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
November 29, 2022 | New York Law Journal
Vance Says Heightened Financial Penalties Could Deter Construction Site NegligenceFormer Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr. said the measure, called Carlos' Law, would "align the penalties and New York State law, for a corporation in a serious case like this." A building trade association said the bill is well-intentioned but "goes too far."
By Brian Lee
4 minute read
November 28, 2022 | New York Law Journal
Defense Lawyer for Buffalo Shooter Says Client's Guilty Plea 'Represents Condemnation of Racist Ideology'Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said the state would have proved at trial that Payton Gendron planned and carried out his racially motivated attack fueled by white supremacist ideology that targeted Black people.
By Brian Lee
4 minute read
November 28, 2022 | New York Law Journal
In Seven Candidates for Chief Judge With Varied Backgrounds, There's Something for EveryoneThe fact that only one of the choices presented to Gov. Kathy Hochul is a current judge of the state's highest court was one of the main talking points for court watchers.
By Brian Lee
5 minute read
November 23, 2022 | New York Law Journal
Commission Reveals Seven Candidates for NY Chief Judge, Including CannataroThe candidates, whittled from 41 applicants, were evaluated on their character, temperament, professional aptitude, experience, qualifications and fitness for office, Commission on Judicial Nomination Chairman E. Leo Milonas said in his letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul.
By Brian Lee
6 minute read
November 23, 2022 | New York Law Journal
Crypto Lawyer Says Mining Moratorium Is Built to Survive Legal Challenges, But Deep-Pocketed Industry Is Likely to SueCryptocurrency clients feel they were lured to New York "by policy statements made as early as 2020—and now that they're here, they're being shelved," said a lawyer with industry clients.
By Brian Lee
5 minute read
November 18, 2022 | New York Law Journal
New York Court of Appeals OKs Lawmakers' Creation of a Committee That Recommended They Receive Significant Pay RaisesThe path by which state lawmakers received their first substantial raise in 20 years — via the body's creation of a non-elected committee — was…
By Brian Lee
4 minute read
November 17, 2022 | New York Law Journal
Statewide DAs' Group Seeks Additional Money for Discovery, Checking Gun ViolenceDAASNY said it wants the governor to provide essential funding to prosecutors to return New York to its position as a national leader in public safety.
By Brian Lee
5 minute read
November 17, 2022 | New York Law Journal
Crump, Slater Representing 750 Inmates Suing Over Sex Assaults by Prison GuardsAttorney Ben Crump said the actions are a continuation of the #MeToo movement, which he said began with claims by women of affluence, "but not a lot of marginalized women." Passage of New York's Adult Survivors Act opened the door to the abuse lawsuits filed on behalf of hundreds.
By Brian Lee
5 minute read
November 17, 2022 | New York Law Journal
In Case Where Queens Man Blinded Dog, Prosecutor Wasn't Obligated to Instruct Jury on 'Choice of Evils' DefenseThe New York Court of Appeals on Thursday rejected a justification defense brought on by the Legal Aid Society on behalf of a man who struck a small…
By Brian Lee
2 minute read
November 16, 2022 | New York Law Journal
Disabled Firefighters Entitled to Fringe Payments, Lawyer Tells New York Court of AppealsBy not paying it to permanently disabled firefighters, their lawyer argued, "You're discriminating against them when everyone else gets it."
By Brian Lee
3 minute read