The Daily Record News Briefs: June 23, 2009

Daily Record (Rochester, NY), Jun 23, 2009

New law office opens in Rochester

The health care law firm Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Greenberg, Formato & Einiger LLP is opening a new office in Rochester.

New partner Richard T. Yarmel and associate Scott R. Simpson will lead the office. Both are formerly of Nixon Peabody LLP in Rochester.

"We look forward to creating a presence in this great city and continuing to expand our offices by giving health care facilities fair, professional and personalized legal advice," Managing Partner Howard Fensterman said in a statement.

The law firm -- which will be located Downtown at 45 Exchange Blvd., Suite 275 -- provides legal advice and representation for physicians, health care providers, major corporations, small businesses, individuals, and families throughout New York and New Jersey. It represents more than 150 nursing homes and more than 1,000 physicians, medical societies, ambulatory surgery centers, diagnostic and treatment centers, hospitals, imaging facilities, and other health care providers in a variety of healthcare related matters.

Fensterman, Fensterman also has law offices in Manhattan, Long Island, Lake Success and Morganville, N.J.

ACHC relocates with landlord's help

The AIDS Community Health Center is moving to Monroe Square, 259 Monroe Ave.

Learning that the center was outgrowing its space at Buckingham Properties' Michaels-Stern Building, at 87 N. Clinton Ave., Larry Glazer, Buckingam CEO and managing partner, suggested Monroe Square.

The move will coincide with the merger and co-location of AIDS Rochester in the same 52,000-sq. ft. space.

"The added capacity available will allow the newly merged organization to further expand its unique model of providing a comprehensive, continuum of care and services for people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS," said Jay Rudman, ACHC president. "The property couldn't be a more perfect fit."

Built in 1963 as a Sears, Roebuck & Co. department store, the building is currently undergoing renovation and ACHC should be able to move in by fall.

The building was occupied predominantly occupied by the former Preferred Care insurance company -- now MVP Health Care -- which recently moved to Buckingham's Alexander Park, Glazer said.

"We're happy to be able to accommodate ACHC and keep them as a tenant as well as fill a nice-size space at Monroe Square. It's definitely a win-win situation," Glazer said.

Scottsville cottage could net distinction

The New York State Board for Historic Preservation recently recommended 24 properties, including the Sage-Marlowe house in Scottsville, for inclusion on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

The Sage-Marlowe House is a 19th century Federal-style workingman's cottage that "retains a high degree of integrity," according to the board.

Property owners, municipalities and organizations throughout the state sponsored the nominations.

"Bringing recognition to these properties will help us to preserve, appreciate and understand New York's profound history," said Carol Ash, commissioner of the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Inclusion on the registers helps property owners to revitalize the structures through public preservation programs and services, such as matching state grants and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits.

Second Department justice appointed

Queens County Supreme Court Justice Sheri S. Roman was appointed Friday to fill a vacancy on the Appellate Division, Second Department bench.

"Justice Roman's experience and dedication ... will be a tremendous addition to the Appellate Division," Gov. David A. Paterson said in a statement announcing the appointment.

Justice Roman has served in Queens County since 1995 and was re- elected in 2008. She was appointed as a criminal court judge in 1985 by Mayor Ed Koch and was reappointed by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in 1994.

Justice Roman graduated cum laude from SUNY at Buffalo in 1969 and received her law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1972. She also received an L.L.M. in criminal justice from New York University School of Law in 1976.

Justice Roman is the immediate past vice president of publication for the National Association of Women Judges.

Former school employee arrested

Former Penfield School District employee Owens F. Shepard was arrested Friday and charged with unauthorized use of the district's Department of Motor Vehicle's account, which provides access to license and registration records.

DMV Commissioner David J. Swarts charged in a statement announcing Shepard's arrest thatShepard accessed nearly 150 records between June 2007 and May 2009.

Shepard faces four charges for computer trespass and four charges of grand larceny, all class E felonies.

Swarts said the offenses did not occur on school property or through the use of school equipment, and that there is no indication that personal information was disseminated or any identity theft issues are involved.

"We are very committed to the security and safeguards of this information, and I commend the department's staff for identifying and quickly halting the alleged illegal access," Swarts said.