April 2017 LOCAL STRENGTH | GLOBAL INSIGHT

Charlie Pieterse and Michael Battema spoke at the Institute for Paralegal Education’s seminar, “The Probate Process from Start to Finish for Paralegals.” Charlie and Michael’s topic was “Ethical Perils in the Probate Process.”

The Firm obtained a favorable decision in a discrimination proceeding before the New York State Division of Human Rights, resulting in the dismissal of the charge. Our client, which maintains offices in Connecticut and New York, was charged with engaging in an unlawful discriminatory practice based on the employee’s gender, pregnancy and alleged disability following its termination of her employment in September 2016. The Firm denied the charge and submitted substantial evidence of the circumstances leading to the employee’s termination. Following its investigation, the Division of Human Rights concluded that there was no probable cause to believe that our client had engaged in an unlawful discriminatory practice, and dismissed the complaint. Jim Riley handled the matter for the Firm.

The Firm’s client, an importer, wholesaler, and distributor of paper products, was the subject of a transhipment audit by US Customs and Border Protection that threatened the imposition of penalties representing an existential threat to its business.  We helped to assemble, coordinate, and lead a team of lawyers from Greenberg Traurig and Venable with customs investigations expertise, and directed responses to document summonses issued by the government.  The investigation concluded without the assessment of any penalties.  Jim Riley and Wyatt Jansen handled the matter.

Harry E. Peden and Kathryn O’Neill represented a long operating veterinarian practice, with two locations in New York, in the sale of its assets to a national veterinary group. As part of the sale, Harry and Katie assisted the Sellers with evaluating many purchase offers from a variety of potential buyers. The transaction involved the assignment of real estate leases, commercial contracts, and employment agreements for the principal veterinarians. In recent years, Harry and Katie have represented many veterinary groups in the buying and selling of practices.

The Firm successfully moved to dismiss a case on behalf of a client in a trust and estates dispute. The Connecticut Superior Court held that, despite the settlor of a revocable trust being conserved, the remainder beneficiary of an inter-vivos trust lacked standing to challenge the settlor’s amendment of the trust and appointment of a successor trustee.  Luke Tashjian handled the matter.

Kevin Walsh and Kathryn O’Neill represented an independently owned and operated real estate firm with operations throughout Connecticut, in the sale of its equity to a national real estate firm.

Read a recap of all of Whitman and Breed news in 2016.

Read a recap of all of Whitman and Breed news in 2015.