Attorney Barry Covert Helps Local Church in Dispute with Municipality Regarding Political Sign

Rod Watson of The Buffalo News recently published a column that details a dispute between the Village of East Aurora and the Unitarian Universalist Church of East Aurora regarding a political sign.

Attorney Barry Covert, who represented the Unitarian Universalist Church of East Aurora in this First Amendment and Zoning Law matter, spoke to Rod Watson to provide comment for his column.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of East Aurora displayed a banner outside of their church in support of Black Lives Matter. Village of East Aurora officials informed the church that the banner would have to be removed because it violated zoning rules. Specifically, the village said the sign was too large and it put the church over the limit on the number of signs it was allowed to display.
More…

Buffalo Diocese’s Reliance on Insurance Policies Conflicts With Sex Abuse Victims’ Demands for Justice

A recent frontpage story in The Buffalo News reports on the Buffalo Diocese’s plan to rely on insurance policies to cover their liability in Child Victims Act lawsuits.

Attorney Richard P. Weisbeck, Jr. spoke with The Buffalo News for the story. He provided insight on the perspective that survivors of clergy sexual abuse and Child Victims Act attorneys have regarding steps the diocese is taking with insurance policies.

The story in The Buffalo News details: the Buffalo Diocese’s bankruptcy plans, how insurance coverage has been used by other dioceses for child sex abuse lawsuits, delays and objections from insurance companies, as well as how this approach conflicts with victims’ demands for justice.
More…

Legal Analysis on Initial Steps of Buffalo Police Reform Policy

Image of Barry Covert Interviewed on WIVB regarding Buffalo Police Reform

WIVB News 4 recently aired a report on steps that have been taken by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown regarding police reform in their respective jurisdictions. Attorney Barry Covert was interviewed for the story to provide legal analysis on some logistical aspects of the new reforms as well as the potential widespread impact the reforms may have.

Police Reform Legislation

WIVB reported that Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a package of police reform measures into law in New York State. In an announcement on the police reform legislation, Gov. Cuomo also indicated that the state would withhold money from police departments that fail to reform their practices.
More…