Ryan Smith, Melanie Beardsley and Marnie Smith presented at the annual conference held on August 10 and 12, 2021.  Their presentations focused on student and employee social media activity as well as the New York State Education Department’s initiative to advance...

Webster Szanyi partners Thomas Lane and Andrew Miller obtained a jury verdict of $2,500,000        

Webster Szanyi attorneys Michael McClaren and Shannon O’Neill recently obtained a decision dismissing a § 1983 lawsuit brought against multiple police officers, sheriff, and county for claims of false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and Monell.  The...

Judge Chimes issued a favorable decision on a school’s motion to dismiss vicarious liability claims and request for punitive damages in a lawsuit brought under the Child Victims Act.  Michael McClaren and Shannon O’Neill successfully argued that allegations of sexual...

Webster Szanyi attorneys Charlie Roberts and Kevin Cope successfully defended a local Town in an Article 78 proceeding seeking to overturn the Town’s denial of a proposed concept plan for a large subdivision.  The proposed development has a long history dating back...

Melanie Beardsley, a partner in the Education and Labor and Employment Department, presented at the New York State School Board Association’s annual convention. Ms. Beardsley’s presentation, School Data Privacy and Security, focused on the recent Commissioner’s...

The New York State Division of Human Rights (“SDHR”) issued a “no probable cause” finding on a claim that a female custodial employee at a public school was discriminated against due to her sex and alleged disability. Heather Dechert represented the school against...

The New York State Division of Human Rights (“SDHR”) issued a “no probable cause” finding on a claim that a school district employee was denied a reasonable accommodation for her disability and that, as a result of her age and disability, she was unfairly counseled...

The New York State Division of Human Rights (“SDHR”) issued a “no probable cause” finding on a gender pay gap claim alleging that a female Town employee was not paid the same as a male employee who ultimately replaced her. Heather Dechert represented the Town against...

Webster Szanyi associate Peter Veech successfully moved for summary judgment dismissing the plaintiff’s complaint against a municipality located in Orleans County, in its entirety and with prejudice. Mr. Veech demonstrated that the municipal employee who was involved...

Webster Szanyi associate Peter Veech successfully opposed a minor claimant’s petition seeking leave to serve late notice of claim on a local municipality arising out of a 2018 motor vehicle accident. The petition was served 1 year, 9 months, and 25 days after the...

Shannon O’Neill represented a local municipality in a negligence action asserted against it. The plaintiff alleged that the municipality negligently maintained a porch step. The Court concluded that the porch step was not unreasonably dangerous. The Court further...

Shannon O’Neill, an associate at the firm, obtained a dismissal of an inmate’s federal lawsuit against two corrections officers. Ms. O’Neill argued that plaintiff’s claims failed to state a cause of action, and the Court agreed, finding that the inmate’s Fourteenth...

Webster Szanyi attorney Shannon O’Neill obtains dismissal of an inmate’s excessive force claim and accompanying Monell claim against a local County and its correction officers. Judge Siragusa of the Western District of New York dismissed the inmate’s claim because the...