Legal Alerts

Hurwitz Fine Attorneys V. Christopher Potenza, Elizabeth Midgley, and Stephen Sorrels recently presented a timely webinar examining the forces driving nuclear verdicts and practical strategies for defending high-exposure cases

The AVOID Act significantly alters third-party practice under CPLR § 1007, When Third-Party Practice Allowed. Commonly referred to as the AVOID Act (Avoiding Vexatious Overuse of Impleading to Delay), Senate Bill 8071-A was signed on December 19, 2025, and became effective on April 18, 2026. While these changes are of special concern in cases involving construction accidents, where multiple contractors, subcontractors, and insurers are often implicated, its impact will be felt across the litigation spectrum.

Hurwitz Fine Insurance Coverage Attorneys Victoria S. Heist and Lexi R. Horton recently presented the webinar, "Understanding Attorney-Client Privilege in Claims Handling." This session explored the evolving scope of attorney-client privilege across the United States and what it means in practice, particularly in the context of claims handling, dual-purpose communications, bad-faith litigation, and the discoverability of claims files.

Hurwitz Fine is proud to announce that President and Managing Partner Jody E. Briandi has been recognized in Buffalo Business First’s 2026 Power 250, earning the #133 spot among the region’s most influential leaders. The annual list highlights individuals who are driving meaningful change and contributing to the continued growth and vitality of Buffalo and Western New York.

Hurwitz Fine attorneys Dan D. Kohane, Esq. and James J. Crowley, Esq. recently discussed the potential liability surrounding defective Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). These systems promise safer roads, but defective design, faulty software, and inadequate warnings are creating a new frontier of product liability risk for automakers, suppliers, and even fleet operators. As responsibility shifts from human drivers to embedded technology, questions of who is at fault after a crash—driver, manufacturer, or both—are becoming more complex and data driven. This article explores emerging theories of liability for defective ADAS, including design and manufacturing defects and failure-to-warn claims, and offers practical steps companies can take in determining whether ADAS was at fault for an accident. 

On December 1, 2025, the New York State Legislature delivered the Grieving Families Act to Governor Kathy Hochul for the fourth time. The Governor now has until December 12 to sign or veto the bill.