New York Case Commentaries

Second Department Clarifies: Waiving a Deficiency Judgment Does Not Eliminate the Borrower as a Necessary Party in Foreclosure

Date: Sep 26, 2025

Second Department Clarifies: Waiving a Deficiency Judgment Does Not Eliminate the Borrower as a Necessary Party in Foreclosure Introduction In Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB v. Loubriel, 2025...

No Safe Harbor in Post-Default Litigation: First Department Holds General Litigation Activity Does Not Satisfy CPLR 3215(c) Absent an Explicit “Sufficient Cause” Showing

Date: Sep 25, 2025

No Safe Harbor in Post-Default Litigation: First Department Holds General Litigation Activity Does Not Satisfy CPLR 3215(c) Absent an Explicit “Sufficient Cause” Showing Introduction In 938 St....

When Two Weeks Are Enough: Police-Involved Exchange Conflicts and a Communication Breakdown as a “Change in Circumstances” Justifying Sole Legal Custody; Child-as-Messenger Violations Supporting Civil Contempt and Counsel-Fee Fines; Harassment-by-Course-of-Conduct Sustaining a Family Offense Order of Protection

Date: Sep 12, 2025

When Two Weeks Are Enough: Police-Involved Exchange Conflicts and a Communication Breakdown as a “Change in Circumstances” Justifying Sole Legal Custody; Child-as-Messenger Violations Supporting...

Common-Law Six-Month Notice Governs Ejectment of Month-to-Month Residential Tenants; RPL § 232-a/§ 226-c Notice Scheme Limited to Summary Proceedings (Olympic Galleria, Co., Inc. v. Sitt)

Date: Sep 12, 2025

Common-Law Six-Month Notice Governs Ejectment of Month-to-Month Residential Tenants; RPL § 232-a/§ 226-c Notice Scheme Limited to Summary Proceedings Case: Olympic Galleria, Co., Inc. v. Sitt, 2025...

Prevailing-Wage “Flagger” Misclassification Suits May Proceed as Class Actions in New York; Federal “Fail‑Safe” Objections Do Not Bar Certification Under CPLR 901(a)

Date: Sep 12, 2025

Prevailing-Wage “Flagger” Misclassification Suits May Proceed as Class Actions in New York; Federal “Fail‑Safe” Objections Do Not Bar Certification Under CPLR 901(a) Introduction In McMillian v....

"Continuation" Triggers New York’s 2020 Anti‑SLAPP Amendments: First Department Holds Post‑Amendment Motions (Including Reargument) Bring Pre‑2020 Cases Within §§ 70‑a, 76‑a and CPLR 3211(g)

Date: Sep 12, 2025

"Continuation" Triggers New York’s 2020 Anti‑SLAPP Amendments: First Department Holds Post‑Amendment Motions (Including Reargument) Bring Pre‑2020 Cases Within §§ 70‑a, 76‑a and CPLR 3211(g)...

Cross-Examination That Elicits Corroborative Medical Evidence Does Not Constitute Ineffective Assistance; Demeanor and Consistent Forensic Interviews Can Corroborate Child Hearsay Under FCA § 1046(a)(vi)

Date: Sep 12, 2025

Cross-Examination That Elicits Corroborative Medical Evidence Does Not Constitute Ineffective Assistance; Demeanor and Consistent Forensic Interviews Can Corroborate Child Hearsay Under FCA §...

TROs Create Presumptive Probable Cause and 2020 Anti‑SLAPP Amendments Are Not Retroactive: Commentary on GLD3, LLC v. Albra

Date: Sep 11, 2025

TROs Create Presumptive Probable Cause and 2020 Anti‑SLAPP Amendments Are Not Retroactive Commentary on GLD3, LLC v. Albra, 2025 NY Slip Op 04881 (2d Dept. Sept. 10, 2025) Introduction The Appellate...

Anonymity Without Gag Orders: Second Department Clarifies Limits on Speech Restraints and Pleading Particularity for Multimedia Defamation

Date: Sep 11, 2025

Anonymity Without Gag Orders: Second Department Clarifies Limits on Speech Restraints and Pleading Particularity for Multimedia Defamation Introduction In Doe v. Eliyas (2025 NY Slip Op 04876), the...

Rendon v. White Castle Systems, Inc.: Reversible Error to Conflate Tenant and Landowner Duties in Sidewalk Cases; Medical Expenses Limited to Amounts Actually Owed

Date: Sep 11, 2025

Rendon v. White Castle Systems, Inc.: Reversible Error to Conflate Tenant and Landowner Duties in Sidewalk Cases; Medical Expenses Limited to Amounts Actually Owed Introduction In Rendon v. White...

Pleading-Stage Survival of Contribution Claims Against Municipalities for Defective Street Appurtenances and “Special Use” Liability of Non‑Owner Occupiers

Date: Sep 11, 2025

Pleading-Stage Survival of Contribution Claims Against Municipalities for Defective Street Appurtenances and “Special Use” Liability of Non‑Owner Occupiers Introduction In N.I. v. City of New York...

Censure, Not Suspension, for Dual Misdemeanor DWI Convictions Where Mitigation Is Strong: Matter of Halton

Date: Sep 11, 2025

Censure, Not Suspension, for Dual Misdemeanor DWI Convictions Where Mitigation Is Strong: Matter of Halton Introduction In Matter of Halton, 2025 NY Slip Op 04902 (Appellate Division, Second...

Waiver by Motion Practice: Personal Jurisdiction and CPLR 3215(c) Abandonment Defenses Forfeited; 22 NYCRR 202.48 Inapplicable Absent “On Notice” Directive

Date: Sep 11, 2025

Waiver by Motion Practice: Personal Jurisdiction and CPLR 3215(c) Abandonment Defenses Forfeited; 22 NYCRR 202.48 Inapplicable Absent “On Notice” Directive Introduction In Bank of New York Mellon v....

Plasse: Office Disruptions and Lien Uncertainty Do Not Excuse Escrow Misappropriation; One‑Year Suspension for Pattern of Deficiencies and Commingling

Date: Sep 11, 2025

Plasse: Office Disruptions and Lien Uncertainty Do Not Excuse Escrow Misappropriation; One‑Year Suspension for Pattern of Deficiencies and Commingling Introduction This commentary examines the...

Proof of Contractual Default Notices Must Come From the Mailer or Contemporaneous Records: Wilmington Trust, N.A. v. Singh

Date: Sep 11, 2025

Proof of Contractual Default Notices Must Come From the Mailer or Contemporaneous Records: Wilmington Trust, N.A. v. Singh Introduction In Wilmington Trust, N.A. v. Singh, 2025 NY Slip Op 04938 (App...

Non-Exhaustive Duties Clauses Foreclose Extra-Compensation and Quasi-Contract Claims; Promissory Estoppel Requires Unconscionable Injury — Commentary on Holman v. St. John's Episcopal Hospital (2d Dept. 2025)

Date: Sep 11, 2025

Non-Exhaustive Duties Clauses Foreclose Extra-Compensation and Quasi-Contract Claims; Promissory Estoppel Requires Unconscionable Injury — Holman v. St. John's Episcopal Hospital (2d Dept. 2025)...

CPLR 2001 Can Cure Minor RPAPL 1304 Counseling-List Mislabeling; Referee’s Computations Must Rest on Admissible Business Records

Date: Sep 11, 2025

CPLR 2001 Can Cure Minor RPAPL 1304 Counseling-List Mislabeling; Referee’s Computations Must Rest on Admissible Business Records Introduction In Bank of America, N.A. v. Barnett, 2025 NY Slip Op...

Rational-Basis Limits on SORA’s “Sexually Violent Offender” Label for Out-of-State Convictions: People v. Edwards (2d Dep’t 2025)

Date: Sep 11, 2025

Rational-Basis Limits on SORA’s “Sexually Violent Offender” Label for Out-of-State Convictions: People v. Edwards (2d Dep’t 2025) Introduction In People v. Edwards, 2025 NY Slip Op 04922 (App Div, 2d...

No Prejudice, No Abandonment: Second Department Reaffirms Discretionary Nonforfeiture Under 22 NYCRR 202.48 in M&T v. Ahmed

Date: Sep 11, 2025

No Prejudice, No Abandonment: Second Department Reaffirms Discretionary Nonforfeiture Under 22 NYCRR 202.48 Introduction In Manufacturers & Traders Trust Company v. Ahmed (2025 NY Slip Op 04898), the...

Frustration of Purpose in COVID‑19 Wedding-Catering Contracts: Second Department Affirms Refund of Deposits and Rejects Anticipatory Breach; Ambiguity Permits Parol Evidence

Date: Sep 11, 2025

Frustration of Purpose in COVID‑19 Wedding-Catering Contracts: Second Department Affirms Refund of Deposits and Rejects Anticipatory Breach; Ambiguity Permits Parol Evidence Kay v. Heavenly Events &...