Without Broker’s License, Finder’s Fee Unenforceable Says NY Court

Just because you have a signed, written agreement doesn’t automatically mean that you win your breach of contract case. Let me explain. Just over one year ago, I cheered a Nassau County trial court’s decision that slammed a defendant who reneged on his word (written, mind you) to pay a plaintiff his finder’s fee for [...]

Think Late or No Notice to an Insurer in NY Is No Big Deal? Think Again

After reading decisions that seemingly disregard late notice that is furnished to an insurer (see, e.g., “Late Notice to Insurer Not Fatal to Claim Under New York Law, Federal Court Holds“) you might be lulled into thinking that failing to furnish timely and proper notice of a claim to your insurer may not really be [...]

How Good Faith Is Implied in Non-Solicitation Agreements Under NY Law

Nearly one year ago, we wrote in general terms about how good faith is implied in New York contracts. This article, however, will focus on the underlying factors that New York’s courts will consider when applying this doctrine to non-solicitation agreements. Fortunately, a hot-off-the-presses decision from New York State’s highest court offers some guidance – [...]

NY Court Clarifies Standard For “Improper Solicitation” of Old Clients

In a fascinating – and significant – April 28 decision, New York State’s highest court answered the following question: How far can you go to help your new employer solicit your former clients under New York law? Here are some of the salient facts in the breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty case [...]

Beyonce Not Beyond (or Above) the Law, Says NY Breach of Contract Suit

In a breach of contract lawsuit that was filed in New York this past Tuesday, Beyonce has been sued by video game maker Gate Five, who alleges that well after the ink was dry on their contract, Beyonce reneged on an exclusive licensing agreement that required her to have her name attached to “Starpower: Beyonce.” [...]

Partnership Agreement Need Not Be Written, NY Court Holds

There are several categories of agreements that must be reduced to writing in order to be enforceable under New York law, such as contracts for services that cannot be completed within one year, or contracts pertaining to real estate. (For more on this topic, you may wish to download the free guide to NY breach [...]

NY Federal Court Allows Claims Seeking to Pierce Corporate Veil

As noted in our earlier article, “Piercing the Corporate Veil – Critical Facts that You Will Need to Prove Your Case Under New York Law,” it is not an easy task to amass sufficient facts to survive an initial motion to dismiss a claim that seeks to pierce a corporation’s veil – let alone prove [...]

Despite Mere Oral Agreement for Unpaid Commissions, Breach of Contract Claim Survives, Says NY Appeals Court

Just over one year ago, I wrote about how a New York County trial court refused to dismiss two at-will employees that worked as placement professionals, and were promised both salary and commission did not forfeit their earned commissions – even though they never reduced their agreements to writing, in derogation of the Statute of [...]

Acknowledging Problematic Law, NY Court Denies Legal Fees in Coverage Disclaimer Case

A while back, I wrote about Estee Lauder, Inc. v. OneBeacon Insurance, an important case that helps define the issues in deciding whether to fight against an insurance company’s wrongful disclaimer of coverage (see “Why it May Pay to Fight a Disclaimer of Coverage Under NY Law“). Having won the initial battle, and secured an [...]

After 2 Recusals, 3rd Judge is Assigned Trial of Titans-Kiffin Contract Breach & Tortious Interference Claims

Maybe the third time is the charm. In a high-profile breach of contract and tortious interference lawsuit, the National Football League’s Tennessee Titans have sued former NFL coach ,and current USC coach Lane Kiffin, charging that he improperly poached their coaching ranks, inducing Titans running backs coach Kennedy Pola to breach his employment agreement with [...]