Posted: October 6th, 2020
October 6, 2020 – Episode 19 of Business Unusual Weekly Recovery Webinar with business leaders Joe Campolo and Peter Klein. In this episode, they welcomed Dr. James Lentini, President of Molloy College. The discussion focused on his experiences taking the helm at Molloy during the pandemic and on both the difficulties and opportunities facing educational institutions in 2020 and beyond.
Posted: October 5th, 2020
By Adina Genn
This year’s HIA-LI will be virtual amid the COVID-19 crisis. The trade show takes place Oct. 7 through Oct. 8, from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Already, 2,500 leaders in the business community have preregistered for the trade show, now in its 32nd year.
The event features programs promoting business expansion as well as breakout sessions. There will also be special offers, prizes and promotions.
“Long Island businesses, particularly those in tradable sectors based in the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge, are the anchor of the regional economy,” Joe Campolo, board chair of HIA-LI and managing partner of Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, said in a statement.
“We’re thrilled to take the trade show global with the new virtual format. A trade show of this magnitude helps ensure that Nassau and Suffolk businesses are registering a strong impact on the global economic stage as well,” he added.
Campolo is a panelist the trade show program “Long Island Transformational Projects: Economic Growth for Business and Our Economy,” which is slated for Oct. 7 between 9 and 10:30na.m. It moderated by Mitch Pally, CEO of the Long Island Builders Institute. Panelists also include Bob Coughlan, rincipal with Tritec Real Estate; Russell Albanese, chairman of The Albanese Organization. The panel will explore such large-scale Long Island economic development initiatives as the Belmont Raceway redevelopment/Nassau Hub, the Ronkonkoma Hub, and Wyandanch Rising.
Another webinar, “Habits to Foster Peak Performance,” features coach Dana Cavalea, former director of performance for the New York Yankees, whose leadership training helped lead the team to the 2009 World Championship. Taking place Oct. 8 between 9and 10:30 a.m., it will be moderated by radio and television personality Steve Harper.
There will be eight breakout sessions, covering marketing, technology, networking, leadership, and other business-related themes.
Every Long Island business sector will be represented at the event, including energy and environmental services, technology, manufacturing, financial services, hospitality, health care, media and advertising, education, government, not-for-profit, and workforce development.
Posted: October 5th, 2020
By: Christine Malafi, Esq. email
Tags: corporate
Business owners: to avoid civil penalties, be sure to review your pricing model on goods and services to confirm you’re adhering to recently passed legislation. As of September 30, 2020, New York State has banned the “pink tax,” a reform passed as part of the 2021 New York State Budget.1
The “pink tax” describes a practice by retailers, manufacturers, and service providers to charge different prices for “substantially similar” consumer goods or services that are marketed to different genders. The law is in response to instances in which women are charged more, and pay more, for the same goods or services offered to men.2
“Substantially similar goods” are defined by the State as goods that exhibit little difference in the materials used in production, intended use, functional design and features, and brand. “Substantially similar services” is defined as two services that exhibit little difference in the amount of time delivering, difficulty, and cost in providing the service. The State uses the following as examples of prohibited pricing:
To combat discriminatory practices, the law empowers consumers to request and receive a written price list for standard services to ensure any such difference is not discriminatory.
To avoid potential liability, businesses should make sure that any price difference is based upon:
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection will handle all complaints, and violations may result in an order to stop such sales, along with restitution to consumers, up to a $250 fine for the first violation, and up to $500 fine for any subsequent violations. Consumer restitution, while in and of itself is not a high cost, could lead to potential class action lawsuits.
Businesses should protect against violations of the “Pink Tax” prohibition to avoid the appearance of discriminatory practices and potential liabilities which may result. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us at (631)-738-9100 or fill out our form here.
[1] Senate Bill S2679
[2] A Study of Gender Pricing in New York City
Posted: October 2nd, 2020
Scott D. Middleton, a Senior Partner at Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, a premier law firm with offices in Ronkonkoma, Riverhead, and Westbury, has been elected President of the Board of Directors of East End Arts, an award-winning nonprofit committed to building the community through the arts. As President of the Board, Middleton will work to further the nonprofit’s mission to cultivate a wide range of creative and artistic expression through education, exhibition and performance, and collaboration across the community.
East End Arts (EEA) is a powerful catalyst for economic and cultural revitalization. The organization has long been recognized for its tourism initiatives and programs that collaborate with government, civic groups, private businesses, and other nonprofits. EEA recently recognized Middleton with a Community Impact Award based on his leadership.
“The impact of the arts and culture on communities has never been so important,” said Middleton. “As President of East End Arts, I’m looking forward to creating partnerships across the East End and beyond to strengthen the organization and expand our influence across the Long Island community.”
“Scott’s leadership will take East End Arts to new heights,” said Diane Burke, the organization’s Executive Director. “His legal and business experience, strong East End ties, and vision will help steer us through these unprecedented times and come out stronger.”
Middleton was instrumental in CMM’s expansion into the East End community, which voted the firm the Gold Prize – Best Law Firm in Dan’s Best of the Best. Head of the firm’s Riverhead office, Middleton is an accomplished litigator, particularly in the areas of municipal liability and personal injury, as well as a go-to land use attorney for municipalities and applicants alike. A lifelong Long Islander and patron of the arts, Middleton joined EEA’s board of directors in 2017 and has since supported numerous initiatives focusing on the business side of the arts, including JumpstART. He is also deeply involved with the Stony Brook University Alumni Association, Staller Center for the Arts, and Intercollegiate Athletic Board.
Learn more here.
Posted: October 2nd, 2020
By James T. Madore
james.madore@newsday.com @JamesTMadore
The HIA-LI is taking its annual trade show and conference virtual and expanding the scope to include national and international attendees because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The business group, formerly called the Hauppauge Industrial Association, has scheduled its 32nd trade show for Oct. 7-8 from 9 a.m. to midnight each day. Admission is free except for two panel discussions, which cost $30 each.
More than 2,500 people have registered to attend so far, according to HIA-LI CEO Terri Alessi-Miceli.
“Business networking remains essential to business growth, especially amid the circumstances imposed by today’s pandemic. Because we can quickly kindle video-chat dialogs among attendees and exhibitors, this trade show will help Long Island entrepreneurs,” she said.
One panel discussion will feature developers Bob Coughlan of Tritec Real Estate and Russell Albanese of the Albanese Organization speaking about large projects, such as the Wyandanch Rising blight removal development, the Ronkonkoma Hub and the Belmont arena. The other panel will focus on leadership training with Dana Cavalea, former performance director for the New York Yankees.
To register, go to nwsdy.li/HIAtradeshow.
HIA-LI chairman Joseph Campolo said by making the trade show virtual and available to people from all over the world “this helps ensure that Nassau and Suffolk businesses are registering a strong impact on the global economic stage as well.”
Posted: September 30th, 2020
Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP is proud to announce that seven attorneys at the firm, in multiple practice areas, have been named to the 2020 Super Lawyers list. The CMM attorneys recognized this year, in practice areas including Business and Corporate, Personal Injury, Real Estate, Business Litigation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Construction Litigation, Employment Litigation, Civil Litigation, and Appeals, are:
The rigorous Super Lawyers selection process is based on peer evaluations, independent research, and professional achievement in legal practice. The “Rising Stars” recognition denotes superior professional achievement by attorneys who have been in practice for under 10 years or are under age 40. No more than 2.5 percent of lawyers in New York State are named to the Rising Stars list.
Learn more about CMM’s outstanding legal professionals here.
Posted: September 29th, 2020
Posted: September 29th, 2020
Joe Campolo delivered these remarks for HIA-LI’s 26th Annual Business Achievement Awards virtual ceremony on September 29, 2020.
Good morning everyone. My name is Joe Campolo and I proudly serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of HIA-LI. Now more than ever, I am thrilled to join you in celebrating the best and the brightest on Long Island. Almost 10 years ago, CMM learned that we were the recipients of the Rookie of the Year Award, and to this day, especially when faced with the nonstop challenges of 2020, that remains a proud moment for us and a source of inspiration to keep fighting no matter how difficult the circumstances. So to all of the finalists and recipients, I extend my most heartfelt congratulations.
This year has tested us, and continues to do so. Fortunately, I believe that leaders aren’t born – they are made by the times they exist in and how they rise to the occasion.
The richness of Long Island lies not only in our real estate and our school districts, but in our innovative businesses, restaurants, and hospitality. I have spent my entire career helping to build Long Island – and I am not willing to sit back and watch these businesses be destroyed without a fight. How do we do it? By being leaders.
Leading through this pandemic requires both an acceptance of reality and being adaptable to our ever-changing circumstances.
This March, like many of you, our team headed home with stacks of folders, remote login instructions, and no clue that our world had changed forever.
Personally, I felt like I had been hit in the head with a bat, and I wasn’t alone. The next few days were filled with panicked calls from clients and friends who simply had no idea what the future held, and how their businesses could survive. Within a few days, most people were either overtaken by panic (not sure what to do, so doing nothing), or in total denial (refusing to accept reality).
I was trained in the U.S. Marine Corps that no one is coming to help me. So I did the only thing that made sense to me: worked with my team to help cut through that static, and take action.
Among other things, that first week, we set up a coronavirus relief hotline open to all members of the business community, whether or not they were existing CMM clients, where we provided free advice to critical questions businesses were asking about their very survival. I know that this work helped many businesses stay open when they otherwise wouldn’t have.
We don’t know where this next chapter leads us, but we can all control our responses. We must be patient and focused, yet optimistic and zealous.
We must continue to endure the most stressful conditions we will likely face in our lifetimes. We must look at a macro level, accept, and adapt. We must help others along the way. We must find new ways to bring value to our new reality.
| We must be leaders to survive – and the companies and businesses being recognized today have done just that. We should all take pride in their accomplishments, for their strength and resilience is a model for all of us to move forward. I am proud of the work that HIA-LI has done to help lead Long Island through this crisis and I am proud of all of you for your leadership and courage. Together we will remain Long Island Strong. |
Posted: September 24th, 2020
As any first-year law student knows, a court cannot hear a case if it lacks jurisdiction. CMM’s litigation team recently secured the dismissal of a lawsuit against our client, the Stony Brook Fire District, based on this simple yet critical lesson.
After a dispute stemming from unsatisfactory HVAC work performed by the plaintiff for the Fire District, the plaintiff commenced an action alleging breach of contract. Due to a misunderstanding regarding insurance coverage, the Fire District (represented at the time by a different firm) inadvertently did not respond in time, and the plaintiff successfully moved the court to enter a default judgment against the Fire District. (The Court also denied the Fire District’s motion for leave to serve a late Answer.) The Court subsequently denied the Fire District’s motion for leave to reargue, leaving the Fire District with a default judgment against it.
That’s when CMM came in, determined to turn the tables. After researching Town Law, Patrick McCormick and Richard DeMaio moved to vacate the prior order granting the default judgment on the grounds that the Court lacked jurisdiction over the matter. Specifically, the plaintiff’s failure to properly file a Notice of Claim with the Fire District deprived the Court of subject matter jurisdiction over the case. (Town Law Section 180 provides that no contract actions against a fire district may stand unless a written verified claim is filed with the Fire District secretary within six months after cause of action has accrued.)
The Court agreed, finding that CMM’s submissions established that the Court lacked subject matter jurisdiction to have entered the prior order. As a result, CMM’s motion was granted and the case was dismissed.
Whether your case hinges on creative legal strategy or a deep understanding of the procedural rules governing litigation, CMM stands ready to help. Contact our Commercial Litigation or Municipal Litigation teams today at (631) 738-9100.
