Collier, Halpern, Newberg, Nolletti & Bock

Philip Halpern Certified as Civil Pretrial Advocate by the NBTA

Philip M. Halpern — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

White Plains, NY, litigation law firm, Collier, Halpern, Newberg, Nolletti and Bock, LLP, is pleased to announce that our Managing Partner, Philip M. Halpern has been certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) as a Civil Pretrial Advocate. The NBTA is a non-profit organization accredited by the American Bar Association to provide board certification for attorneys. Its standards, applied on a national scale, are rigorous and exacting. A candidate for certification must be in good standing in his or her state, demonstrate substantial involvement in a specialty area, participate in continuing education both as an attendee and presenter, author books and/or articles in professional journals, receive positive review from peers, including adversaries and judges, and exhibit the highest standards of conduct. Mr. Halpern has qualified for certification based on his compliance with these standards, and on his demonstration of advanced skill and dedication to the interests of his clients. Mr. Halpern is a distinguished White Plains litigation attorney with a long list of honors, memberships and reported decisions. He has been certified by the NBTA as a Civil Trial Advocate since 2002, and now adds to an already impressive curriculum vitae his certification as a Civil Pretrial Advocate. (The National Board of Trial Advocacy is not affiliated with any governmental authority.)

Philip Halpern Wins Constitutional Challenge

Philip M. Halpern — Thu, 3 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

White Plains, N.Y., litigation law firm, Collier, Halpern, Newberg, Nolletti and Bock, LLP, would like to congratulate our Managing Partner, Philip M. Halpern, on his latest decision, in which General Municipal Law §959, which governs Empire Zone certification, was found, in part, to be unconstitutional. The Empire Zone Program was created in 2000 by the New York State Department of Economic Development (DED) as a successor to the Economic Development Zones Program to provide tax benefits and credits to businesses that invest capital and create jobs in economically distressed areas of New York. The New York Legislature amended portions of GML §959 in April, 2009, in response to reports from the Comptroller that indicated problems in determining the cost effectiveness of the program. Pursuant to the amendments, the performance of participating businesses between 2001 and 2007 was to be reviewed and assessed for compliance with two new standards for eligibility. Those who did not meet the new standards would lose their Empire Zone certification -- retroactive to January 1, 2008. On May 3, 2012, the Appellate Division, Third Department, inter alia, reversed the trial court and held that the revocation of Mr. Halpern's client's Empire Zone certification could not be made retroactive to January 1, 2008, and that the retroactive application of the amendments constituted an unlawful taking of property that violated due process. In the Matter of Morris Builders, LP et al. v. Empire Zone Designation Board et al., No. 511897, 2012 N.Y. App. Div LEXIS 3494 (3rd Dep't, May 3, 2012). The Appellate Division determined that participants who were complying with existing standards could not have anticipated that the program rules governing certification would be changed and had every reason to assume that they would continue to enjoy the benefits of certification. Id. Mr. Halpern is a Westchester County trial attorney, who has been practicing law since 1980. He is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and is distinguished by his lengthy list of reported decisions. He now adds to his credits the honor of representing his client in a matter of constitutional impact.

James J. Nolletti granted a Fellowship in the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Philip M. Halpern — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Accomplished White Plains, NY divorce lawyer, James J. Nolletti, has been approved for a Fellowship in the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAML). The IAML is a worldwide association of practicing lawyers who are recognized by their peers as the most experienced and expert family law specialists in their respective countries. Membership is by invitation only. Attorneys who wish to join must obtain approval from the main Board of Admissions through a rigorous qualification process, in which peer recognition, a high level of competence and specialist accreditation must be demonstrated. Candidates from the US, Europe and Canada must also obtain the approval of their respective regional chapters. Mr. Nolletti is an experienced and respected litigator, who manages the Matrimonial and Family Law practice at his White Plains, NY, law firm, Collier, Halpern, Newberg, Nolletti & Bock.

James J. Nolletti to speak at a New York State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education event

Philip M. Halpern — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Distinguished Westchester County divorce attorney, James J. Nolletti, has been invited by the New York State Bar Association to speak at a Continuing Legal Education Program (CLE) event on Friday, April 27, 2012. The program is entitled “Matrimonial Trial Institute 1: Trial Techniques and Strategies”, and the topic of Mr. Nolletti's presentation will be "Navigating the Expert". He will discuss such issues as qualifying the expert witness, timeliness, and using the expert's report and related evidentiary issues in direct and cross examination. Mr. Nolletti manages the Matrimonial and Family Law practice at his White Plains, NY, law firm, Collier, Halpern, Newberg, Nolletti & Bock, and is a Fellow in both the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

James Nolletti elected to the Board of Managers of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Philip M. Halpern — Mon, 6 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Collier Halplern Newberg Nolletti & Bock, LLP is pleased to announce that James J. Nolletti, Esq., has recently been elected to the board of Managers of the New York State Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Mr. Nolletti also serves as a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a national publication.