State Offers Free Mediation of Sandy Insurance Claims
February 28, 2013
The voluntary program for homeowners is to be administered by the American Arbitration Association. Insurers will have to participate in mediations in good faith and foot the bill for the association's costs
Government Property Acquisition in Floodplains After Hurricane Sandy
February 28, 2013
In their Domestic Environmental Law column, Christine A. Fazio, a partner at at Carter Ledyard & Milburn, and Ethan I. Strell, a senior associate at the firm, write that FEMA's acquisition process is subject to environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act, but the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 adds a new provision for 'streamlined' environmental review procedures.
Lawyers Whose Lives Were Upset by Hurricane Find Time to Counsel Fellow Storm Victims
February 25, 2013
On March 1, Long Island attorney Tracey Discepolo and her family finally will return to their home, which is still only partially repaired after being flooded. But today, she will again volunteer at a clinic to help other victims of Sandy.
Residential Tenants Explore Rent Abatements
February 25, 2013
The widespread property damage and power failures after Hurricane Sandy have opened uncharted legal territory for both residential and commercial landlords and tenants, who will likely be wrangling over who is liable for what for some time, attorneys say.
Trial Lawyers Give $25,000 to OCA Workers Hit by Sandy
February 21, 2013
More than 700 state court workers were affected by Sandy. The Court Families Assistance Fund has raised about $100,000 to date for their relief.
Akin Gump Helps Replace Flag Destroyed by Sandy
February 14, 2013
The firm assisted a Staten Island mother, whose son died while in active service in 1994, in replacing the flag presented at his funeral. The Department of Veterans Affairs has a policy of providing only one flag per deceased service member.
Storm Damage to Property Snarls Ongoing Divorce Cases
February 11, 2013
A Brooklyn judge refused a husband's motion to release $100,000 in marital funds to repair damages from the storm he claims rendered uninhabitable a house in Breezy Point, Queens owned by him and his wife.
Touro Law Center Starts Disaster Relief Clinic
February 8, 2013
Visiting professor Benjamin Rajotte, recently hired as the clinic's director, is working with students to represent clients pro bono.
Families Plan to Sue LIPA For Fire During Sandy
February 6, 2013
Notices of claim were filed on behalf of 17 families by Sullivan, Papain, Block, McGrath & Cannavo, alleging that flooding on the Rockaway Peninsula from a storm surge on Oct. 29 touched electrical systems, resulting in short circuits and fires.
Groups to Share $732,000 to Handle Sandy Issues
February 1, 2013
According to the attorney general, the 18 groups have assisted homeowners with improper denials of insurance claims, long delays collecting benefits, and insurance payments that are much less than what homeowners need to repair storm damage.
Completion of New Courthouse on Staten Island Again Delayed
January 24, 2013
Lack of power and workers' transportation problems after Sandy contributed to pushing the completion date of the five-story complex to this June.
Legal Hurdles for Coastal Residents Rebuilding After Sandy
January 23, 2013
In his Zoning and Land Use Planning column, Anthony S. Guardino, a partner with Farrell Fritz, writes that property owners who are seeking to rebuild or repair their homes and other structures after Hurricane Sandy are facing a significant number of hurdles, including the need to comply with a host of local zoning and permit rules.
Law Firms, Agencies Trickle Back to Offices in Lower Manhattan
January 22, 2013
Three months after Hurricane Sandy destroyed the infrastructure of many offices in lower Manhattan, displaced law firms and legal agencies are returning, and high on the agenda for some firms will be attempting to recover business contingency and relocation expenses.
