As Westchester County’s go-to law firm for high-stakes and complex commercial litigation, Yankwitt LLP is pleased to share our inaugural Westchester Supreme Court Commercial Division Round Up, analyzing the court’s caseload and offering key insights for 2024 and beyond. Led by two experienced and commercially sophisticated judges – Judge Linda Jamieson and Judge Gretchen Walsh – the Commercial Division maintains an active and diverse docket, including contract disputes, shareholder litigations, employment cases and many others. Located just steps away from our offices, Yankwitt LLP attorneys appear frequently before both judges and are proud to call the Westchester Commercial Division one of our home courts.

Trends to Watch

Settlement, Settlement, Settlement!

Of the 131 cases filed and assigned to the Commercial Division in 2024, only 30% remain pending in 2025. With just 5% resolved on dispositive motion practice, it is clear that settlements accounted for the remaining 75 cases marked as disposed on the Commercial Division docket. This can be attributed to Judges Jamieson and Walsh actively encouraging resolution, often to a great effect. If you have a commercial dispute that is ripe for an amicable resolution, the Westchester Commercial Division may be a good forum for you.

High-Stakes Litigation Has a Home in Westchester

The New York Court Rules specify a minimum amount in controversy of “only” $100,000 to gain entry to Westchester’s Commercial Division. But do not be fooled by this low threshold: sophisticated and complex commercial litigation is not found exclusively in Manhattan. More than 25% of the cases assigned to the Commercial Division in 2024 sought damages of more than $1 million. Westchester’s Commercial Division judges have extensive experience adjudicating “big” cases and litigants should feel comfortable bringing their high stakes disputes in this court.

How Yankwitt LLP Can Help

As Westchester’s leading litigation-only law firm, Yankwitt LLP combines deep local insight with a track record of success in complex commercial disputes. Our attorneys – former AUSAs and federal law clerks – appear regularly before Judges Jamieson and Walsh and know how to navigate the nuances of the Commercial Division to protect and advance our clients’ interests.

Whether your case demands aggressive motion practice, strategic settlement or trial-readiness, Yankwitt LLP is the go-to local counsel for companies across industries and sizes and frequently partners with Am Law 100 firms seeking trusted, boots-on-the-ground representation in Westchester for their clients.