In the bustling world of New York commerce and personal agreements, contracts are the lifeblood that formalizes trust and defines expectations. But what happens when that trust is broken, and a promise is unfulfilled? This is where the legal concept of breach of contract comes into play. A breach of contract claim is a common…
Read More Broken Promises: Understanding Breach of Contract in New YorkIn Duff v. Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld LLC, No. 659884/2024, 2025 WL 1907934, 2025 N.Y. Slip Op. 32619(U) (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County July 10, 2025), the court held that plaintiff did not have a viable breach of contract claim – in light of his “at will” employment status – his age discrimination claims…
Read More At-Will Employee Fails to State Breach of Contract Claim, But Age Discrimination Claims SurviveIn Delaney v. New York City Health & Hosps., 2024 NY Slip Op 32769(U), Index No. 525072/2021 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. Kings Cty. August 2, 2024), the court, inter alia, denied defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s claims of gender and race discrimination asserted under the New York State Human Rights Law. Plaintiff’s allegations included the following:…
Read More Race, Sex Discrimination Claims Sufficiently Alleged Against NYC Health & HospitalsIn 14 Street Medical, P.C. v. Khan, No. 152388/2023, 2023 WL 7924835 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Nov. 16, 2023), the court, inter alia, granted the defendant’s (here, the employee, sued for breach of contract) counterclaim for “constructive discharge” under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws. In sum, the plaintiff (a…
Read More Constructive Discharge Claims Dismissed; Alleged “Unpleasant” and “Difficult” Working Conditions Were InsufficientIn Caputo v. Iesi NY Corp., No. 150594/2018, 2023 WL 5167701 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Aug. 11, 2023), the court held that summary judgment was inappropriate on plaintiff’s claims of discrimination and retaliation. From the decision: Here, issues of fact preclude summary judgment on all claims related to discrimination and retaliation. Plaintiff and…
Read More Summary Judgment on Disability Discrimination, Retaliation Claims Not Warranted in Light of Conflicting Interpretations of EvidenceIn Christmas House USA, Inc. v. Christmasland Experience LLC et al, No. 22 CV 7691 (GRB), 2022 WL 17852025 (E.D.N.Y. Dec. 22, 2022), the court considered claims of trade secrets misappropriation, trademark infringement, breach of contract and tortious interference with business relationships. The plaintiff, which operates “a fully immersive Christmas-themed experience,” asserts such claims against…
Read More Christmas Business’ Injunction Request DeniedYou may have heard about Netflix’s docuseries, “Pepsi, Where’s My Jet?”, an entertaining exploration of the backstory behind John Leonard’s mid-1990’s attempt to trade in 7 million “Pepsi Points” that he had acquired for a Harrier jet allegedly offered by the company in its disclaimer-less commercial. It’s a fascinating story that culminates in (spoiler alert)…
Read More Leonard v. PepsiCo: No Jet For YouIn Simons v. Lee Litigation Group, PLLC et al, No. 151692/2020, 2021 WL 3624940 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Aug. 12, 2021), the court granted plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment against the defendants for breach of contract (settlement agreement). In sum, the parties reached a settlement, the terms of which were memorialized in a…
Read More Settlement Agreement Enforced, Notwithstanding FLSA Provision in Generic Release ProvisionOrdinarily on this blog I write about substantive and procedural legal issues arising in employment and personal injury litigation. But recently, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a decision (more precisely, a “Summary Order”) that is instructive on an issue that potentially arises in litigation of all types, namely, the interpretation…
Read More Second Circuit: “As Of”, in Settlement Agreement, Means “On”A recent case, Lord v. Limited Liab. Co., 2021 NY Slip Op 50512(U) (NY Sup. Ct. Westchester County June 2, 2021), involves a scenario that is increasingly commonplace in light of the COVID-based lockdowns beginning in 2020: patrons enter into a contract with a venue/caterer to provide the location, catering, staff, etc. for an event;…
Read More COVID Refund Due to Bat Mitzvah Client Per Catering Contract, Court Rules