|
The law firm of Harris Beach pllc has launched a significant initiative to help businesses and organizations interested in procuring New York state contracts to meet the state's new agenda of increasing the utilization of qualified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises. Governor Eliot Spitzer signed an executive order in February 2007 creating an Executive Leadership Council and Corporate Roundtable to promote opportunities for minority and women owned businesses. The executive order noted that three percent (approximately $445 million) of the state's contracts (approximately $11 billion) were awarded to minority and women owned businesses during fiscal year 2005-2006. The Harris Beach Diversity Compliance Team advises minority and women owned businesses, as well as majority owned businesses on New York state's diversity compliance requirements in the procurement process. The Diversity Compliance Team also provides advice to local municipalities, including school districts, on diversity compliance issues related to public projects.
Leading the Harris Beach team is H. Todd Bullard , a member of the firm who practices in the Public Fin ance & Economic Development and Business & Commercial Litigation Practice Groups. In the economic development and public finance area, Mr. Bullard advises municipalities and public benefit corporations, and contractors conducting business with state agencies and local municipalities. Mr. Bullard served as legislative majority counsel to the Erie County legislature, and in that capacity, he was the primary drafter of a local law which addresses the utilization of minority and women-owned businesses in Erie County . He is currently involved in drafting the Rochester City School District 's Facilities Modernization
Project Act. Mr. Bullard is also involved in assisting in the drafting of the M/WBE and DBE diversity compliance policy for Monroe County to ensure contractors involved in Renaissance Square meet the goals associated with Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. Mr. Bullard also advises minority-owned contractors involved in public projects.
Mr. Bullard said: “ New York state is serious about enforcing its Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program. All state agencies under the direction of MWBE Development Executive Director Michael Jones-Bey will have to measure their procurement practices to meet MWBE utilization. This new era of accountability creates tremendous opportunities for businesses throughout New York state. Harris Beach is pleased to provide clients who are involved in public projects with our diversity compliance counseling services.”
Founded in 1856 in Rochester , Harris Beach is one of the country's Top 250 law firms as ranked by the National Law Journal and has offices throughout New York state in Albany , Buffalo , Geneseo, Ithaca , New York City, Niagara Falls , Rochester , and Syracuse , as well as Newark , New Jersey . The firm's approximate 200 lawyers throughout New York state provide a full range of services for its clients, which include Fortune 500 corporations, privately-held companies, emerging technology businesses, financial institutions, health care providers, educational institutions, not-for-profit organizations and foundations, state and local governments and authorities, and individuals. |
