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How the Kasowitz Decision Puts Attorney Fee Provisions in Proprietary Leases on Shaky Ground
A bedrock of living in a New York City co-op has been the notion that a tenant/shareholder who breaches their proprietary lease or drags their building into expensive and protracted litigation will be responsible for reimbursing the co-op corporation for the expenses incurred as a result of the breach, including the corporation’s reasonable attorneys’ fees. Indeed, over the years, recalcitrant shareholders have been required to reimburse their co-ops hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees due to their failure to abide by their contractual obligations and, in some instances, acting as “litigation terrorists.”
The obligation to reimburse the “Lessor’s expenses” is contained in all proprietary leases and trumps the general concept in American jurisprudence that the parties to a dispute each bear the burden of paying their own legal fees. However, a recent decision from the Appellate Division, First Department (which has jurisdiction over Manhattan and the Bronx), has thrown this well-established concept into flux.
New York's Latest Cybersecurity Commitment
On Aug. 9, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced New York's inaugural comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. In sum, the plan aims to update government networks, bolster county-level digital defenses, and regulate critical infrastructure.
Law Firms are Reducing Redundant Real Estate by Bringing Support Services Back to the Office
A trend analysis of the benefits and challenges of bringing back administrative, word processing and billing services to law offices.
Bit Parts
Summary Judgment Denied Defendant in Declaratory Action by Producer of To Kill a Mockingbird Broadway Play Seeking Amateur Theatrical Rights
How AI Has Affected PR
When we consider how the use of AI affects legal PR and communications, we have to look at it as an industrywide global phenomenon. A recent online conference provided an overview of the latest AI trends in public relations, and specifically, the impact of AI on communications. Here are some of the key points and takeaways from several of the speakers, who provided current best practices, tips, concerns and case studies.