Recent Developments

• • • • On April 29, 2021, the New York Court of Appeals (New York’s highest court), sustained an appeal taken by the firm on behalf of a client, reversing two appellate decisions and dismissing a civil monetary claim against the client.
      • On July 26, 2021, the Commercial Division of the Supreme Court, Ontario County (NY), dismissed a claim against a client of the firm, based on lack of personal jurisdiction.
      • On May 3, 2021, the Supreme Court, Steuben County (NY), granted the firm’s motion to dismiss a civil action against its client and others, based on lack of jurisdiction.
      • On April 7, 2021, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed a civil action against a client of the firm after the firm filed a motion to dismiss due to lack of jurisdiction.
      • On February 5, 2021, the Appellate Division (Fourth Dept.), vacated a finding of contempt against a client of the firm in an appeal taken by the firm on the client’s behalf.

  • Cases

    • • Stefaniak v. Zulkharnain, 36 N.Y. 3d 1103 (2021)(improper “nunc pro tunc” order)
      • AMZ Group LLC v. Hammock’s AC, Inc., et al., No. 127135-2020 (Ontario Co.)(commercial/financial)
      • Heizer Corp. v. Wright, 434 U.S. 1066, 98 S.Ct. 1243 (Mem)(1978)(denying certiorari)(Section 10(b)-5 securities fraud)
      • Gisel v. Clear Channel Communications, Inc., 94 A.D.3d 1525, 942 N.Y.S.2d 751, 40 Media L. Rep. 2137 (4th Dept. 2012)(defamation)
      • USHCP Real Estate Development, Inc. v. Mitrano, 85 A.D.3d 1719, 925 N.Y.S.2d 793 (4th Dept. 2011)(breach of contractual warranty)
      • Weigel v. O’Connor, 57 Ill.App.3d 1017, 373 N.E.2d 421 (Ill.App. 1978)(close corporation shareholder dispute)
      • Anand v. U.S. National Sec. Agency, 2006 WL 3257430 (N.D.N.Y. 2006)(Administrative Procedure Act)
      • Boardman v. Church of Transfiguration, 82 A.D.3d 1695, 919 N.Y.S.2d 435 (4th Dept. 2011)(nuisance/subterranean waters)
      • In re Petote, 81 A.D.3d 1370, 916 N.Y.S.2d 696 (4th Dept. 2011)(validity of marriage)
      • Kosh v. Naughton, 45 A.D.3d 1324, 844 N.Y.S.2d 811 (4th Dept. 2007)(medical malpractice; order of dismissal reversed)
      • Melvin v. U.A. Local 13 Pension Plan, 131 Fed.Appx. 737, 34 Employee Benefits Cas. 1751 (2d Cir. 2005)(ERISA/pension)
      • Jolley v. Lando, 187 A.D.3d 1530, 133 N.Y.S.3d 140 (4th Dept. 2020)(prenuptial agreement; equitable distribution)
      • Stefaniak v. Zulkharnain, 180 A.D.3d 1366, 119 N.Y.S.3d 780 (4th Dept. 2020)(procedure on award of attorneys fees)
      • Rollo v. S.E.I., et al., No. 2020-0432 LDA (Benefits Review Board. U.S. Dept. of Labor)(Longshore Act/Defense Base Act)
      • Myers v. Myers, 87 A.D.3d 1393, 930 N.Y.S.2d 124 (4th Dept. 2011)(equitable distribution)
      • People v. Lewandowski, 82 A.D.3d 1602, 919 N.Y.S.2d 623 (4th Dept. 2011)(post-conviction relief)
      • McCanna v. McCanna, 274 A.D.2d 949, 711 N.Y.S.2d 822 (4th Dept. 2000)(equitable distribution)
      • Jones v. McCall, 271 A.D.2d 901, 706 N.Y.S.2d 767 (3d Dept. 2000)(public employment)
      • People ex rel. Kroemer v. Murray, 269 A.D.2d 860, 703 N.Y.S.2d 796 (4th Dept. 2000)(post-conviction relief)
      • Gupta v. Town of Brighton, 182 F.3d 899 (Table), 1999 WL 454355 (2d Cir. 1999)(civil rights)
      • Foster v. New England Financial Group, Inc., 159 F.3d 1346 (Table)(2d Cir.1998)(employment discrimination)
      • Klupt v. Blue Island Fire Dept., 489 F.Supp. 195, 29 Fair Empl.Prac.Cas. (BNA) 694 (N.D.Ill. 1980)(employment discrimination)
      • Zeller v. First Nat. Bank & Trust, 79 Ill.App.3d 170, 398 N.E.2d 148 (Ill.App. 1979)(specific performance of real estate contract)
      • Melvin v. UA Local 13 Pension Plan, 31 Employee Benefits Cas. 1752 (W.D.N.Y. 2003)(ERISA/pension)
      • Melvin v. UA Local 13 Pension Plan, 204 F.Supp.2d 564, 27 Employee Benefits Cas. 2612 (W.D.N.Y. 2002)(ERISA/pension)

    See also the following unreported trial court cases:  Rollo v Escobedo, et al., No. SA-17-CA-645-JKP (W.D. Tex.)(legal malpractice/breach of fiduciary duty); Gomez v. Bicknell Advisory Services, No. 321/2000 (Westchester Co., 2003)(non-compete); People ex rel. Underwood v Joseph Funding Co., Inc., et al., No. 6283/2017 (Onondaga Co.).

    The above list does not included cases in which we have provided assistance on a consulting basis such that our name would not appear in the public record as counsel of record.