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Business

Mackenzie Hughes is lead counsel to many of the region’s most prominent and successful businesses. Our clients range from sole proprietorships to sophisticated international corporations, which rely on our proactive counsel and solutions-oriented approach. Our collaborative multidisciplinary approach is also used to counsel not-for-profit entities including colleges, human services agencies, rehabilitation centers, religious organizations, arts organizations and traditional charities. The Firm’s corporate attorneys work closely with the Firm’s tax attorneys to analyze and develop tax-efficient responses to achieve client goals. Services include:

General Business

  • Structuring business entities including sole proprietorships, general and limited partnerships, corporations and limited-liability companies
  • Regulatory compliance; representation before federal and state oversight agencies
  • Negotiating and drafting contracts including partnerships, shareholder and employment agreements
  • Counseling businesses on entity governance; drafting bylaws and operating agreements
  • Providing advice and counsel on bankruptcy and collection matters
  • Representing businesses and individuals in the purchase and sale of business interests
  • Representing businesses in all aspects of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures
  • Counseling on all aspects of business succession

Securities

  • Preparing and filing reports including disclosure forms for corporate officers and directors
  • Providing advice and counsel on all aspects of initial offerings of corporate stock
  • Preparing proxy materials

Employee Benefits Planning

  • Preparing and implementing stock option plans for corporate directors, officers and employees
  • Providing advice and counsel in the establishment of qualified and nonqualified deferred compensation and retirement plans
  • Preparing and negotiating employee separations; planning and implementing workforce reductions

Attorneys

News

Mackenzie Hughes Adds Three Attorneys

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Mackenzie Hughes LLP’s Managing Partner Richard Engel announces the recent addition of attorneys Robb P. Barrett, Rebecca E. Alesi and Robert R. Hojnacki to the team. Robb P. Barrett joined the firm in January as a partner in the Business Department. He focuses on business and corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, securities […]

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Mackenzie Hughes Thanks Anne B. Ruffer for her leadership role, Elects Richard C. Engel Managing Partner, Appoints James H. Nicoll Business Department Chair

Attorney Anne B. Ruffer electively stepped down as the firm’s Managing Partner effective December 31, 2023, after serving in that role for six years.  During that time, she oversaw the day-to-day firm operations, worked in supporting the firm’s various practice areas, managed its fiscal responsibility, encouraged attorneys’ community involvement, and advanced the firm’s positive culture.  […]

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Nine Mackenzie Hughes Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers

Nine attorneys from Mackenzie Hughes LLP were recognized in the 2023 edition of Super Lawyers. Those recognized as “Super Lawyers” include: Clayton H. Hale, Jr., tax; Stephen T. Helmer, business litigation, personal injury – medical malpractice, civil litigation; Ami S. Longstreet, elder law, estate planning & probate; Jillian L. McGuire, family law; Edward J. Moses, […]

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Blog

How to Break Up with Your Service Provider

I wrote this blog entry originally in 2017, nonetheless, there are many vendors who still attempt to ignore the New York statute against automatic renewals. This New York statute protects individuals and business entities.  If you or your business are being forced into a contract you no longer want, one exit strategy may include the […]

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Congress Passes Trademark Modernization Act

Congress Passes Trademark Modernization Act Here’s What That Means for You, Your Business and Your Business’ Trademarks At the tail-end of 2020, the Trademark Modernization Act (“TMA”) was signed into law.  The TMA, which received broad bi-partisan support in Congress, was passed to curb a substantial volume of improperly registered trademark registrations from so-called “bad […]

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Can I trademark “[insert food here].com”? The Supreme Court says “Maybe!”

Recently, the Supreme Court concluded another historic term, handing down landmark decisions in employment discrimination and executive immunity, among others.  However, this also means cases like United States Patent and Trademark Office v. Booking.com, B.V. (“Booking.com”), a case decided at the end of June with broad application in the area of trademark law, do not […]

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