United States Second Circuit

In a bankruptcy action, the following questions are certified to the New York Court of Appeals: 1) under New York law, does the "unfinished business doctrine" apply to a dissolving law firm's pending hourly fee matters, such that a partnership retains any property interest in outstanding hourly fee matters upon the firm's dissolution?; and 2) if so, how does New York law define a "client matter" for purposes of the unfinished business doctrine and what proportion of the profit derived from an ongoing hourly matter may the new law firm retain?

Appellate Information

• Decided 11/15/2013
• Published 11/15/2013

Judges

• LYNCH

Court

• United States Second Circuit

Counsel