Williams v. Harrington

216 A.D.2d 761, 628 N.Y.S.2d 842
CourtAppellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
DecidedJune 22, 1995
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 216 A.D.2d 761 (Williams v. Harrington) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Williams v. Harrington, 216 A.D.2d 761, 628 N.Y.S.2d 842 (N.Y. Ct. App. 1995).

Opinion

Peters, J.

Appeal, in action No. 1, from an order of the Supreme Court (Mugglin, J.), [762]*762entered April 1, 1994 in Otsego County, which, inter alia, denied defendants’ motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint.

Appeal, in action No. 2, from an order of the Supreme Court (Mugglin, J.), entered September 29, 1994 in Otsego County, which, inter alia, partially denied defendants’ motions to dismiss the complaint.

These actions concern an oral joint venture agreement under which plaintiff and defendants Ken Harrington, Martha Harrington and Franklin Grey were to construct a water bottling plant on the Harringtons’ farm. Plaintiff was to build the plant, Grey was to raise capital and the Harringtons were going to sell the farm to plaintiff and Grey while retaining a share of the profits. Although construction began in the spring of 1990, disagreements between plaintiff and Grey resulted in plaintiff filing a mechanic’s lien on the farm. In September 1990, an action was commenced by Grey which resulted in plaintiff filing an amended answer through a second attorney with a counterclaim for specific performance and damages. Grey thereafter served an amended complaint which repudiated the joint venture agreement. The Harringtons subsequently deeded the property to defendant Echo Springs Water Company, Inc. (hereinafter Echo Springs).

Plaintiff thereafter filed a lis pendens on the farm and commenced an action against Grey and the Harringtons in January 1991. In February 1991, the Harringtons and Grey answered and filed a demand for a bill of particulars. In December 1991, when plaintiff had not responded to their request, the Harringtons and Grey moved to cancel the notice of pendency, dismiss plaintiff’s claims and consolidate the actions. Although plaintiff’s counsel opposed consolidation and cross-moved for other relief, Supreme Court denied all motions except for consolidation (hereinafter action No. 1).

Plaintiff’s deposition began in October 1992. In November 1992, the Harringtons and Grey again requested a response to their request for a bill of particulars which had been served over l1/2 years earlier. They then served a supplemental notice for discovery and inspection based upon documents identified by plaintiff which were admittedly in his possession. Although such documents were not forthcoming, plaintiff’s attorney requested and received a copy of plaintiff’s partial deposition transcript. In December 1992, counsel again requested plaintiff to respond to outstanding discovery demands and, this time, a response was promised by January 18, 1993. When no discovery was provided, further correspondence was sent to [763]*763plaintiff’s counsel. By October 1993, plaintiff had retained his third attorney and filed a formal notice of substitution in November 1993.

By notice of motion dated December 8, 1993, plaintiff moved to extend the notice of pendency which was due to expire. The Harringtons and Grey cross-moved to cancel the notice of pendency, dismiss plaintiff’s claims for failure to disclose, and preclude plaintiff from offering evidence at trial of items that were not disclosed. By order and decision dated December 22, 1993, Supreme Court granted an extension of the notice of pendency and ordered conditional preclusion if plaintiff did not respond with a bill of particulars within 45 days. In such decision, the court expressly noted that "[plaintiff’s counsel also expresses a willingness to diligently pursue pre-trial discovery and cure the defects and omissions of his predecessor.” Therein the court further considered that there had been no prior order for disclosure and no showing of willfulness.

More correspondence thereafter took place, during which plaintiff’s new counsel requested another copy of plaintiff’s partial deposition transcript. After the court-imposed deadline passed and plaintiff had neither served the bill of particulars nor requested an extension of time, correspondence continued with plaintiff’s counsel. At no time had such counsel indicated that particular documents were needed in order to comply with the outstanding discovery. In March 1994, the Harringtons and Grey again moved for a cancellation of the notice of pendency and for summary judgment relying on the preclusion of evidence. Plaintiff cross-moved for an order nunc pro tunc extending the time to file a bill of particulars.

Contending that it was first the need for plaintiff’s partial deposition transcript in order to appropriately respond to the outstanding discovery and, after that was provided, the exhibits referred to therein, counsel essentially apologized to Supreme Court for not seeking an extension of the deadline. The court again granted plaintiff’s cross motion and extended the time to file the bill of particulars, this time imposing a $1,000 sanction on counsel. The Harringtons and Grey appeal.

Prior to Supreme Court’s decision, plaintiff filed another lis pendens against the farm and commenced an action against Echo Springs, its corporate successors in interest (hereinafter collectively referred to as the corporate defendants) and defendant Richard Schuttenhelm, seeking the same damages as in the prior action (hereinafter action No. 2). Therein, plaintiff claimed that the corporate defendants and Schuttenhelm interfered with his joint venture agreement, were unjustly [764]*764enriched, and that Echo Springs was the alter ego and agent of the Harringtons and Grey. The corporate defendants and Schuttenhelm moved to dismiss the complaint for, inter alia, the failure to state a cause of action. Plaintiff cross-moved to amend the complaint and sought a default judgment. Supreme Court partially denied the motions to dismiss the complaint, granted plaintiff’s motion to amend the complaint and denied plaintiff’s motion for a default judgment. The corporate defendants and Schuttenhelm appeal that order.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
216 A.D.2d 761, 628 N.Y.S.2d 842, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/williams-v-harrington-nyappdiv-1995.