Case ID: ny-2d_55/html/0675-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Meyer, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Michael E. Vogel, Respondent, v Asgrow Mandeville Company, Inc., Appellant.
    Argued October 16, 1981;
    decided November 23, 1981
    
      APPEARANCES OF COUNSEL
    
      Dennis A. First for appellant.
    
      James J. Grifferty for respondent.
   OPINION OF THE COURT

Order affirmed, with costs, for the reasons stated in the memorandum at the Appellate Division (74 AD2d 940), and question certified answered in the negative. It is noted that we are not here concerned with possible differences between CPLR 317 and 5015, the moving papers on this motion being insufficient to establish a meritorious defense.

Concur: Chief Judge Cooke and Judges Jasen, Jones and Wachtler. Judge Meyer dissents and votes to reverse in an opinion in which Judges Gabrielli and FuChsberg concur.

Meyer, J.

(dissenting). I vote to reverse. Plaintiff’s attorney’s affidavit concedes that defendant had a “company policy [which] was that an employee who was offered a job by the buyer [of defendant company] * * * would not be entitled to severance pay.” By way of avoidance, however, he argues that “this policy was not uniformly administered.”

That admission by plaintiff’s attorney establishes the company policy upon which defendant relies to show a meritorious defense. That being so, it is immaterial that the affidavit submitted by defendant is by an attorney-employee of defendant’s parent corporation. Because that affidavit is alleged to be on personal knowledge and is by an employee, I would hold it sufficient notwithstanding the employee is also attorney for the parent. In view of plaintiff’s attorney’s admission, however, it is not necessary to reach that point.

Order affirmed, etc.