March 13, 2013 | New York Law Journal
The Importance of Contractual IndemnificationIn their Construction Law column, John-Patrick Curran, David J. Kanfer and Kenneth M. Block, members of Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt, write: Indemnification clauses are nearly ubiquitous in construction contracts, yet they are too often misunderstood, and sometimes misused. Indemnification clauses, if not drafted correctly, may result in unintended consequences, may not provide the protection for which they were designed, and in some instances, may be entirely void.
By John-Patrick Curran, David J. Kanfer and Kenneth M. Block
12 minute read
March 14, 2012 | New York Law Journal
Damages Available for Architectural MalpracticeIn their Construction Law column, Kenneth M. Block and John-Patrick Curran, partners at Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt, write that, in the past, plaintiffs asserting architectural malpractice claims had to exercise care in pleading their claims, making sure to assert both contract and tort theories to ensure that both contract and tort damages would be available to them, but times are changing.
By Kenneth M. Block and John-Patrick Curran
11 minute read
September 12, 2012 | New York Law Journal
Mechanisms for Challenging Mechanic's LiensIn their Construction Law column, John-Patrick Curran and Kenneth M. Block, members of Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt, write that an owner with a strong legal challenge to a mechanic's lien must be made aware that summary discharge is not always available and that, before incurring the cost of an unsuccessful petition, the owner must first properly characterize the nature of the lien's deficiencies in order to assess the proper procedure for seeking its removal.
By John-Patrick Curran and Kenneth M. Block
13 minute read
May 25, 2011 | The Legal Intelligencer
Promoting Successful Mediation of Personal Injury ActionsWhen cases settle through mediation, the benefits are clear: Clients get resolution, even a healing catharsis sometimes; medical providers are paid and liens are discharged; and claim representatives and counsel can close their files. A settlement can only be reached, however, when all participants, including the mediator, are fully prepared, engaged and committed to the mediation process.
By Steven Block
8 minute read
March 19, 2008 | National Law Journal
Visa raises $17.9 billion in record-breaking IPOBy Donna Block
4 minute read
June 20, 2012 | New York Law Journal
Owner's Rider to the AIA Form of General ContractIn their Construction Law, Kenneth M. Block and John-Patrick Curran, partners of Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt, write that while the owner's rider can be modified to reflect the terms of a given project, it is the ethical responsibility of the drafter to note any modifications through track changes or other devices so as to eliminate any impression that the modified owner's rider was sanctioned by the committee.
By Kenneth M. Block and John-Patrick Curran
9 minute read
June 20, 2005 | National Law Journal
You've Come a Long Way, CounselIn 25 years, Washington-area in-house counsel have seen plenty of changes. Today, the number of in-house counsel and the variety of companies and organizations have soared.
By Marian S. Block and Ilene G. Reid
6 minute read
December 21, 2011 | New York Law Journal
Fees Developers Encounter When Generating Hazardous WasteIn their Construction Law column, John-Patrick Curran and Kenneth M. Block, members of Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt, write that, in New York City alone, it has been estimated that 7,600 acres of real property (an area more than nine times the size of Central Park) are contaminated with urban fill material and various other human-transported or anthropogenic deposits, some of which are considered "hazardous" under New York law.
By John-Patrick Curran and Kenneth M. Block
10 minute read
April 25, 2006 | Law.com
Internal Controls Burden SEC, TooThe Securities and Exchange Commission, which is charged with overseeing controversial federal rules for corporate bookkeeping, apparently is having trouble fixing its own accounting department. As the SEC prepares to decide whether to ease up on some Sarbanes-Oxley internal control obligations that companies decry as burdensome, the Government Accountability Office released a report Monday saying the SEC has failed to fix a number of internal weaknesses.
By Donna Block
3 minute read
December 16, 2005 | Law.com
Smaller Companies Get Sarbanes-Oxley ReliefThe Advisory Committee on Smaller Public Companies voted Wednesday to recommend exempting about 80 percent of public companies from §404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, a key provision requiring management to test its internal controls and then have an outside auditor attest to the assessment. The committee agreed with the smaller companies that have complained about being excessively burdened by such requirements.
By Donna Block
3 minute read