Cross-Motion May Not be Made Against Party That was Not the Initial Movant

On January 23, 2026, Justice Boddie of the Kings County Commercial Division issued a decision in Huebner v. Elberg, 2026 NY Slip Op. 30293(U), holding that a cross-motion may not be made seeking relief from a party that was not the movant for the initial motion, explaining:

It is well settled that a cross motion is an improper vehicle for seeking affirmative relief from a nonmoving party. Here, it is undisputed that Elberg was the sole moving party on the underlying order to show cause, and that Abrams appears only as a nominal defendant.

Because Abrams was not a moving party and the issues raised in Elberg’s motion did not concern Abrams’ conduct or discovery obligations, plaintiffs’ attempt to obtain affirmative relief against Abrams by way of cross-motion is procedurally improper. Additionally, it is undisputed that plaintiff failed to comply with 22 NYCRR § 202.7, under which a motion relating to disclosure must be accompanied by an affirmation from moving counsel attesting that he or she has conferred with counsel for the opposing party in a good faith effort to resolve the issues raised by the motion.

Accordingly, the branch of plaintiffs’ cross-motion seeking an order compelling Abrams to serve a privilege log is denied.

(Internal citations omitted).

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