Search

Western New York employers have gained extra personnel through internship programs while the interns benefit by getting the necessary experience on positions they aspire to have. However, the new batch of summer interns in the legal and accounting fields faces the ongoing economic difficulties. How the interns improve their chances of getting hired is also discussed.

Hodgson LLP's Gary Schober, Philips Lytle LLP's David McNamara and Damon Morey LLP's Peter Marlette have shared their views on the challenges of managing a major law firm during a fragile economy. Schober believes the recession is winding down but any number of global issues will be a major set back. How the recession changed their management styles is also discussed.

Kenya-born Makau Mutua, dean of the University of Buffalo's Law School, discusses the impact of the recession on his programs for the law school. In an effort to improve the ranking of the UB Law School in the list of the top 100 schools in the U.S., Mutua has hired new faculty. Insights on the said law school's on UB Plan 2020 are also provided by Mutua.

Attorneys Brent Nowicki and Sean Schoenborn have both combined their passion for sports and their practice to act as sports agents for professional players. Nowicki handles endorsement deals for National Lacrosse League all-time leading scorer John Tavares of Buffalo Bandits. Insights on Schoenborn dream of becoming a hockey sports agent are also given.

A list of unfamiliar people from diverse backgrounds who are judged to be People to Watch in 2010 is presented. Leadership and initiative are common to everyone on the list.

Tom Colson authored and published the children's book series 'A Girl Named Pants' in his belief that elementary age females must be inspired to become leaders. Aside from selling his books, he also reached out to the target audience by setting up seminars. Colson also visited schools with the help of publisher Kim Krug.

Ten business leaders who are expected to make news and significant decisions that would make a difference in the Buffalo area in 2009 are presented. Included in the list are Chason Affinity Cos.' Mark Chason, Meals on Wheels' Benjamin Gair III, and Black Capital Network's Jennifer Parker. Their contributions to their field are discussed.

Former convict Jerry Balone has been lecturing high school students on how to avoid a life of crime. Balone has been imprisoned for 37 and a half years for killing three people during a robbery. He encourages students to make good choices and avoid getting caught up in the 'thug life.'

Jonathan Dandes, president of Rich Baseball Operations, talks about his experiences while teaching at Niagara University. He discusses his involvement with the March of Dimes, an iconic organization that focuses on infant health and prenatal care. His role in managing three baseball teams is also explained.

How employers can avoid potential legal liability involved with employee use of online social media networks was discussed at the Business First Power Breakfast in Buffalo, New York. Online social media could be leveraged as marketing tools, paving the need for businesses to implement social media policies.

The Regan family has filed a lawsuit against the Altmans after they discovered foundation issues in the house they purchased. However, the jury's verdict in New York Supreme Court has also found the representative of the seller 20 percent liable on the transaction. Insights on the consequences of the verdict to real estate agents are also given.

The legal process related to the crash of Colgan Air's Flight to New York's Clarence Center in 2009 is deemed to be still in its early stages. A final report on the crash is yet to be issued by the National Transportation Safety Board. Meanwhile, mediation sessions involving punitive cases against Colgan Air, Pinnacle Airlines, Continental and Bombardier Aviation Services are ongoing.

New York's Buffalo Niagara region has a cultural scene that might be used by recruiters to convince potential employees to relocate. Employees could be provided with access to varied arts and culture-related experiences in a less expensive manner. The experiences of some employees who have relocated to the region are also presented.

The report entitled 'Foreclosing Erie County' released by the Western New York Law Center studied predatory lending that may have contributed to the nationwide mortgage-lending crisis. The report found practices of lending companies that offered loans with outrageous interest, complicated terms and even targeted buyers who were not in the position to understand the contracts.

Kevin Gaughan, a Buffalo, New York-based lawyer, leads the downsize-government movement in the area. His efforts were rewarded when residents of West Seneca and Evans voted to downsize their elected officials from five to three. Gaughan shares how he started and led the movement.

Strict safety standards are being implemented for toy manufacturers in compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, primarily on testing and labeling of products for children. Small businesses, such as Guildcraft Arts and Crafts, expressed their concerns about the expensive costs that come with the new law.

The families of the victims of the Continental Airlines Flight 3407 crash are on struggling to rebuild their lives. The families are dealing with the issues of housing, life insurance and financial needs. The New York State Bar Association's Mass Disaster Response Committee has been aiding the families with legal questions.

Joe Hanna, a native of Buffalo, New York and a partner at law firm Goldberg Segalla LLP, shares his passion for golf to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. He created a charitable foundation called Bunkers in Baghdad, which gathers donations and sends golf clubs and golf balls to the soldiers to help them unwind by playing golf in the dessert.

The onus of deciding on company layoffs and budgetary cuts lies with the CFOs, which is gaining momentum keeping in mind the financial credit crunch and dismal condition of the economy. Many CFOs are leaving their positions owing to the burden on their shoulders and surmountable stress they go through.

Gary Crosby, CFO of Buffalo Public Schools has been honored with the 2008 CFO Community Service Award. Crosby has been given this award in commemoration of his selfless service to the community wherein he gave up a highly paid job in the private sector to serve the community.

Top CFO's have stressed on the need for colleges to modify and adapt their accounting and financial programs to fully prepare students for life after graduation. This is because the key to being a successful CFO lies not only in book knowledge but also in real life experience.