X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Gustave J. Detraglia, Jr., Utica, for Defendants-Appellants. Alexander Korotkin, Rochester, for Plaintiff-Respondent. Appeal from an order of the Supreme Court, Oneida County (Bernadette T. Clark, J.), entered May 19, 2023. The order denied in part the motion of defendants to vacate a default judgment and to dismiss the complaint against defendants Justin Piersma and Robert Piersma. It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously modified on the law by granting those parts of the motion seeking to vacate the default judgment and dismiss the complaint against defendant Justin Piersma, vacating the order dated October 13, 2022 with respect to that defendant, and dismissing the complaint against him, and as modified the order is affirmed without costs. Memorandum: Plaintiff commenced this action seeking damages for defendants’ alleged breach of contract. Following entry of a default judgment, defendants moved, as relevant here, to vacate the default judgment and to dismiss the complaint against defendants Justin Piersma and Robert Piersma. Supreme Court granted the motion to that extent with respect to Robert Piersma and dismissed the complaint against him, but otherwise denied the motion. We agree with defendants-appellants (defendants) that plaintiff failed to show due diligence in attempting to serve defendant Justin Piersma under CPLR 308 (1) and (2) at his home or actual place of business. CPLR 308 (4) allows the “nail and mail” method of service only “when service pursuant to CPLR 308 (1) and (2) cannot be made with due diligence” (Austin v. Tri-County Mem. Hosp., 39 AD3d 1223, 1224 [4th Dept 2007]; see Interboro Ins. Co. v. Tahir, 129 AD3d 1687, 1688-1689 [4th Dept 2015]). Plaintiff submitted the affidavit of service with respect to Justin, which affidavit ordinarily constitutes prima facie evidence of proper service (see State of New York v. Walker, 224 AD3d 1368, 1370 [4th Dept 2024]). The process server’s affidavit, however, “fail[ed] to demonstrate the requisite due diligence” (Interboro Ins. Co., 129 AD3d 1689; see Matter of Kader v. Kader, 132 AD3d 1376, 1377 [4th Dept 2015]). We therefore conclude that the court erred in denying those parts of the motion seeking to vacate the default judgment and to dismiss the complaint against Justin, and we modify the order accordingly (see Hallston Manor Farm, LLC v. Andrew, 60 AD3d 1330, 1331 [4th Dept 2009]; see also Alostar Bank of Commerce v. Sanoian, 153 AD3d 1659, 1660-1661 [4th Dept 2017]). Contrary to defendants’ contention, we conclude that defendant Piersma & Son Contracting, LLC was properly served pursuant to Limited Liability Company Law § 303 and that it did not establish a reasonable excuse for the default (see Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Dysinger, 149 AD3d 1551, 1552 [4th Dept 2017]; see also Butchello v. Terhaar, 176 AD3d 1579, 1580 [4th Dept 2019]). Thus, the court properly denied that part of the motion seeking to vacate the default judgment against that defendant (see generally CPLR 5015).

 
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 ›