Brian Lee

Brian Lee is an Albany-based litigation reporter for the New York Law Journal. He has worked at daily newspapers in Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @bleereporter

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October 21, 2022 | New York Law Journal

NY Judge Says Absentee Ballots Issued Due to COVID Fear Should Be Preserved But Not Instantly Canvassed

Saratoga Supreme Court Justice Dianne Freestone's ruling—which has statewide effect—could shake up general election procedures. It allows New York voters who fear the spread of COVID-19 to continue to cast absentee ballots, but those votes would not be counted immediately on election night.

By Brian Lee

5 minute read

October 20, 2022 | New York Law Journal

New York Court System's Legal Guidance to Judges Isn't Privileged; Trial Court Says New York Civil Liberties Union Can Have Documents

The New York Civil Liberties Union is entitled to more than 10 years' worth of written legal guidance that the administrative arm of the state court system gave to judges, a trial court judge in Manhattan said Wednesday.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read

October 20, 2022 | New York Law Journal

In AG's Call to Criminalize Livestreamed Violence in Wake of Buffalo Mass Shootings, Lawyers Warn of First Amendment Impacts

A Buffalo attorney and president of the national First Amendment Lawyers Association said the call for reform could lead to significant First Amendment implications.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

October 19, 2022 | New York Law Journal

NY's Highest Court Weighs Justification Defense for Man Who Blinded Dog During Altercation Over $20

Judge Jenny Rivera said the case seemed to turn on the physical characteristics of the dog, indicating the case might look different if it were 100 pounds rather than eight.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read

October 19, 2022 | New York Law Journal

GOP Judges, Democratic Attorneys Vie for Two Bench Seats in Supreme Court Race in 7th Judicial District

The 7th Judicial District encompasses nearly 800,000 residents of Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates counties.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

October 18, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Lawyer Questions Constitutionality of Path to NY Lawmakers' 2019 Pay Hike Before State High Court

Judge Michael Garcia said he struggled with the case not fitting within the separation of powers jurisprudence.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read

October 18, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Commission Seeks Censure for Upstate NY Town Justice Who Failed to Submit Court Receipts to Comptroller

Officials recommended censure for the judge, who according to court papers presided in a case involving a business associate of theirs.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

October 17, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Lawyers' Fund for Swindled Clients Seeks $577,000 From Disbarred Nassau County Attorney

Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Blake filed the complaint on behalf of The New York State Lawyers' Fund For Client Protection, a body that's fully financed by the Empire State's legal profession of about 345,000 registered lawyers. Its designed to protect clients from attorney theft.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

October 14, 2022 | New York Law Journal

GOP Elections Attorney, Ex-AG Hopeful and Two Acting Supreme Court Justices Among Ninth Judicial District Hopefuls

One Republican hopeful, attorney John Ciampoli, is representing the state party in a lawsuit in Saratoga County state court over absentee voting. Four judges and a quasi-judicial official dot the Democratic ticket.

By Brian Lee

6 minute read

October 13, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Race for 5 Supreme Court Seats in Western NY Includes Well-Financed Conservative Candidate Who Wasn't Recommended by Erie County Bar

Financial backing hasn't translated into a recommendation from the Bar Association of Erie County.

By Brian Lee

5 minute read

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