10 Best in Client Satisfaction

Each year the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys recognizes the top 10 practitioners in every state with the “10 Best in Client Satisfaction Award” for attorneys who handle matters in the areas of family and matrimonial law.  This year Bashian & Farber partner, James L. Hyer. Esq, was presented with this distinguished recognition.  When receiving the award, Mr. Hyer commented,
“At Bashian & Farber, we handle a wide range of litigation including matters pertaining to family and matrimonial law and it is wonderful to receive this recognition as we constantly seek to ensure that each client is highly satisfied with our work product.  This award confirms that we are reaching our goal.”

Bashian & Farber, LLP handles matters relating to family including divorce, annulment, child custody, child support, paternity, and family offense.  Several of our attorneys are also trained mediators who are available to mediate such family disputes.

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Column: Noncompete agreements: An effective tool to protect business interests

by James Hyer

Millions of dollars are lost each year through the theft of trade secrets that companies labor tirelessly to develop. One effective tool that may be utilized by companies to safeguard against “commercial piracy” is a noncompete agreement. If properly drafted, a noncompete agreement can prevent significant financial losses attributable to exploitation of private proprietary information or unfair competition by former employees.

As these agreements are often contested by former employees and the courts often take a strong position against upholding noncompete agreements, it is imperative that employers draft agreements that will be enforced by a court. Within New York State, three elements are usually required for a noncompete
agreement to be enforceable:

Bashian & Farber Support LGBT Community

On June 6, 2015, the LOFT LGBT Community Center of Lower Hudson Valley held its annual Pride celebration in White Plains at the Memorial United Methodist Church which was attended by hundreds of participants. Bashian & Farber was proud to support this event by hosting a booth to provide those in attendance with information regarding a broad range of legal issues including those specifically pertaining to the LGBT Community, including changes in the law pertaining to marriage and protections against discrimination.

James Hyer, who is a partner at Bashian & Farber, is also on the Board of Directors of the LOFT and noted, “This yearly event is always such a great opportunity to come together to support LGBT Rights and I’m delighted that Bashian & Farber once again was able to support this event.”

Bashian & Farber is one of a handful of Law Firms practicing in the Hudson Valley which has dedicated a portion of its practice to serving the LGBT community by maintaining a firm base of knowledge of the specific laws and developments and case decisions which affect the LGBT community as it evolves.

Bashian & Farber Sponsors Veteran’s Day event at the VA Hospital

On Veteran’s Day, Paralegal Caitlin Baranowski, Legal Assistant Elizabeth Troyano and James L. Hyer, Esq., attended an event sponsored by Bashian & Farber, LLP, at the VA Hospital in Montrose, NY. The event provided Bingo games, prizes, and refreshments to elderly veterans living in the senior center. The firm sponsored and assisted the Westchester County Bar Association with this event to thank the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces.

Bashian & Farber hosts Booth at the Fair & Affordable Housing Expo

The Fair & Affordable Housing Expo, attended by hundreds of people from throughout the Hudson Valley, this Expo aimed to educate the public regarding housing issues. Various workshops offered information on first-time home purchases, financing the purchase of a home, housing discrimination, and other relevant topics. Participants also had the opportunity to speak to professionals involved in different housing issues. Bashian & Farber hosted a booth at the event to discuss legal issues related to all aspects of home ownership, including real estate transfers, housing discrimination, and landlord-tenant matters. James L. Hyer, who is a member of the Board of Directors of Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc., reported, “One of the essentials of being a professional is providing service to the community and I am proud that our firm could be part of this important event.”

 

Bashian & Farber Participates in the New York State 2015 High School Mock Trial Tournament

The New York State Bar Association, Westchester County Bar Association and Pace Law School collaboratively held the New York State 2015 High School Mock Trial Tournament last month. Students were provided with materials including rules of procedure, evidence and pleadings, pertaining to a fictitious case wherein they were assigned to represent one of the parties. Bashian & Farber was pleased to support the event by having James L. Hyer serve as a competition judge at the Westchester County Courthouse. Following the mock trial, Mr. Hyer noted that “It was remarkable to see how prepared the students were and they had worked to develop their advocacy skills. I can’t wait to participate again next year.”

 

Penny D. Taylor v. Joseph Rosa: A Recent Decision Changing the Law of Paternity By Estoppel

By: James L. Hyer, Esq.

 

On May, 2, 2007, a decision was rendered in Penny D. Taylor v. Joseph Rosa, No. 76026-04 (Bronx Sup. 2007), significantly changing the law of Paternity By Estoppel.

This noteworthy decision came less than a year after the New York State Court of Appeals holding In The Matter of Shondel J. v. Mark D., 7 N.Y.3d 320, 853 N.E.2d 610, 820 N.Y.S2d 199, 2006 N.Y. Slip Op. 05238 that ruled in favor of Paternity By Estoppel. In that case, the Court of Appeals upheld the lower court determinations that a man was required to pay child support for a child despite irrefutable DNA evidence that the child was not biologically his.

Westchester County Bar Association’s Past Presidents

(above: Association’s Past Presidents Peter Zeltner, Gary Bashian, and John Marwell)

Gary E. Bashian and James L. Hyer, two of the firm’s partners, attended the Annual Meeting and Past Presidents Dinner of the Westchester County Bar Association held on March 4, 2015. The event included many local attorneys, judges, the President of the New York State Bar Association, and the Dean of Pace Law School. Bashian & Farber is pleased to announce that following a vote at this meeting, Mr. Hyer was elected to become a Director on the Board of Directors of the Westchester County Bar Association.

As a past President of the Association, Mr. Bashian noted, “The time that I have spent throughout my career in providing service to the profession through the Association have been personally fulfilling to me, and I am delighted that James will continue that tradition by taking a leadership position within the Association.”

 

Collection Drive Donates to Local Veterans

(pictured above) Bashian & Farber’s James L. Hyer, Esq., and Paralegal Caitlin Baranowski, Mary Ellen McCourt of the Westchester County Bar Association and Yvette Rodriguez-Cacho,
Montrose VA Hospital Volunteer Services Chief.

Bashian & Farber, LLP, is proud to announce that the second annual Hat, Scarf and Glove Drive sponsored by the Diversity Committee of the Westchester County Bar Association was a great success. Working with over a dozen local Courts and Town Halls, James L. Hyer, Esq., coordinated the drive which collected hundreds of winter coats, hats, gloves, and scarves. All of the collected items were provided to the Clothing Room of the VA Hospital in Montrose, New York which serves approximately 250 veterans each month.

You can read more about this event on the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System’s Facebook page by clicking on the following link: https://www.facebook.com/VAHudsonValley?fref=nf#!/VAHu dsonValley/photos/a.116756108369168.7346.105276666183779/905871089457662/?type=1&theater.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this event and thank you to our veterans!

(Above) James L. Hyer, Esq., stands before Montrose VA Hospital with some of the Drive’s collected items.

 

Announcing our Firm’s New Partner: James L. Hyer, Esq.

Bashian & Farber is pleased to announce that James L. Hyer, Esq., is now a partner of Bashian & Farber, LLP, joining Gary E. Bashian, Esq., and Irving O. Farber, Esq., who founded the firm.

“James’ experience and expertise handling full-service counsel is unmatched,” said Gary E. Bashian, Esq. “Adding an incredibly talented practitioner, like James, as a partner provides us with a significant advantage in this fast-paced environment.”

Mr. Hyer has worked for years as an Associate at Bashian & Farber, successfully assisting clients in a wide range of areas including matrimonial and family court actions, real estate transactions, housing issues, estate planning, estate and trust litigations, business and commercial law and litigations, personal injury claims, discrimination violations and LGBT issues.

Mr. Hyer has served in a number of leadership roles with outside organizations, including the Westchester Residential Opportunities Attorney’s Panel where he assists individuals facing housing discrimination.

He is actively involved in service organizations which benefit the community, and he frequently organizes service events with the Westchester County Bar Association, such as the most recent Hat, Scarf and Glove Drive for local veterans.

“I’m proud to carry on our firm’s tradition of effective legal assistance and will continue to achieve the best outcomes for my clients. As partner, I plan to further develop the firm’s projects geared towards charitable community projects,” said Mr. Hyer.

James L. Hyer, Esq. (above)