A selection of published decisions in matters handled by Cohen Stine Kapoor LLP.
Recent Appellate Win
Matrimonial action dismissed — Appellate Division, First Department
January 6, 2026. After a 21-day trial in the lower court resulting in a finding of a valid marriage, the Appellate Division, First Department unanimously reversed and held that the parties were not validly married under New York law. The court rejected the lower court’s reliance on secular factors and reaffirmed that, where undisputed evidence establishes a religious denomination’s requirements for solemnization, courts must apply those neutral standards. (PDF)
Select Notable Published Decisions
- L.M. v. M.A. — 2023
At issue: whether a marriage existed, and First Amendment questions regarding the testimony of a bishop and a priest. (Ankit Kapoor, Harriet Newman Cohen) (PDF) - In Re Grace D. v. Francois Stanislas Alexandre B. — 2020
At issue: the First Department “vacated as void” the dismissal by Family Court, New York County, of the appellant father’s petition for modification of a custody agreement “So Ordered” by a Texas court. (Harriet Newman Cohen) - N.B. v. F.W. — 2019
At issue: estoppel and validity of marriage. (Harriet Newman Cohen) - Zappin v. Comfort — 2017
At issue: civility and legal ethics. A New York appeals court affirmed sanctions against a husband over his conduct in divorce proceedings with his then-wife. (Harriet Newman Cohen) - Westreich v. Westreich — 2015, 2014
At issue: equitable distribution, spousal support and child support in a high-net-worth case (2015); “exclusive use and occupancy” of the marital home during matrimonial litigation (2014). (Harriet Newman Cohen) - Nederlander v. Nederlander — 2013
Appellate Division, First Department, 102 A.D.3d 416. At issue: equitable distribution and pendente lite relief. A case of first impression involving mortgages that matured during the pendency of a divorce action; the husband was ordered to refinance or pay off half the mortgage balance. (Martha Cohen Stine) (PDF) - Ayoub v. Ayoub — 2009
At issue: equitable distribution and pendente lite issues. (Harriet Newman Cohen) - Day v. Day — 2001
At issue: the validity of a prenuptial agreement. (Martha Cohen Stine, Harriet Newman Cohen) - Clara C. v. William L. — 2001
At issue: constitutionality of Family Court Act § 516, which permitted non-marital fathers to enter agreements relieving them of all obligations for child support. (Harriet Newman Cohen)
Decisions without a link are part of the firm’s published record; the archive copy is no longer available online.
Select Client List
- Tom Brady
- Gov. Andrew Cuomo
- Laurence Fishburne
- NBA star Paul George
- Richie Havens
- Linda Lavin
- Ute Lemper
- Comedian Louis C.K.’s former wife
- Steve Serio, four-time gold medalist, U.S.A. Paralympics
- Howard Stern’s former wife, Allison Stern
- Harvey and Bob Weinstein’s former wives