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Clark v. Helmsley Windsor Hotel

Citations: 214 A.D.2d 365; 625 N.Y.S.2d 159; 1995 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 4147

Court: Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York; April 11, 1995; New York; State Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

The Supreme Court of New York County, presided by Judge Ira Gammerman, issued an order on March 21, 1994, granting the defendant's motion for summary judgment, resulting in the dismissal of the plaintiff's complaint. The court unanimously affirmed this decision without costs. The dismissal of the plaintiff’s causes of action for fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation was deemed appropriate for two primary reasons: first, the claims were considered improper attempts to convert a breach of contract into tort claims, consistent with the precedent set in Clark-Fitzpatrick, Inc. v Long Is. R. R. Co. Second, the plaintiff's status as an at-will employee undermined any assertion of reasonable reliance on the alleged misrepresentations, as established in Bower v Atlis Sys. The court also reviewed and rejected the plaintiff's additional arguments as lacking merit. The decision was concurred by Judges Wallach, Asch, Nardelli, Tom, and Mazzarelli.

Legal Issues Addressed

At-Will Employment and Reasonable Reliance

Application: The plaintiff's status as an at-will employee negated any claim of reasonable reliance on alleged misrepresentations.

Reasoning: Second, the plaintiff's status as an at-will employee undermined any assertion of reasonable reliance on the alleged misrepresentations, as established in Bower v Atlis Sys.

Conversion of Contract Breach to Tort Claims

Application: The plaintiff's claims for fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation were dismissed as improper attempts to convert a breach of contract into tort claims.

Reasoning: The dismissal of the plaintiff’s causes of action for fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation was deemed appropriate for two primary reasons: first, the claims were considered improper attempts to convert a breach of contract into tort claims, consistent with the precedent set in Clark-Fitzpatrick, Inc. v Long Is. R. R. Co.

Review of Additional Arguments

Application: The court reviewed and rejected the plaintiff's additional arguments, finding them without merit.

Reasoning: The court also reviewed and rejected the plaintiff's additional arguments as lacking merit.

Summary Judgment Standard

Application: The court granted the defendant's motion for summary judgment, leading to the dismissal of the plaintiff's complaint.

Reasoning: The Supreme Court of New York County, presided by Judge Ira Gammerman, issued an order on March 21, 1994, granting the defendant's motion for summary judgment, resulting in the dismissal of the plaintiff's complaint.