Civil Law

Broker Entitled to Commission if Seller Thwarted the Transaction to Avoid Paying the Commission

On May 13, 2025, the First Department issued a decision in Picken v. RN Realty LLC, 2025 NY Slip Op. 02888, holding that a real estate broker was entitled to a commission if the seller thwarted the transaction in order to avoid paying the commission, explaining:

This long-running litigation arises from a dispute as to whether plaintiff, a licensed real estate broker, is entitled to a brokerage commission fee from the seller even though the parties did not have

… Read the rest
Civil Law

Are Restaurants, Bars and Other Businesses Entitled to Insurance Coverage for Covid/Pandemic Shutdowns?

Like many lawyers with expertise in insurance coverage, I was immediately contacted after the pandemic hit by business owners – often restaurant and bar owners – about seeking business interruption coverage under their insurance policies. My usual conclusion was that you could at least submit a claim and see what happens, but that, unless you had particularly deep pockets and/or large losses, I didn’t suggest bringing suit. My advice was based on two points: first, that recovering insurance benefits under … Read the rest