Sal Ferlazzo and Lauren Atwood appeared on News Channel 13 in a segment regarding home improvement contractors. For more information regarding this subject, you can read an informative article “How To Avoid Home Improvement Headaches “ by going to this link:
CASES
March 14, 2012
Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. Obtains Summary Judgment for Subcontractor
In a Decision and Order dated March 7, 2012, the Supreme Court of Dutchess County awarded summary judgment in favor of a subcontractor on its claim for breach of contract. Robert F. Manfredo, Esq. represented the subcontractor against the general contractor before the Supreme Court.
The subcontractor, a Connecticut based company, was hired by the defendant, a general contractor, pursuant to an oral agreement to perform asbestos waste transportation and disposal services in connection with the improvement of real property. After completing the agreed upon services, the subcontractor mailed the general contractor an invoice for its services. The general contractor, however, failed to pay the subcontractor for the services it provided. Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. commenced an action against the general contractor for breach of contract, account stated, and unjust enrichment.
On a motion for summary judgment, the Court ruled that the subcontractor made a prima facie showing of entitlement to judgment as a matter of law on its claim for breach of contract. Accordingly, the Court awarded the subcontractor the amount due for its services plus statutory interest.
If you would like more information about this case, please contact Robert F. Manfredo at rfm@girvinlaw.com.
Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. Obtains Favorable Decision for School District before State’s Highest Court
On January 5, 2012, the New York State Court of Appeals – the highest court in New York – held that the Garrison Union Free School District was not obligated to provide a tuition-free education to children living at a licensed child care institution located within the boundaries of the District. The Court of Appeals’ decision affirmed the holding of the Appellate Division, Second Department, as well as the Supreme Court.
In deciding this case, the Court of Appeals adopted Girvin & Ferlazzo’s argument that, pursuant to Education Law Section 3202, the school district of the child’s residence is financially responsible for the cost of educating children living at a child care institution. The child care institution had argued that because Article 81 of the Education Law – specifically Section 4002 – provides that children living in child care institutions are entitled to receive a free and appropriate education in a setting which includes the school district where the child care institution is located, the local school district was required to enroll and educate these children on a tuition-free basis. The Court of Appeals rejected this argument on the basis that Article 81 does not address which entity is responsible for paying the cost of the “free and appropriate education” and, as a result, must be read in conjunction with Education Law § 3202. The Court also noted that the legislature did not intend for a local school district to bear the financial responsibility for educating children living in a child care institution.
The School District was represented throughout the litigation by Salvatore D. Ferlazzo, Esq. and Patrick J. Fitzgerald III, Esq.
Girvin & Ferlazzo and Cantwell Law Firm Obtain $6.1 Million Judgment in Wrongful Death Action
Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C., and the Cantwell Law Firm, PLLC, have just obtained a $6.1 million judgment dated February 10, 2012 in a wrongful death action on behalf of the Estate of Timothy G. Carter against Anthony V. Pavone. Pavone was convicted in the double murder of Timothy Carter and Patricia Howard in June of 2011 and sentenced to life in prison. After an inquest, Clinton County Supreme Court Justice Robert J. Muller awarded $5 million in punitive damages, $1 million for pain and suffering, and $100,000 for wrongful death damages. “We are pleased that the Court granted such a large verdict since it sends a loud and clear message that such conduct will not be tolerated in Clinton County,” says Salvatore D. Ferlazzo, Esq. He continued that “Like all of our personal injury matters, we intend to vigorously pursue reasonable judgments and collections of those judgments”. Plaintiff was represented by Salvatore D. Ferlazzo, Esq. and Lauren A. Atwood, Esq. of Albany and Richard E. Cantwell, Esq. of Plattsburgh. Click on the link below to read the article in the Plattsburg Press Republican newspaper. http://pressrepublican.com/0100_news/x1501439822/Convicted-murderer-ordered-to-pay-6-1-million
Sal Ferlazzo Featured On WNYT’s Story On The Town Of Grafton
Girvin & Ferlazzo’s Sal Ferlazzo was featured on WNYT last night in a story they reported about the Town of Grafton. Click here to see the story.
Girvin & Ferlazzo Obtains A $700,000 Judgment -
Girvin & Ferlazzo successfully obtained a $700,781.00 judgment in an assault and battery case which sought punitive and compensatory damages for a client’s personal injuries.
The defendant viciously attacked the plaintiff with a baseball bat on Lark Street in the City of Albany. He was not provoked, and he did not stop even after the plaintiff was knocked unconscious. As a result of the assault and battery, the plaintiff sustained severe head and facial injuries requiring open reduction surgery and internal fixation. The injuries included a right mandibular angle fracture, right zygomatic arch fracture, right zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture, right orbital floor blow-out fracture, dislocation of his jaw, and lacerations to the head requiring many stitches, in addition to several contusions to the head, arms, and legs.
In the wake of recent criminal activity in downtown Albany, the New York State Supreme Court, Albany County (Connolly, J.) awarded the plaintiff $500,000.00 in compensatory damages to compensate him for his injuries and $200,000.00 punitive damages, plus costs, in this civil lawsuit.
The judgment was obtained following an inquest trial conducted by Salvatore D. Ferlazzo, Esq. and Lauren A. Atwood, Esq.
Girvin & Ferlazzo Wins Argument In Appellate Court -
On April 7, 2011, the Appellate Division, Third Department affirmed a Decision & Order of the Surrogate’s Court, Rensselaer County (Hummel, S.) in favor of the respondent, a co-executor and daughter of the decedent, finding that respondent demonstrated with clear and convincing evidence that the decedent expressly agreed to compensate her daughter and son-in-law for services they rendered. Lauren A. Atwood, Esq. argued on appeal on behalf of the respondent.
The respondent and the petitioner, are sisters and coexecutors of the decedent’s estate. The decedent became physically disabled and moved in with the respondent’s family for the last two years of her life. During that time, respondent cared for decedent and acted as her mother’s attorney-in-fact pursuant to a valid power of attorney executed by the decedent.
The petitioner commenced this action to obtain proceeds of decedent’s assets and an accounting. The respondent submitted an accounting, to which the petitioner filed objections, claiming that that respondent the decedent did not agree to pay respondent and her husband for, among other things, services rendered for home care and for the preparation of decedent’s real property for sale. Following a bench trial tried by Salvatore D. Ferlazzo, Esq., the Surrogate’s Court concluded that petitioner’s mental capacity was not diminished and that the decedent directed and actively participated in the management of her assets.
In affirming the lower court decision, the Appellate Division, Third Department deferred to the determinations of the trial court with respect to witness credibility and concluded that the challenged actions were taken with the knowledge and consent of the decedent, and further, that the petitioner failed to set forth any evidence to the contrary.
Based on the arguments by Girvin & Ferlazzo, the Third Department affirmed the original order and decree, with costs.
If you would like more information regarding this case, please contact Salvatore D. Ferlazzo at sdf@girvinlaw.com or Lauren A. Atwood at laa@girvinlaw.com.
Girvin Attorneys Win $6 Million Verdict for Want Ad Digest in Copyright Infringement Case
On July 27, a federal court jury in the Northern District of New York issued a verdict resulting in a judgment of $6,020,250 on behalf of Want Ad Digest Inc. of Troy, publisher of a widely sold magazine, against a competing publisher, Display Advertising Inc. of Watervliet, and its president, Edward H. Spain.
The jury found that Spain committed 8,027 acts of copyright infringement under the Federal Copyright Act. District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe of the New York Federal District Court for the Northern District of New York assessed damages against both the president individually and the publishing corporation.
Want Ad Digest Inc, represented by Salvatore D. Ferlazzo, Esq. and Robert F. Manfredo, Esq. of the Albany law firm of Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C., brought suit against both the competing company and its president for misappropriating classified advertisements from the publisher’s magazine and printing them in its own competing publication in early 2008.
Prior to the trial, Judge Sharpe held that Want Ad Digest had legal ownership of the classified ads published in its magazine for the purpose of asserting a copyright infringement claim. During the trial, the jury credited the publication’s proof that the classified commission ads were sufficiently original to allow an infringement claim and that the owner/president of Display Advertising was personally responsible, in addition to the corporation, for the acts of infringement.
New York Law Journal Reports on $6 million Verdict -
The New York Law Journal ran an article on the $6 million verdict obtained by Girvin & Ferlazzo in this copyright infringement case.
Click here to see the article (right click if you would like to download the PDF file).
For more information contact Salvatore D. Ferlazzo or Robert F. Manfredo at 518.462.0300 or email Ferlazzo at sdf@girvinlaw.com.
Click here to see a copy of the judgement.
Federal Court Holds that Publisher Owns Rights to Classified Ads
District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe, New York Federal District Court for the Northern District of New York, held that the publisher of a widely sold magazine containing thousands of classified ads had legal ownership of those ads for the purposes of asserting a copyright infringement claim under the Federal Copyright Act. The publisher, represented by Salvatore D. Ferlazzo, Esq. and Robert F. Manfredo, Esq. of Girvin & Ferlazzo, brought suit against a competing company and the company’s owner for misappropriating classified ads from the publisher’s magazine and printing them in their own competing publication.
Click here to go to the New York Publishers Association website for more information.
Girvin & Ferlazzo Successfully Defends School District in Freedom of Information Law Proceeding
On January 29, 2010, the New York State Supreme Court for Schenectady County dismissed a petition filed by two local newspapers under New York’s Freedom of Information Law. The Court held that the School District complied with all aspects of the Freedom of Information Law when it denied the petitioners access to an investigative report prepared by an outside consultant for a School District, as well as a series of electronic mail communications in the possession of the District which were sent and received by a former District employee. The School District was represented in this special proceeding by Patrick J. Fitzgerald, Esq. and Robert F. Manfredo, Esq.
While New York’s Freedom of Information Law is premised on a general policy of disclosure, it also contemplates the need on the part of government to keep some matters confidential. In this regard, when rendering its decision, the Court adopted the arguments raised by Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. on behalf of the School District that the contents of the investigative report, as well as the e-mail communications fell within various exemptions to the Freedom of Information Law. After reviewing comprehensive submissions by the School District in opposition to the petition, including an affidavit submitted by the outside consultant, the Court agreed with the District that, among other things, the investigative report was largely the product of interviews with District employees who spoke with the consultant only after being told that their conversations would remain confidential. The Court also agreed with the School District’s argument that the report should not be disclosed because it contained allegations of misconduct which had not yet resulted in final determinations by the District; in doing so, the Court aligned itself with an advisory opinion rendered by the New York State Committee on Open Government provided by the Committee during preliminary phases of the petitioners’ request for access.
This proceeding was highly publicized and Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. was pleased to obtain a favorable result for the School District.
Third Department Reverses and Grants Summary Judgment in Favor of Real Estate Broker
On December 3, 2009, the Appellate Division, Third Department, issued a Memorandum and Order that reversed a decision of the Supreme Court and granted summary judgment in favor of a real estate broker. Robert F. Manfredo, Esq. represented the real estate broker on the appeal.
In this case, a real estate salesman entered into a contract with a group of individual defendants and agreed to obtain financing for those individuals for the construction of a hotel in Ticonderoga, New York. In return, the individual defendants agreed to pay the salesman a commission based on a percentage of the amount of financing obtained by the salesman. After obtaining a 3.5 million dollar loan, the individual defendants refused to pay the salesman the agreed upon commission.
Due to a statutory restriction that prohibited the salesman from bringing a lawsuit against the defendants, a real estate broker with whom the salesman was associated filed suit based on breach of contract. The Supreme Court dismissed the case, holding that because the broker was not a party to the contract he did not have standing to sue on behalf of the salesman. The Third Department, however, reversed the Supreme Court’s decision based on the argument raised by Girvin & Ferlazzo that a real estate broker has standing, as a matter of law, to enforce such contracts. The Court also directed the Supreme Court to enter judgment in favor of the broker for the agreed upon commission.
If you would like more information about this case, please contact Robert F. Manfredo at rfm@girvinlaw.com.
Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. Successfully Bars Lawsuits From Proceeding Against School District
On September 29, 2009, the New York State Supreme Court for Schenectady County denied a group of plaintiffs permission to serve late notices of claim upon a School District pursuant to Education Law Section 3813. The Court=s ruling also barred these individuals from commencing lawsuits against the School District and the District=s officials. The School District was represented in the actions by Patrick J. Fitzgerald, Esq. and Robert F. Manfredo, Esq.
In this case, plaintiffs sought permission from the Court to serve late notices of claim upon the School District for injuries they claim to have suffered as a result of alleged acts of vandalism, threatening conduct, and harassment which they claim were committed by a District employee at various times during the period from 2005 to February 16, 2009. In addressing the plaintiffs= allegations, the Court adopted the argument raised by Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. on behalf of the School District, and held that the Court did not have jurisdiction to consider the plaintiffs= applications because the petitions were filed well past the one-year and ninety-day statute of limitations applicable to suits commenced against a school district. The Court further agreed with the School District=s argument that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate any specific acts on the part of the School District which would have induced the plaintiffs to refrain from serving timely notices of claim.
From the outset, the cases against the School District were highly publicized and received a great deal of media attention. Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. was pleased to obtain a favorable result for the School District at the very initial stages of this litigation.
Girvin & Ferlazzo Obtains Dismissal Of $1.5 Million Dollar Claim Against Restaurant Owner-Client
The breakup of a partnership makes news in the Albany Times Union. Sal Ferlazzo represented one of the parties in this matter and, as you can read, was successful in the end.
Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. Obtains Summary Judgment on District’s Behalf, Dismissing Parent’s Due Process and First Amendment Retaliation Claims
On July 29, 2009, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York granted Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C.’s motion for summary judgment filed on behalf of the School District, dismissing all claims brought by a parent of a District student against the District and District officials. The School District was represented in the suit by Patrick J. Fitzgerald, Esq. and Ryan P. Mullahy, Esq.
In this case, the Plaintiff’s son was dismissed from the School District’s varsity football team because of multiple behavioral issues. Plaintiff commenced a suit against the School District alleging that the District and District officials violated his due process rights and retaliated against his son in violation of the First Amendment.
The Court granted summary judgment to the Defendant School District and the District officials named in the suit. Although Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. argued that Plaintiff’s son had no constitutionally protected property interest in participating on the School District’s football team, the District Court found that it did not need to address that issue because, even assuming for the sake of argument that there was such a property interest, Plaintiff was provided with all due process owed to him prior to his son’s dismissal. The Court noted that Plaintiff spoke with his son’s coach before and after his son’s dismissal, was allowed to appeal the coach’s determination to the School District’s Superintendent, and was granted several other opportunities to “present his side of the story.” The Court also pointed out that the Superintendent provided Plaintiff with a letter explaining the reasons for the District’s decision to dismiss Plaintiff’s son from the team.
The Court also dismissed Plaintiff’s First Amendment retaliation claim in its entirety. The Court noted that Plaintiff failed to offer evidence to establish a link between his protected speech and the School District’s decision to dismiss Plaintiff’s son. Finding that Plaintiff offered only “slim factual allegations” of retaliation, the Court granted Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C.’s motion for summary judgment on this claim as well.
Purchaser Wins Return Of Deposit On Cancelled Real Estate Contract
In a recent decision, the Supreme Court, Albany County, ruled that a purchaser properly cancelled a residential real estate contract, entitling him to the return of his deposit. The purchaser was represented in the suit by Christopher P. Langlois, Esq.
Following an unfavorable structural inspection, the purchaser gave notice to the seller of his intention to cancel the real estate contract. The seller refused to return the purchaser’s deposit, however, claiming that there were no valid grounds to cancel the contract and, in any event, that the notice of cancellation was not provided within the time limits provided in the contract. In response to the purchaser’s suit to recover his deposit, the seller brought a counterclaim seeking damages arising from the purchaser’s alleged breach of contract in failing to complete the purchase and sale.
On motions for summary judgment, the Court ruled that the unfavorable structural inspection provided a valid basis for the purchaser to cancel the contract, and that the notice of cancellation was timely provided to the seller. The Court therefore awarded the purchaser the return of his deposit, and dismissed the seller’s counterclaim for damages against the purchaser.
Third Department Upholds Termination Of Village Police Chief
On July 2, 2009, the Appellate Division, Third Department, issued a Memorandum of Judgment confirming a determination made by the Village of Saranac Lake Board of Trustees which terminated the employment of its Chief of Police following a disciplinary hearing held pursuant to Section 75 of the Civil Service Law. The Village was represented on the appeal by Christopher P. Langlois, Esq.
The disciplinary charges arose from an alcohol-related motor vehicle accident involving two Village police officers. Following a Section 75 hearing, the appointed Hearing Officer issued a Report and Recommendation finding the Chief of Police guilty of misconduct in connection with his investigation and handling of the incident, and recommending his termination. Following the Board’s adoption of the Hearing Officer’s Report and termination of his employment, the Chief of Police brought an Article 78 proceeding challenging his termination, seeking reinstatement and an award of back pay.
In confirming the Village’s determination, the Third Department rejected the Chief’s argument that the Village Board had failed to properly designate the Hearing Officer in accordance with the requirements of Section 75. The Third Department also found that substantial evidence in the hearing record supported the Board’s determination that the Chief of Police had, in fact, engaged in the acts of misconduct alleged.
Retiree Wins Challenge to NYS Teachers’ Retirement System Benefit Determination
On April 10, 2009, the Supreme Court, Albany County, granted an Article 78 Petition brought on behalf of a retired school superintendent to challenge a determination by the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) which excluded the value of pre-retirement life insurance benefits in the calculation of his final average salary. The matter was handled by Christopher P. Langlois, Esq.
The proceeding arose out of a determination by TRS to exclude the value of the pre-retirement life insurance benefits from the superintendent’s pension calculations on the ground that the benefits were an “eve of retirement” increase in compensation intended to “artificially inflate” the superintendent’s final average salary prior to his retirement. Exclusion of the value of these benefits would have resulted in the loss to the superintendent of several thousand dollars in annual pension benefits
In granting the retiree’s Petition, the Court was persuaded that the pre-retirement life insurance benefits at issue constituted genuine compensation to the superintendent for services rendered or to be rendered under his employment contract, and therefore should have been included by TRS in the retirement calculations.
If you would like more information about this case, please contact Christopher P. Langlois at cpl@girvinlaw.com
Third department affirms municipal zoning law enforcement
On May 14, 2009, the Appellate Division, Third Department unanimously affirmed a July, 2008 Supreme Court decision which, after trial, ruled in favor of the Town of Caroga in a case brought by the Town to enforce its zoning laws. Salvatore D. Ferlazzo, Esq., represented the Town of Caroga at both the trial and appellate levels, and was assisted on the appeal by Robert F. Manfredo, Esq.
The Town commenced the civil enforcement action in 2005 seeking to enjoin a resident from completing the construction of a building on his property, which the Town claimed exceeded the uses permitted under the Town’s zoning laws, as well as the terms of a previously issued building permit. Among the issues litigated were whether the structure as built went beyond a mere “boathouse,” the specific use for which the building permit had been issued, and if so, what the appropriate remedy should be. The Supreme Court determined, and the Third Department agreed, that the resident’s structure exceeded the scope of a permissible “boathouse,” and that the appropriate remedy under the circumstances was to order that the structure be removed, together with the payment of a $50,000 civil penalty.
PRESENTATIONS:
December 1, 2011
Jay Girvin and Patrick J. Fitzgerald III will once again be teaching a course on “Education Law, Policy and Values” this spring at the Sage College in Albany, New York. The course is being offered by Sage as part of the doctorate program for school administrators.
April 18 – Jay Girvin will participate in Siena College’s Pre-Law Mentor Program.
April 19 – Jay Girvin will participate in a leadership initiative program in New York City, New York.
April 21 – William Pfeiffer will present on the topic of “Health Care Proxies” as part of Albany Law School’s Senior Day.
May 21 – Jay Girvin will be presenting to the Putnam North Westchester BOCES at its annual Spring Law Presentation.
May 7 – Kristine Amodeo Lanchantin will be holding a workshop for the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES on the Dignity for All Students Act.
April 24 – William Pfeiffer will participate in a panel discussion on Elder Law issues for the Alzheimer’s Association at SEFCU’s Dora Maxwell Auditorium in Albany, New York.
April 21 – Bill Pfeiffer will be presenting at this year’s Senior Citizen’s Law Day. Bill will be speaking on the topic of Family Health Care Decisions Act.
May 1 – Tara Moffett will participate in a pro bono “Ask the Lawyer” clinic sponsored by the Young Attorneys Section of the Schenectady County Bar Association in conjunction with a Law Day Celebration
March 19 – Jeffrey D. Honeywell presented to the Schuylerville faculty as part of their Superintendent’s Day on the topics of Dignity Act for Students Act, mandated reporting for teachers, and student discipline procedure.
March 2 – Scott P. Quesnel presented to the Albany-Capital Region Chapter of the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR) on the topic of “FMLA – Basics to Recent Developments.”
March 12 – Jeff Honeywell and Patrick Fitzgerald presented at the Saratoga County School Boards Association meeting, regarding the changes to and requirements of the Open Meetings Law.
February 11 – William D. Pfeiffer hosted an “Elder Care/Long Term Care Bootcamp” seminar. The seminar was held at the offices of Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C.
March 19 – Scott P. Quesnel presented to the Albany-Capital Region Chapter IPMA-HR on the topic of the “Family and Medical Leave Act”.
SAL FERLAZZO TO PRESENT AT 53rd ANNUAL NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYORS
A conference and exhibition was held January 9 – 11, 2012 at the Saratoga City Center in Saratoga Springs, NY. On January 9, Sal Ferlazzo presented a program entitled “Adverse Possession in New York State”. You can click on the link below to access the Adverse Possession Presentation. Adverse Possession
FIRM NEWS:
Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. Involved in Federal Litigation Regarding DePuy ASR Hip Replacement Systems
In August of 2010, DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. a division of Johnson & Johnson, issued a voluntary recall of two of its ASR Hip Replacement Systems. These hip replacement systems were implanted in patients, some of whom received implants on both the right and left sides. Many of those individuals have been required to undergo revision surgeries to have the recalled implant or implants removed and replaced.
Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. is currently attorney of record against DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., and its affiliates, for claims arising from the ASR Hip Replacement Systems. If you have been implanted with a DePuy ASR Hip Replacement System, or have been required to undergo a revision surgery as a result of the DePuy recall, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain, suffering, medical expenses, and other economic loss.
If you are interested in receiving a free consultation, please call our offices at (518) 462-0300 and ask to speak with Sal Ferlazzo, Esq. or Robert Manfredo, Esq.
William Pfeiffer Named Associate of Girvin & Ferlazzo
William Pfeiffer, an attorney practicing in the areas of elder law, tax, estate planning and administration, has been named an associate of Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. after previously serving in an “of counsel” capacity at the firm.
Pfeiffer has extensive experience working with individuals to develop and execute comprehensive wealth transfer programs. As a former partner of the Ayco Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Goldman Sachs, his practice was focused on senior corporate executives, venture capitalists, physicians and other high net worth individuals and their families.
A member of the Elder Law and the Trust and Estate Sections of the New York Bar Association, Pfeiffer is a graduate of Georgetown University and Albany Law School.
He and his family reside in Niskayuna
“2011 New York Super Lawyers”
Sal Ferlazzo has been selected to be included in the 2011 New York Super Lawyers list. Inclusion is based on a statewide nomination process, review of the lawyer’s resume and the evaluation of his/her peers. The list will appear in New York Super Lawyers – Upstate Edition magazine.
Bill Pfeiffer
Bill has been nominated to serve on the Professional Advisor Steering Committee of the Community Foundation For the Greater Capital Region. The Foundation is a resource that helps professionals provide their clients with information and ways they can achieve their charitable goals and support their community.
Girvin & Ferlazzo Adds Associate
The firm is very excited to announce that James P. Girvin has joined Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. as Associate Attorney. James is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and New York.
Tara Moffett
Ms. Moffett has been named the Co-Chair for the 11th annual Community Hospice Walk on June 16, 2012.
Ryan P. Mullahy
Mr. Mullahy has been elected to serve a three-year term as a member of the Board of Directors of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, commencing in January, 2012.
Robert F. Manfredo, Esq. Chosen to Participate in “Leadership Tech Valley”
Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce and The Chamber of Schenectady County in a shared initiative, “Leadership Tech Valley”, have announced that Girvin & Ferlazzo attorney Robert F. Manfredo has been chosen to be part of the “Leadership Tech Valley” class of 2011. Mr. Manfredo will be part of a diverse group of highly talented men and women from throughout the region. The class will be interacting and learning from their peers and key community leaders who are making a difference in our region, as well as participating in a community service oriented class project.
September 19, 2011
LEGAL RADIO SHOW CELEBRATES 10 YEARS -
On September 15, 2011, the “Girvin & Ferlazzo Law Show” celebrated its 10th anniversary on the air. For the last ten years, the Girvin & Ferlazzo’s radio program has provided its listeners with free general legal advice on a wide variety of legal matters. The “Girvin & Ferlazzo Law Show’ can be heard every Saturday morning on AM 1300, WGDJ, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
THE CANTWELL LAW FIRM JOINS AS OF COUNSEL -
We are proud to welcome The Cantwell Law Firm as of counsel to Girvin & Ferlazzo. Their expertise and local experience will provide our clients with great resources throughout the North Country. Click here to see an article in the Plattsburgh Press Republican about this exciting venture.
IN THE COMMUNITY:
September 1, 2011
June 16 – Employees, colleagues, friends and family members of Girvin and Ferlazzo will join with “Team Braveheart,” organized by Tara Moffett, for the 11th Annual Hospice Walk to help raise funds for the Community Hospice, which serves seven counties in the upstate New York Region. This will be the third walk for Team Braveheart in this annual event.
May 7 – Salvatore Ferlazzo will take to the stage once again with other local attorneys to perform a staged reading of “Twelve Angry Jurors” in honor of Law Day 2012. The event will be held at Capital Repertory Theatre at 5:30 and all proceeds from this event go to support the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York.
May 6 – Employees, colleagues, friends and family members of Girvin & Ferlazzo will participate in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s 2012 Walk to Cure Diabetes as part of “Team Steely Dan.” For the eighth year in a row, Girvin & Ferlazzo will sponsor Team Steely Dan, a family walk team organized by Kristine Amodeo Lanchantin and her son Danny, who was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes in 2003.
SIENA COLLEGE JURIST-IN-RESIDENCE EVENT
On Friday, February 3, 2012, Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. hosted the annual Siena College Jurist in Residence reception at the offices of Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C.
May 20, 2011
JAY GIRVIN and “ASK A LAWYER COLUMN” -
Check out the first edition of the “Ask A Lawyer” column by Jay Girvin, appearing in Country Folks magazine in Palatine Bridge, NY.
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Girvin & Ferlazzo volunteered for two afternoons at the Clover Patch Camp for children and adults with disabilities. The camp is run by the Center For Disability Services. The camp opens the first week in June, and to assist in preparing for the summer session, the office took the afternoons of May 19 and May 20 and planted flower beds, split wood, raked and cleaned the pool area and cleaned the bath house.
April 11, 2011
“2011 New York Super Lawyers”
Sal Ferlazzo has been selected to be included in the 2011 New York Super Lawyers list. Inclusion is based on a statewide nomination process, review of the lawyer’s resume and the evaluation of his/her peers. The list will appear in New York Super Lawyers – Upstate Edition magazine.
September 30, 2010
Karen S. Norlander Named 2010 Upstate New York Super Lawyer -
Karen S. Norlander was recently named as one of the New York Super Lawyers for the Upstate Edition in the practice area of education. She was one of only three lawyers named for this practice area.
Norlander has served as special counsel at Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. since 1999. She represents individual school districts in special education matters and supports the firm’s Special Education Law practice through the development of training programs, preventive law initiatives and direct representation of school districts in hearings and litigation.
She also serves as Counsel to the Council of New York Special Education Administrators; The Charny Group, a consultant to school districts on Medicaid and special education services; and National Professional Resources for which she authored RTI Tackles the LD Explosion video, the Everything You Want to Know about the IDEA laminates and soon to be released The 504 Primer. Norlander is also a major contributor to the Attorney’s Corner, an online publication of the New York Special Education Directors, a division of the Centris Group and a frequent presenter at statewide conferences.
Admitted to practice in the United States District Courts in the Northern, Southern and Eastern District; the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; and the U.S. Supreme Court, Norlander has successfully represented school districts in hearings, appeals and litigation in cases involving children with disabilities and civil rights. She is also a state certified hearing officer.
Norlander earned her master’s in social work from Columbia University and her law degree from Pace University School of Law. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association and its committees on children and the law and persons with disabilities.
Super Lawyers magazine names attorneys in each state who receive the highest point totals, as chosen by their peers and through the independent research of Law & Politics. Super Lawyers is published in all 50 states and reaches more than 13 million readers. Polling, research and selection are performed by Law & Politics, a publication of Key Professional Media, Inc.
Here’s the mention in the Albany Times Union: Norlander.TU_093010
September 16, 2010
New York Law Journal Reports on $6 million Verdict -
The New York Law Journal ran an article on the $6 million verdict obtained by Girvin & Ferlazzo in a copyright infringement case.
Click here to see the article (right click if you would like to download the PDF file).