There are several types of trusts that you can set up in New York. Each trust serves a different purpose and has its own set of rules and regulations. Common types of trusts are revocable trusts and irrevocable trusts. Less commonly known trusts include charitable trusts and generation-skipping trusts. Revocable trusts A revocable trust can… Read More

Episode 10 of Empire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business Law is out now! In this latest episode, David Schutte, president of Schutte Hospitality Group, joins host and managing partner David Pfalzgraf. Schutte is a key figure behind several of Western New York’s most celebrated restaurants. Together, they explore the ins and outs of the hospitality industry… Read More

Employment agreements form the backbone of your practice’s relationships with your team. Far from being mere formalities, these documents provide essential clarity and protection for both your practice and your employees. The Power of Clear Employment Agreements Well-crafted employment agreements do more than define basic terms—they establish expectations, increase stability, and help avoid future disputes.… Read More

Nolan Hale is an attorney in our Business Law group. He has been practicing law for three and a half years. Why did Nolan choose to work at Rupp Pfalzgraf? Nolan chose Rupp Pfalzgraf because of the collaborative team atmosphere. When a client comes in the door, there are numerous attorneys in different practice groups… Read More

Rupp Pfalzgraf attorneys Marc Romanowski and Margaret Drzewiecki recently achieved a significant win in the New York State Supreme Court, Albany County, on behalf of Organic Blooms, LLC, and other petitioners. The case challenged the licensing process for adult-use cannabis dispensaries under the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), specifically addressing rules implemented by the… Read More

This week’s Attorney Spotlight is Keli Iles-Hernandez. Keli practices family law and specializes in family formation, which includes adoption and forming families through assisted reproduction. She has been practicing law for eight years. Why did Keli choose to work at Rupp Pfalzgraf? Keli chose to work at Rupp Pfalzgraf because of the firm culture of… Read More

A federal court has issued a nationwide injunction halting enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). This ruling comes just weeks before the law’s beneficial ownership reporting deadline was set to pass. The CTA would have required most companies to report detailed ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN) by January 1, 2025.… Read More

Many New York families are blended as people commonly divorce and remarry. In that situation, it’s crucial to be smart with your estate plan. Keep these tips in mind to protect yourself and your loved ones. Set Up a Trust Having a last will and testament is often not enough to protect your spouse and… Read More

Building a strong legal foundation for your veterinary practice isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about protecting your future and creating opportunities for growth. Let’s explore the key elements that make up a solid practice structure. Understanding Entity Structure Many veterinary practices begin as sole proprietorships, drawn by the simplicity of this business structure. However, this simplicity… Read More

We are honored to announce that Rupp Pfalzgraf has been recognized in the 2025 Chambers New York Spotlight Guide for our work in General Commercial Litigation! The Chambers New York Spotlight Guide recognizes the top small and medium-sized law firms across New York State. Unlike the broader Chambers USA, which focuses on larger regional, national,… Read More

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