Editorial standards

Who writes the guides

I do. I am a New York lawyer who has represented plaintiffs, and only plaintiffs, since 2002, most of them employees. Every page is written or reviewed by me before it is published, and every page carries my name and the date its text last changed.

How the law is sourced

• Every case is read in full before it is cited. Not a summary, not a headnote: the whole opinion. Each citation states what the court actually decided and who won.
• Citations are never generated. Every citation is checked against the decision or statute itself.
• Primary sources are published here, free. The full text of every decision cited is in the case library, from a free official source, with the reporter’s page numbers marked. Where no free official source exists, the page says so and gives the full citation. Statutes and regulations link to their official text.
• Unsettled law is labeled as unsettled. Where the courts have not decided a question, the page says so, sets out the arguments on each side, and marks my own view as my view.

How AI tools are used

I use AI tools to help with research and drafting. They do not decide what the law is. Nothing is published until I have reviewed it, every case cited has been read in full, and every citation has been checked against its source.

Dates and updates

Each guide shows the date its text last changed. When the law changes, or a court decides a question a page discusses, the page is updated. I intend to review every page in full at least once a year.

Corrections

If you find an error, please email mberman@vkvlawyers.com with the page and the problem. Corrections are made promptly, and the page’s date is updated.

What these pages are not

They are general information, not legal advice about your situation, and reading them does not make me your lawyer. They are also attorney advertising. Matthew L. Berman practices with Valli Kane & Vagnini LLP, which would handle any representation that results.