When operating a business, it would be ideal if everything ran smoothly, and no issues arose. Unfortunately, that is not the reality experienced by most businesses. Thus, it is imperative that businesses understand how they should approach and resolve any issues or disputes that occur or impact operations. Resolving business disputes Often, when you think of litigation, you are likely to think of a long, costly and complex legal matter. At The West Firm, PLLC, our law firm understands that time is money, and any disruption to the course of business could significantly impact a company. With mo ..read more

There are many reasons that businesses in New York find themselves embroiled in litigation. Oftentimes, the heart of the matter is a breach of contract – which, in and of itself, may be due to a difference in interpretation of key contract terms. One common type of business contract is known as an asset purchase agreement. Basics of asset purchase agreements An asset purchase agreement doesn’t have to be complicated because, at its core, it is simply a contract that covers the terms of one party purchasing assets from another – hence the basic name of the agreement. However, we all know that a ..read more

Nothing can derail your building plans more than the denial of a building permit by a building inspector for violating a zoning law. You have several options in this situation. You can always modify your building plans to comply with the zoning requirements, but that is not a realistic or feasible option for most people. Perhaps you believe the building inspector made a mistake. Your best option is to appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Appeals involving denial of a building permit are common. Requesting a variance There are two types of appeals you can file. One involves asking for a varia ..read more

New York has ambitious goals for clean energy projects. To achieve those objectives, it needs to award contracts to companies from around the world. Since this type of business invites regulatory scrutiny, has financial parameters and must adhere to specific rules in how it is structured, it can be complicated from all perspectives. Companies receive contracts for offshore wind projects Two companies – one based in Denmark and the other in Norway – received conditional contracts to provide energy to New York through offshore wind projects. As the state is trying to expand its clean energy base ..read more

Running a business in New York involves entering into many different contracts. One of these contracts is a retail energy agreement, which is a legal contract between business owners and retail energy suppliers. A retail energy agreement states the terms that govern how energy service will be delivered to your business. Basic agreement terms Although the terms of each retail energy agreement are unique, there are some common elements found in all agreements. Some of these include: Contract length List of accounts Price or rate Most retail energy agreements contain information about the length ..read more

A home purchase is one of the largest investments you may ever make. It’s smart to request an inspection and to review the report before you complete the purchase. Inspection report An inspection report can provide you with details about the property’s condition. There are some items that are especially important to understand, because they can be costly to repair or replace after the sale and could pose a safety hazard. The inspector will check for signs of structural damage, especially damage to the foundation or walls that could cause instability. They may also determine the condition of th ..read more

Residents in New York may receive decision from a New York agency that they disagree with. This can feel like a major defeat. While it is an overwhelming experience, it is important to note that there are options when it comes to appealing the decision of a state agency. Article 78 proceeding For those unfamiliar with Article 78 proceedings, these are lawsuits that are primarily used to challenge an action or inaction by a New York State agency and local governments. Additionally, they can also be filed against judges, tribunals, boards as well as private companies that are established based o ..read more

A Letter of Intent (LOI) plays a crucial role in business transactions, especially in real estate deals. It typically functions as a non-binding agreement outlining the main points of a proposed transaction, such as the sale price, closing date and other key terms. An important part of the LOI is the definition of the due diligence period. Under this provision, potential buyers can conduct an investigation to identify and resolve potential issues with the property. Here, they can verify the property’s value, ensuring it aligns with the asking price. Examination of the value of the property Upo ..read more

As a site owner or manager, you might be thinking about buying electricity through a power purchase agreement (PPA) to power your site. A PPA is a long-term contract between a place that makes electricity (like a solar or wind farm) and the person or business that buys the electricity. The buyer gets to buy electricity at a fixed price for a set number of years. Here are some things to think about when deciding if a PPA is right for your site: Identifying the pros and cons Below are some of the advantages of purchasing electricity through a PPA: It provides a fixed price for electricity over t ..read more

If property owners and buyers have rights when dealing with real estate, they must also follow specific restrictions provided by federal and state policies. Regarding real estate transfers, property owners have the right to choose who they sell or lease to. However, housing laws could prohibit them from selecting based on specific qualities that can be discriminatory. Numerous laws can impact real property sellers and buyers, including the Fair Housing Act and New York City Human Rights Law. These regulations also apply to other parties, such as lenders, when granting mortgages. They exis ..read more