While theft by an attorney may be many things, it is questionable whether it might be called legal malpractice.  In B & R Consol., L.L.C. v Zurich Am. Ins. Co. 2011 NY Slip Op 51142(U) ; Decided on June 22, 2011 ; Supreme Court, Nassau County ; DeStefano, J. we see an upside-down mirror image…

In Crawford v Himmelstein ; 2011 NY Slip Op 31669(U); June 20, 2011; Supreme Court, New York County; Docket Number: 115432/10; Judge: Donna M. Mills we see a straightforward analysis of a typical legal malpractice case.  Client is being pursued by landlord to give up three apartments, on the basis of owner-personal use.  (Put aside…

Sometimes the critics are right.  Legal malpractice cases are sometimes simply a reflex and are brought because the attorney is the last person standing.  Carr v Hayes; 2011 NY Slip Op 31655(U); June 17, 2011; Supreme Court, New York County ;Docket Number: 104602-10;
Judge: Saliann Scarpulla appears to be such a case.

"Carr commenced…

The short answer is No.  The longer answer, and an explanation is found in Jean-Baptiste v The Law Firm of Kennth B. Mock; 2011 NY Slip Op 31540(U) ;May 26, 2011; Sup Ct, Nassau County
Docket Number: 20409/10 ;Judge: Antonio I. Brandveen.

"[T]the Second Deparment holds: "(a) plaintiff is not obligated to show…

How many ways might a simple house sale contract go wrong?  Aromino v Van Tassel ;  2011 NY Slip Op 51058(U) ; Decided on June 6, 2011 ; Civil Court Of The City Of New York, Richmond County ; Straniere, J. points out a plethora.
 

Plaintiffs contract to buy a house, and give a…

Judiciary Law 487 is an attorney related statute that derives from one of the oldest English laws, carried over to New York statutes.  It is over 700 years old, in its earliest version.  inBaker, Sanders, Barshay, Grossman, Fass, Muhlstock & Neuworth, LLC v Comprehensive
 Mental Assessment & Medical Care, P.C.; 2011 NY Slip…

In this case, Plaintiff made such a persuasive argument that Supreme Court granted summary judgment and the AD affirmed.  Failing to tell a client about title problems is legal malpractice, says the AD in Ehrenhalt v Kinder ; 2011 NY Slip Op 05194 ; Decided on June 16, 2011 ; Appellate Division, First Department . 
 …

T&V Constr., Inc. v Margolin; 2011 NY Slip Op 31598(U); June 3, 2011; Sup Ct, Nassau County
Docket Number: 0834/08 ;Judge: Anthony L. Parga demonstrates that no good deed goes unpunished.  In short, after getting divorced, plaintiff is told that his ex can’t pay the mortgage on the old marital home.  He has his…