Appellate Results

In a closely watched decision, the Second Judicial Department reversed a surprising ruling by the Supreme Court of Queens County which denied governmental immunity to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. If allowed to stand the lower court decision would have had significant negative implications for public entities engaged in governmental functions. WSHB partner and accomplished trial attorney, Brian Colistra, successfully argued the appeal, securing a crucial victory for a client with much to lose as they operate the Port of New York and New Jersey, as well as the airports, bridges, tunnels, and bus terminals in the metro region.

In a major legal triumph, WSHB is pleased to announce that the Appellate Division affirmed the lower court's decision in a high exposure labor law case. The Appellate Brief was drafted by senior counsel, Courtney Scharpf, and argued by partner, Cole Munson. In its ruling, the court denied the plaintiff's motion for summary judgment citing critical issues of fact regarding the stability of the ladder at the center of this case.

WSHB’s Connecticut Partner Kate Adams has demonstrated her exceptional legal prowess in the recent appellate decision of Harold Dusto et. al. v. Rogers Corporation et. al., No.45341, 2023 WL 6964115 (Conn. App. Ct. Oct. 24, 2023). The court, relying on Kate's analysis presented before the Connecticut Supreme Court in the groundbreaking 2018 case, Lucenti v. Laviero, 327 Conn. 764, 176 A.3d 1 (2018), adopted the factors she put forth to determine whether a plaintiff employee has sufficient evidence to fall within a narrow exception to workers' compensation immunity.

WSHB is pleased to announce a historic triumph in the highly anticipated decision from the First District of California’s Court of Appeal, which will be published in the Official Reports detailing the favorable appellate holding denying $600,000 in attorneys’ fees.