An appeals panel has ruled that Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Laura E. Drager (See Profile) abused her discretion when she denied an application by Massachusetts attorney Danielle E. deBenedictis to appear pro hac vice in Perkins v. Elbilia, 315467/10, a matrimonial case. The motion by defendant Bruce Elbilia to admit Ms. deBenedictis pro hac vice should be granted because it “was made within days after the commencement of the action; pro hac vice admission would not adversely affect judicial efficiency or the court’s control of its courtroom and calendar,” the Appellate Division, First Department, panel said. “Defendant’s submissions satisfied the statutory requirements for pro hac vice admission.”

“The out-of state attorney submitted proof that she is a member in good standing of the bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that she will be associated with a New York attorney, who will be the attorney of record, and that she is familiar with and will comply with the standards of professional conduct imposed on members of the New York bar,” the panel said. “In addition, the out-of-state attorney has been negotiating and trying domestic disputes since 1978 and possesses expertise in tax and accounting matters as well as in valuation issues concerning closely held and family businesses, issues which will be raised in this action.”

This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.

To view this content, please continue to their sites.

Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Why am I seeing this?

LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.

For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]