New York Case Commentaries

Matter of Douglass: One-Year Suspension for Unsupervised Nonlawyer “Agent” Communications, Tribunal Incivility, and Violation of a Federal Protective Order

Date: Sep 4, 2026

Matter of Douglass: One-Year Suspension for Unsupervised Nonlawyer “Agent” Communications, Tribunal Incivility, and Violation of a Federal Protective Order 1. Introduction Matter of Douglass (2026 NY...

CPL 30.30(2)(a) “Custody-Only” Speedy-Trial Clock: Time Counts Only While Defendant Is Actually Incarcerated, and Does Not Reset

Date: Sep 4, 2026

CPL 30.30(2)(a) “Custody-Only” Speedy-Trial Clock: Time Counts Only While Defendant Is Actually Incarcerated, and Does Not Reset I. Introduction People ex rel. Liles v Richards (2026 NY Slip Op 05191...

People v. Merino: CPL 420.45 Voids Real-Property Instruments Beyond Forgery When a False-Instrument Conviction Triggers a Rebuttable Presumption

Date: Sep 4, 2026

People v. Merino: CPL 420.45 Voids Real-Property Instruments Beyond Forgery When a False-Instrument Conviction Triggers a Rebuttable Presumption Appellate Division, Second Department (Quirk, J.) —...

Administrative-Process Abuse of Process and Heightened Pleading Limits for Defamation, Tortious Interference, and Common-Law Indemnification Counterclaims

Date: Sep 4, 2026

Administrative-Process Abuse of Process and Heightened Pleading Limits for Defamation, Tortious Interference, and Common-Law Indemnification Counterclaims 1. Introduction In Vaynman v 3 Kings Point...

Velasquez v. Kelly: No CPLR 3126 Striking Sanction Where the Sought Surveillance Footage Is Proven Not to Exist; Non-Aggrieved Third-Party Defendant Lacks Appellate Standing

Date: Sep 4, 2026

Velasquez v. Kelly: No CPLR 3126 Striking Sanction Where the Sought Surveillance Footage Is Proven Not to Exist; Non-Aggrieved Third-Party Defendant Lacks Appellate Standing 1. Introduction Case:...

Clerical Misstatement on DMV Medical Review Form by Treating Physician Sounds in Ordinary Negligence (3-Year Limitations Period), Not Medical Malpractice

Date: Aug 31, 2026

Clerical Misstatement on DMV Medical Review Form by Treating Physician Sounds in Ordinary Negligence (3-Year Limitations Period), Not Medical Malpractice I. Introduction Case: Lafferty v Avila, 2026...

No-Action Clause Voting Rights Turn on Outstanding Certificate Principal Balance—Physical Possession of “Worthless” RMBS Certificates Does Not Confer Standing

Date: Aug 31, 2026

No-Action Clause Voting Rights Turn on Outstanding Certificate Principal Balance—Physical Possession of “Worthless” RMBS Certificates Does Not Confer Standing 1. Introduction In Matter of HBK Master...

Matter of Chen: Federal Felony Convictions Without “Essential Similarity” Do Not Trigger Automatic Disbarment on a Thin Record, But Still Support Disbarment as “Serious Crimes”

Date: Aug 31, 2026

Matter of Chen: Federal Felony Convictions Without “Essential Similarity” Do Not Trigger Automatic Disbarment on a Thin Record, But Still Support Disbarment as “Serious Crimes” Introduction Matter of...

Matter of Debbra L. v Jenna L. — One Misstep Cannot Justify Wholesale Denial of Grandparent Visitation; Individualized Best-Interests Review Required

Date: Aug 31, 2026

One Misstep Cannot Justify Wholesale Denial of Grandparent Visitation; Individualized Best-Interests Review Required 1. Introduction Matter of Debbra L. v Jenna L. (2026 NY Slip Op 05135, 3d Dept...

People v. Guilbault: Typographical Errors in Indictment Waivers and Nonessential Omissions Do Not Create SCI Jurisdictional Defects; Plea Stands Where the Bargained-For Maximum Exposure Is Preserved

Date: Aug 31, 2026

People v. Guilbault: Typographical Errors in Indictment Waivers and Nonessential Omissions Do Not Create SCI Jurisdictional Defects; Plea Stands Where the Bargained-For Maximum Exposure Is Preserved...

Law-of-the-Case Precludes Renewed “Letter of No Objection” Demands; Purchaser Default at a Time-of-the-Essence Closing Defeats Specific Performance and CPLR 5107 Relief

Date: Aug 29, 2026

Law-of-the-Case Precludes Renewed “Letter of No Objection” Demands; Purchaser Default at a Time-of-the-Essence Closing Defeats Specific Performance and CPLR 5107 Relief 1. Introduction Chao-Yu C....

Unilateral Belief Is Insufficient to Establish an Attorney–Client Relationship; Breach-of-Contract Claims Fail Absent Provable Damages

Date: Aug 28, 2026

Unilateral Belief Is Insufficient to Establish an Attorney–Client Relationship; Breach-of-Contract Claims Fail Absent Provable Damages 1. Introduction In Blank v Petrosyants (2026 NY Slip Op 05074...

CPLR 3211(a)(7) Dismissal Is Not Merits-Based for Preclusion When a Later Complaint Cures Defects; Excessive Fees Support a Distinct Fiduciary-Duty Claim

Date: Aug 28, 2026

CPLR 3211(a)(7) Dismissal Is Not Merits-Based for Preclusion When a Later Complaint Cures Defects; Excessive Fees Support a Distinct Fiduciary-Duty Claim 1. Introduction Katsoris v Bodnar & Milone,...

CPLR 306-b “Good Cause” Clarified: Reasonable Diligence Can Mandate an Extension, and Courts May Grant It Before a Traverse Hearing

Date: Aug 28, 2026

CPLR 306-b “Good Cause” Clarified: Reasonable Diligence Can Mandate an Extension, and Courts May Grant It Before a Traverse Hearing Case: M&T Bank v Global Sign Cleaning & Maintenance, Inc. (App....

Matter of Bitterman: New York Reciprocal Discipline Gives Significant Weight to the Foreign Sanction and Imposes Matching Public Censure

Date: Aug 28, 2026

Matter of Bitterman: New York Reciprocal Discipline Gives Significant Weight to the Foreign Sanction and Imposes Matching Public Censure 1. Introduction Matter of Bitterman (Appellate Division,...

Reciprocal Discipline Under 22 NYCRR 1240.13: New York Will Publicly Censure to Match a Foreign Public Reprimand When No Statutory Defenses Are Shown

Date: Aug 28, 2026

Reciprocal Discipline Under 22 NYCRR 1240.13: New York Will Publicly Censure to Match a Foreign Public Reprimand When No Statutory Defenses Are Shown 1. Introduction Matter of Cosentino (2026 NY Slip...

Non–Self-Executing Discovery Orders Are Not Conditional Preclusion Orders; Disclosure Motions Must Include 22 NYCRR 202.7 Good-Faith Affirmation and a Specific, Willfulness-Based Record for CPLR 3126 Sanctions

Date: Aug 28, 2026

Non–Self-Executing Discovery Orders Are Not Conditional Preclusion Orders; Disclosure Motions Must Include 22 NYCRR 202.7 Good-Faith Affirmation and a Specific, Willfulness-Based Record for CPLR 3126...

Dismissal for Failure of a Condition Precedent Defeats Acceleration for Limitations Purposes; RPAPL 1304 “Amount in Default” Discrepancies Bar Foreclosure Summary Judgment

Date: Aug 28, 2026

Dismissal for Failure of a Condition Precedent Defeats Acceleration for Limitations Purposes; RPAPL 1304 “Amount in Default” Discrepancies Bar Foreclosure Summary Judgment 1. Introduction In...

Immediate Suspension for Noncooperation with Disciplinary Subpoenas and Unaccounted Estate Funds Under 22 NYCRR 1240.9

Date: Aug 26, 2026

Immediate Suspension for Noncooperation with Disciplinary Subpoenas and Unaccounted Estate Funds Under 22 NYCRR 1240.9 1. Introduction Matter of Stabile, Joanne (Appellate Division, Second...

People v. Allen: A SORA Court’s Inherent Power to Sua Sponte Reopen a Hearing to Correct Erroneous Risk-Factor Findings

Date: Aug 8, 2026

People v. Allen: A SORA Court’s Inherent Power to Sua Sponte Reopen a Hearing to Correct Erroneous Risk-Factor Findings I. Introduction In People v Allen (2026 NY Slip Op 04880), the Appellate...