Plaintiff is involved in an assault and battery, and then spends the next umpteen years litigating the case, suing his attorney, relitigating the case, suing the police department, suing his attorney once again. It all ends in his being enjoined from suing again without court approval. Only in a pro-se world could this happen.
InBanushi v Epstein ;2012 NY Slip Op 30123(U); ; January 11, 2012; Sup Ct, NY County; Docket Number: 402693/10; Judge: Doris Ling-Cohan
"In May, 1998, Banushi hired Epstein to litigate a case that was already in progress. The case was based on Banushi’s allegations that he had been assaulted and battered ("the assault case"). At least six (6) cases have been commenced by Banushi related to such alleged assault/battery, including his claims based upon the alleged lack of effective legal representation that he received in litigating the assault case and not including a disciplinary complaint filed against defendants which was dismissed.
Epstein proceeded to represent Banushi in the assault case. the relationship between client and attorney did not fare well, resulting in Epstein filing a motion to withdraw as counsel, which was granted, prior to the case going to trial.
Epstein alleges that the assault case was ready for trial when he withdrew and that he believes Banushi did not retain new counsel and tried the assault case pro se. After trial, a verdict was rendered in favor of the defendants. Banushi appealed the verdict, which was affirmed and he was denied leave to appeal that decision Court of Appeals. In 2001, Banushi brought an action for legal malpractice against Epstein in Civil Court Kings County (“the 2001 case”), which resulted in a trial and a judgment in Epstein’s favor. In 2003, Banushi lodged a complaint against Epstein with the Disciplinary Committee, First Department which, according to Epstein, was summarily dismissed. In 2006, in the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, Banushi! the City of New York and a New York City police officer alleging that the New York City Police Department
(NYPD) failed to provide him with a proper report of the assault, thus ability to litigate the assault case. The court determined that the federal and state were time barred and granted summary judgment dismissing the claims.
Thus, defendants’ motion to dismiss is granted and the cross motion to further amend the complaint is denied. The balance of Epstein’s motion is denied, except that Banushi is enjoined from commencing any further lawsuits or making any motions, unless he is represented by counsel if unrepresented, without prior court approval and a copy of this decision shall be provide
such application (see Sibersky v Winters, 42 AD3d 402,404 [lst’ Dept 2007).