Contract law.

When the language of a contract is ambiguous, its construction presents a question of fact that may not be resolved by the court on a motion for summary judgment.  A contract is ambiguous if its terms are susceptible to more than one reasonable interpretation.

Hong v. Renval Constr., LLC, NY Slip Op 04196 (2d Dep't August 9 2023)

Here is the decision.

Motions to dismiss.

A motion to dismiss on the ground that the action is barred by documentary evidence, pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(1), may be granted only where the documentary evidence utterly refutes the plaintiff's factual allegations, thus conclusively establishing a defense as a matter of law. On a motion to dismiss for failure to state a cause of action, pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(7), the court must afford the complaint a liberal construction, accept the facts as alleged in the complaint as true, accord the plaintiffs the benefit of every possible favorable inference, and determine only whether the facts as alleged fit within any cognizable legal theory. 

Gold v. 22 St. Felix, LLC, NY Slip Op 04194 (2d Dep't August 9, 2023)

Here is the decision.

Dismissal for failure to serve a complaint.

In order to avoid dismissal of an action for failure to serve a complaint after a demand for the complaint has been made pursuant to CPLR 3012(b), the plaintiff must demonstrate both a reasonable excuse for the delay in serving the complaint and a potentially meritorious cause of action. The determination of what constitutes a reasonable excuse for a delay in serving the complaint is within the discretion of the court. When exercising its discretion, the court should consider the extent of the delay, the prejudice to the opposing party, and the lack of an intent to abandon the action.

Fox v. Gross, NY Slip Op 04192 (2d Dep't August 9, 2023)

Here is the decision.

CPLR 3215(c).

The statute generally provides that if the plaintiff fails to take proceedings for the entry of judgment within one year after a default, the court shall not enter judgment but shall dismiss the complaint as abandoned, upon its own initiative or on motion, unless sufficient cause is shown why the complaint should not be dismissed. A motion by a defendant to dismiss the complaint as abandoned pursuant to the statute is untimely when it is made after the entry of a judgment of foreclosure and sale.

Federal Natl. Mtge. Assn. v. Marty, NY Slip Op 04191 (2d Dep't August 9, 2023)

Here is the decision.

Contract law.

Parol evidence, or evidence outside the four corners of the document, is admissible only if the court finds an ambiguity in the contract.

Del Vecchio v. Del Vecchio, NY Slip Op 04189 (2d Dep't August 9 2023)

Here is the decision.

Failure to oppose a motion.

A party seeking to vacate an order entered upon its failure to oppose a motion must demonstrate both a reasonable excuse for the default and the existence of a potentially meritorious opposition to the motion. The determination of what constitutes a reasonable excuse lies within the Supreme Court's discretion. In making its determination, the court should consider factors such as the extent of the delay; prejudice or lack of prejudice to the opposing party; whether there has been willfulness; and the strong public policy in favor of resolving cases on the merits.

Codispoti v. Beth Israel Med. Ctr., NY Slip Op 04187 (2d Dep't August 9, 2023)

Here is the decision.

Arguments raised for the first time in reply papers.

The Appellate Division affirmed the Supreme Court's denial of the plaintiff's motion, pursuant to CPLR 306-b, to extend the time to serve the summons and complaint upon the defendant. Contrary to the plaintiff's contention, an extension of time was not warranted in the interest of justice. The plaintiff did not  raise in its main brief its contention that an extension of time was warranted for good cause. As a result, the plaintiff abandoned any argument it may have had in that regard, despite its attempt to raise the issue in its reply brief. 

Christiana Trust v. Leriche, NY Slip Op 04186 (2d Dep't August 9, 2023)

Here is the decision.

Legal malpractice and attorney deceit.

An action to recover damages for legal malpractice must be commenced within three years of the accrual of the cause of action, whether the underlying theory is based in contract or tort, as set forth in CPLR 214[6]. An action to recover damages for attorney deceit under Judiciary Law § 487 is subject to the six-year statute of limitations set forth in CPLR 213(1). A legal malpractice action that also alleges attorney deceit must be dismissed as time-barred if not commenced within three years of accrual, if the Judiciary Law § 487 cause of action is premised on the same facts as the legal malpractice cause of action and does not allege distinct damages.

Catsiapis v.  Pardalis & Nohavicka, LLP, NY Slip Op 04185 (2d Dep't August 9, 2023)

Here is the decision.

Employment discrimination based on a disability.

A complaint states a cause of action to recover damages for employment discrimination on the basis of disability in violation of the New York State Human Rights Law if it alleges that the plaintiff suffers from a disability and that, because of  the disability, the plaintiff was discriminated against in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment or the refusal to hire. In order to state a claim under the State law, the complaint and supporting documentation must set forth factual allegations sufficient to show that, with reasonable accommodations, the plaintiff could perform the essential functions of the job.

The New York City Human Rights Law provides broader protections than the State law. In order to state a cause of action for employment discrimination on the basis of disability in violation of the City law, a complaint must allege that the plaintiff was disabled and was discriminated against based on the disability.

Brouillard v. Sunrun, Inc., NY Slip Op 04184 (2d Dep't August 9, 2023)

Here is the decision.

Civil contempt.

In order to prevail on a motion to hold a party in civil contempt, the movant must establish, by clear and convincing evidence, the following: (1) that a lawful order of the court was in effect, clearly expressing an unequivocal mandate; (2) the appearance, with reasonable certainty, that the order was disobeyed; (3) that the party to be held in contempt had knowledge of the court's order; and (4) prejudice to the right of a party to the litigation. If the movant makes the requisite showing, the burden shifts to the alleged contemnor to refute the movant's evidence, or to offer evidence of a defense, such as an inability to comply with the order. A hearing is required only if there is a factual dispute which cannot be resolved on the papers alone.

Anonymous 2011-3 v. Anonymous 2011-4, NY Slip Op 04183 (2d Dep't August 9 2023)

Here is the decision.

A defamation claim.

The claim is dismissed to the extent that the particular words complained of are not set forth in the complaint, as required by CPLR 3016[a]. Plaintiff's contention that the statements that were published in the New York Post had been incorporated into the complaint is unavailing, since the article was not annexed to the pleading. 

Hammond v. Equinox Holdings LLC, NY Slip Op 04257 (1st Dep't August 10, 2023)

Here is the decision.