As we’ve mentioned time and again on this blog, since its inception in 1995, New York’s Commercial Division has continued to not only be a leader in developing and shaping commercial law, but it is also on the forefront of instituting rules with the goals of fostering litigation efficiency, cost reduction, and implementation of technology
New York Yankees Up to Bat in the Commercial Division Against Former Minor League Affiliate
A few weeks ago, my colleague, Madeline Greenblatt, wrote a blog about a $1.75 million breach of contract action brought against Bob Dylan in the Manhattan Commercial Division. In her blog, Madeline reminded practitioners that New York courts will not consider extrinsic evidence to aid in the interpretation of an unambiguous contract, especially on
New Supreme Court Rule on Summary Judgment Motions: “Just the Facts, Ma’am”
Practitioners often choose to practice in the Commercial Division because of its well-documented efficiencies. Thus, many were happy to hear that Chief Administrative Judge Larry Marks issued Administrative Order 270/2020 (“AO 270/20”), which incorporated features of the Commercial Division into the Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme and County Courts (the “Uniform Rules”). My colleague
When Wrongdoing Isn’t Wrong Enough: Lack of Culpable Conduct Results in Reduced Judgment
In recent news out of the world of Formula 1 racing, a tight battle between seven-time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, and rival, Max Verstappen, came to a head at the first lap of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. In fighting for dominant position over a high-speed corner, Hamilton’s car inadvertently clipped Verstappen’s, flinging Verstappen’s
First Step in Successfully Fending off a Yellowstone Application: Be Sure To Give Valid Notice of Default
Several weeks back, we reported on an apparent uptick in commercial lease disputes over the last 18 months in this new COVID era. It only follows that there would be a corresponding uptick in Yellowstone applications from commercial tenants embroiled in such disputes.
As most readers know, injunctive relief under Yellowstone preserves the “status quo”
Bob Dylan Takes Breach of Contract Action Out with Just One Punch
A reminder to practitioners: when a contract is unambiguous, the submission of a hurricane of extrinsic evidence to “interpret” it on a pre-answer motion to dismiss won’t fly.
A breach of contract action brought against Robert Zimmerman a/k/a Bob Dylan and Universal Music seeking to capitalize on the widely-reported blockbuster sale of Dylan’s 600-song catalog
Defenses and Counterclaims In a CPLR 3213 Action Are Only Successful If They’re “Inseparable”
In one of my previous posts, I discussed the basic requirements for bringing a CPLR 3213 motion for summary judgment in lieu of complaint. One such requirement (and the one that generates the largest body of case law), is that the document upon which the motion is based qualify as either a “money instrument”
Commercial Lease Disputes Becoming a Little More Frequent than “From Time to Time”
I think it’s fair to say that there’s been an uptick in litigation involving commercial lease disputes and retail property closings gone awry over the last 15 months. And for obvious reasons. The commercial real estate industry has taken a beating from COVID-19.
Some evidence of this of this uptick can be found in the
Commercial Division Again Rejects Commercial Tenant’s Impossibility / Frustration of Purpose Defenses in the Wake of COVID-19
Earlier this year, my colleague, Madeline Greenblatt, wrote about the emergence of a new body of case law emanating from the myriad effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the real estate industry. In her blog, Madeline discussed a recent decision from the Manhattan Commercial Division (Borrok, J.), rejecting a commercial tenant’s argument
“I’ve Been Hacked!” (OK, But Have You Been Damaged?)
A critical inquiry to be considered at the outset of any litigation is whether the party seeking relief is, in fact, a proper party to seek the court’s adjudication of the dispute. This concept is known as “standing,” which is a threshold determination to be made by the court, the absence of which warrants dismissal