Aside from payroll, real estate costs are a large law firm's most significant expense. Even under the best circumstances, such expenditures — sometimes called occupancy costs — consume 8% to 10% of the typical large firm's annual revenue. These costs are not confined to rent; many firms finance millions of dollars worth of expenses associated with the construction of their space.
The federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) threatens to have a significant impact on local zoning decisions. Municipalities across the country have challenged the statute's constitutionality. In the most recent of those cases, Westchester Day School v. Village of Mamaroneck, 2004 US App LEXIS 20327 (NYLJ, 10/15/2004, p. 18, col. 1), the Second Circuit declined to address the constitutional issues directly, but suggested a narrow construction of the statute that would reduce RLUIPA's impact on local zoning policies.
A review of the latest cases.
The latest cases for your review.
On Sept. 20, a Brooklyn jury found a court officer guilty of accepting bribes to steer cases to Brooklyn Matrimonial Justice Gerald P. Garson's docket, but acquitted the other defendant in the case.
Recent rulings of importance to you and your practice.
In last month's newsletter, we looked at some of the problems divorcing non-permanent U.S. resident immigrants can face when divorce, annulment or separation interferes with their plans to become permanent residents. We discussed some of the ways they can overcome these obstacles to legal permanent residence in the United States, but there are others that should be considered, in the appropriate circumstances.
The forensic evaluator's report can be crucial to the outcome of a domestic violence case, but the wrong type of evaluation can undermine a strong case. Psychologists who put themselves into the shoes of the judge when making their evaluations step over the line of clinical evaluation and can alienate the fact finder. Obtaining an assessment from a forensic psychologist with the correct understanding of his or her role in the decision-making process can is crucial.
