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
NY Practice Tip: Protecting Your Client Against an Improper Notice to Admit
The CPLR 3123 notice to admit can be a useful device in litigation. Its primary purpose is to expedite a trial by eliminating the necessity of proving a “readily admittable fact” or matter not in dispute. But, as efficient as it sounds, the notice to admit is a limited device, and may only be used
Court explores the balance between a lawyer’s obligation to investigate the facts, and a lawyer’s reliance on what the client chooses to disclose or not disclose
Pursuant to Part 130 , attorneys are obligated to undertake an investigation of a case. But is an attorney responsible for ignorance of facts which the client neglected to disclose? “No,” says the Commercial Division.
In a recent decision by Justice Andrew Borrok, the Commercial Division discussed this very issue. In Morgan and Mendel
Administering Justice Remotely in the Westchester County Commercial Division
A quick timeout this week from some of our more substantive content here at NY ComDiv Practice to report on some upcoming events and happenings in and around the Commercial Division, particularly in Westchester County…
This past Monday, during her weekly message concerning the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the court system (