Brian Lee

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 taken $55 million to help balance the fiscal 2025 budget.

By Brian Lee

3 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

January 27, 2025 | New York Law Journal

Neil Breslin, who served 28 years as in the New York State Senate, is expected to continue as a resource for regulating the insurance industry, and on important policy matters in the state and beyond.

By Brian Lee

8 minute read

January 27, 2025 | New York Law Journal

New York Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson announced Justice Marguerite Grays' appointment as co-chair of the Commercial Division Advisory Council, effective immediately. Grays had already been serving as a member of the council.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

January 24, 2025 | New York Law Journal

Supreme Court Justice Frank Caruso of Niagara Falls recently assumed the presidency of New York's alliance of trial court jurists, shifting its leadership from New York City.

By Brian Lee

6 minute read

January 23, 2025 | New York Law Journal

Panelists weighed whether that lack of faith was elucidated by President Donald Trump's criticism of the Manhattan trial court justice who handled his criminal trial. But an ex-New York attorney general said prosecutors' "inexcusable" lack of discretion in deciding to raid Trump's home was partly to blame for the perceptions.

By Brian Lee

8 minute read

January 22, 2025 | New York Law Journal

Through a $1 billion settlement announced by New York Attorney General Letitia James, Yellowstone Capital agreed to wipe out more than $534 million in debt of its small-business clients. It resolves the attorney general's lawsuit alleging Yellowstone ran a large, predatory lending scheme. The settlement canceled debt of more than 1,100 small businesses in New York, and more than 18,000 nationwide.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read