Brian Lee

Brian Lee

Brian Lee is an Albany-based litigation reporter for the New York Law Journal. He has worked at daily newspapers in Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @bleereporter

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December 23, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Veto Preserves Ban on Jury Service by Persons With Felony Convictions in New York

Gov. Kathy Hochul's veto shifts focus back to the New York Civil Liberties Union's federal class action that seeks to lift the lifetime ban on jury duty for convicted felons.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read

December 23, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Hochul Vetoes 'Grieving Families' Bill, Faulting a Lack of Changes to Suit Her Concerns

A bill sponsor, Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, D-Manhattan, indicated he will continue to advocate for the proposal in Albany, even after its third veto. The measure aims to modernize New York's 177-year-old wrongful death statute.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

December 20, 2024 | New York Law Journal

NY Firm's Amicus Brief Asks for Corporate Transparency Act to Remain on Pause

Couch White, a regional law firm based in Albany, New York, has filed a nuanced amicus brief that asks a Texas federal court to keep in place a stay of the Corporate Transparency Act, which imposes a Jan. 1 deadline for businesses to file reports of their Beneficial Ownership Information.

By Brian Lee

6 minute read

December 20, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Suspended NY Judge Who Threatened to Shoot Black Party Crashers Says She Won't Fight Removal

State Supreme Court Justice Erin Gall of Oneida County said through motion papers she’s no longer opposing the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct’s recommendation for the state’s top court to remove her.

By Brian Lee

6 minute read

December 19, 2024 | New York Law Journal

California Petitioner Vies for Federal Injunction on New York's Cannabis Licensing Process

Advocates sparred over whether the Constitution's dormant Commerce Clause applied to the cannabis industry, even though the federal government has not recognized an interstate market.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

December 19, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Cuomo Intends to File Defamation Claim Against Sexual Harassment Accuser

A former health policy aide who accused the ex-governor of sexual harassment has ended her federal case. But lawyers for Andrew Cuomo have filed notice of a defamation claim. Charlotte Bennett's lawyer, however, said such a case would have no merit.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

December 19, 2024 | New York Law Journal

NY Civil Liberties Legal Director Stepping Down After Lengthy Tenure

Christopher Dunn oversaw litigation that confronted the Giuliani administration’s crackdown on dissent, and improved due process in the immigration system in New York, among other achievements.

By Brian Lee

2 minute read

December 18, 2024 | New York Law Journal

New York State Bar Outlines 2025 Legislative Priorities, Aiming for Fairness, Equity

Right-to-counsel measures for children, families and immigrants are at the top of the legislative agenda for the New York State Bar Association in 2025.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read

December 17, 2024 | New York Law Journal

App Allowing Public to Suggest Road Fixes Creates 'Prior Written Notice', NY Top Court Says

The "SeeClickFix" app and similar technology that New York municipalities offer to allow the public to suggest road fixes, serves as prior written notice, according to a 7-0 Court of Appeals ruling issued Tuesday. The decision allows an injured motorcyclist's negligence claim against the City of Albany to proceed. Five large cities in central and western NY that are using the technology say the decision puts them on the hook for greater liability.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

December 17, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Proposed NY Regulation Targets Nonbanks' Equity in Mortgage Lending

A proposed regulation aims to assess nonbank mortgage lenders' equity in underserved communities, the New York State Department of Financial Services said.

By Brian Lee

2 minute read