X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Plaintiff, as limited by his briefs, appeals from so much of (1) an order of the Civil Court of the City of New York, Bronx County (Sabrina B. Kraus, J.), entered October 11, 2017, which granted his motion for partial summary judgment only to the extent of precluding defendant from further discovery; and (2) an order and judgment (same court and Judge), entered June 6, 2018, which granted defendant’s oral motion to dismiss the complaint at the close of plaintiff’s case. PER CURIAM Order and judgment (Sabrina B. Kraus, J.), entered June 6, 2018, modified to reinstate the breach of contract cause of action and to remand for a new trial on said cause of action; as modified, order and judgment affirmed, without costs. Appeal from order (same court and Judge), entered October 11, 2017, dismissed, without costs, as subsumed in the appeal from the ensuing order and judgment, and as academic. The breach of contract cause of action asserted by plaintiff, a client of defendant Municipal Credit Union (MCU), should not have been dismissed at the close of plaintiff’s case. Accepted as true and accorded the benefit of every favorable inference (see Szczerbiak v. Pilat, 90 NY2d 553, 556 [1997]), plaintiff’s as yet unrebutted testimony and documentary evidence established that MCU imposed some sixty-nine charges for overdraft fees on his checking account that were not authorized by the terms of the agreement between the parties. This evidence was sufficient to demonstrate at this juncture the existence of a contract, defendant’s breach thereof and resulting damages (see Harris v. Seward Park Hous. Corp., 79 AD3d 425, 426 [2010]). However, even affording plaintiff every favorable inference that reasonably could be drawn from the evidence adduced at trial, we agree that plaintiff merely alleged a private contract dispute unique to the parties that would not fall within the ambit of General Business Law §349 (see Gomez-Jimenez v. New York Law Sch., 103 AD3d 13, 16 [2012], lv denied 20 NY3d 1093 [2013]). Plaintiff’s conversion and breach of fiduciary duty claims based upon the same allegations that underlie his breach of contract claim were properly dismissed as duplicative (see Rossetti v. Ambulatory Surgery Ctr. of Brooklyn, LLC, 125 AD3d 548, 549 [2015]; Brooks v. Key Trust Co. Natl. Assn, 26 AD3d 628, 630 [2006], lv dismissed 6 NY3d 891 [2006]). The action having proceeded to trial, the appeal from the order denying plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is dismissed as academic (see Ponticelli v. San Remo Civic Assn., 57 AD2d 612 [1977]). Were we to examine the merits, we would affirm. THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE COURT. Dated: December 26, 2019

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
December 02, 2024 - December 03, 2024
Scottsdale, AZ

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers and financiers for the real estate healthcare event of the year!


Learn More
December 11, 2024
Las Vegas, NV

This event shines a spotlight on how individuals and firms are changing the investment advisory industry where it matters most.


Learn More
February 24, 2025 - February 26, 2025
Las Vegas, NV

This conference aims to help insurers and litigators better manage complex claims and litigation.


Learn More

We are seeking two attorneys with a minimum of two to three years of experience to join our prominent and thriving education law practice in...


Apply Now ›

Description: Fox Rothschild has an opening in the New York office for a Real Estate Litigation Associate with three to six years of commerci...


Apply Now ›

Downtown NY property and casualty defense law firm seeks a Litigation Associate with 3+ years' experience to become a part of our team! You ...


Apply Now ›