Navigate the groundbreaking return of common law negligence in animal liability and master key rulings on snow, ice, and defect defenses.
Join us for this comprehensive update course covering a year's worth of changes to cases and statutes in the most popular topics for tort practitioners. Led by experienced trial attorney A.J. Smith, this course provides a comprehensive analysis of the past year's most significant judicial decisions and their practical implications for your litigation strategies. Whether you represent plaintiffs or defendants, understanding these evolving legal standards is critical for effective advocacy in state courts.
This update is particularly momentous due to a groundbreaking shift in animal liability law. The course offers a deep dive into the Court of Appeals' decision in Flanders v. Goodfellow, which has fundamentally altered the landscape of dog bite litigation by permitting common law negligence claims alongside the traditional strict liability standard regarding vicious propensities. Beyond this landmark change, the presentation dissects crucial updates affecting summary judgment burdens, statutory interpretations, and defense doctrines.
Key learning outcomes and topics covered in this course include:
By examining these critical updates, legal professionals will gain the insight needed to navigate complex premises liability issues, properly advise clients, and refine their pleadings and motion practice for the year ahead.
The NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers is the largest statewide trial bar in the US with 5,700+ lawyer and judge members. We are committed to protecting, preserving and enhancing the civil justice system. Our highly acclaimed CLE programming features extraordinary presenters covering the most timely and important topics.
Partner at Baxter & Smith P.C.
Arthur Smith is an experienced trial lawyer in both state and federal courts in the areas of negligence, labor law, toxic torts, products, premises, and automobile liability. Mr. Smith is admitted to the United States Supreme Court, various Federal Appellate Courts including the Second Circuit, as well as the state and federal courts in New York. He serves on the Executive Committee for the Torts, Insurance & Compensation Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. Additionally, Mr. Smith lectures extensively. Most recently, he served as Chair of the Torts, Insurance & Compensation Law (TICL) Section of the New York State Bar Association for their semi-annual meeting, which was held in Killarney, Ireland. Previously, he has served as the Chair of a New York State Bar Association seminar on Labor Law and Construction Accidents, and as a speaker for the New York State Bar Association on topics including Construction Accidents, Premises Liability, Evidence, Trial Tactics, Insurance Coverage, and Ethical Obligations of Counsel. Mr. Smith was also a lecturer on “Serious Injury” and “Negotiation Strategy” at the Buffalo Claims Association’s (BCA) Premises Liability at the 2005 Annual Convention, served as trial counsel for the mock trial presentation at the BCA 2003 Convention, and lectured on “Grave Injury” at the 2002 BCA Convention and on Labor Law at the BCA’s 2000 Annual Convention. Mr. Smith addressed the 2007 New York State Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters Annual Convention and has lectured for the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, The New York State Trial Lawyers, The Bar Association of the City of New York, and served as judge at Fordham University Moot Court and Trial Advocacy contests.
