Firm News
Dickson Honored by Fairleigh Dickinson
Fairleigh Dickinson University has announced that Lori Lee Dickson, a member of our Municipal Law & Land Use group, will earn the highest honor bestowed upon a Fairleigh Dickinson University alumnus when she is inducted into the PINNACLE Society during the FDU Forward event at Bell Works in Holmdel, NJ. The PINNACLE Society was formed in 1989 to recognize the University’s most distinguished and accomplished alumni. Each year, a committee of PINNACLE members selects new members from among the University’s alumni based on their distinction in their chosen career field, contributions to society and humanity through public or humanitarian service, and/or outstanding service to the University. In its press release, the University lauded Lori Lee’s work: “As an extremely dedicated alumnus, in addition to her current Emeritus membership on the Board of Governors, Lori Lee’s connections to FDU are deep and varied. She attends numerous University-related events, commuting from her home in New York. She is a current member of the Pre-Law Advisory Board, a Past President of the Alumni Association and a former University Trustee. She is first to raise her hand to support efforts to increase alumni and student engagement. In the past, her involvement included Alumni-in-Admissions, FDU Women and Sands of Time.”
Nimetz Speaks on Ethical Issues in Trusts & Estates Practice
Irma K. Nimetz, a member of our Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Surrogate’s Court Litigation and Trusts & Estates groups, spoke on “Ethical Issues in Trusts and Estates Practice: A Surrogate’s Court Litigator’s Perspective” for the White Plains Bar Association. This webinar provided an overview of ethical issues arising in trusts and estates practice from the perspective of a Surrogate’s Court litigator and provided insights as to how attorneys can minimize their risk of becoming a “target” in Surrogate’s Court litigation.
McCarthy Fingar’s New York Metro Top Women Super Lawyers
Four of McCarthy Fingar’s lawyers are included in Super Lawyers’ listing of New York Metro Top Women for 2023. Susan Taxin Baer, in Estate Planning & Probate; Gail M. Boggio, in Estates Trust Litigation; Kristen Mackay Pennessi, in Family Law; and Irma K. Nimetz in Estates Trust Litigation. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have been recognized by their colleagues as having the highest degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Steinman’s Pro Bono Efforts Lead to Legislative Reforms for Village Incorporation Process
At the request of New York State Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart Cousins, Lester D. Steinman, a member of our Municipal Law & Land Use group, dedicated his time pro bono to collaborate with a team of students and staff from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University to recommend legislative reforms to the village incorporation process. Completed in April 2023, “Village Incorporation in New York State: Legislative Options for Reform” examined the incorporation procedures and requirements set forth in Article 2 of the Village Law of the State of New York, compared them with other states’ laws and New York law on annexation and dissolution, reviewed case studies and other literature on village incorporation and documented prior unsuccessful efforts at legislative reform. Based upon this research, the Report recommended: 1) establishing a State Commission to preside over the village incorporation process; 2) basing decision-making for village incorporation on proper studies and analysis of the feasibility of creating a new government entity, that entity’s fiscal capacity to provide services and the fiscal, service and operational impacts on the surrounding town and region; 3) increasing the minimum population requirement to ensure village viability; and 4) eliminating property ownership as an independent basis for petitioning for village incorporation. In December 2023 and January 2024 , a package of bills implementing the Report’s recommendations (S7537, A7761; S7538, A7754; and S8001, A8573) were signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul.
Burke Joins Firm McCarthy Fingar
We are pleased to announce that Natalie M. Burke has joined our firm as an associate attorney and is a member of our Trusts and Estates, Guardianship Practice, Surrogate’s Court Litigation, Taxation and Municipal Law & Land Use groups. Natalie’s work at the firm will include representing clients in estate planning, administering estates and trusts, estate litigation, estate and trust accountings and guardianships.
Nimetz Speaks on Estate Planning for Senior Law Day Collaborative
Irma K. Nimetz, a member of our Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Surrogate’s Court Litigation and Trusts & Estates groups, gave a webinar, via Zoom, entitled: “Aging Adults & Estate Planning: How to Start The Conversation” for Senior Law Day Collaborative. In her presentation, Irma discussed how to start conversations with aging adults (parents, partners and/or friends) about estate planning and related issues; how, where and with whom you begin conversations about wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care proxies and living wills, and/or financial assets; and what those conversations entail. The webinar discussed planning issues for today and ways to avoid estate litigation in the future. Senior Law Day Collaborative offers free legal and financial advice for Westchester County seniors and their families.
Kutzin Speaks on Revocable Trusts for NYSBA
Michael S. Kutzin, a member of various practice groups, including our Guardianship Practice, Taxation and Trusts & Estates groups, will speak on “Revocable Trusts: Creative Uses and Drafting for the Elder Law Practitioner”, in Saratoga Springs, NY, at a program sponsored by the Elder Law & Special Needs Section of the New York State Bar Association.
Nimetz Speaks on Surrogate’s Court Litigation
Irma K. Nimetz, a member of our Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Surrogate’s Court Litigation and Trusts & Estates groups, spoke on “Ethical Issues in Trusts and Estates Practice: A Surrogate’s Court Litigator’s Perspective for NY Attorneys” for myLawCLE. This webinar provided an overview of ethical issues arising in trusts and estates practice from the perspective of a Surrogate’s Court litigator and provided insights as to how attorneys can minimize their risk of becoming a “target” in Surrogate’s Court litigation.
McCarthy Fingar’s “Super Lawyers”
Six of McCarthy Fingar’s lawyers have been selected Super Lawyers in the New York Metropolitan area. Susan Taxin Baer has again been selected in the fields of Estate Planning & Probate. Gail M. Boggio has again been selected in the fields of Estate & Trust Litigation/Estate Planning & Probate/Elder Law. Michael S. Kutzin has again been selected in the fields of Estate Planning & Probate, Estate & Trust Litigation and Elder Law. Kristen Mackay Pennessi has been selected in the field of Family Law. Irma K. Nimetz has been selected in the fields of Estate & Trust Litigation, Estate Planning & Probate, and General Litigation. Frank W. Streng has again been selected in the fields of Estate & Trust Litigation and Estate Planning & Probate. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have been recognized by their colleagues as having the highest degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
St. John Joins McCarthy Fingar
We are pleased to announce that Yvonne St. John has joined our firm as an associate attorney and is a member of our Trusts and Estates, Guardianship Practice, Surrogate’s Court Litigation and Taxation groups. Prior to joining McCarthy Fingar, Yvonne was an associate of a firm that concentrated its practice in trusts and estates and real estate transactions. Her experience includes, but is not limited to, the following: representing fiduciaries and beneficiaries in the administration of estates and trusts; estate planning services, including drafting wills and trust agreements and Medicaid planning; representing clients in residential and commercial real estate transactions from contract to closing; and assisting clients with business formation.