Archive for August, 2011

7 B&K Attorneys Named as 2011 Super Lawyers | New York Law

Congratulations to the following Blitman & King attorneys who have been named as 2011 Super Lawyers for New York:

  • Charles E. Blitman, Employee Benefits/ERISA
  • Bernard T. King, Employment & Labor
  • Daniel E. Kornfeld, Employee Benefits/ERISA
  • James R. LaVaute, Employment & Labor
  • Donald D. Oliver, Employment & Labor
  • Jules L. Smith, Employment & Labor
  • Kenneth L. Wagner, Employment & Labor

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.  Each year Super Lawyers magazine publishes the names of attorneys in each state who receive the highest point totals in their respective practice areas.

The selection process for Super Lawyers is a rigorous, multiphase rating process including peer nominations, evaluations, and independent research.  Candidates are evaluated based on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement including verdicts, settlement and transactions, representative clients, experience, honors and awards, special licenses and certifications, position within law firm, bar and other professional activity, pro bono and community service, scholarly lectures and writings, education and employment background, and other outstanding achievements.

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B&K Quarterly Benefits Update – Summer 2011 | Employee Benefits

Inside this issue are updates regarding Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage Notices, Constitutional Challenges to Health Care Reform, the Impact of New York State’s Same-Sex Marriage Law on ERISA Covered Health Plans, FASB and more.

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Nathaniel G. Lambright to Serve as Panelist for New York State Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Section Fall Meeting

Nathaniel G. Lambright, a Partner in the Labor Department of Blitman & King, has been selected to serve as a Panelist for the New York State Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section Fall Meeting.  As a Panelist, Nat will present “The What, When, Where and Why of the NLRB’s Proposed Rules Reforming R-Case” providing insight the NLRB’s proposed rules which will expedite, modernize and streamline the Union election and representation process.  The meeting is set to take place September 23-25 at The Gideon Putnam Resort in Saratoga Springs.

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U.S. Department of Labor Extends Effective Date of Service Provider Fee Dislosure Rule | Employment Law

On July 13, 2011, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a final rule that extends by three months, from January 1, 2012 until April 1, 2012, the effective date for service providers to comply with final regulations concerning disclosure of fees and costs to the responsible plan fiduciary.  (See related articles under the “Latest News” tab.)  It is anticipated that this extension will provide plan fiduciaries with sufficient time to compile the necessary fee and investment information from service providers to allow them to disclose complete and accurate information relating to retirement plan investment costs to participants on a timely basis.  If you have any questions concerning these regulations or any other issues involving employee benefit plans, please feel free to contact us.

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Health Care Reform Changes Medicare Annual Enrollment Period | Employment Law

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“Affordable Care Act”) makes certain changes to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act (MMA) signed in to law on December 8, 2003. Specifically, beginning in 2011, the annual enrollment period for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans has been changed to October 15 through December 7. As a result, Notices of Creditable and Non-Creditable Coverage relating to employee benefit plans’ prescription drug coverage for Medicare eligible participants must now be distributed to participants by October 15.
Previously, these notices were required to be sent by November 15. As a reminder, the notices must also be provided under the following circumstances: (1) when a Medicare eligible individual joins the plan; (2) prior to when an individual becomes eligible for Medicare; (3) prior to a change in the prescription drug coverage which causes it to change from being creditable to non-creditable; and (4) upon request from the beneficiary.
If you have any questions concerning these requirements or any other issues involving employee benefits, please feel free to contact us.

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Jules L. Smith Elected to Board and Governance Committee of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra | Employment Law

Jules L. Smith, a Partner in the Litigation Department of Blitman & King, was elected Secretary of the Board of Directors, and a member of the Governance Committee, of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra was founded by George Eastman in 1922, and since then has been committed to enriching and inspiring the community through the art of music. For more than 80 years, the Orchestra has been known for its high standard of artistic excellence, unique tradition of musical versatility and deep commitment to education and community engagement.

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