Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures. And we're certainly in unprecedented times. With the spread of COVID-19 growing exponentially each day, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks, and the entire courts system have decided to take unprecedented action to limit in-court proceedings to only those essential for the administration of justice. All... Continue Reading →
The Appellate Division Adopts New Uniform Rules of Practice Effective September 17, 2018
Under New York's unique court structure, the Appellate Division is supposed to be a single statewide intermediate appellate court, broken into four different departments, where most appeals from the decisions of the trial court are finally resolved. But up until now, the four departments have functioned largely independently with rules of practice and customs unique... Continue Reading →
Are Women Getting a Better Chance to Argue in State Appellate Courts? A Deeper Look at the Numbers Reveals a Troubling Trend in New York
A little less than three years ago, following the in depth look that Adam Feldman took at how infrequently women were getting the chance to argue at the Supreme Court, I took a look at how they were faring at the New York Court of Appeals. Examining the data from the 2016 arguments before the... Continue Reading →
New York Daily Fantasy Sports Suit: State’s Appeal as of Right to the Court of Appeals Lets the Games Continue, For Now
After the Appellate Division, Third Department declared virtually the entire 2016 Interactive Fantasy Sports Law that had authorized daily fantasy sports games in the New York unconstitutional, it wasn't long before the State appealed the decision to the Court of Appeals. Doing so imposes an automatic stay of enforcement of the Third Department's order, which... Continue Reading →
New York Daily Fantasy Sports Suit: Appellate Division, Third Department Holds the Entire Interactive Fantasy Sports Law Unconstitutional
Daily fantasy sports may not be long for New York. Article I, § 9 of the New York Constitution bans gambling, plain and simple. That includes, lotteries, pool selling, book making, and "any other form of gambling." Now, the Appellate Division, Third Department has added DFS to that list of banned games, affirming a trial court... Continue Reading →
Court of Appeals Leave Grants for September-December Decision Days 2019
Happy New Year! It's now 2020 and the Court of Appeals is back in session. It's time to check in on the cases in which the Court of Appeals has granted leave to appeal from the beginning of the 2019-2020 term. September 2019 Session Daniels v New York City Transit Authority, 171 AD3d 601 (1st Dept... Continue Reading →
Zervos v Trump Heads to the Court of Appeals to Decide Whether the Supremacy Clause Precludes State Courts From Exercising Jurisdiction Over a Sitting President
Ten months after the First Department held that the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution does not divest state courts of jurisdiction over a state law case against a sitting President, the First Department has granted President Trump leave to appeal to bring that question of first impression in New York to the Court... Continue Reading →
New York Daily Fantasy Sports Suit: The Third Department Hears Oral Argument on Whether DFS is Prohibited Gambling
Oral argument of an appeal is often an appellate attorney's most fun moment in a case. You've labored over lengthy briefs on the issues at hand, thought about how you want the appellate court to decide your case, and pored over the briefs and record for hours creating an iron clad argument that will tip... Continue Reading →
New York Daily Fantasy Sports Suit: What Happens When an Amicus Isn’t Actually a Friend of the Court
It isn't often that New York appellate courts deny someone the right to submit an amicus brief in a pending appeal. It happens, but it's rare. In fact, the only time that I remember seeing a New York appellate court turn away a proposed amicus brief was when the proposed amicus had a direct financial... Continue Reading →
New York Daily Fantasy Sports Suit: The Amici Bring an Interesting Twist to Whether DFS Violates the NY Constitution’s Ban on Gambling
The State and the Plaintiffs aren't the only ones who want to be heard on whether the New York Interactive Fantasy Sports Law violates New York's constitutional ban on gambling. And New York courts are happy to hear their opinions. In White v Cuomo, three parties have sought and been granted leave to file amici... Continue Reading →
