How to Prove the Breach of a Broker’s Commission Agreement Under NY Law

It should come as no surprise that as the economy continues to sputter, falter, or whatever your term of choice may be, that many real estate  brokers have taken an increasingly aggressive stance in protecting their commissions. The flip side of that same coin is that the other parties to the deal have likewise hardened [...]

Finding Damages Claim “Mere Speculation,” NY Court Dismisses Breach of Contract & Consumer Fraud Case

If there were such a contest, I think this case wins the “most absurd lawsuit of the day.” In Kassis Management, Inc. v. Verizon New York, Inc., the plaintiff claimed damages in breach of contract and consumer fraud as a result of Verizon’s “promise” to move its phone service from one location to their new [...]

How You Can Recover Your Legal Fees in a NY Breach of Contract Case

Let’s start with the general rule: New York courts disfavor allowing parties to recoup their legal fees that are incurred in litigation. As New York’s courts have put it: “It is well settled that  legal fees are not recoverable unless provided under the terms of a contract or authorized by statute.” See, U.S. Underwriters Ins. [...]

No Written Agreement? No Problem, Says NY Court

If you take an unreasonable position and refuse to pay for services that were rendered, you should be prepared to have a court rule against you. And that’s exactly what happened in John Anthony Rubino & Co. CPA v.  Schwartz (a decision that is scheduled to appear in tomorrow’s edition of the New York Law [...]

When Attorneys Go (Way) Too Far

Recently, I attended a non-party deposition in a commercial litigation matter arising out of a dispute over who is the rightful owner of a particular property in New York. As is often the case, the attorney conducting the deposition was less than thrilled at the answers given by the witness. So, first he tried to [...]

How to Prove a Negligent Misrepresentation Claim Under New York Law

Before addressing how you prove a negligent misrepresentation claim, we first have to define what it is – and what it isn’t. Unlike its cousin, the fraud claim, negligent misrepresentation does not require a showing of malicious intent or recklessness by the defendant; rather, it requires that the plaintiff prove the following by a preponderance [...]

How New York Courts Determine Whether an Arbitration Clause is Enforceable

When your contract has been breached, your first reaction might very well be to bring a lawsuit in State or Federal Court. But that course of action may not be available, particularly if your written contract contains a clause mandating that all disputes be resolved by arbitration. So, you ask, under what circumstances are those [...]

Constructive Fraud: A Lesser-Known, But Powerful Tool in New York To Recover Money That You’re Owed

Many small businesses’ recurring nightmare, particularly in this economy, looks something like this: Debtor D (we’ll call him “D,” for short) owes you tens of thousands of dollars for product that you delivered months ago. When you inquire as to what the delay is in receiving payment, you get a run-around, and ultimately find out [...]

Can An Internet Service Provider Be Held Liable For Defamatory Statements Posted On Its Website Under New York Law?

In Shiamili v. Real Estate Group of NY, Inc., an opinion issued by New York’s Appellate Division, First Department (which covers both New York and Bronx Counties), answered this question with an unequivocal ‘no’ – the internet services provider (or “interactive computer service) cannot be held liable for defamation (or unfair competition) unless the internet [...]

NY County Court Explains Why Whistleblower Protection Clause In Employee Manual May Be Worthless

In Candela v. Banco Industrial de Venezuela C.A., the New York County trial court’s decision to dismiss a breach of contract and wrongful termination claim by a bank employee serves a clear warning to at-will employees everywhere: know your rights and what you must do to protect them before you are fired. Conversely, the decision [...]