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All the latest firm news and industry updates from Whiteman Osterman & Hanna.
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Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the Capital Region’s largest law firm, has announced that John M. Czajka has joined the firm as partner and John F. Wirenius has joined as of counsel.Czajka, who spent the last 15 years in New York State government service, most recently serving as General Counsel to the New York State Police, will join the Litigation and Government Relations practice groups. Wirenius is the immediate past Chair of the New York State Public Employment Relations Board and [...]
Read More ›WHITEMAN OSTERMAN & HANNA LLP ANNOUNCES NEW OF COUNSEL
- Category: Featured Firm News Litigation and Appeals
Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the Capital Region’s largest law firm, has announced that Peter R. Bryce has joined the firm as Of Counsel in the firm’s Litigation and Appeals Practice Group. In his new role, Mr. Bryce will represent clients in matters concerning securities law, federal investigations, and general commercial litigation. Prior to joining Whiteman Osterman & Hanna, Mr. Bryce maintained a solo practice working with major law firms, tech startups, and [...]
Read More ›Booze by Mail? Hochul Legalizes Direct-to-Consumer Shipping for Most New York Producers
- Posted By: Alexandra Becker
- Category: Featured
Governor Hochul continues to take action to prioritize the New York craft beverage industry. She recently signed legislation allowing NY-based producers of mead (a fermented beverage made with honey, water and yeast, often called “Honey Wine”), cider, and spirits to ship directly to consumers within and outside of New York State. This new legislation, along with the recent enactment of to-go alcohol sales, is another legalization by Governor Hochul of temporary measures which [...]
Read More ›Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna is proud to have 19 lawyers recognized in the 2025 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. The firm also has one partner awarded the Best Lawyer® 2025 Elder Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Albany, and one senior counsel awarded the Best Lawyer® 2025 Environmental Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Albany. Only one lawyer in a specific practice area and geographical region is honored with a [...]
Read More ›Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the Capital Region’s largest law firm, has announced that Catherine A. Graziose has joined the firm as an associate in the Education Practice Group. In her new role, Graziose will be responsible for counseling primary and higher education clients in matters relating to Titles IV and IX of the Higher Education Act, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act, conducting policy review, and assisting clients to comply with state and federal regulatory [...]
Read More ›Whiteman Osterman & Hanna Represents the Adirondack Council in an Amicus Brief with the New York State Court of Appeals to Protect Wild River Areas
- Category: Articles Environmental
Wild river areas in the Adirondack Park Forest Preserve like the one encompassing the breathtaking Hudson River Gorge are entitled to special protection under the New York Constitution’s Forever Wild clause and the Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers System Act. When the State acquires new land in the Park and designates it as a wild river area, it is required to eliminate any prior nonconforming uses of the land and prohibit all motor vehicle [...]
Read More ›FCC Limits Local Control for Deployment of 5G Network
- Posted By: Thomas Shepardson
- Category: Articles Municipal
BACKGROUNDPursuant to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, on September 26, 2018, the Federal Communications Commission issued a Declaratory Ruling and Third Report and Order (the Order) that preempts certain state and local regulatory authority claiming that existing local regulations hinder the deployment of 5G infrastructure. The Order was published in the Federal Register on October 15, 2018 and becomes effective on January 14, 2019. Local rules concerning aesthetic concerns [...]
Read More ›With election day coming up, many are wondering whether or not immigrants have voting rights in the United States. The answer isn’t quite so black and white. Depending on immigration status, individuals may be prohibited from voting in local, state, and federal elections. Native United States CitizensA native citizen of the United States is one that was born in the United States, and/or has citizenship through their parents. Native citizens who are 18 years of age or older are [...]
Read More ›Whiteman Osterman & Hanna Associate Featured in Albany Business Review Discussion on End of Year Financial Planning
- Category:
Whiteman Osterman & Hanna Associate Myles B. Fischer was recently featured in the Albany Business Review’s Table of Experts. The five experts featured in the “End of Year Financial Planning” discussed new tax rules and financial planning challenges and opportunities. You can read the full discussion here: Download TOE End of Year Financial Planning.pdf.
Read More ›FCC Takes Aim (Again) at Municipal Rights to Promote Faster Local Deployment of 5G Network
- Category: Municipal
New York municipalities beware. On September 4, 2018, in response to complaints from the telecommunications industry that local rules and regulations are a burden to the deployment of their facilities, the FCC announced that it will vote on September 25, 2018 on an Order that will speed deployment of new 5G network technologies across the country that will have an immediate impact on New York State municipalities. Approval of the Order appears to be a foregone conclusion. See [...]
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