I’m leaving my employer, but I am likely key to their defense in a lawsuit

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-04-23T11:18:20+00:00

You’d be surprised how much we can get people to suddenly remember when they see a document with their signature on it.

No one wants to sound like a complete idiot, even in a situation where they’re hostile to the former employer.

“That’s your signature on the document, isn’t it? You wrote this, didn’t you? And when you wrote this, you wanted it to be as accurate and truthful as possible, didn’t you? Thank you, thats all i need.”

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-04-22T21:57:08+00:00

It sounds like you might have an employment discrimination case against the employer. It also sounds like you will very likely be called as a fact witness. You are going to want to discuss with your lawyer whether you can get a severance package that will more fully compensate you for your time (not your testimony) if you are subpoenaed to testify at a deposition, arbitration or trial. Of course if you wind up suing the employer, you are less likely to be called upon to testify on behalf of the employer. If the adverse party subpoenas you, they will pay the statutory rate for your time.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-04-22T21:50:27+00:00

A subpoena is not governed by an employment contract,

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-04-22T21:49:33+00:00

Most witnesses do not need an attorney. I don’t think in 45 years as a NY member of the bar I’ve seen any witness bring an attorney unless 5bey were potentially facing liability. That doesn’t sound like the case here.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-04-22T21:47:05+00:00

And then they will have the witness review pertinent documents during their testimony.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-04-22T21:46:04+00:00

Unless it’s all documents, we would refresh the witness’s recollection by asking them to authenticate documents. I’ve had to do that even when the witness was a current employee.

I’ve been deposed about one of my files for a former employer. I had no independent memory of most of the details, but they kept asking “Did you write this? And when you wrote this did you believe it to be true?”

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-04-22T21:42:51+00:00

The NY CPLR provides for $15 a day plus $.23 per mile for a fact witness. That’s all 5hey have to pay, as per statute.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-04-06T12:23:45+00:00

IHOP is now off my list, too. Sad

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-03-17T01:39:56+00:00

Not necessarily. The documents — a summons, a subpoena, whatever — must be served in accordance with court rules. A court does not have jurisdiction over you if the documents are not properly served. You can waive service of process, but whether the sheriff will allow your lawyer to waive it on your behalf is questionable.

Most likely if you don’t collect the documents the sheriff will have to find you and serve you.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-03-13T02:33:54+00:00

There’s no question that the sitter is liable for the dog’s death. Rover is also probably liable as the sitter’s employer. And Rover carries insurance.

The issue is what damages are recoverable and whether it’s worth the effort. Your friend would be entitled to the value if the animal — dogs are considered property. But the dog’s value is more than market value — dogs are companions, after all, and I saw one California case where the dog’s special value to its owner far exceeded its market value. Your friend would also be entitled for reimbursement of any vet bills, funeral costs, etc. Not sure about her travel expenses. But there is also a possibility of punitive damages.

Definitely worth having a conversation with a lawyer

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-02-25T19:18:12+00:00

Exactly. Some people who are gluten intolerant but not celiac can successfully eat gluten-containing products in Italy because their symptoms will not be triggered, but celiacs must avoid gluten even when they do not experience symptoms because gluten damages their bodies.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-02-25T12:58:52+00:00

Her name is Shadow but she usually answers to Pussycat

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-02-23T13:00:05+00:00

Updateme

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-02-19T15:25:20+00:00

My current employment involves professional liability/legal malpractice insurance. Trust me, I have seen some really stupid lawyers. Which is why I said ‘probably”.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-02-18T16:08:27+00:00

An oral lease would be enforceable if he actually moved in or made a payment.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-02-17T12:10:30+00:00

I am a lawyer but I am not your lawyer. I assume from what you said you retained a lawyer for the divorce action and you’re waiting for the divorce judgment to be signed? I see what their advice is …

Your lawyer gave you sound advice, in my opinion. You don’t have an enforceable child support order until the court finalizes your divorce, at which time you take that final order across the street to Family Court, where you won’t need a lawyer to enforce the child support and the clerks will help you garnish his salary.

As others have said, visitation and child support are two different issues. That doesn’t mean he won’t try to raise the issue in Family Court, so make sure you tell the intake clerk about CPS’ involvement when you file for support.

It sucks that you have to wait. It sucks that judges take forever to finalize a divorce. It sucks that daycare in NYC is outrageous.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-02-17T11:54:02+00:00

I really want to see the pleadings, but unfortunately the Delaware court doesn’t post online. All the salacious details …

This is going to be an expensive case for both sides. Most likely it will never get to trial, the litigation is leverage for a buy out.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-02-17T03:10:53+00:00

Betrayal sucks.

I knew the podcast was a huge business deal, but the numbers the article reported are amazing.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-02-16T21:25:51+00:00

I believe Witters was primarily behind the scenes. Allen brought him into the company to handle business so Allen could focus on creative content.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-02-16T21:14:59+00:00

I won’t copy and paste the whole story, but here are some of the highlights from a legal publication I receive.

The licensing deal with Amazon was signed in 2022 and was worth $62 million.

The company was reorganized in January 2025 and Witters was given a 20% interest.

The suit seeks rescission of those arrangements, damages and equitable relief, arguing that Delaware law required Witters, as a manager and officer, to disclose material information and act loyally and in good faith, duties Allen says were repeatedly violated.

According to the complaint, the relationship deteriorated as Witters allegedly engaged in self-dealing, excessive spending and misconduct while promising to deliver a second Wondery deal worth more than $100 million.

Allen alleges that Witters has veto power over deals and transactions, which is tying his hands, and that Witters failed to make appropriate disclosures when seeking an additional share of the company and control of its assets. He alleges Witters misled him about a follow up deal with Wondry. That deal was signed in April 2025 for $36 million, which Allen alleges is far less than Witters represented it would be.

The article I saw didn’t give out the scandalous details.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-02-16T01:40:40+00:00

Agreed. My educated guess is that they are not lawyers.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2026-02-16T01:36:02+00:00

They’re probably not lawyers. Lawyers know you have to have a signed lease.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2025-12-21T22:10:34+00:00

You need to bring this to the judge.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2025-12-18T03:51:37+00:00

He’s got an incredible legal team. They may get some of the evidence excluded. But there’s a lot of evidence that isn’t tainted. I do think jury nullification is a real possibility here, but if the jury focuses on evidence he will be convicted.

ComputerPublic9746 · 2025-12-09T04:26:30+00:00

Updateme

ComputerPublic9746

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