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 06, 2024 | New York Law Journal

On Governor's Desk: NY 'Death Gamble' Bill That Seeks to Correct Pension Anomaly for Judges

Legislation meant to enable a sitting New York judge’s family to receive state-paid death benefits is on Gov. Kathy Hochul's desk, with a Dec. 13 deadline for her to either sign or veto the measure.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read

December 05, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Reported Refusal to Officiate Gay Wedding Prompts Review by NY Judicial Misconduct Watchdog

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul joined a procession of state and local officials criticizing Syracuse City Court Judge Felicia Pitts Davis, who reportedly declined to marry two women after she officiated the wedding of a heterosexual couple on Nov. 16, according to reporting by the Syracuse Post Standard.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

December 05, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Judicial Leadership Changes Announced in Four NYC Boroughs

Family court judicial leadership has shuffled across four New York City boroughs.

By Brian Lee

1 minute read

December 05, 2024 | New York Law Journal

NY Judicial Watchdog: Westchester County Trial Court Judge Tried to Interfere in Divorce Case on Behalf of Friend's Law Firm

State Supreme Court Justice Lewis Lubell of Westchester County agreed to be admonished for trying to have a court attorney removed from a matrimonial case to serve the interest of his friend, Mitchell Lieberman, a founding partner in Lieberman & Lieberman, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct said in a 10-0 decision.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

December 03, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Public Interest Lawyers in NY Fear Rollback of Federal Loan Assistance in '25, Ask Gov. to Add $4M to State Program

Concerned about rollback of federal loan assistance in 2025 by incoming President Donald Trump, 37 New York DA offices, public defender organizations and unions are asking Gov. Kathy Hochul for $4 million in fiscal 2026 for a "modest expansion" of the District Attorney and Indigent Legal Services Attorney Loan Forgiveness program.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read

December 02, 2024 | New York Law Journal

NY Court Leaders Ask for 10% Judiciary Budget Increase

New York's proposed $3 billion, 2026 judiciary budget asks for a $268 million increase to maintain operations, meet required obligations and continue advances in this year's budget and to improve case processing, address backlogs and continue expansion of access-to-justice programs statewide.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read

November 27, 2024 | New York Law Journal

NY Appellate Panel Cites Student's Disciplinary History While Sending Negligence Claim Against School District to Trial

The Appellate Division, Third Department’s 5-0 ruling, a sweeping reversal of a lower court ruling, addressed how the South Glens Falls Central School District and others can be held liable for a student's foreseeable injuries that are proximate to inadequate supervision.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read

November 26, 2024 | New York Law Journal

NY High Court Returns Fired Priest's Discrimination Claim to State Agency

A fired priest’s hostile work environment claim against the Diocese of Buffalo has been remanded to a New York administrative agency that had previously determined that it lacked jurisdiction to investigate based on a ministerial exception to employment discrimination claims.

By Brian Lee

4 minute read

November 25, 2024 | New York Law Journal

GEICO, Travelers to Pay NY $11.3M for Cybersecurity Breaches

A joint New York investigation uncovered deficiencies in auto insurance companies GEICO and The Travelers Indemnity Co.'s cybersecurity controls.

By Brian Lee

2 minute read

November 25, 2024 | New York Law Journal

New York Top Court Says Clickwrap Assent Binds Plaintiff's Personal-Injury Claim to Arbitration in Uber Case

The New York Court of Appeals sided with Uber Technologies on Monday, sending a personal-injury claim to arbitration after the plaintiff mistakenly assented to the forum on a clickwrap.

By Brian Lee

5 minute read