Settlement agreements serve as vital tools for resolving disputes and avoiding protracted litigation. Parties involved in a dispute often opt for settlement agreements to reach a mutually beneficial resolution, notwithstanding that these agreements could leave each party feeling a little sour as to the ultimate result. When one party fails to perform the terms of...Read More

In a world where disputes and conflicts are inevitable, finding effective and efficient ways to resolve them is crucial for maintaining harmony and fostering healthy relationships. Mediation and arbitration stand tall as powerful tools for settling disagreements outside the traditional courtroom setting. Both processes offer numerous benefits that not only save time and resources but...Read More

A title search is an examination of the records concerning a property to ascertain the current ownership of the property and whether there are outstanding liens, judgments, foreclosure, or bankruptcy proceedings and/or other encumbrances on the property that could impede the sale of marketable title to a purchaser.   In a New York or New...Read More

Non-compete agreements have been the subject of a tremendous amount of litigation for many years. In New York, they have always been enforceable, but with specific limitations and restrictions. Now, the New York State Legislature has passed a bill (S3100A) that would ban non-compete agreements in New York State. Pursuant to the bill, an individual...Read More

An operating agreement is a contract entered into by the members of a limited liability company, and within the agreement, various terms are defined and described, such as: The name and purpose of the company The duration of the company The management of the company – manager managed or member-managed The maintenance of books and...Read More

Legal disputes can be emotionally and financially draining for all parties involved. When parties decide to resolve their differences through a settlement, it’s crucial that the parties have a clear understanding of the provisions that make up this legally binding document. Settlement agreements are carefully crafted to address various aspects of the dispute and protect...Read More

The importance of communication is something Amy and I have learned first-hand throughout our careers. We have learned lessons about the importance of communication with clients, but we have also learned the importance of communication in the context of other business relationships, including partnerships and the employer-employee relationship. These lessons have been learned through our...Read More

One of our main areas of practice at Catina & Mara, PLLC is civil litigation and dispute resolution. Having almost a combined total of 30 years of litigation experience between Laura and I alone, we would like to first going to describe the litigation services that we have provided to our clients. Oftentimes, our litigation...Read More

In today’s interconnected world, where information spreads rapidly, reputation is a valuable asset. Defamation laws play a crucial role in balancing the right to free speech with the protection of an individual’s reputation. New York’s defamation laws, like those in many jurisdictions, aim to strike a delicate balance between these competing interests. In this blog...Read More

Recently, I was asked by a colleague to troubleshoot a contract dispute that my colleague’s client has with his contractor, which has resulted in the contractor’s filing of a mechanic’s lien. The mechanic’s lien was filed last spring, but the contractor has not commenced an action to foreclose on the mechanic’s lien.  To make matters...Read More