News & Events

On April 8, 2021, Attorney Evan Goldstein, a principal at Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C. (“UKS”) guest lectured via Zoom at UConn Law School.  Attorney Goldstein spoke to law students in the Law 7565 Legal Profession class regarding diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. This UConn Law School class offers an examination of the status and function of the legal profession and of the importance of professional responsibility to the legal profession, to the administration of justice, a ...

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, on March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan of 2021 (“ARPA”).  ARPA allocates $1.9 trillion dollars to economic relief efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In addition to providing supplemental funding to previous efforts, ARPA also adds a number of important economic relief components.  A summary of the relevant provisions of ARPA of 2021 is included below. Direct Stimulus Payments For individuals with ye ...

On March 24, 2021, UKS shareholder Christopher Brigham will participate in a panel discussion sponsored by the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce entitled COVID-19 Vaccinations: What Employees and Employers Need to Know. The discussion is part of the Chamber’s Councils and Conversations Series. Attorney Brigham will provide practical advice to employers and employees regarding their legal responsibilities and rights in connection with Covid-19 vaccinations and related concerns for the busines ...

This spring, the Connecticut Supreme Court is expected to hear argument in Centerplan Construction Company, LLC, et al. v. City of Hartford, a construction law case related to the development and construction of the Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford.  This case was initially brought before the Superior Court by Centerplan Construction Company, LLC and DoNo Hartford LLC, the original developers of the Dunkin’ Donuts Park, after the City terminated its agreement with the developers due to significa ...

On March 4, 2021, Updike, Kelly & Spellacy shareholder Michael Botelho chaired the panel “Understanding the Roles of Disclosure Counsel and Underwriter’s Counsel” at the National Association of Bond Lawyers’ virtual Institute. The panel discussed the roles and responsibilities of underwriter’s counsel and disclosure counsel and addressed such topics as due diligence responsibilities, working with guidelines for outside counsel, client expectations, industry trends, holding a meaningful due ...

On March 24, 2021, UKS attorney Andrew Houlding will serve as the moderator for a Connecticut Bar Association virtual program concerning Developments in Indian Law in Federal and Tribal Courts.  Featured speakers include Professor Bethany Berger, UConn School of Law, Edward Gasser, Esq., Gasser Law Firm LLC and Joseph Strafaci, Esq. Law Offices of M. John Strafaci. This program will provide updates on current caselaw in areas concerning tribal jurisdiction, taxation and civil rights, as well as ...

UKS attorneys Evan Goldstein, Richard Dighello and Gideon Asemnor continue their participation in the Connecticut Bar Association’s LSAT Scholars Program. Most recently, they took part in a remote meeting with the Scholars to discuss law school grants and scholarships . In addition to the LSAT Scholars and UKS attorneys, participants in the meeting included representatives of the CBA and admissions personnel from UCONN and Quinnipiac Law Schools. The CBA and certain signatories to Connecticut's ...

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (the “CAA”) was signed into law on December 27, 2020, which may be best known to many as the second stimulus bill. Although the CAA includes $900 billion in stimulus relief, it also includes $1.4 trillion in omnibus spending for fiscal year 2021.  This alert addresses only select portions of the “stimulus” portion of the CAA.  Tax Developments:  The CAA contains several key tax developments.  It reverses the Treasury and IRS position which h ...

The Connecticut Appellate Court recently affirmed a judgment secured by UKS Shareholder Richard S. Order in Wittman, et al. v. Intense Movers, et al., 202 Conn. App. 87 (2021).  Our clients had a major falling-out with fellow shareholders in Intense Movers, a Connecticut moving company operating in Brooklyn, New York.  After trying for months to resolve the dispute, Attorney Order sued to dissolve the corporation and also asserted shareholder derivative claims to recoup company funds misappropr ...

On November 10, 2020 UKS Attorney Thomas Welsh gave a lecture to the Connecticut Bar Association International Law Section entitled “The Business Lawyer’s International Toolbox: Force Majeure Excuses for Contract Non-Performance – In an Age of Pandemic”. On November 19, 2020 Thomas Welsh was elected as the Chair of the Public Library Building Committee in the City of Meriden, CT. On November 23, 2020 Thomas Welsh gave a lecture to staff of Nippon Steel Trading Americas, Inc. entitled “Battle o ...