HYLANT v. MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY (2009)

Plaintiff commenced this action seeking damages for the alleged breach of his employment agreement (agreement) with defendant.   According to plaintiff, he was terminated without cause by defendant under the terms of the agreement.   Pursuant to the agreement, plaintiff was entitled to a compensation package worth more than $1,000,000 in the event that defendant terminated his employment without cause, and he was entitled to, inter alia, salary and unpaid vacation time up to the date of termination in the event that he was terminated either for cause or due to a disability.   We conclude that Supreme Court properly granted defendant's motion for summary judgment dismissing the third amended complaint.   Defendant met its initial burden by establishing that plaintiff was terminated for cause, and plaintiff failed to raise an issue of fact to defeat the motion (see generally Zuckerman v. City of New York, 49 N.Y.2d 557, 562, 427 N.Y.S.2d 595, 404 N.E.2d 718).   In view of our determination, we do not address defendant's alternative grounds for affirmance.

It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously affirmed without costs.

MEMORANDUM: