Brian Lee

February 05, 2025 | New York Law Journal

A western New York jurist who found his way back to the bench, a decade after an appellate court suspended him for engaging in ticket-fixing, has resigned again. But this time the judge agreed never to return.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read

February 05, 2025 | New York Law Journal

Jennifer Sculco, formerly of the Westchester County District Attorney's Office, was named New York's deputy inspector general, heading the independent watchdog's upstate region, while the OIG’s investigative counsel, Rachel-Rebekah Brown, has been appointed attorney-in-charge of statewide gaming matters.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

February 05, 2025 | New York Law Journal

Lippman, who is an of counsel at Latham & Watkins, provided advice and is advocating for the reform bill, which calls for a state judge presiding over a sexual assault case to use discretion in admitting relevant evidence of prior uncharged acts.

By Brian Lee

6 minute read

February 04, 2025 | New York Law Journal

Former Petersburgh Town Court Justice Richard T. Snyder, of Rensselaer County, was being investigated for misconduct by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, for claiming he could not be impartial. His resignation took effect on Dec. 31.

By Brian Lee

2 minute read

February 03, 2025 | New York Law Journal

A Steuben County judge who is a non-attorney pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor charge, and resigned effective January 10.

By Brian Lee

2 minute read

January 31, 2025 | New York Law Journal

Through pro bono efforts of Greenberg Traurig, four New York bar associations said they secured a settlement with Gov. Kathy Hochul and Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli that assures the state's incumbent leaders won't try to leverage a trust fund that holds millions for needy civil litigants. The officials had used $55 million in the fiscal 2025 budget to provide low-income residents with foreclosure relief.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read

January 31, 2025 | New York Law Journal

Increasing jurors' compensation, creating a travel stipend, child care services, and relaxing limits on people who struggle with English were among suggestions to diversify jury pools in upstate New York. The ideas were discussed during the second forum on jury diversification by the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission.

By Brian Lee

8 minute read

January 30, 2025 | New York Law Journal

The influential District Attorneys Association of the State of New York on Thursday threw its support behind Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposal to eliminate what she says is an incentive for defense attorneys to delay raising challenges to a prosecutor's compliance with their discovery obligations. The organization said the loophole has resulted in “unintended consequences" that have led to the dismissal or reduction in charges in thousands of felony and misdemeanor cases.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read

January 30, 2025 | New York Law Journal

A state appellate court on Thursday unanimously reinstated New York's John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of 2022, a law that prohibits "vote dilution" actions by municipalities. In a ruling penned by Appellate Division, Second Department Presiding Justice Hector D. LaSalle, the court found that the statute comports with federal and state constitutions.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read

January 28, 2025 | New York Law Journal

A bill setting out the parameters for when a juror’s identifying information can be shielded from the public during a state criminal trial is making its way through the New York Legislature. It would follow up on a newly enacted law providing for juror anonymity if there’s good cause to do so. A Long Island Democrat said the framework would have come in handy for now-President Donald Trump's 2024 criminal case.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read