When a Fiduciary Breaches a NY Non-Compete Agreement – and Lies About It

Reading the appellate court’s rendition of the facts in this breach of contract, breach of non-competition agreement and fraudulent inducement/concealment case, it is clear that the court empathized with the plaintiff, and wanted to allow the plaintiffs their day in court. The sordid details are as follows: In GoSmile, Inc. v. Levine, the defendant founded [...]

When a New York Company’s Ability to Fire At Will Goes Too Far

New York’s Appellate Division, First Department’s dismissal of a wrongful termination and breach of contract claim by a securities firm’s compliance officer in a December 21 decision in Sullivan v. Harnisch is troubling. And I say that against a backdrop of a solid understanding and appreciation that most wrongful termination claims in New York are [...]

How An Improperly Drafted Employment Contract Allowed Employee’s Claim To Collect Post-Termination Commissions To Survive Dismissal in New York

In a hot-off-the-presses decision that was handed down this past Thursday, and is scheduled to appear in Tuesday’s New York Law Journal, New York’s Appellate Division, First Department (which covers New York and Bronx Counties) reversed that portion of a trial court’s decision that dismissed a former at-will employee’s claims under Labor Law ยงยง191 and [...]

Why Most Employment Contract Breach/Wrongful Termination Claims Are Doomed In NY

Before addressing the merits of a breach of contract/wrongful termination claim against an employer, the threshold question that must be asked is “if I win, is a judgment against my former employer collectible?” Unfortunately, in this economy, the answer to this question is increasingly “no.” Consequently, even if you have the most meritorious claim, external [...]