In the email, Shifrin stated that the Surrogate had asked him to advise counsel that the court had decided to sever the cross motion to appoint a receiver and that opposition to the cross motion was not presently required. Div. Date published: Feb 13, 2020. While no medical testimony or documentation was provided, and the{**182 AD3d at 48} Surrogate's Court might well have denied the withdrawal motion for that reason (see Matter of Plaro Estates, Inc. v Assessor, 101 AD3d 886, 888 [2012]; Winney v County of Saratoga, 252 AD2d at 883), or requested the submission of supporting medical documentation, the court evidently was satisfied that Reppert's condition was serious and substantial, as evidenced by its unchallenged finding that Reppert was unable to continue with the representation. On April 15, 2016, having received no further word from the court, Kelly wrote a letter to Surrogate Reilly, with an emailed copy to Keller and to other counsel, "to respectfully inquire as to the status of our firm's motion to withdraw as counsel for Petitioner in the above-referenced accounting proceeding.". Second, a person is aggrieved when someone asks for relief against him or her, which the person opposes, and the relief is granted in whole or in part" (Mixon v TBV, Inc., 76 AD3d 144, 156-157 [2010] [emphasis and footnotes omitted]). Marianne voluntarily made a pro se motion on June 28, 2016, seeking to amend the order dated November 5, 2015, sustaining certain objections to Marianne's account and to vacate certain transcripts of judgments. They urged that for CPLR 321 (c) to apply based on a party's attorney's mental or physical incompetency, the attorney's withdrawal application had to be supported by medical proof to substantiate the attorney's condition. Telmark is instructive in several respects. Indeed, CPLR 321 (c) provides that the "removal" of the attorney of record brings about a stay, without regard to whether the removal was with or without the client's consent. Marianne contends that the order dated March 14, 2016, permitting RK to withdraw in the accounting proceeding was not "release[d] to the parties until it was faxed to [Kelly] more than two months later, on May 23, 2016. On the other hand, it may be fairly said that the conduct of the conference on March 2, 2016, contravened the spirit of the stays imposed by the February 16, 2016 orders and that proceeding with the conference at that time was unwise. at 842). Marianne Nestor Cassini Court: SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department Date published: Feb 13, WebAPPEAL by the petitioner, Marianne Nestor Cassini, the former executor of the estate of Oleg Cassini, in a probate proceeding in which she petitioned for judicial settlement of The conduct of such proceedings contravened the terms of the March 14, 2016 order, providing for a 30-day stay of proceedings in the accounting proceeding as of the date of the order. The case In a probate proceeding in which Marianne Nestor Cassini, the former executor of the estate of Oleg Cassini, petitioned for judicial settlement of her The statements by Reppert and Kaplan made in affirmations submitted in support of the withdrawal motions are evidence that Reppert was unable to effectively continue with the representation of Marianne. The protection of the statute is confined to causes which, as to the client, may be said to arise from a force majeure or one over which the client has no control (see id.). Harper responded by letter dated January 7, 2016, to oppose Kelly's request. 2020) 120 N.Y.S.3d 103. ", In opposition, the objectants assert that CPLR 321 (c) does not apply to the situation at hand because RK and Sills Cummis moved for leave to withdraw under CPLR 321 (b) (2) and there is no evidence that any force majeure event occurred which would have triggered the application of CPLR 321 (c). Meanwhile, Daria died in 2010, and Christina, the sole distributee of Daria's estate, was appointed to serve as the administrator of Daria's estate. By order dated July 1, 2016, the Surrogate's Court, in effect, granted the objectants' cross motion to appoint a receiver, and appointed Rosalia Baiamonte of Gassman, Baiamonte & Betts, P.C., as receiver. Marianne claimed that she was told that the next court appearance would be on June 8, 2016. According to the decision after trial, the trial took place on July 25, 26, and 27, 2016. B230315]); in litigation she commenced in New York County, alleging defamation "based on allegedly false and {**182 AD3d at 54}disparaging statements in an article published in the September 2010 issue of Vanity Fair (Cassini Royale) that reports on plaintiff's secret marriage to the late designer, Oleg Cassini, and her conduct in litigation concerning his estate" (Cassini v Advance Publs., Inc., 125 AD3d 467, 468 [2015], affg 41 Misc 3d 1202[A], 2013 NY Slip Op 51553[U] [Sup Ct, NY County 2013] [affirming order granting defendants' motion to dismiss complaint and denying plaintiff's cross motion pursuant to CPLR 306-b for an extension of time to serve]); and in litigation she commenced alleging legal malpractice against the estate's former attorneys (see Nestor v Putney Twombly Hall & Hirson, LLP, 153 AD3d 840 [2017]). The disability of the attorney of record is also within the purview of CPLR 321 (c), whether that disability be mental or physical (see Winney v County of Saratoga, 252 AD2d 882, 883 [1998]). Reppert's medical condition, which deteriorated well after he began representing Marianne in lengthy, protracted proceedings, was a cause over which Marianne had no control and was not due to fault on her part. . The March 14, 2016 order, granting RK's withdrawal from representing Marianne in the accounting proceeding, did not explicitly state that Marianne had to find new counsel. Likewise, while Marianne, on or about June 17, 2016, executed an affidavit in opposition to the objectants' motion to preclude evidence in the accounting proceeding, this affidavit was submitted under compulsion of the June 9, 2016 order and cannot be considered a voluntary election to appear pro se. On a prior appeal, this Court held, in part, that "[a]s the Surrogate's Court essentially and correctly determined, [Christina] established, prima facie, that the decedent's obligation [under the PSA], which merged with the final judgment of divorce, was enforceable as part of that judgment, and that the final judgment was never modified, vacated, or reversed" (id. Either way, the stay attaches, but subject to the court's authority to vary it in appropriate cases. The record does not disclose what, if anything, occurred as the result of the March 2, 2016 conference. John Barnosky, pro se, and Farrel Fritz, Uniondale (Robert Harper of counsel), for John Barnosky and others, objectants-respondents. Get free summaries of new New York Appellate Division, Second Department opinions delivered to your inbox! Marianne did not contend in her motion that she was compelled to make it pro se. In his letter, Kelly contended, in essence, that the 30-day stay provided in the March 14, 2016 order had elapsed before he had even known about the order and requested that the court direct that a 30-day stay commence as of May 23, 2016, the day he received the order. By order dated the following day, March 3, 2016, the Surrogate's Court granted Sills Cummis's withdrawal motion in the accounting proceeding. The objectants argue that CPLR 321 (c) does not apply because there was no force majeure and there is no evidence that Reppert was effectively prevented from practicing law. Harper, in a subsequent affirmation, claimed that "[a]lthough yet another conference was scheduled for April 6, 2016, neither Marianne, nor her attorneys appeared in Court." By letter dated July 8, 2015, Reppert informed the Surrogate's Court and the other parties that he had to undergo surgery and it would be physically impossible for him to prepare for, and proceed with, the trial as scheduled. In 1952, the decedent and his then-wife Gene Tierney entered into a "Property Settlement Agreement" (hereinafter the PSA) that was incorporated by reference into a California final judgment of divorce entered April 7, 1953. In light of our determination, we need not reach the objectants' remaining contentions. Christina petitioned pursuant to SCPA 1809 to determine the validity of her claim against the estate (see Matter of Cassini, 95 AD3d at 1312). It appears that the motion was marked submitted on April 6, 2016, at which time a stay of the accounting proceeding was in effect, pursuant to the court's own March 14, 2016 order. Mtge. Indeed, the Surrogate's Court's own statement that the cross motion was submitted, unopposed, in April 2016, raises questions. Reppert and his firm filed three identical motions for leave to withdraw as counsel, in the accounting proceeding and in two related proceedings, one commenced by the Public Administrator against Marianne to turn over property alleged to belong to the estate (hereinafter the turnover proceeding), and the other a proceeding relating to a special needs testamentary trust established by Marianne for Daria in accordance with the decedent's will (hereinafter the SNT proceeding). WebCassini (hereinafter the decedent), who died in March 2006. There was further discussion, wherein Marianne repeatedly expressed her desire to have an attorney, before there was a recess so that exhibits could be marked. Kaplan, in support of the motion by Sills Cummis for leave to withdraw, asserted, in an affirmation submitted in the accounting proceeding, that his role had been to assist Reppert and, with Reppert's health precluding him from continuing to represent Marianne, Kaplan's role was "also ending." However, despite knowing that Marianne's counsel was seeking to be relieved and seeking to have a stay imposed pending service of a notice to appoint successor{**182 AD3d at 21} counsel, the objectants cross-moved to appoint a receiver. {**182 AD3d at 19}, III. [FN9] There, the defendant's attorney notified the parties that he had been suspended from practice and had advised the defendant to{**182 AD3d at 51} obtain the services of another attorney. [FN7] However, Marianne, in a later affidavit, claimed that no one at the June 8th conference mentioned the cross motion. Nor is there any evidence as to whether and when Reppert advised Marianne of his health condition, apart from his disclosures to the court. In this Court, Marianne unsuccessfully sought to stay the accounting trial (2016 NY Slip Op 81906[U] [2016]). You already receive all suggested Justia Opinion Summary Newsletters. The record includes papers in connection with motions for leave to withdraw made separately by RK and by Sills Cummis. of County Attorney, 61 NY2d 739, 742 [1984] [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Wells Fargo Bank Minn., N.A. But Marianne Nestor Cassinis attorney Vincent Reppert of Reppert Kelly said he will be back in court Friday to oppose an application to seek the sale of the Oyster Bay Cove property. [FN5] According to that order, the trial was to commence on July 25, 2016, and continue to July 29, 2016, day to day, irrespective of whether the parties were represented by counsel. Nor did he assert that RK, or either of its constituent partners, was aware of, or on notice of, the March 14, 2016 order. Marianne, in a later affidavit, asserted that immediately upon learning that her attorney's withdrawal motion was granted in the accounting proceeding, she "began attempting to locate and secure new counsel so as to be represented in this proceeding which as this Court is aware involves my life's work as well as millions of dollars." Marianne subsequently commenced an action to recover damages for legal malpractice in the Supreme Court based, inter alia, on the failure of the estate's attorneys to raise in the Surrogate's Court proceeding the defense that Christina's claim was barred by California Code of Civil Procedure 366.3. Case Summary. There is a sharp dispute as to who was in attendance at the March 2nd conference. marianne nestor. He offered to "provide an in camera affirmation for the Court to review or make [himself] available to discuss the medical issues privately that prevent [him] from continuing at this time with the Court." Harper averred that Marianne was evasive with her answers and Marianne had stated that she was aware that her attorneys had moved for leave to withdraw and that she would be seeking to replace them. First, in an order dated August 3, 2015, the Surrogate's Court authorized and directed the Public Administrator to run the day-to-day business operations of OCI and CPL and all their respective assets and properties. Christina subsequently commenced a In or around December 2015, Marianne's attorneys moved for leave to withdraw from representing her. Kelly stated that he just received the cross motion to appoint a receiver, also returnable on January 13, 2016, which he described as voluminous and complex and which, he asserted, bore no relationship to the pending motions for leave to withdraw. 2020 NY Slip Op 01055 The stay provided for in CPLR 321 (c) went into effect upon the Surrogate's Court's finding that Reppert was disabled, which was first made in its orders dated February 16, 2016, relieving RK in the turnover and SNT proceedings. His last will and testament was admitted to probate in the Surrogate's Court, Nassau County{**182 AD3d at 17} (see Matter of Cassini, 95 AD3d 1311, 1312 [2012]). Since the issuance of the July 1, 2016 order violated the statutory stay, it should have been vacated. Harper, in a later affirmation, claimed that the court declined to hear argument from McKay after he answered that he would not be making a general appearance for Marianne. However, several months later, the petitioner appeared with prospective new counsel at a court conference and was advised by the court that a trial would be conducted some six weeks later, regardless of whether the petitioner was present and regardless of whether the petitioner had representation. This case was filed in New York County Courts, Her legal team had tried to stop the auction in recent weeks. On or about July 11, 2016, Marianne made two pro se motions. Of course, some further action must be taken in order for the discharge to be made known to the other parties to the action and to the court. Eventually, Christina, individually and as administrator of Daria's estate, filed objections to Marianne's intermediate account. v Coletta, 153 AD3d 757, 758 [2017]; HSBC Bank USA v Josephs-Byrd, 148 AD3d at 790). But Marianne Nestor Cassinis attorney Vincent Reppert of Reppert Kelly said he will be back in court Friday to oppose an application to seek the sale of the In an affirmation executed two week later, in support of Sills Cummis's motion for leave to withdraw, Kaplan asserted that his firm's role in the matter was ending "[n]ow that Mr. Reppert's health prevents him from continuing to represent Marianne before this Court." Marianne contends that she was denied procedural due process when the court decided the cross motion to appoint a receiver without giving her notice of the return date and of a deadline for submission of opposition papers. Marianne Nestor Cassini (referred to in the will of Oleg Cassini as Marianne Nestor) was appointed executor of the estate and trustee on August 15, 2007. Contrary to Marianne's contention, she cannot take a position contrary to that taken in the estate tax return that she signed (see Mahoney-Buntzman v Buntzman, 12 NY3d 415, 422; Man Choi Chiu v Chiu, 125 AD3d 824, 826; Czernicki v Lawniczak, 74 AD3d 1121, 1125; Acme Am. He was survived by his wife, Marianne Nestor Cassini, and two daughters from his marriage to the actress Gene Tierney, Daria Cassini and Christina Cassini (see id.). Marianne asserted that no such notice was ever given and, therefore, all motions, orders, decisions, judgments, and proceedings that happened after March 14, 2016, including but not limited to the order, in effect, granting the cross motion to appoint a receiver, as well as the trial, were null and void and must be vacated. Citing Cases. Here, there is no evidence that Marianne knew that Reppert had a health impairment at the time she initially retained him some 10 years earlier. In her affidavit submitted in support of her motion, Marianne argued that the proceeding was stayed pursuant to CPLR 321 (c) when Reppert was determined to be unable, due to health reasons, to continue representing her. However, the court has the authority to grant leave for proceedings to be conducted despite the stay. Marianne, in a later reply affidavit, claimed that McKay filed a special appearance for the order to show cause only. Since the cross motion was made in the context of the accounting proceeding, the court should not have taken the matter under submission, without opposition, during the period of its own stay. Seddio & Associates, P.C., Brooklyn (Frank R. Seddio and Mischel & Horn, P.C. The trial of the matter was scheduled to commence on August 17, 2015. "It was at that time that Mr. McKay immediately and promptly withdrew . at 1312). Again, we disagree. Objection 34 alleged that Marianne's account of the estate omitted a claim made by Daria asserting her entitlement to 25% of the decedent's net estate. The Court of Appeals found that argument to be wanting: Second, the defendant contended that the plaintiff was foreclosed from raising CPLR 321 (c) for the first time on appeal. In contrast to the February 16, 2016 orders which allowed RK to withdraw based on Reppert's{**182 AD3d at 25} health, the March 3, 2016 order did not specify the precise reasons for allowing Sills Cummis to withdraw; the court stated only that it had determined that Sills Cummis was unable to continue to represent Marianne. Matter of Cassini Since the death of the Decedent, his estate (the "Estate") has Following Christina's death in 2015, attorney John J. Barnosky and Alexandre Cassini Belmont (hereinafter. [FN10] We thus treat July 25, 2016, as the terminus of the CPLR 321 (c) stay. [3] CPLR 321 (c) provides that, where an attorney becomes disabled, "no further proceeding shall be taken in the action{**182 AD3d at 50} against the party for whom he [or she] appeared, without leave of the court, until thirty days after notice to appoint another attorney has been served upon that party either personally or in such manner as the court directs." The use of a stipulation of substitution, which avoids expense and delay, is common where the client, the outgoing attorney, and the incoming attorney (who could be the client pro se) are entirely in agreement on the substitution (see Vincent C. Alexander, Practice Commentaries, McKinney's Cons Laws of NY, Book 7B, CPLR C321:2 at 181 [2010 ed]).
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