Jules Smith, a partner with Blitman & King, has been awarded the 2012-13 RPO Board Volunteer of the Year by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Jules currently serves as a Board of Director and the Secretary for the RPO.
Blitman & King to Develop and Teach Employee Benefits Curriculum for Tech Startups at the StartFast Venture Accelerator
Jonathan Cerrito, a Partner in the Employee Benefits Department of Blitman & King, will develop and teach a curriculum on executive compensation to 10 software and internet startup companies as part of the StartFast Venture Accelerator. Jonathan will also serve as a Mentor to the startup companies that participate in the StartFast program. The 2013 StartFast program will commence on May 28, 2013 and end with Demo Day on August 22, 2013.
The StartFast program is a mentorship-driven startup accelerator designed along the TechStars model. StartFast chooses 10 software and internet companies for an intense 3-month program, gives them capital, surrounds them with amazing mentors, provides space, resources and guidance culminating in Demo Day where they have the opportunity to present to hundreds of investors.
Blitman & King to Present on Health Care Reform Matters In Connection With Collective Bargaining
Daniel R. Brice, a partner with Blitman & King, will be a presenter at “Health Care Reform and Bargaining: A Workshop for Union Representatives” being held on April 11, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension, Auditorium, 249 Highland Avenue, Rochester, New York.
Blitman & King LLP Presents its 23rd Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar Monday, March 18, 2013
Join us for our 23rd Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar covering developments in Health Care Reform, Public Sector Law, Private Sector Law, Employment Law and Employee Benefits.
2013 Labor Law Seminar Program
8:45 – 9:15 a.m.
Continental Breakfast & Registration
9:15 – 10:30 a.m.
Welcome and General Session
The B&K Players
Update on the Assault on Public and Private Sector Unions
Presented by: Nathaniel G. Lambright
Concerted/Protected Activity and New Social Media
Presented by: Jules L. Smith
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Coffee Break
10:45 – 12:00 p.m.
Your Choice
Public Sector Update
Presented by: Nathaniel G. Lambright
-Or-
Private Sector Bargaining Law
Presented by: Kenneth L. Wagner and Brian T. Arnault
12:00 – 1:10 p.m.
Please Join Us for Lunch
Special Guest Speaker: U.S. Representative Dan Maffei
(D-NY 24th District)
1:10 – 2:25 p.m.
Your Choice
Employment Law Update
Presented by: Daniel E. Kornfeld and Brian J. LaClair
-Or-
Employee Benefits Update
Presented by: Daniel R. Brice, Timothy R. Bauman,
Jonathan M. Cerrito, Ginger B. LaChapelle,
and Michael R. Daum
2:25 – 2:45 p.m.
Coffee Break
2:45 – 4:00 p.m.
Your Choice
Construction Industry Update and Prevailing Wage Issues
Presented by: James R. LaVaute and Donald D. Oliver
-Or-
Employee Benefits Update
Presented by: Daniel R. Brice, Timothy R. Bauman,
Jonathan M. Cerrito, Ginger B. LaChapelle,
and Michael R. Daum
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Reception
I.B.E.W. Local 910 Welfare, Annuity & Pension Funds v. Grayco Electric, Inc.
In a case filed by Daniel Kornfeld of Blitman & King LLP, the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York entered judgment against a contributing employer and its corporate officer for $103,711.79. See I.B.E.W. Local 910 Welfare, Annuity & Pension Funds v. Grayco Electric, Inc., 2013 U.S. DIST. LEXIS 16396 (N.D.N.Y. February 7, 2013). Importantly, the Court found that the corporate officer exercised sufficient control over the multiemployer benefit plans’ assets to be personally liable for the contributions, interest, liquidated damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs.
IBEW Local 910 Welfare Annuity and Pension Funds v. Grayco Electric, Inc
Cayman Islands Moves To Tighten Hedge Fund Corporate Governance
In a move that will be of interest to hedge fund investors, as well as hedge funds registered in the offshore domicile, the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) recently began a formal consultation to bolster corporate governance guidelines. By consulting with local industry associations and other interested stakeholders on proposals, the Caymans seek to align themselves with a growing international movement toward enhanced governance and transparency in the financial services industry.
The proposals include a recommendation to amend the Companies Management Law to enable the regulation and supervision of individuals offering themselves or acting as directors of six or more Cayman Islands-registered entities. In addition to conducting an industry survey on corporate governance review, CIMA noted that it continues to review a few aspects of regulations that are linked to corporate governance, including the provision of corporate directors to Cayman Islands-regulated entities.
If you have any questions concerning this update, please feel free to contact us.
Recent Comments by Director of HHS Stress HIPAA Audits and Enforcement Actions and the Need for Culture of HIPAA Compliance
According to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR), all covered entities should prepare for an OCR audit of their compliance with HIPAA. The agency will focus on widespread noncompliance “not any particular sector of the health care delivery system” and covered entities and business associates should create a culture of compliance. OCR will spearhead the increased federal enforcement effort addressing HIPAA regulations. The final HIPAA rule, published January 25, 2013, contains mandated increases in civil penalties for HIPAA violations and extends their reach to business associates.
In addition to implementing technical security standards to protect health information (PHI), OCR indicates that covered entities and business associates should focus on training employees involving, among other things, the proper handling of mobile devices that contain PHI. OCR indicates that the loss and theft of mobile devices remains the highest cause of health information breaches. Finally, OCR has been explicit that covered entities and business associates will face enforcement actions and civil monetary penalties for not having policies and procedures in place to comply with HIPAA.
If you have any questions regarding HIPAA compliance, or are facing an audit or enforcement action, in this era of heightened scrutiny, please free to contact us.