Articles by Michael Wechsler
Buildings, Condo & Co-op
Plumber and Electrician Licensing, Work, Permits & NYC Local Law
Under New York City (NYC) law, plumbing and electrical work in all buildings require licensed professionals and relevant permits. It is the building owner's responsibility to hire licensed professionals where and as applicable. This article will provide a short general guide to compliance with...
Whiplash injuries often result from car and automobile accidents, after the vehicle strikes or is struck by another car or large object. As a result of the collision, the head of the driver or passenger suddenly moves backward and then forward from the impact. This most often occurs in rear-end...
Blackmail based scare tactics using email that are designed to frighten recipients into sending cryptocurrency to fraudsters, typically in Bitcoin, have reached even higher levels of attack sophistication. This article is designed to raise awareness of an increasingly popular...
Unwarranted sanitation tickets and summonses may be successfully challenged in an administrative hearing before a judge or tribunal. This article will cover the processes and best practices for fighting sanitation tickets in an administrative court, such as the Office of Administrative Trials...
Estate Planning
The Role, Duties and Selection of an Estate Executor
Significant thought and considerations should be undertaken in the process of making the very important decision of appointing an executor for your estate. The executor is the person responsible for distributing your assets and personal belongings according to the directives you specify in your...
Buildings, Condo & Co-op
How to Get Building Info from NYC DOB Online Databases
The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) makes building and real property related information available to the public in two primary online databases.
DOB NOW is the NYC DOB's self-service online database and tool to submit applications, make payments, and manage many building-related projects...
Buildings, Condo & Co-op
Managing Local Law 152 Gas Piping and Systems Inspection in NYC
New York City (NYC) Local Law 152 (LL152) of 2016, Gas Piping and Systems Inspection, is a part of the City's efforts to ensure gas piping safety in buildings. While inspection can be routine, findings of unsafe or hazardous conditions can result in a gas disconnection to your building which can...
Arbitration, ADR
Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Frequently Asked Questions
The following are frequently asked questions with answers about alternative dispute resolution, which includes arbitration, mediation and conciliation.
What does the term "alternative dispute resolution" mean?
Alternative dispute resolution (commonly abbreviated as "ADR") means the use of a...
The Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2023 (S.2669), a new crypto bill sponsored by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Roger Marshall, aims to "mitigate the risks that digital assets pose to our national security by closing loopholes and bringing the digital asset ecosystem into greater...
Ownership, Title
How to Prevent and Address Squatter Abuses Against Property Owners
New York City squatters have been making headlines by evicting legal homeowners from their property, with extreme examples including the arrest of a homeowner trying to regain possession of their house in Flushing, Queens. With the influx of migrants seeking shelter and the arrest of a popular...
Buildings, Condo & Co-op
Building Compliance Best Practices Checklist for Owners and Board Members
Property owners are the party ultimately responsible to know, address and pay for building compliance requirements in each jurisdiction, such as with the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) in New York City. Board members take the responsibility to ensure that they, or an experienced...
Buildings, Condo & Co-op
NYC Elevators Require Two-Way Text Communication Panel Under LL126
On November 7, 2021, Local Law 126 of 2021 was enacted with an effective date November 7, 2022. Impacting requirements of this regulation have trickled out to stakeholders, such as new elevator upgrades needing to employ a two-way text communication device which may be used under rare...
Premises Liability
New York City Snow Shoveling & Ice Removal Laws
There are many snow and ice removal laws and regulations with which each New York City property owner or lessor must be familiar. This article summarizes some of the most common snow shoveling and ice removal laws, regulations and resources so you can be prepared for the winter season.
Who...
Buildings, Condo & Co-op
Creating successful house rules for condo and co-op buildings
Creating effective co-op and condo house rules is an essential part of maintaining harmonious community living. Rules are similar to regulations that are typically created and modified by the organization's board of directors. The best house rules strike a fair balance between protecting the...
One of the most divisive and controversial issues separating this year’s candidates in the elections for New York City Mayor and New York City Council has revolved around the City's controversial “borough based jails” project. In 2019, the New York City Council voted to close the 413 acre...
Premises Liability
New York City 4 Hour Snow Removal Law
While many New York City residents may believe they have 24 hours to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks and walkways, they most likely have only 4 hours to remove snow and ice. You can find an explanation and complete details of the New York City Department of Sanitation snow removal...
Consumer Protection
Assignment Clauses in Health Club, Gym and Martial Arts Membership Contracts
If you’re anticipating signing a health club, gym or martial arts school membership contract, it is very important to be aware of certain contract clauses. While some onerous or harsh terms can usually be identified in plain language (such as limited options and penalties for early...
Donald Trump's questioning the impartiality of U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel due to his Hispanic heritage has drawn harsh criticism and rebuke from the legal community. Curiel is currently presiding over the fraud lawsuit involving Trump University, which ceased operations in 2010. Trump...
Gawker Media filed for bankruptcy protection today in New York federal court shortly after the company attorney informed a Florida judge that it was unable to pay a $140 million judgement to renowned wrestler, Hulk Hogan. The staggering award was the result of a jury verdict against Gawker who...
Ed Sheeran, award winning singer and songwriter, was hit with a $20 million copyright infringement lawsuit concerning his top 10 song "Photograph". The two songwriters behind "Amazing", made famous by singer Matt Cardle ("The Ex Factor" winner), claimed that Sheeran and co-writer Johnny McDaid...