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By Rob Townsley

After a week in March in which United Airlines loaded three dogs onto the wrong planes and a fourth died in an overhead bin, United decided to review its PetSafe program for pets traveling in the cargo compartment. Of the nearly 507,000 animals that flew on U.S. commercial carriers in 2017, 24 died, with 18 of those deaths happening on United, according to the Department of Transportation.

Effective June 18, 2018, United will implement several new policies and customer requirements for pet air transportation. The biggest change being their prohibition for 47 different breeds of dog and 4 breeds of cats (more on that below).

United’s pet traveling transportation program, named “PetSafe” in an aptly made public relations move, only accepts dogs and cats. No other household pets or animals will be accepted.

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By Matthew Pelkey

A lot can happen in two weeks—especially here in Buffalo. The Buffalo Bills drafted their first-round quarterback of the future (knock on wood). The Sabres finally won the draft lottery and the number one overall pick in the 2018 draft. Alton Brown disparaged Buffalo’s place as the chicken wing capitol of the world. And Avengers: Infinity Wars left us all feeling hopeless after Thanos killed off at least one of your favorite super heroes (rest in peace Dr. Strange). Suffice it to say we’ve had a lot going on lately.

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By Kevin O’Brien

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Service providers and retailers join the growing list of local companies accepting cryptocurrency

Today Colligan Law LLP announced that it will now accept cryptocurrency, specifically bitcoin, as a form of payment in exchange for its various legal services. Colligan Law’s announcement makes the firm the first in Western New York to accept bitcoin, as the number of retailers and service providers allowing payment in the form of cryptocurrency continues to grow worldwide.

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By Shawn Roche

In large part, the exchange of cryptocurrencies and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), have remained in the wild west from a regulatory standpoint. Developments of the past several months, however, indicate that a change is underway.

The most significant development is the SEC’s increasing assertions that crytocurrencies are securities, and therefore within its jurisdiction.  This was perhaps most clear when the Chairman of the SEC, Jim Clayton, issued his December 11^th Statement on Cryptocurrencies and Initial Coin Offerings.  Despite the SEC taking its first enforcement actions in 2017, to that point in time, some had speculated that the SEC might either largely avoid classifying cryptocurrencies as securities, or be hesitant to take enforcement actions.[i]  Clayton put a damper on that speculation, stating that although the determination is always fact-sensitive,

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By Matthew Pelkey

Recommended Startup Reads for Entrepreneurs Looking to Start a Business

Starting a business can be a daunting task for even the most experienced entrepreneur. There is no shortage of issues for a founder to address—employees, legal issues, raising money, retaining customers, developing products or service—all of these must be juggled simultaneously. Perseverance is required to even have a chance at success. Books can help, too. But how do you know which startup reads are the best for entrepreneurs?

“The way to get started is to quit talking and start doing.” 

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By Matthew Pelkey

Plattsburgh becomes first city in Upstate NY to ban Bitcoin mining. Will opportunities be lost?
As I sit in the Koffee Kat Espresso Bar on Margaret Street in Plattsburgh, you wouldn’t necessarily know that the City was subject to a recent crypto-controversy surrounding Bitcoin mining. Its sleepy main street is reminiscent of many of the rust belt towns scattered across New England. Recently though the City of Plattsburgh voted to become the first city to ban bitcoin mining (and all cryptocurrency operations) citing concerns over energy consumption. A copy of LOCAL LAW P-3 OF 2018 can be found on the City’s website. The ban will be an 18-month moratorium in order to preserve natural resources, protect the health of residents and preserve the “character and direction” of the City.

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Joe Saeli will be a featured speaker at the New York State Bar Association Annual Meeting in New York City on January 25.  Joe will speak about the legal and ethical concerns involved in selling a law practice.

Joe was a member of a committee which revised the NYS  Bar Association’s  Planning Ahead Guide.  He was responsible for the section covering the sale of law practices.  This popular publication assists lawyers in planning for their futures.

Joe has spoken about selling law practices at two prior NYS Bar Association Annual Meetings, and at a number of Continuing Legal Education seminars throughout New York State.

Colligan Law’s team is very experienced in the purchase and sale of all types of professional practices and businesses, and is always available to assist you.

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2017—It was a rollercoaster year for legal and business issues and the team at Colligan Law worked hard to keep you informed. As we welcome 2018, we wanted to take a minute to share our top stories of the past twelve months with you:

1. We asked the question (again). Is a hotdog a sandwich? Just like “What came first, the chicken or the egg?” or perhaps more timely, “What is or isn’t a catch in the NFL,?”, this is one of those questions that people just can’t seem to agree upon. Well, Colligan Law attorney Rob Townsley took a look at what New York State law thinks and perhaps answered the question once and for all.