INTRODUCTION. Fettmann, Tolchin & Majors, P.C. ("FTM") provides the sophistication of a large firm in an intimate, accessible setting. FTM is dedicated to handling matters complex and routine with equal care, quality and efficiency.
That our client base is so diverse is a tribute to our ability to represent effectively clients large and small, individual and corporate, locally, nationwide and abroad. With each of our clients, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to individuals and everything in between from sole proprietors to emerging and established business entities of all kinds, we share our time, expertise, respect and concern.
Our attorneys practice before state courts, federal district courts, U.S. courts of appeal, and various governmental agencies. In addition, we make presentations to and appear on panels before large and small audiences to discuss topics within our areas of legal expertise, topics on which we have published as well.
FTM's lawyers are Patricia V. Fettmann (business, litigation, real estate, family law), Edward J. Tolchin (litigation, business, government contracts), Stanley E. Majors (estate planning, business, tax), Jonathan Ginsburg (immigration), Brian Goldstein (litigation, entertainment, immigration), and John Wasowicz (litigation, family law, criminal litigation).
Our lawyers' email addresses are:
Ed Tolchin - etolchin@ftm-pc.com
Patricia Fettmann - pfettmann@ftm-pc.com
Jon Ginsburg - jginsburg@ftm-pc.com
Stan Majors - smajors@ftm-pc.com
Brian Goldstein - bgoldstein@ftm-pc.com
John Wasowicz - jwasowicz@ftm-pc.com
Here is a brief summary of our major practice areas:
BUSINESS. FTM's business practice blends Wall Street competence and creativity with Main Street practicality and efficiency. Whether a personnel matter, a multimillion dollar leveraged buyout, or a simple incorporation is at stake, we give our business clients the time, attention and skills they require to accomplish their mission. Our attorneys have represented diverse clients: a large, multinational corporation in commercial disputes; hi-tech companies in licensing issues; companies in the leveraged leasing of computers and industrial equipment; entrepreneurs starting a video production company; a businessman establishing an insurance company; government contractors seeking financing; corporations searching for merger and acquisition partners; mortgage bankers in a takeover; and small- and mid- sized enterprises in drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts, leases and other instruments. We provide general business planning and counseling while giving our clients the benefits of an "in-house" counsel, available on short notice to meet immediate needs at an affordable cost.
ENTERTAINMENT LAW. From intellectual property issues to contract negotiations to immigration visas for foreign artists and performers to contract disputes and collection matters, FTM regularly practices in the fields of entertainment and the arts, representing and counseling clients in television, music, motion pictures, the fine arts, the visual arts, the performing arts, literature and related areas. We are particularly well known for our sensitivity and understanding of the special needs and concerns of those working in these fields and for our ability to address and resolve the unique legal issues impacting them. Our clients include both national as well as international theatrical companies, actors, singers, playwrights, visual artists, designers, producers, directors, composers, writers, publishers, managers, promoters, agents, and non-profit organizations.
ESTATE PLANNING. We offer a full range of estate planning services, from drafting a simple will to developing business succession plans and sophisticated multigenerational estate plans. FTM's estate planning services make use of all the available tools, including irrevocable trusts, insurance trusts, split-dollar insurance agreements, deferred compensation agreements, family limited partnerships, shareholder agreements, buy-sell agreements, qualified personal residence trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, private annuity sales, and many other planning arrangements. We stay abreast of the ever changing tax laws and are ready to respond to the latest developments. Our planning services are adapted to the risk tolerances of our clients for the purpose of protecting the wealth of our clients from the IRS and creditors.
FAMILY LAW. FTM is experienced in family law issues. From pre-nuptial agreements to adoptions to divorces, we have represented clients on virtually every major family law issue, both simple and complex. We are well-known for our zealous and efficient representation in this practice area.
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS. FTM's government contracts practice involves representation of U.S. and foreign clients in industries ranging from systems integration and software development to construction, heavy equipment maintenance, and aeronautics. We've been involved in claims, protests and contractual disputes before the Court of Federal Claims, federal district courts, state courts, courts of appeal, the Federal Circuit, GAO, GSBCA, ASBCA and numerous other Boards of Contract Appeals. We also counsel our clients on ways of avoiding litigation, assist them in bid and proposal preparation, and negotiate complex audit issues on their behalf.
Matters we have handled lately include federal district court and administrative protests on behalf of high technology and defense companies; multi-million dollar claims litigation; assisting clients involved in Congressional investigations; providing proposal preparation assistance to clients engaged in major competitive procurements; reviewing wage and hour matters for companies under DOL scrutiny; and negotiating with government auditors concerning progress payment and close-out audits.
IMMIGRATION. We concentrate primarily on employment-based U.S. immigration benefits for immigrants and non-immigrants, and related family-based benefits. We regularly obtain for our corporate and individual clients, drawn from throughout the U.S. and abroad, nonimmigrant visa classifications and visas covering every activity from business visits and tourism (B-1/2) to investments (E-1/2), highly-skilled professional work (H-1B), fiancees (K-1), intracompany transfers (L-1) and entertainment- and sports-related activity (O and P). For those of our clients interested in obtaining lawful permanent residence, we handle matters in all of the employment-based preference categories, from extraordinary ability to labor certifications to investors, as well as family-based immigration petitions, including immediate relatives and all preference categories. We also deal with citizenship issues, including naturalization. As such, we regularly deal with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, the U.S. Departments of State and Labor, and the United States Information Agency, among others.
LITIGATION. The firm's litigation work is best described as a full-service dispute resolution practice. We look for creative and cost effective solutions to problems through careful advance counseling, negotiations and, when appropriate, aggressive litigation. We provide comprehensive representation to domestic and overseas clients in litigation before all U.S. and state courts, in administrative proceedings before federal and state agencies, and in proceedings before state and local commissions. Our litigation practice has a special emphasis in high technology, securities, environmental, employment, commercial transactions and contract matters. We also practice in the criminal arena. Recently in litigation we have represented government contractors in suits against the government and other contractors; pension plan sponsors and beneficiaries suing or being sued under ERISA; real estate developers involved in leasing and land sales disputes; retailers involved with commercial and consumer problems; corporate officers accused of securities and franchise fraud; and disputes involving employment agreements, restrictive covenants and employment discrimination.
REAL ESTATE. Our estate practice, predominantly local, deals with a wide range of commercial and residential transactions, and often requires us to draft, review and negotiate complex legal documents. Real estate law encompasses diverse legal disciplines, including as sales, leasing, licensing, creative financing, and development. We've represented a regional oil company in its disposition of an oil tank farm; and regularly represent commercial tenants, landlords; brokers and numerous business owners engaged in all types of real estate transactions.
TAX. We provide a broad range of income tax services to our clients, from answering client inquiries on personal income tax matters to advising clients on sophisticated tax issues arising in the course of buying, selling or operating a business. We have the advantage of being able to integrate our substantial transactional business experience with our tax planning services to provide our clients with common sense business solutions. We are experienced in representing clients under audit by the IRS or before the IRS appeals division.