Special Half Day Business Symposium

Title:Special Half Day Business Symposium
Date/Time:June 16, 2010
8:00 am – 12:30 pm

Registration and continental breakfast begin at 7:30 am. If you have not registered and would like to, please call 617.406.4504 or email roundtable@donovanhatem.com. Attendance certificates will be available upon request.

Location:Boston Harbor Hotel
Wharf Room
70 Rowes Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
Description:Please join us in Boston for our upcoming special half dayBusiness Symposium for Design Professional Firms on June 16. This program will be held from 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and will cover a broad spectrum of business and practice related issues design professional firms may encounter in managing their businesses. Our panelists will be available for Q&A to discuss other business practice issues of concern. Presentations will include:Green and Sustainable Design: Professional Liability Risk and Insurability Issues for Design Professionals, by David J. Hatem, Donovan Hatem LLP (1.0 HSW AIA credits)
This presentation will review the reasons for significant professional liability risk exposure in connection with green/sustainable design projects. David will describe how to better understand and anticipate the types of claims and damages that may be asserted against design professionals arising out of green/sustainable design. The presentation will also cover how to recognize the need for contractual and risk management precautions to address those risks.Complying with Changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act and Professional Liability Exposure Relating to ADA, by Sarah Willey and Sue Yoakum, Donovan Hatem LLP
The ADA Amendments Act of 2008, effective January 1, 2009, revised the definition of “disability.” Sarah will review the first year under the new law and the impact the amendment has had on accommodating a disabled employee. Sue will then lead a discussion relating to the design professional’s exposure arising from ADA and FHA and how this exposure is different than designing to applicable codes.

Immigration Considerations for Your Business Practice, by Gwen Weisberg, Donovan Hatem LLP
This discussion will assist design professional firms in developing compliance practices and in helping them to identify immigration issues. Gwen will specifically discuss how design professional firms can identify immigration issues in the sale and purchase of businesses and how they can recognize immigration issues when developing a practice internationally.

Your Banking Relationship, by Harry Aue, Citibank
Harry will review the importance of a good banking relationship and will also provide the audience with an overview of the current lending environment. He will discuss credit criteria – what makes your company creditworthy and how to use cash management products to optimize your company’s cash flow.

Legal Implications of the Use of Social Media in Business,by Damian LaPlaca, Donovan Hatem LLP
Damian will review common risks of potential legal liability faced by employees and employers who use social media, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, for business and personal use. He will outline ways for employees and employers to minimize or avoid the risks.