On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed a law that provides additional Unemployment Insurance (“UI”) assistance to workers impacted by COVID-19. This new pandemic unemployment assistance law provides: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance – Extended eligibility for individuals who have traditionally been ineligible for UI benefits (e.g., self-employed workers, independent contractors); Pandemic Unemployment… Read More

We understand information overload. So we’ve provided you with some COVID-19 resources. If you have any questions on these COVID-19 resources please reach out to our teams who are on the front lines of the ever-changing laws.  Labor & Employent Team or Business Law Team New York State Resources New York State Department of Labor… Read More

Over the past week, federal legislators have made rapid strides in expanding the Coronavirus relief aid to be provided to individuals and businesses vis a vis the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”).  From paycheck protection programs to net operating loss provisions, we have it all broken down for you. Paycheck… Read More

Employer Alert: New Federal Coronavirus Leave Guidance The U.S. Department of Labor has released some guidance for the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA) which was enacted on March 18, 2020. The law goes into effect on April 1, 2020. Our labor and employment attorneys are here to break it down for you. The U.S.… Read More

Late yesterday, Thursday March 19, 2020, Empire State Development Corporation (“ESD”) released the guidance required by Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 202.6 that further defines and specifies whether a business is subject to the 75% workforce reduction imposed by the Governor. Executive Order 202.6 required that, no later than March 20, 2020 at 8 p.m., all… Read More

Coronavirus May Impact Your Business’s Contractual Obligations COVID-19 is affecting every aspect of American life right now and that includes business contracts. Are you wondering if your contract(s) is/are still enforceable, or if this pandemic relieves any party’s obligation to perform within the terms of the contract(s)? Step one; determine if there is a “force majeure”… Read More

On Saturday, June 27th 2020 Team Rupp Baase is celebrating 10 YEARS with the Ride for Roswell! Join us in raising funds for cancer research and patient treatment plans by riding for Roswell.  Registration for the 2020 Ride is now open. Over the past nine years, with your support and dedication, together we have raised… Read More

Civil rights attorney, Tony Rupp speaks to Luke Moretti of WIVB on behalf of his client. James Kistner was having breakfast with his sons at his Buffalo East Side home on New Year’s Day 2017 when he noticed police at his apartment across the street. They finished breakfast before Kistner walked outside to find out… Read More

Our property-litigation practice group seeks an associate with 0-3 years of experience to practice in our Buffalo office in the area of property litigation, subrogation, and antitrust matters.  The ideal candidate is a self-starter with excellent research and writing skills, and must have a desire to work in a fast-paced environment. Candidate should (1) have… Read More

Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham has promoted 5 of our attorneys. Two attorneys to the position of equity partner and 3 to the position of partner. Congratulations to business law attorney Jamie Batt and labor and employment attorney Matt Miller for earning an Equity Partner role in the Firm.  Their continued leadership and dedication to Rupp… Read More

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

WIVB recently spoke to Tony Rupp about his clients illegal search and seizure claims against the Gowanda Police Department. David Yezek was growing marijuana in his Gowanda home. He smoked and sold some to friends. So, it is no surprise that he was on the radar of the Gowanda Police Department. On July 20, 2018,… Read More

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

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

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

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

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

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

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