Settling Estates in a Digital World- Protecting Your Assets from Cyber Risk
When: Tuesday, October 19, 2021
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: The Hofford Mill, 500 Bridge Street, Weissport, PA 18235
About Judith Harris
Harris has over 30 years of experience in the areas of taxation, wills and trusts, estate administration, business matters, and tax-exempt entities. She works with clients to structure the optimal transfer of a client’s wealth and business interests to younger generations with minimal tax consequences.
Harris is President of the Board of Trustees for the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, a board member since 1993 and former officer of the Allentown Symphony Association, and a board member of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society. She is a board member and past President of the Fund to Benefit Children & Youth, Inc., and a former board member and Executive Committee member of the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Harris is past President of the Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley and served for ten years on the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority board of governors. From 1993 to 2000, she was an adjunct instructor of “Wills, Trusts, and Estates” at Penn State University’s Lehigh Valley Campus.
Harris earned her LL.M in Taxation from Villanova University School of Law in 1991; J.D. from American University in 1986; A.B., cum laude, from Bryn Mawr College in 1983; and a Diploma from the Pushkin Institute, Moscow, USSR, in 1982.
Medicare vs. Medicaid – What’s are the Differences and When Am I Eligible?” provides a comprehensive breakdown on approaching the various issues that arise as one reaches retirement age and begins thinking about paying for medical care in the future. Learn the difference between the two health coverages, the eligibility requirements for each, and what to do if your loved one has significant health issues that have you concerned about paying for quality care without spending all your assets.
Discussion questions include:
What are Medicare A, B, and D, and what does each pay for medical care?
Should I choose traditional Medicare or an Advantage plan?
What is Medicaid, and what does it pay for medical care?
What is the Medicaid application process like?
How can a healthy spouse be protected from the cost of care?
When: Thursday, October 21, 2021
10:00 a.m.
About Shana Siegel
Shana concentrates her practice in the area of elder law, focusing on representing seniors, individuals with special needs, and their families in connection with life care planning, public benefits, trust and estate planning, and long-term care advocacy. As one of the few Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA) in northern New Jersey to be certified by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), Shana has extensive experience in probate and estate administration, asset preservation, supplemental and special needs trusts, planning for disability, guardianship and estate litigation, resident rights, health care decision-making, Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance appeals.
Shana has been involved in health and long-term care issues for over 25 years. She is a past president of the New Jersey Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), where she regularly met with legislators and government officials on behalf of the elder law bar and their clients. In 2015, Shana was invited to join NAELA’s prestigious Council of Advanced Practitioners (CAP). Additionally, Shana is a member of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association, the New Jersey State Bar Elder & Disability Law Section, and the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association. She is active with the Long Term Living Association, several local chambers of commerce, and Jewish philanthropies.
About Lori Kayne
Lori has been working as a Geriatric Social Worker in the healthcare field for over 20 years. At Norris McLaughlin she works in collaboration with an Elder Care Attorney to develop a detailed Life Care Plan that addresses the health, safety and care concerns of her clients as they impact their legal and financial planning. She and the attorney work with clients and their families for an extended period helping them navigate the healthcare maze and plan proactively.
Prior to joining the firm, Lori was a Geriatric Social Worker at WanderPolo & Siegel law firm. She also worked as a Geriatric Care Manager for Generations Counseling and Care Management and Senior Bridge where she conducted geriatric assessments, developed plans of care and provided supportive counseling to assist clients with adjustments to illness and changes in lifestyle. Prior to that she worked as a Discharge Planner in a variety of hospital and nursing home settings.
“Ben’s intellectual property experience, his work ethic, and commitment to client service make him an asset to our team,” said Danielle M. DeFilippis, Co-Chair of the Intellectual Property Law Practice Group.
“The culture and camaraderie at Norris McLaughlin are unparalleled, and I am happy to be a part of this exceptional team,” Schwartz said.
About Ben Schwartz
Schwartz concentrates his practice on enforcing intellectual property and contract rights, prosecuting trademark and copyright applications, participating in Trademark Trial and Appeal Board proceedings, and counseling clients on their protection and utilization of trademarks, patents, copyrights, and associated exclusive rights. He is a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and also has experience drafting license agreements with third-party users of famous trademarks to avoid genericide and loss of rights.
Prior to joining Norris McLaughlin, Schwartz worked as an associate for an intellectual property law firm in Silicon Valley, where he assisted with pre-trial procedure and conducted legal research.
Schwartz graduated from Santa Clara University School of Law with honors in intellectual property, and he received his B.S. in biology from Lehigh University. While attending law school, he served as president of the Student Intellectual Property Law Association and as a senior production editor of the High Technology Law Journal. Schwartz is licensed to practice in New York and California.
The law firm of Norris McLaughlin, P.A., has announced that four of its Members have been selected for inclusion on the list of New York Metro Super Lawyers ® for 2021. Only five percent of New York lawyers are given this honor.
The following Norris McLaughlin, P.A. attorneys were recognized as New York Metro Super Lawyers 2021:
To be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger or in practice for ten years or less.
About New York Metro Super Lawyers
New York Metro Super Lawyers, a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, is published in Super Lawyers Magazine. The multi-phased selection process includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.
The magazine, which features the list and profiles of selected attorneys, is distributed to attorneys in the state or region and the ABA-accredited law school libraries. Super Lawyers is also published as a special section in leading city and regional magazines across the country. In the United States, Super Lawyers Magazine is published in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., reaching more than 13 million readers. For more information on the selection process, visit superlawyers.com.
About Norris McLaughlin New York Attorneys
Norris McLaughlin is a multi-practice law firm uniquely positioned to represent middle-market companies, Fortune 500 corporations, and individuals. While the firm’s breadth of services covers all areas of law, the Norris McLaughlin New York attorneys have extensive experience in business, intellectual property, immigration, and cooperative (“co-op”) and condominium law.
The firm opened its first New York office in 1999. In response to the changing needs of the business community, the office expanded and eventually moved from the original space to the office building at 875 Third Avenue in 2004. In 2006, the firm merged with Szold & Brandwen, adding significant real estate, financing, and litigation expertise to the firm. The merger allowed the firm to provide enhanced services to clients and strengthened its commitment to providing a broad range of legal services. Most recently, Norris McLaughlin left its New York home-base of 16 years with goals of continued growth and modernization. This new space in Times Square Tower gives the New York attorneys and staff access to state-of-the-art facilities as well as the technological capabilities to respond more effectively to the demands of the firm’s 21st Century clients.
Immigration Practice Group Chair, Ray Lahoud, was quoted by EB5 Investors Magazine in their article, “New bill can help EB-5 investors get a green card faster, by paying added fee.”
Lahoud discussed the proposed bill and its impact on immigration, particularly on the EB-5 investors’ category. Stating that, “The reconciliation bill provides a pathway to lawful permanent residence for a broad range of individuals in the United States, with varying lawful and unlawful immigration statuses.”
At the August 26, 2021 EV Coalition “EV Chargers at Places You Like to Go!,” Norris McLaughlin Member and Land Use and Zoning attorney Christopher Erd participated in a collaborative discussion on Electric Vehicles (EV) with John Stuckey, Director of Site Development at Volta Charging, and Adam Bradford, Somerset County Senior Transportation Planner. The discussion was moderated by Leanne McGowan, Director of Business Development for RideWise, Somerset County’s go-to partner for information on environmentally friendly transportation. The speakers discussed New Jersey’s expansion of local charging networks for EV and Governor Murphy’s recent legislation related to the permitting process to build EV charging stations.
New Jersey’s Increasing Expansion of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
With a focus on what the EV industry means for municipalities, developers and builders, the group discussed the increasing adoption of EV charging, the business model for retail properties, and Somerset County’s plans for connecting EV drivers in more locations.
Chris, who has significant experience providing legal counsel on land use and zoning issues related to EV, explained the current applications, issues, and processes. Specifically, he reviewed the state’s standards for installation and use of EV charging stations in common interest communities such as condominium and homeowners’ associations, as well as requirements and zoning standards for installation of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) and Make-Ready parking spaces in municipalities.
About Christopher Erd
Chris’s primary practice areas are land use and zoning, electric vehicles, commercial-scale solar energy, commercial-scale electric battery storage, commercial and residential real estate sales and leases, and environmental law. He has obtained numerous real estate development approvals, closed many sales, and prepared a great deal of leases. His major client business areas include real estate developers, commercial and industrial property owners and tenants, warehouses, shopping centers, restaurants, bars, hotels, gasoline stations, wholesale fuel suppliers, convenience stores, electric vehicle charging stations, solar energy providers, commercial electricity storage, and wireless telecommunications providers.
“Olivia is a skilled and energetic young attorney with experience advocating for her clients and we are pleased that she is joining our team and know that she will contribute to our culture of client service,” said Margaret Raymond-Flood, Co-Chair of the Litigation Practice Group.
“Norris McLaughlin is well-known for their culture of collaboration and exceptional service and I’m excited to be a part of this team,” Italiano said.
About Olivia Italiano
Italiano concentrates her practice on complex commercial litigation disputes in state and federal courts, including financial and securities litigation, fraud, consumer fraud, the dissolution of closely held businesses, and shareholder disputes. She has significant experience representing large and small commercial entities and individuals from pre-litigation through appeal and frequently advises on procedural aspects of litigation. Italiano is experienced in managing large-scale, multi-party litigations, as well as counseling smaller companies and individuals with business disputes.
Prior to joining Norris McLaughlin, Italiano completed a clerkship for the Superior Court of New Jersey’s Passaic Vicinage, and was a litigation associate at a New York law firm where she concentrated on complex commercial, security, and bankruptcy litigation matters.
Italiano is a cum laude graduate of the Widener University School of Law and received her B.S. from the University of Miami. While attending law school, she served as an executive board member of the Moot Court Honor Society, and as a member of the Journal of Race, Law, and Economics.
Raymond G. Lahoud, a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and Chair of its Immigration Law Practice Group, will be a panelist at the 6th Annual Immigration Conference: Beyond the Border, hosted by the NJ Reentry Corporation (“NJRC”). Lahoud and co-panelist Edward Shulman will discuss temporary protection status from 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. All are welcome to attend the live event via Facebook.
As Chair of the Immigration Practice Group, Lahoud oversees a leading team of immigration attorneys, immigration review compliance experts, employer immigration auditors, and paralegals and legal assistants with extensive and continuing immigration law training and significant practice experience.
About the 6th Annual NJRC Immigration Conference: Beyond the Border
New Jersey Reentry Corporation is a nonprofit agency with a social mission to remove all barriers to employment for court involved individuals. In this program, participants receive individualized assessments and treatment plans that first address essential needs, such as housing, treatment, mental health care, medical care, and access to health. Governor Jim McGreevey, who will be monitoring this year’s event, started NJRC and has been the Chairman of the Board since October 2014.
The 6th Annual NJRC Immigration Conference: Beyond the Border begins at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 15 with a welcome from Governor Jim McGreevey, a prayer by Reverend Bolivar Flores and a keynote address from Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes. At 11:15 a.m., McGreevey will begin moderating a panel of national and state experts on the following topics:
Green Card Renewal with a Criminal Record Temporary Protection Status Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) Family Separations Asylum and Refuge Immigration and Custom Enforcement
The event includes a Q&A from participants from 3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. and a closing benediction by Reverend Raul Ruiz.
The Beyond the Border conference will be live streamed on Facebook from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET. Registration is not required and attendance is free.
About Raymond G. Lahoud
Lahoud focuses exclusively on the area of immigration law and deportation defense for individuals, families, small to large domestic and multinational businesses and corporations, employers, international employees, investors, students, professors, researchers, skilled professionals, athletes, and entertainers, in every type of immigration or deportation defense matter—whether domestic or foreign.
Lahoud’s compliance practice includes all non-immigrant and immigrant visas, recruitment of international talent and students, and consular processing, as well as Form I-9 and Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division compliance. Additionally, his immigration litigation practice includes deportation defense of thousands of individuals at the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Administrative Appeals Office, and federal district and circuit courts. In state and federal trial and appellate courts, he seeks post-conviction relief for the underlying crime that led to the removal proceedings and serves as immigration counsel to non-citizens accused of removable crimes. Lahoud’s ability to understand each interaction of criminal law with immigration law has made him a leading expert on issues of “crimmigration.”
Lahoud has received numerous accolades. He has been awarded the “Empire State Pro Bono Counsel Award” each year since 2012, has been selected as “Lead Counsel,” received the Martindale-Hubbell “Platinum Client Champion Award,” and has been included in New York Super Lawyers “Rising Stars.” EB5 Investors, the leading online portal, conference series, and magazine for investors, developers, and EB-5 professionals, has named Lahoud one of the “Top 5 Rising Stars” nationally. He was also named one of the 40 young professionals from the Greater Lehigh Valley as the Lehigh Valley Business 2017 “Forty Under 40” for his commitment to business growth, professional excellence, and the community. Lahoud received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2009 and his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Lehigh University in 2006.
On the podcast, Ray discussed his passion for practicing law, provided insights into blogging, and gave advice on how to cover topics that might be politically sensitive.
About This Week in Legal Blogging Podcast
This Week in Legal Blogging with Bob Ambrogi is a weekly podcast with the best bloggers in the legal community that provides insights on how publishing online brings success for lawyers and legal professionals around the world.
Raymond G. Lahoud focuses exclusively on the area of immigration law and deportation defense for individuals, families, small to large domestic and multinational businesses and corporations, employers, international employees, investors, students, professors, researchers, skilled professionals, athletes, and entertainers, in every type of immigration or deportation defense matter—whether domestic or foreign. While Ray’s immigration practice is global in reach, with service to individuals and organizations across the United States and beyond, he is located primarily at the firm’s three globally-linked offices: New York, New York; Bridgewater, New Jersey; and Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Ray’s immigration practice is broad, ranging from areas of corporate and employment immigration and related compliance to immigration litigation before agencies and courts across the United States, for corporations and individuals alike. His experience includes immigrant and non-immigrant visas, visa overstays, immigrants who entered without inspection or authorization, EB-5 investor visas (serving investors, regional centers, and project developers), citizenship and naturalization claims, deportation and removal litigation at the immigration court and all appellate levels, E Visas, E-3 Visas, H-1B Visas, H-2B Visas, L Visas, O Visas, P Visas, Q Visas, R Visas, TN Visas, Exceptional Ability Immigrant Visas, Extraordinary Ability Immigrant Visas, Physician and Nursing Visas, K-1 Visas, K-3 Visas, Multinational Manager/Executive Immigrant Visas, Outstanding Professor/Researcher Immigrant Visas, PERM Labor Certification, Family Petitions, Adjustment of Status, Marriage Petitions, Asylum, VAWA applications, and Immigration Waivers, such as the Visa Waiver Program, National Interest Waivers, Hardship Waivers, and J Waivers.
Ray’s corporate immigration practice includes representing businesses of all sizes, in all corporate immigration and employer immigration compliance matters. He has served nearly every industry, including healthcare, education (community colleges, colleges, universities, students, professors, and researchers), manufacturing, global and domestic employment/talent recruitment, warehousing and distribution, pharmaceutical, economic development, local, county, and state government agencies, non-profit, religious, real estate development and EB-5 investor financing, information technology, marketing, entertainment, and sports. Ray’s corporate immigration and employer immigration compliance practice includes all non-immigrant and immigrant visas, recruitment of international talent and students, and consular processing, as well as Form I-9 and Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division compliance. Further, he has litigated corporate immigration matters before the Department of Labor’s Wage & Hour Division, the Department of Homeland Security’s investigative bodies and agencies, the State Department, the United States Court of Appeals for International Trade, the Customs & Border Protection review board, and federal appellate courts—seeking review of employer immigration compliance and other immigrant and non-immigrant visa issues.
Ray’s immigration litigation practice includes deportation defense of thousands of individuals, at the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Administrative Appeals Office, and federal district and circuit courts. In state and federal trial and appellate courts, he seeks post-conviction relief for the underlying crime that led to the removal proceedings and serves as immigration counsel to non-citizens accused of removable crimes. Ray’s ability to understand each interaction of criminal law with immigration law has made him a leading expert on issues of “crimigration” before state and federal courts reviewing post-conviction relief claims.
Ray has received numerous accolades. He has been awarded the Empire State Pro Bono Counsel Award each year since 2012, has been selected as Lead Counsel, received the Martindale-Hubbell Platinum Client Champion Award, and has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star, ranked as a Top Rated Immigration Attorney in the New York Metro Area. EB5 Investors, the leading online portal, conference series, and magazine for investors, developers, and EB-5 professionals, has named Ray one of the “Top 5 Rising Stars” nationally. He was also included in the Lehigh Valley Business 2021 “Power 30 in Law” and named one of the 40 young professionals from the Greater Lehigh Valley as the Lehigh Valley Business 2017 Forty Under 40 for his commitment to business growth, professional excellence, and the community.
Gabrielski noted, “Our firm worked closely with lawyers at Toronto-based Minden Gross, and collaborated to structure, negotiate, and close a significant equity investment for a leading Canadian telecommunications services provider.”
The Norris McLaughlin mergers and acquisitions attorneys have structured, negotiated, and closed numerous U.S. and international transactions ranging from small-scale to complex multi-million-dollar deals. The firm’s attorneys have vast experience in all aspects of such corporate transactions, including asset and stock sales, statutory mergers, tax-structured transactions, corporate reorganizations, tender offers, leveraged buyouts, LLC and limited partnership interest exchanges, financing arrangements, due diligence investigation, governmental approvals and clearances, and international transactions.
Norris McLaughlin’s dedicated business law attorneys can also assist with the analysis of tax, securities, labor, employee benefits, antitrust, real estate, intellectual property, environmental, and other legal issues related to mergers and acquisitions. More than 30 business law attorneys spend all or most of their time in a variety of disciplines within the field of business law. As a result, the firm has enough diversity of talent and bench strength to form teams of cross-functional attorneys, striving to create the right blend of general competence and expertise that are best situated to address our clients’ needs promptly, efficiently, and creatively.
As experienced advisors, the firm’s attorneys ensure that each client has the proper structure in place to guide them on what they can expect and what investors will expect, prior to a client meeting with any potential investor. Norris McLaughlin takes a unique approach in the early stage of company relationships, in that each client can expect a single partner to be responsible and accountable for that relationship. Recognized by clients as their trusted advisors and virtual business partners, the attorneys deliver efficient and practical legal counsel, supporting each client’s needs with an eye on their bottom line and what’s best for their future.
