Trials & Litigation
Judge's tendency to 'interrupt, patronize and admonish' plaintiff lawyer requires new med-mal trial
A New York appellate court has reversed a defense verdict in a medical malpractice case, saying that the trial judge’s tendency to “interrupt, patronize and admonish” the plaintiff’s lawyer prevented the plaintiff from getting a fair trial, Reuters reports.
While the lawyer, Anthony Pirrotti, “may have been overly aggressive, and at times even antagonized the trial justice,” the Appellate Division, Second Department, said in its Wednesday order, it was Supreme Court Justice Mary Smith’s job to “maintain an impartial attitude.”
A new trial in the Westchester County Supreme Court case will now be held before a different judge.
