Josefa Velasquez

February 20, 2018 | New York Law Journal

Lawsuits accusing the Long Island Power Authority, LILCO and National Grid Electrical Services of negligence over fires that destroyed dozens of homes in Breezy Point, Queens, during Superstorm Sandy in 2012 can go forward, New York's highest court ruled Tuesday.

By Josefa Velasquez |

4 minute read

February 16, 2018 | New York Law Journal

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's wide-ranging budget amendments, which mostly contain technical changes to legislative language, deal with a broad range of issues including taxes and early voting, and an amendment that would prohibit a defendant from being able to ask a jury to find a harmed individual's sexual orientation or gender expression to blame for a defendant's violent reaction.

By Josefa Velasquez |

5 minute read

February 16, 2018 | New York Law Journal

New York's highest court on Thursday dismissed an indictment against a man who spent six years at Rikers Island without a trial, on the basis that prosecutors violated his constitutional right to a speedy trial.

By Josefa Velasquez

4 minute read

February 15, 2018 | New York Law Journal

A New York financial regulator is investigating reports that some life and disability insurers are denying coverage to applicants who used medication meant to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

By Josefa Velasquez |

3 minute read

February 15, 2018 | New York Law Journal

Feb. 15 marked the second major deadline for the state agency's cybersecurity regulations, which requires banking and insurance companies doing business in New York to comply with groundbreaking rules aimed at deterring cyberattacks. A board member or senior officer at DFS-regulated entities has to certify that the company is in compliance with the security requirements established by the department, and must submit certification annually from now on.

By Josefa Velasquez |

4 minute read

February 14, 2018 | New York Law Journal

The state's Unified Court System has announced the purchase of a $4.5 million software system that will bring savings to town and village courts, Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks said.

By Josefa Velasquez |

2 minute read

February 14, 2018 | New York Law Journal

Chief Judge Janet DiFiore on Wednesday named Karen Peters as the chair of New York's Commission on Justice for Children.

By Josefa Velasquez |

2 minute read

February 14, 2018 | New York Law Journal

The Democratic conference has proposed a series of bills that would seek to eliminate cash bail, require prosecutors to disclose evidence of criminal investigations more quickly and require that criminal cases go to trial “in a reasonable time frame."

By Josefa Velasquez |

3 minute read

February 13, 2018 | New York Law Journal

The New York State Court of Appeals decided 7-0 that limiting access only to a person's public posts on Facebook is counter to “New York's history of liberal discovery."

By Josefa Velasquez |

4 minute read

February 13, 2018 | New York Law Journal

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced that his 30-day budget amendments will include an “employer compensation expense tax," an optional payroll tax aimed at shielding New Yorkers who pay high property taxes from having to pay more under the newly enacted federal tax overhaul.

By Josefa Velasquez |

5 minute read