Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP

Less than halfway into the month, March has already been filled with valuable networking and career development for Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP at Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. On March 3, BM&S Associate Jennifer Johnson participated in the Speed Networking Event, co-sponsored by WALS (Women Association of Law Students) and SEALS (Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law Society). It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with legal professionals and students in a dynamic, fast-paced setting. Then, on March 12, Founding Partner Sheryl Sanford joined an esteemed panel for "The Power of Building Relationships Throughout Your Career." The discussion highlighted how strategic relationships shape success in the legal field. “Networking isn’t just about making connections—it’s about building meaningful relationships that foster growth,” Sheryl shared. A huge thank you to Pace Law, the panelists, and event organizers for hosting these valuable discussions.

Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Sheryl Sanford and Associate John Caruso successfully secured summary judgment in a premises liability case involving a plaintiff who alleged he was injured in a trip-and-fall accident. The plaintiff, who claimed to have tripped over a crack near a storage unit he had rented for over 10 years, brought the lawsuit despite the fact that his employment at the premises had been terminated for cause two months prior to the incident. The alleged defect measured less than 1/4 inch in height and was located approximately 10 feet away from the plaintiff’s rented unit. Sheryl and John presented compelling testimony demonstrating that: ? The plaintiff had walked through the area at least once a week for a decade without ever noticing the alleged defect. ? The plaintiff only became aware of the alleged defect after his unwitnessed accident. ? The alleged defect was deemed trivial as a matter of law and did not constitute a hazardous condition. The court’s decision to grant summary judgment highlights BM&S’s dedication to securing favorable outcomes for our clients through strategic advocacy and thorough legal analysis. https://lnkd.in/eJxJGCFs

Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP is pleased to announce that Partner John Bieder and Associate Victoria Luciano successfully secured the dismissal of all claims against our client, a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging young girls to pursue careers in construction. The non-profit had been named as a Third-Party Defendant in a negligence case arising from the plaintiff’s claim that she tripped and fell on a construction site. The court ruled in favor of our client, agreeing with our arguments that BM&S presented clear and compelling evidence demonstrating that our client was not involved in the project, did not perform any work or maintenance at the premises, and had no connection to the plaintiff’s accident. Furthermore, the court found no basis for contractual indemnity or breach of contract claims, resulting in the dismissal of all claims and crossclaims against our client. The court’s decision to grant summary judgment reinforces BM&S’s commitment to securing successful outcomes in complex litigation. https://lnkd.in/e6_bEw5X

On March 12, Founding Partner Sheryl Sanford will join an esteemed panel at Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University to discuss how strategic relationships can shape your legal career. The event is titled "The Power of Building Relationships Throughout Your Career." Date: March 12, 2025 Time: 12:50 PM – 2:00 PM Location: Tutor Room, Pace University School of Law, 78 North Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603 Details: Lunch and 1 PD Credit Provided Joining Sheryl on the panel are Lisa Denig, Commissioner, Human Resources, Westchester County; Shari B. Hochberg, Law Clerk, U.S. District Court, SDNY; and Delonie Plummer, Associate, Jackson Lewis. Introductory remarks will be made by Kathleen Donelli, Partner at Goldschmidt & Genovese. “Your network is more than just connections—it’s the foundation for success," said Sheryl. "I’m excited to share insights on how relationships have shaped my career and how they can shape yours.” Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from top legal professionals!

Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Lisa Black and Senior Counsel Mark E. Jordan-Poinsette successfully secured the dismissal of all claims against our client, a subcontractor named in a construction accident lawsuit. ? The court ruled in favor of our client, agreeing that they were not a proper Labor Law defendant. BM&S presented clear evidence demonstrating that our client had no involvement in the project, did not perform work at the premises, and had no connection to the plaintiff’s accident. Furthermore, the court found no basis for negligence claims. ? A central issue in the case involved a disputed contract and questions of agency and apparent authority. The facts presented resulted in the court determining that an individual had misrepresented himself as a principal of our client's company. However, BM&S successfully established through uncontroverted evidence that this individual lacked actual authority, and as a result, the contract was not binding on our client. ? The court’s decision to grant summary judgment resulted in the dismissal of all claims and crossclaims against our client, reaffirming important principles regarding subcontractor liability and contractual authority in construction litigation. ? This ruling highlights BM&S’s dedication to vigorously defending our clients and achieving successful outcomes in complex litigation. https://lnkd.in/ekU_25tw

Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP Partner Sheryl Sanford and Associate Jacqueline Vernon successfully secured the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by a Pro Se Plaintiff who claimed emotional and psychological damages after witnessing his roommate die of a drug overdose at our client’s homeless shelter in New York. The plaintiff sought millions of dollars in damages, alleging procedural violations and claiming entitlement to a default judgment due to the shelter’s purported failure to answer the complaint within 20 days. Despite his assertions, the plaintiff never moved to strike the shelter’s answer or pursue default judgment until Sheryl and Jacqui informed him that his claims lacked any basis in law or fact. The plaintiff subsequently filed multiple “writs of mandamus” with the Appellate Division, each of which was unanimously dismissed by the First Department. In the meantime, Sheryl and Jacqui filed a motion to dismiss in the lower court, arguing that the plaintiff’s claims were meritless and unsupported by the elements required for a bystander claim. The Court agreed, ruling that the plaintiff failed to properly plead and could not establish the following: The defendants’ conduct was a substantial factor in causing the injury or death of the third party. The plaintiff was within the zone of danger and at risk of physical harm. The plaintiff’s claims had a legal basis, as he was not an immediate family member of the decedent. In conclusion, the Court dismissed the case, agreeing that the plaintiff’s claims were unfounded both in law and fact. The Court emphasized that the plaintiff’s status as a roommate—having only known the decedent for three months—did not meet the legal requirements for a bystander emotional distress claim. https://lnkd.in/eRVSRyuw

The Pace University Haub School of Law Alumni Association invites you to a special Networking Event to celebrate the first day of the NYS Bar Association Annual Meeting. After a full day of sessions at the Midtown Hilton, take a short 3-minute walk to Bartley Dunne’s and connect with fellow alumni and legal professionals over drinks, appetizers, and lively conversation. Event Details: ?? Date: Tuesday, January 14th ? Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ?? Location: Bartley Dunne’s, 160 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Registration includes a drink ticket for beer or wine and unlimited appetizers. BM&S Founding Partner Sheryl Sanford is excited to attend this fantastic event and connect with Haub Law alumni and other legal professionals! Don’t miss this opportunity to unwind, network, and share ideas with your peers after the first day of the Annual Meeting. Register here -?https://lnkd.in/eJR5grPt

Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP Senior Counsel Magdalena Perlman won a summary judgment in a challenging case involving an assault outside our client’s homeless shelter in Bronx County, New York. The plaintiff sought damages for personal injuries sustained during a stabbing assault with a knife by a shelter resident. The shelter, which provides long-term housing and support services, moved to dismiss the complaint under CPLR 3211(a)(7), arguing that it owed no duty to the plaintiff, who was neither a resident nor a guest of the premises. Relying on the plaintiff’s own deposition testimony and other documentary evidence, the shelter contended that the assault occurred on a public sidewalk, not on its property. The shelter argued that it did not owe a duty to protect the public or plaintiff’s safety. In response, the plaintiff argued that the shelter exercised control over the resident and was on notice of the resident’s violent character, tendencies, behavior and prior acts of violence. The Court agreed with Magdalena’s arguments, finding that the shelter lacked authority to control or restrain the resident and had no duty to evict him, as eviction would not necessarily prevent harm and could even exacerbate public safety issues. Further, the Court agreed that the shelter did not have a legal duty to protect the plaintiff from the individual’s criminal acts. The Court ordered the dismissal of all claims and crossclaims against the shelter, emphasizing that extending liability to the shelter would effectively make it an insurer of public safety—a concept not supported by law or public policy. https://lnkd.in/efxfu5QM

Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP is proud to announce the elevation of Corinne Scotti as the firm’s newest partner, effective January 1, 2025. Corinne has been a key contributor to BM&S’s success, bringing her exceptional legal expertise, meticulous preparation, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for clients. Since joining the firm, she has handled a broad range of matters. Her ability to craft thoughtful strategies tailored to her clients’ needs has earned her a stellar reputation among colleagues and clients alike. “Corinne’s dedication, professionalism, and ability to connect with clients exemplify the core values of BM&S,” said Founding Partner Lisa Black. “We are thrilled to welcome her into the partnership and look forward to her continued contributions to the firm’s growth and success. Please join us in congratulating Corinne!” https://lnkd.in/eAdP9vZ9

Season's Greetings from Black Marjieh and Sanford LLP! As 2024 comes to a close, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our clients, colleagues, and community for their continued trust and partnership. We wish you and yours a joyous holiday season filled with peace and happiness. May 2025 bring prosperity, new opportunities, and success to all.