According to Goldberg & Connolly, managing partner, Henry Goldberg, recently served as the program moderator for the Subcontractors Trade Association (STA) general membership meeting on October 5. Former New York City comptroller, Bill Thompson, was the keynote speaker at the meeting. The focus of Thompson's presentation was the future of Minority and Women Business Enterprises (M/WBE) and the STA's role in furthering the success of these businesses and abiding by new state regulations regarding their utilization. As the chairman of Governor Andrew Cuomo's M/WBE Task Force, Thompson addressed the members of the STA on the current State M/WBE requirements and policies and how they would affect all contracting businesses going forward. The Task Force was established to work on removing the barriers to M/WBE participation in New York State contracting with the goal of expanding W/WBE participation to 20%, from the current 9.2%. By promoting equality in the contractor procurement process, Governor Cuomo and Thompson hope to level the playing field in which minority and women-owned businesses compete for subcontracting work in New York State. As general counsel for the STA, Goldberg is a prominent authority in construction law and government contracting. His firm represents owners and developers, construction contractors, subcontractors, sureties and government agencies. Goldberg counsels his clients with regard to problems that arise during all phases of construction including the design, bidding, construction, management and closeout of projects. He is an expert in all types of construction claims and controversies.