Account

Sign in to access your account and subscription

When Sympathy Trumps Contractual Rights

Is "equity" more powerful than enforcing the terms of a renewal lease option in a lease between two sophisticated business entities? In <i>135 East 57th Street LLC v. Daffy's Inc.</i>, the Appellate Division, First Department, signaled that it is.

10 minute read February 27, 2012 at 04:20 PM
By
Jeffrey R. Metz And Adam Leitman Bailey
When Sympathy Trumps Contractual Rights

Two decades ago, New York courts allowed equity to trump the law and case precedents in many of its commercial leasing decisions. During the new millennium, the pendulum swung back to enforcing contracts and leases as they have been written, no matter how painful and obtrusive the result.

This premium content is locked for LawJournalNewsletters subscribers only

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE SINGLE SOURCE OF OBJECTIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS, PRACTICAL INSIGHTS, AND NEWS IN LawJournalNewsletters

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

Already have an account? Sign In Now

For enterprise-wide or corporate access, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or call 1-877-256-2473.

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2026 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Continue Reading

Adverse Possessor Provided Insufficient Evidence to Support TackingTown’s Installation of Guardrails Did Not Constitute a TakingMortgagee Entitled to Deficiency JudgmentLandowner Adequately Alleged Trespass During Renovation

September 01, 2026

How can legal teams move fast, reduce costs, and handle greater volumes of information? AI has rapidly become the de facto answer. But beneath the enthusiasm for AI, how are practitioners actually using AI-driven tools — and what are they learning as adoption shifts from experimentation to daily operations?

September 01, 2026

Notice of Pendency Provided Constructive Notice to Foreclosure Sale Purchaser

September 01, 2026