Charlie Pieterse and Michael Battema spoke at the National Business Institute’s seminar, “Estate Administration from Start to Finish.” Charlie and Michael’s topic was “Ethical Practice Considerations and Concerns in Probate Court.”
Luke Tashjian presented at the National Business Institute regarding Claims Against Estates.
Jim Riley testified as an expert witness on various issues of Connecticut commercial law before the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, in London, England. Among the subjects of Jim’s expert testimony were Connecticut common law rules governing the construction of commercial contracts, the proper application of partial payments to indebtedness arising under a factoring agreement, whether certain charges were allowed in restating an account, and judicial awards of fees and costs pursuant to contractual fee-shifting clauses. Jim had previously submitted an expert report in the matter in December 2016.
The Firm prevailed on a motion to dismiss a civil action brought against its clients in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. In an 11-page written decision, the Court agreed that there was no personal jurisdiction over the defendant corporation and its owners, which is based in and who reside in Connecticut. Michael Battema led the defense effort, working with Jim Riley and Richard Mancuso, and coordinating with local counsel in Chicago.
Luke Tashjian presented at the Greenwich Land Trust on Tax Deductions for Donations of Conservation Easements and Donations of Real Property.