2019 Year in Review: Andrew Lieb, Esq., Lieb at Law, P.C.

Andrew Lieb, Esq. shares his greatest professional accomplishment in 2019 in the New York Real Estate Journal. Read the full article here. 

REAL ESTATE & LAW: A LOOK BACK AT 2019 AND A LOOK AHEAD

Andrew Lieb shares some highlights of the extraordinary changes in the law that control the sales, rentals and litigation landscape of real estate. This is a must read for real estate professionals, homeowners, landlords and tenants.

Read the full article published in Behind The Hedges here. 

Employers May be Exposed to a Sex Discrimination Lawsuit From...an Alleged Harasser?

In this “Me Too” era, it is logical that an employer’s reflexive reaction to receiving a complaint of harassment from a female employee is to immediately fire the alleged male harasser. However, while the employer may believe that firing the male employee will protect the employer from a lawsuit by the female employee, such impulsive action without a thorough unbiased investigation may expose the employer to a sex discrimination lawsuit filed by . . . the alleged male perpetrator. 

Read the full article by Mordy Yankovich, Esq. published in the Suffolk Lawyer here. 

Reminder for Employers: Minimum Wage Rates and Salary Threshold for Overtime Exemptions Increased as of December 31, 2019

Effective December 31, 2019, the minimum wage increased throughout New York State as follows:

1) Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties: $13 per hour.
2) New York City (employers with ten (10) or fewer employees): $15 per hour. 
3) Remainder of New York State: $11.80 per hour.
4) Fast Food Employees Outside of New York City: $13.75 per hour.


In addition, effective December 31, 2019, the salary threshold for employees to qualify under the Executive and Administrative Exemptions (i.e. not entitled to overtime compensation) increased as follows:
1) Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties: $975 per week.


2) New York City (employers with ten (10) or fewer employees): $1,125 per week. 
3) Remainder of New York State: $885 per week. 

For more information, see the following Minimum Wage Orders: Miscellaneous Industries and Occupations; Hospitality Industry. 

Housing Discrimination Lawsuits and Damages

On 11/17/19 Newsday published "Long Island Divided" a report of the state of housing discrimination on Long Island.

Private discrimination lawsuits are about to flood the courts and suits can result in 6 to 7 figure awards. A discrimination plaintiff bringing a court proceeding will seek actual damages (direct for loss of housing and consequential of emotional distress for loss of dignity), punitive damages, statutory penalties, attorneys' fees and costs.

Read the full article by Andrew Lieb, Esq. published in The Suffolk Lawyer here.