News

On May 9, 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act (the “Act”), designed to combat sexual harassment in the workplace. The Act contains provisions similar to the sexual harassment provisions contained in the 2018-2019 New York State Budget. While the New York City Human Rights Law (the “NYCHRL”) applies to employers with four or more employees in New York City, the Act eliminates this employee threshold with respect to gender-based [...]

On May 10, 2018, USCIS issued a Policy Memorandum offering new guidance to immigration officers on the calculation of unlawful presence for those in student (F nonimmigrant), exchange visitor (J nonimmigrant), or vocational student (M nonimmigrant) status and their dependents, admitted for “duration of status” or until a specific date. Under prior USCIS policy, foreign students and exchange visitors who were admitted for, or present in the United States in, duration of status (D/S) [...]

From the beginning, Whiteman Osterman & Hanna have been dedicated to philanthropy, particularly as it relates to the interests of our communities here in the Capital Region. One of our greatest philanthropic efforts has been in support of the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, to whom we have recently made a capital pledge of $25,000 for their Center for Civil Legal Services campaign. This campaign is a response to the growing demand for urgent legal services needed by low-income [...]

As part of the 2018-2019 New York State Budget, the Legislature adopted new legislation that is designed to combat sexual harassment in the workplace. This legislation was signed into law on April 12, 2018, and applies to both public and private sector employers.  Key changes that we expect to have the greatest impact moving forward include the following:   No mandatory arbitration agreements: Effective July 11, 2018 (ninety (90) days after the legislation became law), [...]

With an unprecedented local increase in enforcement activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) based on the Trump administration’s shifting enforcement priorities, Whiteman Osterman & Hanna’s removal and deportation defense services provide a local option for representation of detainees subject to ICE enforcement action.  Historically, options were limited for representation of these detainees, with most being transferred to immigration detention facilities [...]