This article was originally posted on Boston Magazine. Starting a new restaurant requires months, if not years, of planning. From concept to financing, location scouting to staffing, the number of tasks is countless, and the hurdles never-ending. The most difficult issues arise not from the things you expect, but from the unknown and unanticipated like…
4 Key Legal Considerations When Choosing Your Restaurant’s Location
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, Hospitality Practice Group
Cannabis Cafes and Home Delivery Approved by State Regulators

On Tuesday, September 24, the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) voted to approve a highly-regulated home delivery program for adult-use cannabis, as well as a pilot program for cannabis cafes. While voters approved home deliveries and cannabis cafes as part of the 2016 adult-use ballot initiative, regulations were initially delayed while the CCC opted to focus…
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, Cannabis, News
Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act: Upcoming Compliance Deadlines Alert

While the Massachusetts’ Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) does not officially go into effect until January 1, 2021, employers must notify employees by September 30, 2019 and begin deducting withholdings as of October 1, 2019. Unlike the Federal Family Medical Leave Act, PFML applies to all employers and may also include independent contractors. PFML offers…
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, Employment Law
Ruberto, Israel & Weiner Served as Legal Counsel to Merrimack Valley Plastics for Envases USA Acquisition

Ruberto, Israel & Weiner (RIW) is pleased to announce that client Merrimack Valley Plastics (MVP) of Methuen, Mass., was recently acquired by Envases USA. RIW served as legal counsel on the transaction, working closely with MVP to ensure a strategic and tax-efficient acquisition process. Over the past few years, MVP has enjoyed a close manufacturing…
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, Corporate & Business, Mergers & Acquisitions, News
Ruberto, Israel & Weiner Attorneys Michael Rosen and Bradley Croft Obtain a Precedent Setting Land Use Decision Affecting Cannabis Cultivation in Massachusetts

Ruberto, Israel & Weiner (RIW) attorneys, led by Land Use Attorney Michael Rosen and Litigator Bradley Croft, obtained a precedent setting land use decision affecting cannabis cultivation in Massachusetts. The ruling clarifies that the exclusion of cannabis from the definition of “agriculture” under MGL Chapter 40A, Section 3 (the Dover Act) applies only to the…
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, Cannabis, Commercial Real Estate, Litigation, News
RIW Attorney Christopher Agostino Presents at National Institute for Coastal & Harbor Infrastructure Boston Harbor Storm Surge Working Group

On July 31, 2019, Ruberto, Israel & Weiner Attorney Christopher Agostino joined a panel of engineers, economists, and planners to present the case for a regional “Layered Defense” approach to protect Boston and surrounding communities from the effects of sea level rise and storm surge. RIW is a member of the National Institute for Coastal…
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, Commercial Real Estate, News
At Your Service Newsletter: August 2019

In this issue of the RIW At Your Service Newsletter: Cannabis Update; Marketing Corner; Industry Trends/News; Client News; Events & Participation; Restaurant Trends Seminar Recap – Check out the full At Your Service Newsletter: August 2019 Edition
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, At Your Service, Hospitality Practice Group, News
RIW Attorney Michael Rosen Receives Favorable Ruling for Solar Developer in Northbridge, Mass.

Attorney Michael Rosen and Ruberto, Israel & Weiner are proud to have appeared with Attorney Henry Lane in the matter of Northbridge McQuade LLC v Northbridge ZBA, et. al. On June 17, 2019, the Court issued an unpublished decision ruling in favor of a solar developer for a site located in Northbridge, Massachusetts. In a…
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, Commercial Real Estate, News
RIW Attorneys Obtain Precedent Setting Cannabis Land Use Decision
Ruberto Israel & Weiner attorneys Michael Rosen, Bradley Croft and Mike Duffy obtained a precedent setting land use decision affecting zoning bylaws. The decision benefits land development generally, with a particular emphasis on recently adopted Massachusetts cannabis laws. The full text of the ruling can be found here. See recent articles: Boston Business Journal Lawyers…
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, Cannabis, Commercial Real Estate, News
Food halls and “micro-business” aggregation dominate downtown Boston

RIW Hospitality and Real Estate Attorney Adam Barnosky’s recent article on Food halls and “micro-business” in downtown Boston was featured in the New England Real Estate Journal. Check out the Full article.
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, Hospitality Practice Group, News