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Vacation is meant to be a time for relaxing and setting aside the stresses of everyday life. While you are visiting loved ones for the holidays or enjoying time at the beach, a squatter may be reaping the benefits of your temporary absence. What can you do to protect your clients, and yourself, from the emerging issue of squatters claiming fraudulent tenancy rights? Your title insurance policy may offer an answer.

Bifurcation occurs when a court directs that a full trial be divided into two parts, the first being that of liability and the second being that of damages.

Good evening. This moment is incredibly meaningful to me. Standing before a full house at the Westchester County Bar Association’s 125th Annual Gala, surrounded by family, friends, partners, colleagues, and mentors, I am honored and humbled to have just been sworn in as your president.

A lot of lawyers eventually become commercial real estate owners.  And, while that is always a big decision to make, given the buy-in cost – it is almost always the right move.
There are a number of things that recommend the maneuver.  For one, especially if you can buy a property with existing tenants, and assuming you can scrape up a down payment, your mortgage will likely be covered substantially, or in full – as will, perhaps your maintenance and property tax (if applicable) costs.  But, perhaps the best thing about the arrangement is that, as a landlord, you can select your tenants, which means that you can align your business interests with your real estate interests.  Find people and businesses who are excellent referral sources for you and bring them in close.  You are more likely to get those referrals, if you are all in closer proximity.

A lot of lawyers eventually become commercial real estate owners.  And, while that is always a big decision to make, given the buy-in cost – it is almost always the right move.
There are a number of things that recommend the maneuver.  For one, especially if you can buy a property with existing tenants, and assuming you can scrape up a down payment, your mortgage will likely be covered substantially, or in full – as will, perhaps your maintenance and property tax (if applicable) costs.  But, perhaps the best thing about the arrangement is that, as a landlord, you can select your tenants, which means that you can align your business interests with your real estate interests.  Find people and businesses who are excellent referral sources for you and bring them in close.  You are more likely to get those referrals, if you are all in closer proximity.

It never ceases to amaze me how much things have changed since I was a child. As a kid, I vividly remember sitting on the floor very close to the front of the TV (black and white), which was about 24 to 28 inches and had four wooden support legs. Every time I got near the screen, my Uncle Eddie or my dad would pull me away and admonish me not to sit too close. They would always warn me that I was ruining my eyesight and that I would end up wearing glasses. Voila!—I have been wearing glasses full-time since I was seven years old. Fortunately, within a few years, we upgraded to a larger (color) TV set that was housed in a sizable piece of furniture that looked like a cabinet. Thus, the need for me to sit six inches away was obviated.

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The American Bar Association Midyear Meeting was held in sunny Phoenix, Arizona in the beginning of February. The week was filled with much camaraderie and learning.

Call to Action: Important Reminder WCBA's Diversity Committee Summer Intern Program Is Seeking Law Firm Participation for 2025

In this feature, Tejash V. Sanchala, Board Member and Employment Law Committee Co-Chair, interviews WCBA members about their experiences and insights. Tejash can be reached at: Tejash. Sanchala@gmail.com