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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April 05, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Constitutional Challenge Is Mounted to NY Health Dept. Procedures on Isolation and Quarantine

The plaintiffs' attorney, Bobbie Anne Flower Cox, said the state health department, as an agent of the executive branch, didn't have the authority to enact the regulation. That should have been done by the legislature.

By Brian Lee

5 minute read

April 04, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Hochul's Discovery, Bail Policy Changes Are Holding Up New York Budget, Speaker Says

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, described "progress" regarding lawmakers' discussions of Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposed alterations to criminal discovery reform, but he added that other proposed criminal justice reforms had yet to be resolved.

By Brian Lee

6 minute read

April 04, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Appeals Court Stays Ruling Striking Down NY Congressional Map

The Fourth Department's temporary stay clarifies candidate petitions can be filed with state and local Board of Elections by Thursday.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read

April 01, 2022 | New York Law Journal

'A Lot of Eyes Are on New York': Lawyers Map Road Ahead as Steuben County Judge Upends Congressional Maps

The case is headed to either a mid-level state appeals court or the New York Court of Appeals.

By Brian Lee

6 minute read

March 31, 2022 | New York Law Journal

'We Have to Fix It': Lawmakers Call for Insurance Policies to Protect Against Lead in Rented Homes

One key backer of the measure suggested that making insurance companies responsible for childhood lead poisoning would do little to raise premiums. But that view was not universally shared.

By Brian Lee

5 minute read

March 30, 2022 | New York Law Journal

As Bail Reform Is Back Under the Microscope, Lawyers Say Discovery Changes Have Brought Fairness, Aided Defense

The survey results come as New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing wide changes to bail laws in her budget, including expansion of judicial discretion and an increase in the number of crimes eligible for bail.

By Brian Lee

6 minute read

March 30, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Key Lawmaker Files Bill Package Aimed at Protecting Abortion Rights of New Yorkers

One proposal would bar New York courts from issuing subpoenas tied to out-of-state abortion proceedings.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read

March 29, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Lawyer Questions Proposal to Expand Courts' Power to Impose Mental Health Treatment Under Kendra's Law

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's executive budget proposed an expansion of the law, and would make it easier to recommit someone who had fallen under the law's jurisdiction in the past. Critics railed against the measure as "recklessly broad."

By Brian Lee

6 minute read

March 28, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Two Groups of Supreme Court Justices Oppose DiFiore's Reorganization Effort

The reorganization plan is aimed at "reduction of a byzantine system of 11 trial courts to four," said a spokesman for New York's judicial system. But foes said it could pose a threat to judicial independence.

By Brian Lee

5 minute read

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