- Divorce
- Adoption
- GuardianshipWe also counsel clients on best practices for IRAs and qualified and non-qualified retirement accounts including the designation of beneficiaries. Our attorneys have experience advising and creating charitable organizations, including obtaining 501c3 designations and representing clients in the disposition of court awards and litigation settlements.
- Criminal DefenseUniversities and colleges expect students to adhere to certain rules and regulations guiding behavior, both in on- and off-campus housing; when rules on drug and alcohol use, noise ordinances, hazing, theft, use of fake I.D.s, destruction of community or school property; or residential conduct are broken, the institution is likely to hand down severe penalties. Arrests and criminal charges create additional complexities because university violations can result even if charges that are dismissed, or students may face parallel investigations and punishments. Cohen Seglias attorneys draw on their experience in criminal law, as well as with student code violations, to advise individuals facing such charges. When handling these issues, we strive to minimize the disruption to the student’s education and to obtain an outcome that protects his/her standing at the university.
- DUI/DWIThere is a common misconception that driving under the influence (DUI) charges only impact those who work for a living. The little-known truth is that a DUI conviction also has the potential to ruin one’s educational endeavors. Particularly if...
- Traffic ViolationsNew York City is a noisy place, busy with speeding large trucks and seemingly constant construction projects. In an effort to address noise in general, the City Council established a noise code with some special rules for construction projects. The...
- Sex CrimesAccusations of sexual assault brought by a university or college will involve a school’s Title IX policies, but may also involve a criminal investigation, and so any Title IX defense must also involve protecting against possible criminal charges, conviction, registration as a sex offender and jail time. Being found responsible for a Title IX violation can have devastating academic and professional consequences, including suspension, expulsion, and difficulty with transfers to other schools, graduate school, and employment.
- FraudCohen Seglias’ False Claims Act & Whistleblowers Group represents whistleblowers, helping them to file suits under federal and state False Claims Acts, state insurance fraud programs, and other whistleblower programs. We guide our whistleblower clients through the procedural steps necessary to help the government identify and stop fraud, as well as to maximize the whistleblower’s own reward for doing so. Cohen Seglias lawyers also assist clients when they are the targets of government investigations under the False Claims Act or other whistleblower statutes.
- Theft
- EmbezzlementIndividuals and corporations reside at a dangerous precipice between compliance and non-compliance, and as the government increases its focus on misleading, unethical, or illegal behaviors, staying compliant can be a daunting challenge. Our White Collar Defense & Internal Investigations Group, led by former federal and state prosecutors, conducts impartial investigations and defends against allegations of fraud, embezzlement, misuse of government funds and other violations.
- Assault
- MurderFormer federal prosecutor Shanlon Wu was quoted in The Washington Post on how the men convicted in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery spoke about black people. Shan stated, “This is the kind of case you really need to do to send the message that the...
- Corporate LawIssues that arise in the course of doing business—from shareholder derivative suits to allegations of fraud—can have significant long-term consequences for a company or its owners. We advise corporate clients, including boards of directors, officers and audit committees, in shareholder and partnership disputes, business divorces, and disputes resulting from the purchase or sale of an entity. Our commercial litigation attorneys resolve challenges to corporate actions and respond to allegations of fraud.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsIn addition to providing day-to-day business advice, we create the commercial contracts and documentation necessary for conducting business. We assist startup businesses in the selection of the entity or corporate structure and draft all formation and company governance documents. For established businesses, we advise on company finance and refinance matters and draft agreements relating to the purchase, sale, and financing of both goods and real estate. Our attorneys help companies grow and reach their full potential by structuring mutually beneficial joint venture agreements and providing counsel to both buyers and sellers in mergers and acquisitions. When the future of a business is uncertain, we are capable of quickly and ably addressing issues of succession planning, changes in ownership, sale of the business, exit strategies and, if necessary, business divorces or dissolutions.
- Business DisputesConscientious and pragmatic, our commercial litigation attorneys counsel clients on all manners of business disputes that can disrupt or upend a business. Whether it is for a breach of contract, a corporate dispute or payment collection, we devise creative and cost-effective solutions that enable businesses to remain productive and profitable.
- Business TransactionsCohen Seglias’ Green Building Group represents design professionals, owners, developers, solar providers, and contractors involved in projects with a focus, large or small, on sustainability and green building. We advise our green building clients on a wide range of issues that span a project’s lifespan. Our multi-disciplinary group includes attorneys with experience in construction, government contracting, business transactions, real estate, and commercial litigation.
- Limited Liability CompaniesMany new businesses chose to establish limited liability companies (LLC) because of the protection from individual liability, the benefit of pass-through taxation, and the form’s inherent flexibility. Certain types of businesses will often create...
- Construction ContractsThe Construction Contracts & Risk Management Group works with our clients from project conception to completion to simplify the construction process, protect their rights, and minimize risk.
- Trade Secrets
- Intellectual Property
- Wrongful TerminationCohen Seglias Partner Paul Thaler was quoted in the Retraction Watch article, “Career derailed, ex-prof to sue Montana State for wrongful termination.” The article is available on the Retraction Watch website.
- Employment ContractLast month a bill was introduced to the New Jersey State Assembly (A-5287) by Assemblymen John McKeon (Essex and Morris) and Jon Bramnick (Morris, Somerset, and Union) that would bar provisions in employment contracts that waive any substantive or...
- Employment LitigationOur Group advises employers in virtually all matters relating to labor and employment law, including employment litigation, labor-management relations, union election campaigns, preventive maintenance and litigation avoidance, grievances and arbitrations, non-competition agreements and trade secret litigation, and wage and hour matters.
- Non-compete AgreementOn January 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced its unexpected proposed rule change that would essentially ban noncompete agreements and require employers to rescind existing noncompete agreements. Following the announcement, the FTC invited members of the public to submit comments on the proposed rule. While the original public comment section was set to end on March 20, 2023, on March 6, the FTC voted 4-0 to extend the comment period until April 19, 2023. Anyone interested in submitting a comment on the proposed rule can do so here. At the end of the public comment period, the FTC will consider whether to finalize the rule as written, revise the rule, or terminate the proposed rulemaking. To date, over 18,000 comments have been submitted.
- Sexual HarassmentThe Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals recently decided what constitutes actual notice of sexual harassment in Title IX cases. A school has actual knowledge, also referred to as actual notice, when a report is made to any school official, regardless of...
- Real Estate LitigationWith decades of experience navigating real estate disputes, Cohen Seglias’ attorneys offer property management companies, manufactured housing owners, property owners and other commercial entities guidance on landlord-tenant disputes, breach of contract, sale-purchase issues, fair housing, and mortgage foreclosure actions.
- Construction LitigationWe understand the unique issues that arise with green building design and construction. Whether performance and efficiency, certification, 3rd party administration, or design and construction defects, our team can provide invaluable counsel. With our diverse and experienced knowledge base, we help our clients develop concise objectives, minimize and understand risks through contract negotiation, risk assessment, and claim consultation. Starting with the development and design process, through construction, and culminating with certification, close-out and marketing, our attorneys ensure that our clients’ interests are protected throughout a project’s life-time.
- Real Estate TransactionsCohen Seglias’ Real Estate Group has an established deal-making history representing all parties in various real estate transactions, from owners and developers to lenders, buyers, and sellers. With over 150 years of combined experience structuring and closing deals, we draft documents and negotiate real estate transactions, all while providing counsel on numerous issues affecting the outcome of each matter or project.
- Eminent DomainReal estate projects—from mixed-use commercial buildings to condominiums—require navigating complicated local and state permitting processes and regulations. Our attorneys understand the challenges that come with applying for special use permits, securing land use and zoning variances, and appearing before local zoning and planning boards or commissions. We help developers and property owners prepare and submit applications for zoning and conditional use variances, comply with local environmental and safety regulations, obtain approvals from historical societies, and negotiate disputes arising from eminent domain claims.
- Easement
- Land Use and Zoning
- Landlord-Tenant DisputesPennsylvania Court Adds ‘Last Month’s Rent’ to Definition of ‘Security Deposit’ As most residential landlords know, the Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act (the “Act”) contains comprehensive and complicated...
- Property DamageAs a result of two recent Pennsylvania decisions, insurance carriers are now aggressively taking the position that there is no insurance coverage under commercial general liability policies (“CGL)” for property damage claims caused by...
- Citizenship and Naturalization
- Estate PlanningCohen Seglias’ Wealth Preservation Group creates innovative estate planning solutions for our clients. Our attorneys understand that different asset types, family situations, and objectives require different planning techniques, and we work with each client to create tailored plans and planning documents to help them achieve their goals. Our priorities are to ensure that the needs of our clients and their families are met, to protect privacy, to reduce income, estate, and other taxes, and to provide for creditor and other asset protection.
- WillsAs an attorney who prepares comprehensive estate plans and administers wills and trusts after death, I see questions arise at all phases as to who beneficiaries of accounts are and who they should be in a comprehensive estate plan. The preparation...
- TrustsOur focus on an original approach to each planning situation includes the creation of revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, life insurance trusts, wills, charitable trusts and gifts, private annuity plans, qualified residence trusts, and family limited partnerships. Our practice also frequently involves the structuring of asset ownership, life insurance, and retirement plans to creatively achieve optimal income and estate tax savings.
- Power of AttorneySay somebody close to you—a parent, a cousin, a friend—becomes incapacitated and is unable to make medical, financial or other personal decisions. If they have no planning documents in place (i.e., a power of attorney for financial or medical...
- Probate
- BankruptcyRepresented lenders, secured and unsecured creditors, oil and gas companies, landlords and other parties in interest in Chapter 7, Chapter 12, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings, including, but not limited to, obtaining relief from the automatic stay, plan objections and adversary proceedings seeking non-dischargeabiltiy of debt and defending fraudulent conveyance and preference actions.
- ForeclosureOur Group represents financial services and creditor clients in bankruptcy, reorganizations, receiverships, restructurings, workout and forbearance agreements, commercial foreclosures and insolvency, and bankruptcy-related litigation. We represent our creditor clients in all aspects of bankruptcy cases, including cash collateral, adequate protection, relief from stay, preference actions, 363 sales, DIP financing, and plan confirmation. Our attorneys have extensive experience enforcing our creditor clients’ state court rights and remedies, including confessing judgment, liquidating equipment and inventory, garnishing bank accounts, foreclosing on real estate, appointing and working with receivers, and assisting in the sale and assignment of loans.
- Tax Law
- Debt CollectionCohen Seglias represents banks, mortgage lenders, debt collection companies, and debt buyers in litigation and litigation related matters, including general defense litigation, lender liability, bad faith, fraudulent conveyances, UCC claims, and bankruptcy adversary proceedings involving fraudulent conveyances, preferences, breach of fiduciary duty, and non-discharge actions.