Thomas R Newman

July 03, 2017 | New York Law Journal

Appellate Practice columnists Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty Jr. use two recent cases to remind practitioners that it cannot be counted a victory if a favorable verdict is set aside by the trial or appellate court after a lengthy trial and the case must be retried at considerable expense, loss of time and renewed mental and emotional strain on the injured party or his or her survivors—all because of counsel's avoidable error.

By Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty Jr.

8 minute read

May 03, 2017 | New York Law Journal

Appellate Practice columnists Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty Jr. write: As Justice Felix Frankfurter aptly observed, "Wisdom too often never comes, and so one ought not to reject it merely because it comes late." With certain limited exceptions, however, issues raised for the first time on appeal will not be considered as grounds for a reversal or modification.

By Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty Jr.

17 minute read

March 03, 2017 | New York Law Journal

Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty Jr. write: In 'Hain v. Jamison', the Court of Appeals addressed two recurring jurisdictional issues in the context of summary judgment: the "finality" requirement and the availability of affirmative relief to an nonappealing party.

By Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty Jr.

21 minute read

January 03, 2017 | New York Law Journal

In their Appellate Practice column, Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty, Jr. discuss appellate review of the exercise of discretion by the trial court. While CPLR §5501, Scope of Review, states in subsection (c) that "The appellate division shall review questions of law and questions of fact on an appeal from a judgment or order," it does not mention that court's power to review an exercise of discretion by the trial court. Nevertheless, the Appellate Division unquestionably possesses all of the powers of the Supreme Court. Its authority "is as broad as that of the trial court," and one often sees an Appellate Division decision and order (one paper) reversing or modifying an order or judgment of the Supreme Court "on the law, the facts and in the exercise of discretion."

By Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty, Jr.

24 minute read

November 01, 2016 | New York Law Journal

Appellate Practice Columnists Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty, Jr. discuss filing a motion for permission to appeal to the Court of Appeals. Such motions, they point out, are rarely granted. The Court of Appeals exclusively focuses on cases that present legal issues with broad precedential significance. The main objective is to persuade the court that the case presents questions of law that are "leaveworthy," i.e., sufficiently important to merit review, not simply to demonstrate that the Appellate Division's decision was erroneous.

By Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty, Jr.

18 minute read

September 06, 2016 | New York Law Journal

In their Appellate Practice column, Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty, Jr. review a recent decision that brings an important reprieve to any would be appellant whose prior appeal has been dismissed as untimely, provided a subsequent judgment or order raising the same issues is entered from which a separate timely appeal may be taken.

By Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty, Jr.

15 minute read

July 06, 2016 | New York Law Journal

In their Appellate Practice column, Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty Jr. discuss the sometimes overlooked limitation on the very liberal right to appeal—the requirement that only an "aggrieved party or a person substituted for him [or her] may appeal from an appealable judgment or order except one entered upon the default of the aggrieved party."

By Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty Jr.

18 minute read

May 24, 2016 | New York Law Journal

Firm leaders would do well to heed the words of one of our greatest judges, Learned Hand, who said, "while I should be the last to say that the making of a profit was not in itself a pleasure, I hope I should also be one of those to agree there were other pleasures than making a profit."

By Thomas R. Newman

2 minute read

May 04, 2016 | New York Law Journal

In their Appellate Practice column, Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty, Jr. write that the Second Circuit's decision instructing the district court to confirm an arbitration award suspending New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for four games serves as a reminder of the very limited scope of judicial review of arbitration awards.

By Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty, Jr.

21 minute read

March 01, 2016 | New York Law Journal

In their Appellate Practice column, Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty, Jr. write: Amicus curiae means "friend of the court." Friends try to help, not burden, each other. A persuasive amicus curiae brief can be an effective complement to the brief of a party and can assist the court in deciding issues that have potential ramifications beyond the matter at hand.

By Thomas R. Newman and Steven J. Ahmuty, Jr.

10 minute read