Posts in Category ‘Commercial Litigation’

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Representing the New York City Council, ECBAWM Obtains Temporary Halt to Two Bridges Development

On June 5, 2019, New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron extended a temporary restraining order blocking the construction of a development project in the Two Bridges neighborhood in Manhattan. The City Council, represented by ECBAWM, and the Manhattan Borough President sued the City’s development agencies for avoiding the public land use review process, known as ULURP, which requires final approval by the City Council. ECBAWM attorneys Andrew G. Celli Jr., Debbie Greenberger, and David Berman represent the New York City Council.

“Judge slams city lawyers pushing new Two Bridges high-rise buildings,” New York Post
“Judge Grants Temporary Halt On Two Bridges Mega Development After Hearing Three Lawsuits,” Gothamist,
“Judge puts a stop to Two Bridges developments — for now,” The Real Deal
“Two Bridges Foes Win a Round in Suit Over Mayoral Power,” City Limits

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ECBAWM Sues on Behalf of Community Organization and the Municipal Art Society to Halt Construction of Mega-Tower on Gerrymandered Zoning Lot

On April 25, 2018, ECBAWM filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Committee for Environmentally Sound Development and the Municipal Art Society of New York seeking to halt the unlawful construction of a 668-foot residential mega-tower at 200 Amsterdam Avenue which, if completed, would be grossly out of character with the neighborhood and cast long shadows. The lawsuit alleges that the zoning lot upon which the mega-tower would sit—the only justification for the tower’s height—was cobbled together using partial tax lots, in violation of the New York City Zoning Resolution.

On May 14, 2018, plaintiffs secured their first legal victory in the case, obtaining a Stipulation and Order from the Court preventing the developer from using its continued construction efforts to argue that its rights have “vested” – that is, that construction has progressed to the point that the project can no longer be halted. The developer continues work now at its own peril while the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals decides the pending administrative appeal.

The plaintiffs are represented by ECBAWM attorneys Richard D. Emery, Katherine Rosenfeld, and Ashok Chandran.

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Federal Court Orders Law Firm to Produce Documents Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1782

A federal district judge has ordered the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP to disclose documents in response to an ECBAWM client’s request to obtain discovery in aid of foreign proceedings under 28 U.S.C. § 1782. The subpoena sought documents for use in open and contemplated proceedings in the British Virgin Islands concerning a dispute over the ownership and management of Future Media Architects, Inc. The decision further clarifies that a law firm may be required to produce documents in aid of a foreign proceeding that involves one of its clients if discovery is not available from that client directly. The applicant was represented by ECBAWM attorneys O. Andrew F. Wilson and Ashok Chandran.

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ECBAWM, Barry Diller, and Andrew Cuomo Agree to Deal on Diller Island Construction Project

On October 25, 2017, Governor Andrew Cuomo, ECBAWM founder Richard Emery, and Barry Diller announced an agreement that would revive the construction of Diller Island, a performing arts center off of Pier 55 in the Hudson River. In response to the new agreement, Richard Emery stated: “On behalf of the plaintiffs City Club, Tom Fox and Rob Buchanan, the completion of Hudson River Park and the protection of the Estuary have always been of utmost importance to the entire environmental, civic and preservation community. Today’s historic commitment by Governor Cuomo to finish the Park and protect the Estuary is a great victory for park users and all New Yorkers. In that spirit, we will not litigate against Pier 55 and will work with the Governor to realize his visionary plan for completion of the Hudson River Park and for protection of the Hudson River.”

“Diller Island’ Is Back From the Dead,” New York Times
“Diller’s Floating Hudson River Park Is Back On Again,” New York Law Journal

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Second Circuit Affirms Subpoena in Worldwide Art Dispute

A federal appellate court has upheld ECBAWM’s clients’ request to obtain discovery in aid of foreign proceedings under 28 U.S.C. §1782. In a victory that further defines the contours of the statute, the decision holds for the first time in the Second Circuit that (1) a victim complainant can obtain documents for use in a foreign criminal prosecution, regardless of whether the victim is seeking reparations; and (2) documents obtained for use in one foreign proceeding may be used in other foreign proceedings, absent a contrary court order from the §1782 court. The applicants were represented by ECBAWM attorneys Dan Kornstein, O. Andrew F. Wilson, and Doug Lieb.

A full copy of the decision can be found here.

Read more about the underlying dispute in a profile published in the New Yorker.

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Federal Court Halts Construction on Pier 55

On behalf of clients The City Club of New York, Robert Buchanan, and Tom Fox, ECBAWM won a victory in federal district court against “Pier 55,” a proposed island performance venue in the Hudson River in Manhattan. The court ruled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was wrong to issue a permit for the project under the Clean Water Act because the project did not need to be built in a waterway to achieve its most important goals. Construction has now been halted. The court’s decision was covered by the New York Times, New York Daily News, and Curbed, among others. ECBAWM lawyers Richard Emery, Elizabeth Saylor, and Doug Lieb represent the City Club and the other petitioners. Read more about ECBAWM’s work on this project here and here.

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Objecting Merchants Win as Second Circuit Vacates Class Action Settlement for Visa/Mastercard Interchange “Swipe” Fees

On June 30, 2016, the Second Circuit reversed the District Court’s approval of a class-action settlement concerning the fees Visa and Mastercard charge merchants for accepting credit cards.  ECBAWM represents the leading merchant trade groups that objected to the settlement, The National Retail Federation and Retail Industry Leaders Association. ECBAWM attorneys Andrew G. Celli, Jr. and Debra L. Greenberger wrote one of the two primary objecting merchant appeals briefs; Mr. Celli and ECBA attorney Diane Houk handled the case in the District Court.

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Appeals Court Blocks Construction of “Diller Island” Project

The Appellate Division, First Department granted a preliminary injunction today halting construction of the controversial $130 million Pier 55 project on the West Side of Manhattan until it rules on whether the project is lawful. Work crews began pre-construction work on the 2.7-acre landscaped island yesterday and were to begin placing concrete pilings on July 5.

ECBAWM represents The City Club of New York, Tom Fox, and Robert Buchanan in several actions to challenge the project. Petitioners contend that the project fails to comply with the Hudson River Park Act, and that the environmental review process was inadequate under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.  Richard D. Emery, a partner at ECBAWM, said: “This project is illegal because the Hudson River Park Trust cut corners, deceived the Legislature, and gave away public parkland to a private entity without the proper checks and balances. Today’s decision confirms that Diller Island would cause irreparable harm to the Hudson River and to the public, and that we are likely to succeed in stopping it for good.”

In issuing the preliminary injunction, the Appellate Division made an initial, and tentative, determination that petitioners are likely to succeed on the merits; that petitioners and the public will likely suffer irreparable harm if the injunction is not granted; and that the balance of equities tips in petitioners’ favor.

Petitioners are represented by Richard D. Emery, Elizabeth S. Saylor, and Doug Lieb.

Read coverage of the injunction in The New York Times, Crain’s, the New York Daily News and the Village Voice.

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Famed Sculptor Wins Summary Judgment Against Designer Who Destroyed Artwork

On June 13, 2016, Judge Ostrager of the New York Supreme Court ruled that interior designer Inson Wood and his company were liable for the destruction of three marble sculptures made by famed sculptor Edwina Sandys. Ms. Sandys loaned the sculptures to Mr. Wood for display and sale at the Waterfall Mansion, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Months later, her sculptures were returned to her shattered into pieces. After Mr. Wood refused to reimburse her for the broken sculptures, Ms. Sandys sued him and others on claims of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and negligence, among other charges. A trial on the other issues and other parties will be held in September.

Ms. Sandys is represented by ECBAWM attorneys Dan Kornstein and Ali Frick.

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Former Law Firm Partners Held Not Personally Liable for Future Office Rent

In a widely watched case, a Manhattan judge ruled on April 1, 2016, that former partners cannot be held personally liable for the remainder of the office lease of Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, which had filed for bankruptcy in 2012. The landlord had sued hundreds of former partners of the law firm and its Dewey Ballantine predecessors to hold them individually liable for rent until the office lease expired in 2020 — up to $220 million. The court granted motions to dismiss the lawsuit based on the language of the lease and the criteria for personal liability of partners in a limited partnership. The decision is important for the lease obligations of law firm partners.

ECBAWM partner Dan Kornstein successfully represented 44 former Dewey Ballantine partners in the case.

 

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