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

Connect with this author

June 22, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Albany Appeals Court Curbs 'Depraved Indifference' Theory, Reducing Fatal DUI Case to Manslaughter

The majority noted "the near absence" of evidence concerning Williams' mental state, a requirement for depraved indifference.

By Brian Lee

5 minute read

June 22, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Rockland County Judge Resigns Amid Allegation He Campaigned for Others

"Judges must be and appear unswayed by partisan politics," said commission administrator Robert H. Tembeckjian, concerning the resignation of a Supreme Court justice amid a probe he campaigned for two judicial candidates. "Prohibiting their involvement in political campaigns, except when running for judicial office themselves, is essential to public confidence in the independence and impartiality of the judiciary."

By Brian Lee

2 minute read

June 21, 2022 | New York Law Journal

West Monroe Town Judge Resigns During Probe Into Larceny Allegations

New York State Police charged the jurist in March 2021 with grand larceny in the fourth-degree. The case was assigned to a special prosecutor in Onondaga County.

By Brian Lee

2 minute read

June 17, 2022 | New York Law Journal

City Bar Announces NYC Judicial Candidate Ratings, Approving 9 of 13

The bar group weighed in on candidates vying in contested races for Civil and Surrogate's Courts in Manhattan and Civil Court in Brooklyn and Queens.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

June 16, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Federal Judge Advances Lawsuit Challenging Confidentiality of Attorney Grievance Process

A group of professors said free speech rights protect their ability to maintain a website outlining allegations against prosecutors.

By Brian Lee

5 minute read

June 15, 2022 | New York Law Journal

New York Unified Court System Lifts Facemask Mandate for the Vaccinated

Equally important for purposes of the court's return to full operations, the three-foot physical distancing requirement has been lifted, and is no longer required in any area or for any operation within a UCS facility.

By Brian Lee

5 minute read

June 14, 2022 | New York Law Journal

NY High Court Says Asian Elephant 'Happy' Isn't Illegally Confined at Bronx Zoo

The New York Court of Appeals decision was seen as a blow for animal rights, but one attorney said the dissents could bode well for a path forward to protecting their welfare.

By Brian Lee

6 minute read

June 13, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Hochul Signs Six Bills Protecting Persons Needing Abortion Services and Providers

The measures are billed as making New York a "safe harbor" to protect abortion rights if the landmark 1973 Supreme Court opinion Roe v. Wade is overturned.

By Brian Lee

6 minute read