A Canadian judge made headlines on June 8, 2023 when he ruled a thumbs-up emoji was a sufficient acceptance in a contract between a farmer and a grain processing cooperative. A cooperative employee texted the farmer a picture of a proposed contract and asked him to confirm the agreement. The farmer texted back with a…
Schwartz Ettenger, PLLC is delighted to announce the addition of Ron Rolleri, Esq. as Senior Counsel to their respected team of legal professionals. With a wealth of experience spanning more than 25 years, Ron brings a deep understanding of various legal disciplines to the firm. Ron focuses his practice on a diverse range of areas,…
In its ongoing commitment to employee protection, the State of New York consistently introduces new laws that have a significant impact on employers, potentially impeding their companies and exposing them to the risk of fines and penalties for non-compliance. New York Employers with “No Fault” Attendance Policies Subject to Penalties for Disciplining Employees Who Take…
At a car dealership, a long-standing and trusted salesperson colluded with an accomplice to submit fraudulent loan applications, inflating vehicle prices and trade-in values. They pocketed a significant portion of the loan proceeds, eventually getting caught through an internal audit, leading to legal action and the dealership’s efforts to recover the funds and restore its…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various industries in America; however, scammers are taking advantage of its increased usage and sophistication to perpetrate fraud. Car dealerships are a prime target for AI frauds because they deal with high-value transactions and collect sensitive customer information. Scammers may pose as legitimate car buyers, use fake identities, or steal…
IT’S A BRAVE NEW WORLD… As you probably have already heard, ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI) system that provides a vast array of information including legal advice. The system, which was developed by a Silicon Valley startup, uses natural language processing and machine learning to answer basic legal questions. As a search engine, it…
Employers for decades have performed drug tests on employees to determine if they are fit for employment on a day-to-day basis. Often drug testing was only performed as a qualification for employment. In other cases, employers would do routine drug testing to ensure that employees were not using illegal drugs once employed. In other instances,…
As car dealerships continue to evolve and grow during this time of flux related to technology advancements, supply chain issues and the effects of the COVID pandemic, Schwartz Ettenger has identified numerous employee-related issues that we recommend addressing now to ensure continued success of your dealership(s). The top ten employee-related issues facing car dealers today…
Parents who have children battling addiction or struggling with mental illness are often too consumed with the daily care and concern for their child to give consideration to the future and how their son or daughter will be cared for when they are gone, or whether their child will be able to manage the assets…
What Is Succession Planning? To put it in a nutshell, the term ‘succession planning’ refers to a business strategy companies use to pass leadership roles down to the next generation. After years of hard work and personal sacrifice, succession planning ensures that businesses continue to run smoothly and without interruption, after important people move on…
As legalization, regulation and rising acceptance of the cannabis industry, for both medical and recreational use, gains momentum in New York state and around the nation, numerous opportunities – and challenges – face this industry and its affiliated businesses. Whether it’s asset protection, regulatory compliance and risk management, labor and employment-related disputes, negotiating, reviewing, and…
Are you recently widowed, or do you have a close friend or relative who has lost a spouse? During such a difficult time, with so much to take care of, panic can set in as you begin navigating the probate process – don’t panic, the professionals at Schwartz Ettenger can help! Not everyone needs to…
