News

Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the Capital Region’s largest law firm, is pleased to announce that Katherine Wentworth-Ping has joined the Firm as an Associate.Katherine Wentworth-Ping graduated magna cum laude from Fordham University School of Law in 2018, where she was a pro bono scholar, member of the Fordham Law Review, and distinguished public service award recipient.  Ms. Wentworth-Ping has experience in antitrust, class action, and intellectual property disputes, as well as [...]

Whiteman Osterman & Hanna partner Robert A. Stout Jr. has been named to the Board of Directors of Opera Saratoga, a regional opera company of international renown.  Opera Saratoga produces an annual summer festival on the grounds of Saratoga Spa State Park featuring classical works, as well as contemporary and American operas, along with premier productions.  Opera Saratoga is active year round, including by producing its Opera-to-Go program, bringing live performances to over 50 [...]

Effective April 12, 2019, all public and private New York State employers are now required to permit an employee up to three hours of paid time off (PTO) to vote in any public election, if the employee (1) is registered to vote, and (2) requests the time off at least two business days prior to the election.  An employee may request this PTO to vote regardless of the employee’s work schedules or working hours.  However, employers have the option to designate when during the [...]

On July 16, 2019, the Governor signed the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act into law.   When the Act becomes effective on January 1, 2020, it will provide the following labor protections for the first time to farm workers in New York State:  eligibility for overtime pay for any work over 60 hours per week, at an overtime rate of one and one-half times the laborer’s regular rate of pay; a full 24-hours day of rest each week; an 8-hour work day; disability [...]

H-1B visas are a popular and highly-sought after visa type for foreign workers seeking employment in the United States. Before the April 1st deadline, it’s important for individuals and businesses alike to understand the requirements and benefits of the H-1B visa. RequirementsH-1B visas are designed to bring in non-immigrant foreign nationals who work in specialty occupations that are lacking among domestic U.S. workers. To be eligible for the visa, an individual must meet one or more [...]

            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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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.