Developments in the employment law area over the past few months have been dizzying. We’ve heard from several clients that, despite the number of emails in your in-box, you do want to know more about these developments and how they will affect your business. For 2009, we have developed an e-newsletter to keep you informed. As always, if there are topics which you would like to see included here, or have questions about any of the topics covered below, please let us know.

Updated information about the below regulations can be found in the article "Commonwealth's Privacy Regulations Revised and Simplified".

COMPLIANCE DEADLINE: May 1, 2009

Just over a year ago, in response to several well-publicized breaches of confidential customer financial information, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a well-intentioned and straightforward law intended to “safeguard the personal information of residents of the commonwealth.” Mass. G.L. c. 93H. Fulfilling its charge to promulgate regulations implementing the new law, the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (the “OCABR”) recently published extensive requirements for every person or business which “own[s], license[s], store[s] or maintain[s]” personal information of a resident of the Commonwealth to achieve the mandated protections. The breadth, cost and implementation timetable for these regulations, found at 201 C.M.R. 17.00 et seq., has caused a backlash from affected businesses.

Hanify & King, Professional Corporation today announced the opening of its New York City office. The new office, located at 1359 Broadway, will support Hanify & King’s New York based clients and facilitate growth of the firm’s practice in complex litigation.

Hanify & King’s bankruptcy practice has been recognized by Chambers USA for the fourth year in a row for its outstanding legal expertise. For the second year in a row, the firm’s litigation practice has received similar praise and recognition. Hanify & King is the only mid-size firm in the Boston area to be ranked in two categories. In 2008, Chambers USA again gives the firm a #1 ranking for its Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Practice. It also ranks Hanify & King’s Litigation Practice as among the best in the business citing the expertise of John D. Hanify, co-founder and shareholder of Hanify & King.

Hanify & King atLaw Spring 2008

Hanify & King, Professional Corporation today announced the opening of its new offices in Washington, D.C. The new office will focus on patent litigation, patent prosecution, and intellectual property. At the outset, the new office will be staffed by five lawyers joining the firm from Bingham McCutchen’s Washington, D.C. office and by litigators in Hanify & King’s Boston office. The new Washington, D.C. office will be headed by attorney Edward Pennington, an accomplished patent litigator who has handled complex patent cases during the last 25 years.

The National Law Journal wrote the article "Small Boston firm makes a big IP play in D.C." about Hanify & King opening a new office in D.C. The new office will focus on patent litigation, patent prosecution, and intellectual property and will be staffed by five lawyers joining the firm from Bingham McCutchen’s Washington, D.C. office and by litigators in Hanify & King’s Boston office. The article is in pdf format.

On March 20, 2008, WomenatLaw, The Art beCAUSE Foundation and the Museum Council of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston held the event "Her Art: A Celebration of Women Artists in Boston". The event featured the works of local Boston artists on display at Hanify & King's Boston office. For more information about the event, including photos of the event and the event's brochure, please visit the WomenatLaw section of the Hanify & King website.

Natalie Sawyer, a bankruptcy lawyer at Hanify & King's Boston office, wrote the article "Consider Code Changes for Your Situation" for the March edition of Women's Business Boston.

Hanify & King lawyer Ethan Jeffery wrote the article "Bankruptcy Presents Opportunities For Owners and Potential Investors" for the November 26, 2007 edition of Banker & Tradesman.