News & Insights

Practice Areas

Venaglia & Fitzsimmons, LLP is a multi-disciplinary firm that offers legal services to public companies, privately held companies, not-for-profit corporations and individuals. These clients represent a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, hospitality, technology, media, financial services, publishing and more.

President Biden Signs Bill Barring Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Claims

On March 3, 2022, the President signed into law a bill called “Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Harassment Act of 2021” (H.R. 4445). As the name suggests, the bill bans forced arbitration of sexual assault and sexual harassment cases, including a bar against waivers of the right to bring such claims jointly and/or … Read more

Expanded New York State Whistleblower Protections Go Into Effect

A law amending New York State’s whistleblower statute (New York Labor Law § 740), which was signed by Governor Kathy Hochul this past fall, goes into effect today, January 26, 2022. Before it was amended, the whistleblower statute generally prohibited employers from retaliating against employees who disclosed, or threatened to disclose, an activity, policy or … Read more

New York City Bans Employer Inquiries Into Applicants’ Salary History

Experienced human resources professionals and job interviewers are familiar with a number of questions that should be avoided in a job interview or on an employment application. It’s well known that employers should generally not ask applicants direct or indirect questions about (among other things) their racial, ethnic, or religious background, or their marital status, … Read more

New York City Council Passes Bill Protecting Freelance Workers’ Wages

On October 27, 2016, the New York City Council passed a bill, known as the “Freelance Isn’t Free Act” (the “Act”). The Act requires New York City hiring parties employing freelance workers to enter into a written contract containing certain specified terms, and further requires freelancers to be paid within 30 days of completion of … Read more

New York State Legislates New Paid Family Leave and Minimum Wage Requirements

Earlier this month, the New York State Assembly passed two significant pieces of legislation that will impact all employers in the state of New York, regardless of size, in the coming years. First, the new Paid Family Leave Benefits Law will create an additional payroll deduction and entitle employees to up to 12 weeks of … Read more

Firm Announces Newly Redesigned Website

Venaglia & Fitzsimmons, LLP is pleased to unveil its newly redesigned website, at www.svhflaw.com.  The website welcomes visitors with a beautiful and modern new look, created by DLS Design, and it will be updated on a regular basis with news and insights from our attorneys.  Please visit www.svhflaw.com for more information about our firm.

Pharmaceutical Company Liability for Statements of Opinion About Pending FDA Approval: The Second Circuit Clarifies

For a pharmaceutical company, obtaining approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for a new drug product is critical to the company’s success, and accordingly, of intense interest to the investing community.  In certain circumstances, the company risks exposing itself to substantial liability under federal securities laws when publicly stating optimistic opinions about … Read more

New York City Amends Rules Under New Earned Sick Time Act

New York City’s Department of Consumer Affairs[1] recently adopted substantial amendments to the regulations under New York City’s Earned Sick Time Act (the “Act”), which generally requires New York City businesses employing five or more employees (or one or more domestic worker) to annually provide 40 hours of paid sick leave to its employees. The … Read more

United States Supreme Court Holds That A Defendant’s Unaccepted Offer Of Full Settlement To Named Plaintiff In A Class Action Does Not Require Dismissal Of The Action As Moot

Can a defendant in a putative class action obtain dismissal of that action as moot by making an “offer of judgment” under federal rules that, if accepted, would fully satisfy the claim of the individual named plaintiff? It is an issue with implications in a broad set of contexts, from employment and consumer litigations to … Read more

Managing Partner Peter Venaglia to Speak at Upcoming Program on Pharmaceutical Compliance

The firm’s Managing Partner, Peter Venaglia, has been invited to lead an interactive workshop at the American Conference Institute’s 16th Annual Forum on Fraud and Abuse in the Sales and Marketing of Drugs: Fortifying Compliance Protocols to Prepare for Changing Enforcement Priorities.  The workshop, which is entitled an “Interactive Working Group on Upgrading Your Pharmaceutical … Read more