Equitable estoppel.

Practice point: The extraordinary remedy of equitable estoppel may be invoked to bar the affirmative defense of the statute of limitations only where the defendant's affirmative wrongdoing contributed to the delay between accrual of the cause of action and commencement of the legal proceeding.

Student note: The plaintiff must demonstrate reasonable reliance on the defendant's misrepresentations, and the plaintiff's due diligence in ascertaining the facts.

Case: Clark v. Ravikumar, NY Slip Op 09580 (2d Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Tomorrow’s issue:  Jurisdiction.

Expert testimony.

Practice point: Expert testimony has been found necessary when it helps to clarify an issue which calls for professional or technical knowledge, possessed by an expert and beyond the understanding of the typical juror.

Student note: The admissibility and scope of expert testimony is a determination within the discretion of the trial court.

Case: Christoforatos v. City of New York, NY Slip Op 09579 (2d Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Tomorrow’s issue: Equitable estoppel.

Ambulance liability.

Practice point: While the operator of an ambulance owes its passengers a duty of reasonable care, that duty does not require that the operator of the vehicle ensure that an adult passenger has fastened his or her seatbelt.

Student note: Tthe New York City Fire Department's internal rules requiring that members ensure that passengers in emergency vehicles wear seatbelts imposes a greater standard of care than that imposed by law, and so a violation of Department rules cannot serve as basis for plaintiff's imposing liability.

Case: Asantewaa v. City of New York, NY Slip Op 09174 (1st Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Tomorrow’s issue: Expert testimony.

The court's granting relief.

Practice point: The court may, in its discretion, grant relief that is warranted by the facts plainly appearing on the papers on both sides, if the relief granted is not too dramatically unlike the relief sought, the proof offered supports it, and there is no prejudice to any party.

Student note: However, the stability of contract obligations must not be undermined by judicial sympathy with a party.

Case: Emigrant Mtge. Co., Inc. v. Fisher, NY Slip Op 09264 (2d Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Tomorrow’s issue:  Ambulance liability.

Legal malpractice.

Practice point: A cause of action alleging legal malpractice may be based upon the creation of a loan document which is usurious and does not fall under any exceptions to the law of usury.

Student note: The action to recover damages arising from legal malpractice must be commenced within three years after accrual, pursuant to CPLR 214[6], and the action accrues when the malpractice is committed.

Case: DeStaso v. Condon Resnick, LLP, NY Slip Op 09259 (2d Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Monday’s issue:  The court’s granting relief.

Attorney's fees.

Practice point: A party must pay his or her own attorney's fee unless an award is authorized by an agreement between the parties, by statute, or by court rule.

Student note: The plaintiff cannot recover an award of an attorney's fee under the New York Civil Rights Law, which does not provide for such relief, pursuant to § 47-b[1]).

Case: Degregorio v. Richmond Italian Pavillion, Inc., NY Slip Op 09258 (2d Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Tomorrow’s issue: Legal malpractice.

Vacating a default.

Practice point: To prevail on a motion to vacate a default, a party is required to demonstrate both a reasonable excuse for its default and a potentially meritorious defense

Student note: The trial court has the discretion to accept law office failure as a reasonable excuse.

Case: Adolph H. Schreiber Hebrew Academy of Rockland, Inc. v Needleman, NY Slip Op 09250 (2d Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Tomorrow’s issue: Attorney’s fees.

Bifurcated trials.

Practice point: Courts are encouraged to bifurcate issues of liability and damages in personal injury trials, pursuant to 22 NYCRR 202.42.

Student note: A unified trial should only be conducted where the nature of the plaintiff's injuries has an important bearing on the issue of liability.

Case: Galarza v. Crown Container Co., Inc., NY Slip Op 09088 (2d Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Tomorrow’s issue: Vacating a default.

Court holiday.

The courts are closed today to mark the New Year’s holiday.

Tomorrow’s issue: Bifurcated trials.

Fee forfeitures.

Practice point: An attorney who violates a disciplinary rule may be discharged for cause and is not entitled to any fees for services rendered.

Student note: Misconduct that occurs before an attorney's discharge but is not discovered until after the discharge may serve as a basis for a fee forfeiture.

Case: Doviak v. Finkelstein & Partners, LLP, NY Slip Op 09085 (2d Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Tuesday’s issue: Bifurcated trials.

Breach of fiduciary duty.

Practice point: A cause of action sounding in breach of fiduciary duty must be pleaded with the particularity required by CPLR 3016(b).

Student note: The elements of a cause of action to recover damages for breach of fiduciary duty are (1) the existence of a fiduciary relationship; (2) misconduct by the defendant; and (3) damages directly caused by the defendant's misconduct.

Case: Armentano v. Paraco Gas Corp., NY Slip Op 09075 (2d Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Tomorrow’s issue: Fee forfeitures.