Law School for Finance Executives (E2501194)

Steven A. Loeb is a member with Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC's Corporate & Securities, Tax, and Trusts & Estates Groups. Bringing more than 15 years of experience and a keen understanding of the ever-evolving tax environment, he is a seasoned advisor in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, estate litigation, charitable planning, marital planning, and nonprofit formation and counseling. In addition, Steven is adept at addressing the needs of his individual and corporate clients on matters involving asset protection, domestic and international tax planning, and corporate transactions – including spin offs, mergers, and divestitures. 

Steven is an advisor to high-net-worth individuals and businesses on sophisticated estate planning and administration issues affecting wealth preservation. He assists clients in implementing such strategies as marital deduction trusts, credit shelter trusts, life insurance trusts, Qualified Personal Residence Trusts (QPRTs), Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs), Special Needs Trusts (SNTs), Supplemental Benefits Trusts, Limited Partnerships, LLCs, and Dynasty Trusts. Steven counsels fiduciaries on the duties related to managing an estate or trust and provides legal advice on probate proceedings, preparing estate and inheritance tax returns and handling disputes involving complex legal and tax issues.

Steven also advises on the complex estate and tax planning issues that can affect clients' marriages and family-related tax issues. He regularly crafts prenuptial agreements, and assists matrimonial lawyers with the tax and estate planning aspects of divorce. 

Steven represents closely-held businesses and other privately-owned firms, helping them develop and implement tax minimization strategies that address present needs as well as long-term objectives. He counsels business owners on issues relating to formation, operating agreements and shareholder agreements, financing, growth, insurance needs and corporate compliance issues arising from pre-transaction planning related to a future sale of a business, as well as viable exit strategies. Steven also organizes and advises all types of nonprofit entities – including private foundations and public charities – advising on substantive laws and tax rules relating to their tax-exempt status. He works closely with his clients to ensure that tax planning is comprehensive and seamless; and that tax issues are addressed as part of the greater business plan. In addition to his business entity representation, Steven represents business executives on a personal level, providing guidance and counsel related to their contracting and employment needs. 

Steven is a frequent lecturer before numerous professional associations on the topics of estate planning, tax minimization, asset protection and corporate law. He has been featured in several publications including The New York Times, Standard Federal Tax Reports, The Daily Record and New Jersey Monthly.

Melissa Salimbene is an experienced employment litigator and trusted advisor. For her litigation practice, Melissa regularly represents public and private employers of all sizes and industries before state and federal courts and administrative agencies in all aspects of employment litigation, including defending claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour issues. Melissa also brings and defends restrictive covenant claims involving trade secrets, confidentiality agreements, non-compete agreements and other postemployment obligations. In addition, Melissa regularly counsels business owners and human resources professionals in order to ensure compliance with applicable employment laws and obligations. This includes advising her clients on employee hiring, discipline and termination, classification issues, necessary policies and procedures, wage and hour requirements, ADA accommodations, leaves of absence and other workforce anagement issues. In connection with this advice, Melissa prepares employment elated documents, including employee handbooks and policies, employment agreements, restrictive covenants, confidentiality agreements and separation agreements. Melissa also represents individuals in negotiating employment agreements and separation agreements. Melissa conducts internal workplace investigations on employment related issues such as claims of harassment and discrimination, and she provides trainings to employees including sensitivity and anti-harassment training. Melissa also advises clients on employment issues that arise in the context of corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, downsizing and reorganization. This includes due diligence, as well as negotiation and preparation of employment related agreements.

Michelle Schaap practices cybersecurity and corporate law at Chiesa Sahinian & Giantomasi PC. Within corporate law, she primarily practices in construction, franchising and renewable energy – representing a varied client base that ranges from Fortune 500 companies to closely-held businesses.

Combining her technology and corporate experience, Michelle has spearheaded and developed CSG’s cybersecurity practice. She regularly advises clients on cybersecurity preparedness, counsels clients when data security incidents arise and trains companies on best practices for security procedures addressing both their business operations and their customers’ concerns. Michelle assesses her clients’ risk management practices and security incident preparedness to develop a proactive response and recovery plan enacted to recover from security breaches. Additionally, Michelle works with clients in contract review, drafting and negotiation in critical areas of privacy and security.

Michelle is a Certified Information Privacy Professional, awarded from the International Association of Privacy Professionals, with a concentration on U.S. private-sector law (CIPP/US).

Within the construction industry, Michelle negotiates complex agreements – including construction management, architect and design-build agreements. Her extensive experience includes multimillion-dollar biotech research facilities, design-build agreements for amusement rides, and working with various clients to develop form agreements for planned expansion. Complementary to Michelle's construction work is her experience negotiating solar facility agreements – including power purchase agreements and engineering, procurement and construction agreements.

Michelle works closely with both technology developers and companies seeking to acquire technologies – whether by custom development, license, subscription or otherwise. Michelle’s experience overseeing these transactions enhances efficiency and ensures that the agreement appropriately protects her clients. She educates her clients on potential risks and liabilities, and provides best practices to help manage and mitigate such exposure.