Kralik v. 239 East 79th Street Owners Corp. — 93 A.D.3d 569

Majority

p. 569

George Kralik et al., Appellants, v 239 East 79th Street Owners Corp., Respondent.

[940 NYS2d 488]

Order, Supreme Court, New York County (Marylin G. Dia

p. 570

mond, J.), entered December 17, 2011, which denied plaintiffs’ motion for an award of attorneys’ fees, unanimously affirmed, without costs.

The motion court did not abuse its discretion in denying the prevailing plaintiffs attorneys’ fees pursuant to Real Property Law § 234 because the cooperative’s position was justified by the state of the law when the action was commenced (see Wells v East 10th St. Assoc., 205 AD2d 431 [1994], lv denied 84 NY2d 813 [1995]). Contrary to plaintiffs’ contention, courts have discretion to deny such fees based on equitable considerations and fairness (see Solow Mgt. Corp. v Lowe, 1 AD3d 135 [2003]; Jacreg Realty Corp. v Barnes, 284 AD2d 280 [2001]).

In view of the foregoing, it is unnecessary to address the other grounds urged in support of affirmance. Concur — Tom, J.P., Friedman, Acosta, DeGrasse and Román, JJ.

Cases cited

Wells v. East 10th Street Associates 205 AD2d 431 N.Y. App. Div. 1994-06-23 p. 570
Solow Management Corp. v. Lowe 1 AD3d 135 N.Y. App. Div. 2003-11-06 p. 570