In Altman v DiPreta, 204 AD3d 965, 968-69 [2d Dept 2022], the court dismissed the cause of action brought under Judiciary Law Section 487, holding:
Under Judiciary Law Section 487(1), an attorney who “[i]s guilty of any deceit or collusion, or consents to any deceit or collusion, with intent to deceive the court or any party” is liable to the injured party for treble damages. “Judiciary Law Section 487 ‘applies to an attorney acting in his or her capacity as an attorney, not to a party who is represented by counsel and who, incidentally, is an attorney’ ” (Pinkesz Mut. Holdings, LLC v. Pinkesz, 198 A.D.3d 693, 698, 156 N.Y.S.3d 216, quoting Oakes v. Muka, 56 A.D.3d 1057, 1058, 868 N.Y.S.2d 796). Here, the parties’ evidentiary submissions demonstrated that the DiPreta defendants did not act in their capacities as attorneys when they allegedly made deceitful statements. Accordingly, the Supreme Court properly granted that branch of the DiPreta defendants’ motion which was pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(7) to dismiss the cause of action alleging violation of Judiciary Law Section 487 insofar as asserted against them by Charles (see Smallwood v. Lupoli, 107 A.D.3d 782, 784, 968 N.Y.S.2d 515; Crown Assoc., Inc. v. Zot, LLC, 83 A.D.3d 765, 768, 921 N.Y.S.2d 268; Oakes v. Muka, 56 A.D.3d at 1058, 868 N.Y.S.2d 796).
Richard A. Klass, Esq.
Your Court Street Lawyer
#CourtStreetLawyer #legalmalpractice #deceit
Richard A. Klass, Esq., maintains a law firm engaged in civil litigation at 16 Court Street, 28th Floor, Brooklyn, New York. He may be reached at (718) COURT●ST or RichKlass@courtstreetlaw.com with any questions.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
© 2022 Richard A. Klass
