Margaret L. Watson

Selected Matters

• O’Neill v. Wilder, 204 A.D.3d 823 (2d Dep’t 2022). Motion to dismiss all claims under CPLR 3211 (a)(7) granted by Trial Court and affirmed by Second Department, including claims of alleged intentional infliction of emotional distress.
• Faith Altman v. Salem Media of New York, LLC et al., 2019 WL 4323944 (NY Sup), affirmed 188 A.D.3d 515 (1st Dep’t). Motion to compel arbitration of discrimination claims granted.
• Schmitt v. Artforum International Magazine, Inc., 178 A.D.3d 578 (1st Dep’t 2019). First Department affirmed Trial Court’s decision (reported at 2018 WL 6732892) to grant individual defendant’s motion to dismiss claims of unlawful retaliation and defamation, ending litigation against individual.
• Barry Friedland v. UBS AG, 16-cv-0687 (E.D.N.Y. February 2016) (Scanlon, J.), Motion to dismiss ERISA claims pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b) (6) or in the alternative for summary judgement pursuant to Rule 56 granted.
• Courtnaye Charley v. Total Office Planning Services, Inc., and John Doe, 14 Civ. 0085 (S.D.N.Y. August 23, 2016) (Buchwald, J.). Motion for summary judgment dismissing claims under 42 U.S.C. §1981 granted.
• In re: Rafael Diamond, 15 Civ. 10317 (U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York). Motion for relief from bankruptcy stay and separate motion to dismiss petition in bankruptcy granted. See also, UBS Financial Services Inc. v. Rafael Diamond, Index No. 650140/2016 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. County, July 14, 2016). (Petition to confirm arbitration award granted and judgment entered in favor of UBS); Rafael Diamond v. UBS Financial Services Inc., FINRA Case No. 13-00609 (Feb. 2, 2015) (Arbitrators’ Award granting summary judgment in favor of UBSFS on all claims and counterclaims).
• UBS Financial Services Inc. v. Gary T. Padussis, No. 15-2148 (4th Cir. 2016) and UBS Financial Services Inc. v. Gary T. Padussis, 127 F.Supp.3d 483 (D. Md. 2015) (Quarles, Jr. J). Petition to vacate arbitration award on grounds arbitrators lacked authority to decide matter denied and decision of District Court affirmed on appeal.
• Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Co. v. Ronald Rogers, Harvey M. Spear and Ruth A. Spear, 13 Civ. 101 (D.N.D. November 12, 2014) (Erickson, Chief Judge). Motion for judgment on the pleadings granted in this interpleader action brought under ERISA, resulting in award to our clients of life insurance proceeds.
• Kelly Codrington v. CARCO Group Inc., 13 Civ. 2780 (E.D.N.Y. 2013) (Feuerstein, J.). Motion for summary judgment dismissing pregnancy discrimination claims filed, and matter was resolved while that motion was sub judica.
• Trapps v. Jett Industries et al., 12 Civ. 02133 (S.D.N.Y. May 31, 2013) (Koeltl, J.). Motion to dismiss granted in part and denied in part, dismissing Title VII retaliation claims.
• Williams v. Skyline Automotive Inc., 11 Civ. 4123 (S.D.N.Y., May 30, 2012) (Scheindlin, J.). Motion for summary judgment granted, dismissing plaintiff’s wage law claims under federal and state law.
• Williams v. Skyline Automotive Inc. et ano., 11 Civ. 8318, 2012 WL 4857509 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 9, 2012) (Forrest, J.). Motion for partial summary judgment dismissing state and city law discrimination and retaliation claims granted. See also Williams v. Skyline Automotive Inc., 11 Civ. 8318 (S.D.N.Y., March 2013) (motion to enforce settlement agreement granted dismissing remainder of action).
• Costello v. New York State Nurses Association et al.,783 F.Supp.2d 656, 2011 WL 1560971 (S.D.N.Y., April 25, 2011) (Scheindlin, J.). Motion for summary judgment granted, dismissing claims of age, gender, race and national origin discrimination and alleged unlawful retaliation under federal, state and city law.
• Cooper v. New York State Nurses Association et al., 847 F.Supp.2d 437, 2012 WL 913080 (E.D.N.Y., March 16, 2012) (Hurley, J.). Motion for summary judgment granted in part and denied in part, resulting in dismissal of plaintiff’s gender discrimination and retaliation claims, but leaving claim of alleged violation of FMLA for trial.
• Sussex Commons Associates, LLC et ano v. Rutgers, The State University; Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic; and Rutgers University Custodian of Records, 210 N.J. 531 (2012). Petition for certiorari granted resulting in Supreme Court ruling in defendants’ favor exempting defendant Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic from obligations of New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act.
• Shah v. RBC Capital et ano., Index No. 151482/13 (Sup. Ct. New York County, June 11, 2013) (Kenney, J.). Motion to dismiss complaint granted dismissing retaliation claims arising from termination of employment.
• Real Estate Mortgage Network, Inc. v. Carnegie Mortgage, LLC et al., Dkt. No. 651842/2012 (Sup. Ct. New York County, Feb. 5, 2013) (Schweitzer, J.). Motion to dismiss complaint alleging claims of fraudulent inducement, rescission and negligent misrepresentation granted.
• Celentano v. MetLife Inc. et al., Dkt. No. 12694/11 (Sup. Ct. Nassau Co., Apr. 3, 2012). Motion to dismiss complaint alleging claims of fraud granted.
• Goldstein v. Drew University, Index No. 101944/2010 (Sup. Ct. Richmond County, October 2010 ) (Maltese, J.). Motion to dismiss complaint for lack of jurisdiction granted.

* Note: Representation in Selected Matters prior to 2019 was prior to employment with Littler.