Legalities & Realities®: The Blog

If you were not aware, back on November 17, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul signed significant amendments to New York’s General Obligations Law § 5-336, impacting how confidentiality provisions (also known as non-disclosure agreements or NDAs, whether separately or within settlement or other agreements) can be structured in settlements involving claims of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.

In the high-stakes world of trust and estate litigation, the appointment of a fiduciary, whether an executor, trustee, or administrator, is a powerful and trusted role. But what happens when that fiduciary fails to meet their obligations? What if their actions or inactions threaten the estate, the beneficiaries, or the business interests involved?

In the world of business, wealth, and personal legacy, trusted relationships are everything. But what happens when trust is abused, particularly when someone misuses a Power of Attorney (POA) to take advantage of another’s finances, assets, or well-being?

Contracts are foundational in business, employment, matrimonial, and trust and estate matters, especially when significant assets and interests are involved. Yet, when contract terms regarding performance become unclear or are challenged, how do courts determine what the parties initially intended?

The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, a case that could significantly change the landscape for employment discrimination claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

When high-stakes disputes arise involving businesses, partnerships, or substantial personal assets, the valuation of those assets often becomes central to litigation outcomes. Whether you face a partnership breakup, a contested corporate transaction, a contentious divorce, or a complex trust and estate matter involving business interests, understanding valuation litigation can significantly impact your financial future.

For successful professionals and business owners, protecting what you’ve built means more than managing growth, it means minimizing exposure to the legal disputes that can derail everything. One issue that’s often overlooked, but frequently lands in litigation, is what happens when a member of a limited liability company (“LLC”) dies.

Trusts have long been a cornerstone of sophisticated estate planning, allowing individuals and families to preserve wealth, protect assets, and ensure financial security for future generations. For business owners, executive professionals, and high-net-worth individuals, trusts serve as powerful tools to separate and safeguard assets.