetlands regulations, 6 NYCRR Part 664, in their entirety. The court held that DEC failed to comply with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) when… Read More

Jennifer Shiao is a partner in Rupp Pfalzgraf’s Business Law group. How long has Jennifer practiced law? Jennifer has been in the legal field for over a decade, with experience in industries like reinsurance, data storage, hardware, software, life sciences, and fintech. This path has allowed her to have a bit of a broader perspective… Read More

By Rachel Wright New York does not require applicants to retain counsel to obtain a liquor license. The application is public. The forms are accessible. The statutory framework is codified in the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law (ABCL). On its face, the process appears administrative. In reality, it is discretionary, investigative, and regulatory. That distinction matters.… Read More

Partner Marc Romanowski will serve as a panelist at the Construction Exchange of Buffalo & WNY’s Annual Membership Luncheon on April 22. Marc will join a panel of key decision-makers to discuss how the new Bills stadium will impact the local construction industry, what may come after the stadium opens this fall, and what it… Read More

Rupp Pfalzgraf was recently featured in Buffalo Business First for our development of an in-house suite of AI tools designed to support our attorneys and staff while enhancing the value we deliver to clients. The article highlights how our team has built proprietary tools to streamline internal processes and improve efficiency. These tools assist with… Read More

Partner and leader of our Construction Law group, Dan Sarzynski, will participate in “Business Basics: Construction Law,” a presentation hosted by The Construction Exchange of Buffalo & WNY on April 16. Dan will join fellow industry professionals for an educational discussion covering topics including construction contracts, construction disputes, changes in work, public vs. private projects,… Read More

Rupp Pfalzgraf partners Benjamin Burge and Horace Gioia represented Better Parks Buffalo, Inc. in the sale of its South Buffalo land to Source Renewables, LLC, a Connecticut-based community solar developer. The transaction involves 107 acres of land at the former Marilla Street Landfill site, adjacent to Frederick Law Olmsted’s historic South Park. Better Parks Buffalo… Read More

By Elisha Teibel Timely mailing of notices and filings is essential to preserving and enforcing legal rights. Any changes to the mailing process can therefore carry significant consequences for individuals and businesses alike. A recent revision to the Domestic Mail Manual for the United States Postal Service (USPS) has altered a long-standing assumption: that the… Read More

We are proud to announce that our Managing Partner, David Pfalzgraf, has been named to the 2026 Power 250 List by Buffalo Business First, marking his eighth consecutive year earning this recognition. The Power 250 is an annual list compiled by Buffalo Business First that highlights the 250 most influential business and community leaders across… Read More

Rupp Pfalzgraf was featured in recent articles by WKBW News 7, The Buffalo News, and Buffalo Toronto Public Media covering the independent investigation our firm conducted for the Buffalo Public Schools regarding student safety concerns. The investigation was led by Partner Jill Yonkers, who leads our Education Law practice group. The Buffalo Public Schools retained… Read More

Rupp Pfalzgraf Partner Marco Cercone will be speaking at the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance’s (CLM) Annual Conference on March 26 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Florida. Marco, who leads the firm’s Property Insurance Litigation group, will join a panel of industry professionals for the session, “Getting Full Value from Your Valuation Referrals: Maximizing… Read More

By Rachel Wright New York regulators are increasing scrutiny of medspa operations, with a particular focus on ownership, control, and management structures that implicate the corporate practice of medicine doctrine. While these principles are longstanding, the enforcement posture has shifted. Structures that previously operated with limited oversight are now subject to regulatory inquiry, investigation, and,… Read More

By Paul Tortora When a marriage reaches a difficult crossroads, couples in New York have more than one legal option to consider. While divorce is the most well-known path, legal separation offers an alternative that may be better suited to certain circumstances. Understanding the key differences between these two options can help you make an… Read More

Rupp Pfalzgraf partner Benjamin Burge was featured in a recent Buffalo Business First article discussing the legal issues that can arise when a business abruptly closes, following a local jewelry store shutdown that led to a lawsuit over unpaid rent. As a partner in our Business Law group, Ben shares his valuable perspective to highlight… Read More

We are thrilled to announce that Rupp Pfalzgraf has been named a 2026 Best Places to Work Finalist by Buffalo Business First! This is our 18th consecutive year receiving this honor, and we are so grateful to every member of the Rupp Pfalzgraf team whose hard work and commitment made this possible. Best Places to… Read More

By Taylor Kent and James Graber Our client, Spareroom Inc., runs a flatshare/roommate platform: people create their own listings and upload their own photos. A photographer sued in the Southern District of New York, claiming one of his images was posted on Spareroom without permission and asking for up to $150,000 in statutory damages for… Read More

By Amedeo Zmarandoiu California has quickly become one of the most active jurisdictions in the U.S. for regulating artificial intelligence (AI). With several new AI-focused laws and pending regulations, companies across the country—and around the globe—must assess whether these laws apply to them based not on where they’re located, but on whether their services are… Read More

We’re proud to announce that attorneys Keli Iles-Hernandez and Gerald Whalen II have been promoted to partner at Rupp Pfalzgraf! Both have made valuable contributions to the firm through their dedication and talent in their respective practice areas, and we are excited to celebrate this significant milestone in their careers. Keli Iles-Hernandez is a member… Read More

By Keli Iles-Hernandez For many families, surrogacy provides a path to parenthood that might otherwise be out of reach. Whether due to medical complications, infertility, or other circumstances, individuals and couples often turn to surrogacy as a way to grow their families. A common question about surrogacy in New York is whether surrogates can receive… Read More

The rise of artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how businesses operate, creating both new opportunities and uncertainties. Organizations across industries are eager to harness AI’s potential, but they’re also facing complex questions about how to do so responsibly as regulations shift and new tools emerge. That’s why Rupp Pfalzgraf is launching an AI Law, Compliance… Read More

By Paul Tortora, Jr. The holiday season can be one of the most challenging times for divorced or separated parents. This time of year emphasizes family togetherness and tradition, which can heighten emotions and create tension between co-parents. However, with thoughtful planning and cooperation, you can create meaningful holiday experiences for your children while maintaining… Read More

By Rachel Wright Acquiring a restaurant, bar, hotel, or other hospitality business in New York seldom closes on schedule. The main sources of delay are liquor license approvals, lender consents, unresolved labor or tax liabilities, and successor-liability exposure. Without clear contingencies, a deal expected to close in 90 days can stretch to six months or… Read More

The holiday season is a special time of year when families have the opportunity to spend quality time with one another. With everyone in the same place, it can also be a practical time to talk through a few estate-related matters. Having these important conversations can help your family understand the plan for the future,… Read More

By Keli Iles-Hernandez If you are considering surrogacy in New York, it’s important to know who can legally serve as a surrogate. Since 2021, the Child-Parent Security Act (CPSA) has provided a legal framework for gestational surrogacy, making agreements enforceable while outlining protections for everyone involved. The law sets clear qualifications for who can serve… Read More