UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Pauline Will will be attending Claims & Litigation Management Alliance premise Liability Conference in Orlando, FL on January 27, 2012.

  • Joel Schechter will be attending the Defense Research Institute (DRI) Trucking Law Program in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 15, 2012.  While there he will be attending panel counsel meetings for Old Dominion Freight Lines, Carolina Casualty Insurance and Owner Operator Services.

  • On February 7, 2012, Joel Schechter will be attending the 2012 TIDA advanced seminar and Board meeting in Miami, Florida.

  • Joel Schechter will be attending the Third Annual Conference of the National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association in San Diego, California, taking place on February 22, 2012.

  • On March 15, 2012, David Colligan will speak on Marcelus and Utica Shale leasing issues at the New York Land Boundaries and Access Rights Seminar in Buffalo, NY.

  • Pauline Will will be attending the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance Annual Conference on March 28-30, 2012 in San Diego, CA.

 

January 2012

  • Jim Bennett was just elected a Trustee of Family Promise of WNY.  Family Promise of WNY is a homeless shelter involving churches of various denominations throughout Western New York.

  • David Colligan has been selected as a speaker by the New York State Society of American Foresters at their annual meeting to be held in Syracuse, New York in January, 2012, on the subject of legal issues affecting foresters.
  • Aaron J. Felmet will be presenting “Help With End of Life Decisions” for the Erie County Department of Health on January 25, 2012
  • Kristin Arcuri will be a presenter for "Everything You Wanted to Know About Divorce (but Were Afraid to Ask)" on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at Unitarian Universalist Church. For more information on any of these workshops, or to register, please e-mail sharidelisle@roadrunner.com.
  • Jim Bennett was the speaker at the Clarence Lions meeting on January 12, 2012, speaking about "Not-for-Profit Issues."
  • James Cantrell will be attending the BNP Perspectives Council meeting on January 12, 2012.
  • Jim Bennett will be chairing the Clarence Chamber of Commerce Business Roundtable on January 9, 2012.  The topic is the "Wage Theft Protection Act" in New York.
  • Melissa A. Day is extremely pleased to announce that her Linkedin Group, New York Workers' Compensation Forum, accepted its 400th member on January 7, 2012. The group is a great resource for all stakeholders in New York's Workers' Compensation System.  There are members representing all facets of the process- claimant and defense attorneys, former commissioners, current board employees, self-insured employers, carriers, third-party administrators, service providers, health care providers and even a former chairman.  Its strength is in the collective experience of its members, so consider joining and both adding and benefitting from your membership.

December 2011

  • On December 29th, 2011 Aaron Felmet presented “The Most Common Estate Planning Myths”  to the Business Networking Institute Pinnacle Chapter located at the Westwood Country Club. 

  • Melissa Day gave a seminar titled, “You Want This When? An Introduction to the New York Workers’ Compensation Board’s Long Awaited Impairment Guidelines” on the New York State Guidelines for Determining Permanent Impairment and Loss of Wage Earning Capacity Guidelines to First Niagara Risk Management on December 21, 2011.  To view the presentation, click the following link: Permanent Impairment Seminar First Niagara Risk Management

 

  • Melissa Day gave a seminar titled, “You Want This When? An Introduction to the New York Workers’ Compensation Board’s Long Awaited Impairment Guidelines” on the New York State Guidelines for Determining Permanent Impairment and Loss of Wage Earning Capacity Guidelines to Gallagher Bassett on December 20, 2011.  To view the presentation, click the following link: Permanent Impairment Seminar Gallagher Bassett

  • Aaron Felmet and Jim Bennett appeared on the hour long "Western New York @ Work" program on WUFO on December 16, 2011.  They discussed the history of the firm, practice areas, and exciting things happening at Watson Bennett and in our community.

  • Melissa Day gave a seminar titled, “You Want This When? An Introduction to the New York Workers’ Compensation Board’s Long Awaited Impairment Guidelines” on the New York State Guidelines for Determining Permanent Impairment and Loss of Wage Earning Capacity Guidelines to PMA on December 14, 2011.  To view the presentation, click the following link:Permanent Impairment Seminar PMA
  • Melissa Day gave a seminar titled, “You Want This When? An Introduction to the New York Workers’ Compensation Board’s Long Awaited Impairment Guidelines” on the New York State Guidelines for Determining Permanent Impairment and Loss of Wage Earning Capacity Guidelines to RMSCo on December 13, 2011.  To view the presentation, click the following link:Permanent Impairment Seminar RMSCo

  • Aaron Felmet attended the seminar “Trustee Responsibility  to Beneficiaries” on December 6, 2011.

  • Jim Bennett Chaired the Clarence Chamber of Commerce Business Roundtable presentation on December  5, 2011.
  • Joel Schechter spoke at the American Conference Institute's Second National Forum on Defending and Managing Trucking Litigation in Orlando, Florida, on December 5, 2011. Joel's topic was "Settlement Negotiations and Alternative Dispute Resolution: Using ADR to Minimize the Impact of Trucking Litigation.
  • David Colligan spoke at the VFW post in Canaseraga on December 3, 2011 regarding oil and gas leasing opportunities in the Marcellus and Utica Shale formations.

  • On December 2, 2011 Joel Schechter attended a Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA) Board meeting in Chicago, Illinois.

  • James Cantrell attended the Summer Street First Thursday Networking Holiday Event on December 2, 2011.

  • Leah Bouquard received an award on December 2, 2011 at the Champions for Justice Bash for her volunteer work through ECBA Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. This project was created through a cooperative effort between the WNY Chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of NY, the Domestic Violence Task Force at the University at Buffalo Law School, the Family Court, NLS, VLP and Haven House (which is a shelter for battered women and children). In this project, attorneys and law students travel to a community center to reach out to victims of domestic violence in a setting in which they feel comfortable and provide them with legal advice needed to help them overcome a feeling of helplessness, to realize their legal options and to plug into the legal services that are available to assist them.

 

November 2011

  • David Colligan has recently been selected from several parties competing to represent a single land owner to represent over 10,000 acres in natural gas leasing negotiations for Utica Shale, Marcellus Shale, and other gas leasing opportunities.
  • On Wednesday, November 30, 2011, Melissa Day was on the faculty of the National Business Institute's seminar, "Handling the Workers' Compensation Case from Start to Finish." Melissa spoke on Third-Party Issues. For more information, please click here.
  • Kristin Arcuri was a presenter at "Financial & Legal Issues of Divorce," on November 16, 2011 at the Sonoma Grille in Amherst, NY. This presentation provided insight on how to help clients with divorce settlement issues. Also discussed was the divorce process and alternatives to traditional litigation.
  • Melissa Day attended the National Workers' Compensation and Disability Conference in Las Vegas from November 9, 2011 to November 11, 2011. Melissa hopes to be a presenter at the 2012 conference.
  • Kristin Arcuri was a presenter for "Everything You Wanted to Know About Divorce (but Were Afraid to Ask)" on the following dates Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at Hilbert College.
  • Carolyn Gorczynski attended the Harvest Honors Conference presented by Parent Network of WNY on November 3, 2011; This will be a full day seminar dedicated to understanding and helping kids with social, emotional and behavioral challenges.
  • James Cantrell took part in the initial meeting for Perspectives Council with the Buffalo Niagara Partnership on November 2, 2011.

OCTOBER 2011

  • On October 11, 2011 at the 19th annual conference of the Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA), in Las Vegas, Nevada, Joel B. Schechter was named President-Elect. TIDA is a national organization with over 1800 members in the United States and Canada consisting of trucking companies, insurance carriers and attorneys whose practices are devoted to defending the trucking industry in litigation. When he assumes office he will become the 10th  president of TIDA and the first from New York State.
  • David Colligan was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the Lawyers Associated Worldwide (LAW) convention from October 12-15, 2011. LAW is an international organization of more than 100 law firms. Watson Bennett is the Upstate New York law firm member of LAW.
  • Watson Bennett welcomes Scott Lupiani, Esq. Scott has an environmental law background, but he also has immigration and corporate experience. Scott has been practicing for eight years, is a graduate of the UB Law School and a former Army officer. With Watson Bennett, Scott will be developing the firm's environmental practice while assisting in other practice areas as well.
  • The Watson Bennett Ride For Roswell team, "Above The Bar," was recently honored for its contributions to the Ride For Roswell. Our team was one of the top 100 teams. The Ride For Roswell generated more than $3.2 million. Many thanks to the "Above The Bar" riders.

  • On Monday, October 31,2011, David Colligan will be attending the ribbon cutting for the new Ship Canal Commons on Buffalo's Outer Harbor as a board representative of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation.

  • Kristin Arcuri will be attending the Annual Conference of the International Association of Collaborative Professionals in San Francisco, CA from October 27-30, 2011.
  • Jim Bennett will be chairing the Clarence Chamber of Commerce Business Roundtable on Tuesday, October 25th, 2011. The topic is "Understanding Financial Statements for Small Businesses."
  • David Colligan attended a meeting in Rochester, NY to discuss an Upstate NY Regional Entrepreneurial Action Plan patterned after the Jumpstart program in Northeast Ohio on October 21, 2011.
  • On October 19, 2011, Carolyn Gorczynski attended the seminar, "Transition Services for High School Students," hosted by the Lakeshore Family Support Center.
  • Kristin Arcuri will be a presenter for "Everything You Wanted to Know About Divorce (but Were Afraid to Ask)" on Monday, October 17, 2011 at Canisius Center for Professional Development (for additional dates, please see above).
  • Pauline Will will be chairing the TIDA Young Professional Symposium at the 19th Annual TIDA Conference held on October 12-14th, 2011 in Las Vegas, NV.

  • Aaron Felmet will be attending the Society of Financial Service Professionals Meeting on October 13, 2011.

  • On October 12, 2011, Joel Schechter will be attending the 2011 Annual Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA) conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Joel will also be attending the Board of Directors meeting where he will be installed as President-Elect of TIDA.
  • James Cantrell will be attending the Buffalo Niagara Partnership 101 meeting on October 6, 2011.
  • Pauline Will will be speaking at the HB Lead Litigation Conference taking place on October 3-4th, 2011 on the topic of Trial Updates: A National Canvas." For more information please click here.
  • On October 3, 2011, Carolyn Gorczynski will be attending the Genesee County Special Education Speaking Series on Communication Strategies for Individuals with Autism.
  • On October 1, 2011, Carolyn Gorczynski will be attending the Center for Autism Support and Advocacy's Seminar on Autism Spectrum Disorders.
  • James Cantrell has been appointed to the Partnership Perspectives Council of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.
  • Paralegal Sue Calverley recently authored the lead article in the Western New York Heritage Fall Issue magazine. The article is entitled, "Pioneering Professional: Louise Blanchard Bethune." Louise Blanchard Bethune designed more than 100 buildings in Buffalo including the beautiful Hotel Lafayette, which is currently being restored.

SEPTEMBER 2011

  • James Cantrell will be attending the Minority Corporate Counsel Association's 12th Annual Creating Patheways to Diversity Conference in New York City on September 26, 2011.
  • On September 24, 2011, David Colligan spoke in Livingston County on Marcellus Shale oil & gas leasing opportunities for landowners.
  • Carolyn Gorczynski will be attending a special education seminar sponsored by The Parent Network of WNY on September 24, 2011.
  • Kristin Arcuri will be a presenter at a Collaborative Law Basic Training meeting on September 23rd and 24th, 2011 in Buffalo.
  • On September 20, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency, Kristin Arcurit presented at a seminar on "Dividing Assets & Debts Equitably in a Matrimonial Action."
  • Melissa Day is pleased to be on the Board of the Notre Dame Alumni Association of Buffalo and Western New York and is looking forward to returning to campus with her husband and son for the Michigan State game on September 17, 2011.
  • Kristin Arcuri attended a seminar in Philadelphia from September 15-17th, 2011 on Advanced Issues in Child Custody: Evaluation Litigation & Settlement.
  • Aaron Felmet hosted an E-Wealth Management Podcast on September 17, 2011.
  • Pauline Will spoke at the Arkansas Trucking Seminar held on September 14-16th, 2011 on the topic of FMCSA updates.
  • Carolyn Gorczynski attended a workshop sponsored by the Parent Network of WNY regarding Skills for Effective Parent Advocacy on September 13, 2011.
  • Jim Bennett chaired the Clarence Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast to be held on Saturday, September 10, 2011.There will be a panel discussion including Kathy Hochul, U.S. Congresswoman, Jane Corwin, NYS Assemblywoman, Michael Razenhofer, NYS Senator, Christopher Collins, Erie County executive, Ray Walter, Erie County Legislator, 4th District, Scott Bylewski, Town of Clarence Supervisor and Pat Casilio, Town of Clarence Deputy Supervisor participating.
  • Carolyn Gorczynski and Aaron Felmet attended Party for Summit, a fund-raising event to benefit Summit Educational Services at Smith Theatre in Buffalo on September 8, 2011.
  • James Cantrell has joined the NYS Commercial Association of Realtors.

AUGUST 2011

  • David Colligan attended the NYS Commercial Realtors Summer Social on August 25, 2011.
  • On August 24, 2011, Kristin Arcuri did a presentation at Scroi Financial on "Divorce & Its Financial Consequences" at 6pm.

JULY 2011

  • Melissa A. Day is pleased to announce that her Linkedin Group, NY Workers’ Compensation Forum, just accepted its 300th Member.  The group provides a forum for all stakeholders in NY’s workers’ compensation system to share ideas, discuss recent statutory and case law developments, ask and answer questions and post jobs.  To join the group please click here. 

  • On July 14, 2011, David Colligan attended the Preservation League of NYS's Buffalo Summer Salon at the Buffalo Club.
  • Kristin Arcuri, along with Jennifer Jurek, CFP, CDFA™ , spoke at Sgroi Financial, on July 13th, 2011 in a presentation entitled, "Financial Issues & The Law In Divorce." Kristin and Jennifer will be highlighting the many financial issues that arise between divorcing couples.
  • On July 13th, Pauline Will was a member of a career pane for the 2011 Leaders in Training Program which promotes leadership of middle school students.
  • Jim Bennett chaired the recent Clarence Chamber of Commerce Roundtable on "Energy Savings for Small Businesses."

 

PAST SUCCESSES

  • Watson Bennett successfully defended an advertising agency that placed an ad in a magazine for a client. The client went out of business, resulting in neither the ad agency nor the magazine getting paid. When the magazine tried to sue the ad agency to collect, our firm got the suit dismissed on the basis that the ad agency acted as the client's agent. The magazine appealed, but also lost on appeal. The case is American Diabetes Association v. Abbey, Mecca & Co., Inc., 909 N.Y.S.2d 250 (4th Dept. 2010).
  • Our firm defended a client against a hostile neighbor who sued to acquire title to a strip of land that was clearly owned by our client but over which the neighbor asserted title by adverse possession. The neighbor also sought $300,000 in damages, claiming that our client's denial of access to the disputed strip of land rendered the neighbor's title "unmarketable." In addition to having all claims dismissed, we also recovered $25,000 for our client on its counterclaims. The neighbor appealed the critical dismissal motion, but lost. The case is Carrasquillo v. SEB Development, LLC, 910 N.Y.S.2d 620 (4th Dept. 2010).
  • Watson Bennett's Commercial Litigation department recently won a jury verdict, upheld on appeal, for a land owner whose access easement was blocked by a malicious neighbor. The land owner was unable to sell the valuable timber on his land due to the intentional blockage, and sued to enforce his easement. He also sought damages for the value of the timber. Following a three-day trial, the Court enforced the client's access easement and confirmed its location. The jury then awarded the client, not only the value of the unsold timber, but a portion of his attorneys' fees as well. The defendant's attempt to vacate the jury verdict failed, as did his appeal. The case is reported at Meyer v. Stout, 914 N.Y.S.2d 834 (4th Dept. 2010).