Michael Virtanen

August 22, 2007 | Law.com

Knockoff music acts that impersonate the real performers can face fines up to $15,000 under a new law in New York. Called the "Truth in Music Advertising Law," it prohibits copycat performances that attempt to cash in through false and misleading representations like names, billings and promotions similar to the original artists.

By Michael Virtanen

4 minute read

June 29, 2009 | New York Law Journal

By Michael VirtanenThe Associated Press

2 minute read

January 06, 2011 | New York Law Journal

By Michael Virtanen | The Associated Press

6 minute read

April 05, 2006 | Law.com

A more genteel brand of pugilism -- white-collar boxing -- has lawyers, doctors and captains of industry mixing it up in the ring. "I beat the crap out of the guy. It was delightful," said David Lawrence, an executive with a Ph.D. in English. As interest in the niche sport increases, the New York State Athletic Commission sees enough potential for injury to consider regulating it. "We want to make sure that these events are surrounded by competent people," said Ron Scott Stevens, the commission's chairman.

By Michael Virtanen

6 minute read

June 29, 2009 | New York Law Journal

By Michael Virtanen

2 minute read

June 23, 2010 | Law.com

New York Gov. David Paterson has proposed roughly doubling the state's DNA database to include samples from even low-level offenders, making it the first in the nation to so broadly collect and use that evidence to solve crimes and exonerate people wrongly convicted. New York's law would require adding about 48,000 samples a year. "You think it'd be a huge explosion, but we have samples on so many people that recommit crimes already -- it's the old rule of criminals don't specialize," said one official.

By Michael Virtanen

5 minute read

November 02, 2009 | New York Law Journal

By Joel Stashenko and Michael Virtanen

6 minute read