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Legal briefs.

Legal briefs.

State Bans Discrimination Based on Reproductive Health Decisions

On November 8, 2019, Governor Cuomo signed into law a new Section 203-e of the New York State Labor Law that bans employment discrimination based on the “reproductive health decision-making” of an employee or that of an employee’s dependents.  The law became effective immediately and adds another characteristic to the ever-expanding list of “classes” protected… Read More

Sexual Harassment Prevention – The New Notice Requirement

As we previously reported in our last client alert, Governor Cuomo signed new changes to the Human Rights Law that greatly increased employers’ duties in the realm of sexual harassment prevention.  Recently, New York State updated its guidance on these new changes. Under the new law, all employers must distribute a Notice containing the employer’s… Read More

Now Hiring a Business and Commercial Litigator in our Buffalo Office

Our firm continues to grow.  We are looking for a business and commercial litigator with 3-7 years’ experience and who thrives in an innovative environment.  This team member will be based out of our Buffalo office.  Who We Are: Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham is a law firm driven by forward-thinking attorneys who embrace our clients’… Read More

Welcome to our new partner, Marc Romanowski

We are energized, excited and proud to welcome Marc Romanowski to Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham.  Marc brings years of Project Development, Land Use and Environmental Law experience to our always growing firm. Marc attended The University at Buffalo for both undergrad and law school. He is admitted in New York State, United States Court of… Read More

Mental Health from a Professional and Personal Perspective

Matt Miller, our Labor & Employment leader spoke with Patrick Connelly, from the Buffalo Law Journal, answering questions many people in the business community continually have as mental health and addiction awareness grows. What can you do if you think an employee is dealing with addiction issues? If you suspect that an employee is dealing with… Read More

14 Rupp Baase Attorneys Named to 2019 Upstate NY Super Lawyer List

Fourteen attorneys from Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham were recently named to the 2019 Upstate New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. These individuals were recognized for their exceptional work and achievements in the legal field, based on a thorough evaluation of 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional success. Being named as a Super… Read More

Students Cleared of Alleged Bias Misconduct

Our Campus Disciplinary Defense team successfully exonerated three college students accused of using hate speech on and around campus.  The private college in New York began an investigation based on an anonymous complaint that the students used inappropriate and derogatory language toward a non-student in an off-campus residence.  The college called the three students to… Read More

Jill Yonkers answers BLJ’s 5 questions about knowing your zoning rules when renting space to travelers – think Airbnb

Partner Jill Yonkers, spoke with Patrick Connelly from the Buffalo Law Journal about the importance of knowing your local zoning rules when renting home space to travelers. How have entities such as Airbnb disrupted the marketplace? Airbnb and others like FlipKey, Homeaway and VRBO have added lodging alternatives to the marketplace. Short-term or transient rentals are… Read More

Campus Disciplinary Defense Team Vindicates Student in Assault Case

Recently, our Campus Disciplinary Defense team successfully vindicated a community college student who was accused of sexual assault. The student enlisted the help of attorneys Jill Yonkers and Adam Brasky before the initial interview with the college occurred, which proved to be a key to success in the sexual assault case.   “College misconduct processes… Read More

Partner Cory Weber Litigator and Brewmaster

When Buffalo Law Journal editor, Patrick Connelly decided to find out what local attorneys do when they are out of the office he uncovered the story of how partner Cory Weber and his wife Caitlin brew their own beer, eight different kinds of beer. Attorney Cory Weber and his wife had unique wedding favors when they married… Read More

NYS Mandates Paid Time Off for Election Day

Law Alert: New law effective April 12, 2019, all New York State employers must provide their employees who are registered to vote up to 3 hours of paid leave to vote as long as he or she requests the time off at least 2 working days before an election. As an employer, you may designate… Read More

Jill Yonkers & Matt Miller speak to BLJ about new practice group

Campus misconduct proceedings can have devastating repercussions on a student’s life, academically and professionally.   Jill Yonkers and Matt Miller have formed our new practice group, Campus Disciplinary Defense, to ensure due process for students.  A Buffalo law firm wants to be the first place a college student turns when accused of wrongdoing on campus. Attorneys… Read More

Adam Brasky Named 30 Under 30

Congratulations to Adam Brasky for being named one of Buffalo Business First’s 2019 30 Under 30.  Adam was chosen from nearly 200 nominations.  Stay tuned for his engaging profile. These honorees have diverse career paths ranging from law to education, from accounting to manufacturing. Some have started a business, while others are making a mark… Read More

David Pfalzgraf & Jamie Batt Discuss the Importance of Proactive Client Partnerships

David Pfalzgraf Jr. and Jamie Batt sit down with Patrick Connelly from Buffalo Law Journal and discuss proactive corporate client partnerships. When a company is profitable and employees and customers are happy, life is good and legal needs seem nonexistent. At his family business Franco’s Pizza, attorney Anthony Kroese finds himself telling his father, uncle and cousins… Read More

Why hiring a lawyer for a campus misconduct proceeding is a good idea.

There’s no question about it: Campus misconduct proceedings can impact a student’s life long after their college days are over. While hiring a lawyer is far from mandatory, it can give students—and just as importantly, their parents—confidence going into an unknown situation. Here are some reasons why it’s a good idea to enlist representation 1.… Read More

Understanding the impact of proposed Title IX rule changes on student rights.

When it comes to campus disciplinary action, students have long faced an uphill battle laden with unclear procedural rules. A late 2018 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking from the U.S. Department of Education seeks to right those wrongs by clarifying the duties of colleges and universities, while also expanding the rights of students under Title IX… Read More

BLJ Highlights Ben Burge as Emerging Attorney

Congratulations to Ben Burge as Buffalo Law Journal’s most recent Emerging Attorney. You can tell that Benjamin Burge is a fun-loving guy by one of his nicknames (he has several): BenJAMIN. But his serious side comes out in his work as associate attorney in the business law and litigation group of Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham LLC. “The work varies… Read More

Dan Sarzynski Presenting on Lien Law: Protect Your Right to Get Paid

Rupp Baase partner attorney, Dan Sarzynski, head of our Construction & Development practice group, will be presenting on Construction Lien Law: Protect Your Right to Get Paid at the Construction Exchange on March 20th 2019. Join Dan for a mechanic’s lien presentation that will cover: Overview of Mechanic’s Liens | Filing and Timing Requirements |Private… Read More

A lawyer who never took the LSAT

ABA Experiment of not requiring the LSAT helped Chad Davenport find his way to a legal career. Attorney Chad Davenport said it was 2015 when his post-college future came to a fork in the road. A new associate at Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham LLC, he focuses on litigation at the Buffalo firm. As a senior in college,… Read More

Innovation in Professional Growth

At Rupp Baase we love professional growth. Congratulations to Anne Bowling, Geff Gismondi and Cory Weber for starting the year off right by being promoted to Partner. We would also like to congratulate our new attorneys who were recently sworn in Shawn Byrns, Chad Davenport and Stephen Stachowski. The road to partner does not happen overnight. … Read More

Four Questions to Ask a Divorce Lawyer on the First Visit

Preparing for an initial consultation with a divorce attorney can seem a little intimidating. After months (or even years) of contemplation, it’s only natural, though there’s no need to stress. Really, when it comes right down to it, finding an attorney is less a knowledge-based quest, and more of an interpersonal one, where you discover… Read More

Jamie Batt & Anne Bowling Speak to BLJ on narrowing the gender gap

Jamie Bryant and Anne Bowling  spent time with Buffalo Law Journal’s Patrick Connelly discussing some of our firm’s women’s initiatives. With the #MeToo movement front and center and a recent report by the American Bar Association on bias, closing the gender gap in the legal profession has become a hot topic. To help bridge the… Read More