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  • Is Chrystie Management Llc, Devonwood Corporation, Llc v. Adp, Llc Commercial Division document preview
  • Is Chrystie Management Llc, Devonwood Corporation, Llc v. Adp, Llc Commercial Division document preview
  • Is Chrystie Management Llc, Devonwood Corporation, Llc v. Adp, Llc Commercial Division document preview
  • Is Chrystie Management Llc, Devonwood Corporation, Llc v. Adp, Llc Commercial Division document preview
  • Is Chrystie Management Llc, Devonwood Corporation, Llc v. Adp, Llc Commercial Division document preview
  • Is Chrystie Management Llc, Devonwood Corporation, Llc v. Adp, Llc Commercial Division document preview
  • Is Chrystie Management Llc, Devonwood Corporation, Llc v. Adp, Llc Commercial Division document preview
  • Is Chrystie Management Llc, Devonwood Corporation, Llc v. Adp, Llc Commercial Division document preview
						
                                

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FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 10/22/2021 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/22/2021 EXHIBIT A FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 05:16 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 154 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 06/10/2021 10/22/2021 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK: COMMERCIAL DIVISION IS CHRYSTIE MANAGEMENT LLC and DEVONWOOD CORPORATION LLC, Index No.: 655374/2018 Plaintiffs, (Motion Seq. No. ____) - against - NOTICE OF MOTION ADP, LLC, Oral Argument Requested Defendant. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, upon the annexed Affirmation of Randall L. Morrison, Jr., dated June 4, 2021 and the exhibits attached thereto, the Affidavit of John Pender dated June 4, 2021 and the exhibit attached thereto, the accompanying memorandum of law, the accompanying Rule 19-a Statement of Undisputed Material Facts, and all prior pleadings and proceedings had herein, defendant ADP, Inc, (“ADP”), formerly known as ADP, LLC, by its attorneys, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, will move this Court at the Courthouse, located at 60 Centre Street, Room 130, New York, New York 10007 on August 6, 2021 at 9:30 a.m., or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard, for an Order pursuant to CPLR 3212(b) granting partial summary judgment to ADP on the sole remaining claim for breach of contract in the Amended Complaint, and for such other relief as this Court deems just and proper. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that, pursuant to CPLR 2214(b), any answering papers or notices of cross-motion, with supporting papers, if any, shall be served upon the undersigned at least seven days before the return date of this motion and reply papers shall be served at least one day before the return date of this motion. 1 of 2 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 05:16 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 154 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 06/10/2021 10/22/2021 Dated: New York, New York Respectfully submitted, June 7, 2021 KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP By: /s/ William S. Gyves William S. Gyves Randall L. Morrison, Jr. Robert N. Ward 3 World Trade Center 175 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 Tel.: (212) 808-7800 Fax: (212) 808-7897 Attorneys for Defendant TO: Y. David Scharf Latisha Thompson Joaquin Ezcurra Amber R. Will Morrison Cohen LLP 909 Third Avenue New York, New York 10022 Tel.: (212) 735-8600 Attorneys for Plaintiff IS Chrystie Management LLC Devonwood Corporation LLC previously dismissed from this action 2 2 of 2 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 10:29 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 155 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK: COMMERCIAL DIVISION IS CHRYSTIE MANAGEMENT LLC and DEVONWOOD CORPORATION, LLC, Plaintiffs, Index No.: 655374/2018 (Motion Seq. No. 004) - against - ADP, LLC, Defendant. AFFIRMATION OF RANDALL L. MORRISON, JR. Randall L. Morrison, Jr., an attorney duly admitted to practice law in the State of New York, affirms under penalty of perjury, and in accordance with CPLR 2106, as follows: 1. I am an associate with the law firm of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP. We represent defendant ADP, Inc. (“ADP”), formerly known as ADP, LLC. 2. I respectfully submit this affirmation in support of ADP’s motion for partial summary judgment. 3. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true and correct copy of the Amended Complaint filed in this action by plaintiff IS Chrystie Management LLC (“IS Chrystie”). (Doc. No. 39). 4. Attached hereto as Exhibit B is a true and correct copy of the transcript of the deposition of Joan (O’Connor) Farooqi in this action (“Farooqi Deposition”). 5. Attached hereto as Exhibit C is a true and correct copy of IS Chrystie’s Objections and Responses to ADP’s Second Set of Interrogatories. Therein, in response to ADP’s Interrogatory Nos. 15 and 16, IS Chrystie identified Ms. Farooqi as the only person with knowledge of facts concerning each component of its alleged damages in this case. 1 of 10 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 10:29 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 155 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 6. Attached hereto as Exhibit D is a true and correct copy of ADP’s Commercial Division Rule 11-f Deposition Notice served upon IS Chrystie. Therein, at Topic Nos. 13, 14 and 20, ADP requested that IS Chrystie produce a witness designated to testify on its behalf with respect to the “components of IS Chrystie’s alleged damages”; the “calculation of, and documentary support for, each component” of those alleged damages; and the factual basis for IS Chrystie’s assertion that it “has been damaged in an amount … estimated to be at least $1,000,000” as a result of ADP’s alleged breaching conduct. 7. In response to ADP’s Rule 11-f Deposition Notice, IS Chrystie produced Ms. Farooqi as the witness designated to testify on its behalf with respect to Topic Nos. 13, 14 and 20. 8. Attached hereto as Exhibit E is a true and correct copy of ADP’s Amended Commercial Division Rule 11-f Deposition Notice served upon IS Chrystie. Therein, at Topic Nos. 1, 5, 6 and 20, ADP requested that IS Chrystie produce a witness designated to testify on its behalf with respect to “IS Chrystie’s understanding of the respective rights and obligations” of the parties under the controlling contract; the “operation of Public Kitchen”; the “operation of Public Hotel”; and “the corporate structure of IS Chrystie, including the identity of its principals, members and/or managers.” 9. Attached hereto as Exhibit F is a true and correct copy of IS Chrystie’s responses and objections to ADP’s Amended Rule 11-f Deposition Notice. Therein, IS Chrystie designated Ms. Farooqi as the witness designated to testify on its behalf with respect to Topic Nos. 1, 5, 6 and 20. 10. I have reviewed the website of the Ian Schrager Company available at: https://www.ianschragercompany.com. Attached hereto collectively as Exhibit G are excerpts 2 2 of 10 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 10:29 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 155 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 from that website concerning Ian Schrager’s experience as a hotelier and real estate developer. On behalf of ADP, I respectfully request that the Court take judicial notice of these documents. See Guide to NY Evidence Rule 2.01(1), Judicial Notice of Facts, https://www.nycourts.gov/judges/evidence/2-notice/2.01_judicial%20notice%20of%20facts.pdf (facts that may be judicially noticed include “facts that are capable of accurate and ready determination by resort to sources whose accuracy cannot reasonably be questioned”); Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Wrights Mill Holdings, LLC, 127 F. Supp. 3d 157, 166-67 (S.D.N.Y. 2015) (court takes judicial notice of information reflected on party’s website); Doron Precision Sys., Inc. v. FAAC, Inc., 423 F. Supp. 2d 173, 178-179 n. 8 (S.D.N.Y. 2006) (same). 11. I have reviewed Public Hotel’s website available at: https://publichotels.com/eat- and-drink. Attached hereto collectively as Exhibit H are excerpts from that website, as of May 24, 2021, reflecting that the food and beverage venues at Public Hotel include The Roof, Public Diego, Public Lobby Bar and Public Louis. On behalf of ADP, I respectfully request that the Court take judicial notice of these documents. See Wells Fargo Bank, 127 F. Supp. 3d at 166- 67; Doron Precision Sys., 423 F. Supp. 2d at 178-179 n. 8. 12. On June 1, 2021, The New York Times published an article headlined “Star Chef From Peru to Head Public Hotel Restaurants.” The article, a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit I, states that “global hotelier Ian Schrager has completely made over the restaurants” at Public Hotel and that a new restaurant has replaced Public Kitchen as the “signature restaurant” at Public Hotel. On behalf of ADP, I respectfully request that the Court take judicial notice of this document. See In re SAIC Inc. Derivative Litig., 948 F. Supp. 2d 366, 386 n. 8 (S.D.N.Y. 2013) (court takes judicial notice of newspaper article). 3 3 of 10 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 10:29 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 155 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 13. I note that Public Kitchen is no longer mentioned on Public Hotel’s website. Attached hereto as Exhibit J are excerpts from that website, as of June 4, 2021. Instead, the website references Popular, the new restaurant featured in the article attached as Exhibit I. On June 4, 2021, I called the telephone number for Public Kitchen and the voicemail now indicates that the number belongs to Popular. Based on the above, all indications are that Public Kitchen has been closed. On behalf of ADP, I respectfully request that the Court take judicial notice of the website excerpts attached as Exhibit J. See Wells Fargo Bank, 127 F. Supp. 3d at 166-67; Doron Precision Sys., 423 F. Supp. 2d at 178-179 n. 8. 14. Attached hereto as Exhibit K is a true and correct copy of the Master Services Agreement executed by and between ADP and IS Chrystie, and marked as Exhibit C at the Farooqi Deposition. 15. Attached hereto as Exhibit L is a true and correct copy of a December 19, 2017 letter from the law firm of Fitapelli & Schaffer, LLP (“Fitapelli & Schaffer”) to Public Kitchen c/o Fox Rothschild LLP (“Fox Rothschild”). IS Chrystie produced this document during discovery in this case. 16. Attached hereto as Exhibit M is a true and correct copy of ADP’s First Set of Requests for Admission to IS Chrystie dated May 7, 2021. 17. Attached hereto as Exhibit N is a true and correct copy of IS Chrystie’s Responses and Objections to ADP’s First Set of Requests for Admission dated May 27, 2021. 18. Attached hereto as Exhibit O is a true and correct copy of a January 10, 2018 tolling agreement executed by Fitapelli & Schaffer and Fox Rothschild concerning the claims identified in Fitapelli & Schaffer’s letter of December 19, 2017. IS Chrystie produced this document during discovery in this case. 4 4 of 10 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 10:29 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 155 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 19. Attached hereto as Exhibit P is a true and correct copy of a memorandum of understanding by and between Fitapelli & Schaffer and Fox Rothschild concerning the settlement of the claims identified in Fitapelli & Schaffer’s letter of December 19, 2017. IS Chrystie produced this document during discovery in this case. 20. Attached hereto as Exhibit Q is a true and correct copy of the Settlement Agreement and Release between IS Chrystie and Fitapelli & Schaffer’s client, Dinara Zhanpiessova. (Doc. No. 6 in Public Kitchen Class Action, as defined below). On behalf of ADP, I respectfully request that the Court take judicial notice of this publicly-filed document. See Spencer Stuart Human Resources Consultancy (Shanghai) Co. v. American Indus. Acquisition Corp., 2017 WL 4570791, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 12, 2017) (court takes judicial notice of publicly-filed documents in U.S. Bankruptcy Court proceedings); MJD Constr., Inc. v. Woodstock Lawn & Home Maint., 293 A.D.2d 516, 517 (2d Dep’t 2002) (court entitled to take judicial notice of the record in a related bankruptcy proceeding); People ex rel. Rosenberg v. Rosenberg, 160 A.D.2d 327, 329 (1st Dep’t 1990) (court may take judicial notice of the ruling of a court in another jurisdiction). 21. Attached hereto as Exhibit R is a true and correct copy of the Class Action Complaint filed in the litigation captioned Dinara Zhanpiessova v. Devonwood Corporation, LLC, Index No. 516028/2018 (N.Y. Supreme Kings Co.) (the “Public Kitchen Class Action”). (Doc. No. 1). On behalf of ADP, I respectfully request that the Court take judicial notice of this publicly-filed document. See Spencer Stuart, 2017 WL 4570791, at *1; MJD Constr., 293 A.D.2d at 517; Rosenberg, 160 A.D.2d at 329. 22. Attached collectively hereto as Exhibit S are true and correct copies of the unopposed motion for preliminary approval of the settlement in the Public Kitchen Class Action 5 5 of 10 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 10:29 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 155 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 with supporting brief. (Doc. Nos. 3 and 4). On behalf of ADP, I respectfully request that the Court take judicial notice of these publicly-filed documents. See Spencer Stuart, 2017 WL 4570791, at *1; MJD Constr., 293 A.D.2d at 517; Rosenberg, 160 A.D.2d at 329. 23. Attached hereto as Exhibit T is a true and correct copy of the proposed Notice of Class Action Lawsuit Settlement and Fairness Hearing in the Public Kitchen Class Action. (Doc. No. ). On behalf of ADP, I respectfully request that the Court take judicial notice of this publicly-filed document. See Spencer Stuart, 2017 WL 4570791, at *1; MJD Constr., 293 A.D.2d at 517; Rosenberg, 160 A.D.2d at 329. 24. Attached hereto as Exhibit U is a true and correct copy of the November 26, 2018 order granting preliminary approval of the settlement in the Public Kitchen Class Action. (Doc. No. 10). On behalf of ADP, I respectfully request that the Court take judicial notice of this publicly-filed document. See Spencer Stuart, 2017 WL 4570791, at *1; MJD Constr., 293 A.D.2d at 517; Rosenberg, 160 A.D.2d at 329. 25. Attached collectively hereto as Exhibit V are true and correct copies of the unopposed motion for final approval of the settlement in the Public Kitchen Class Action with supporting affirmation. (Doc. Nos. 12 and 13). On behalf of ADP, I respectfully request that the Court take judicial notice of these publicly-filed documents. See Spencer Stuart, 2017 WL 4570791, at *1; MJD Constr., 293 A.D.2d at 517; Rosenberg, 160 A.D.2d at 329. 26. Attached hereto as Exhibit W is a true and correct copy of the March 26, 2019 order granting final approval of the settlement in the Public Kitchen Class Action. (Doc. No. 21). On behalf of ADP, I respectfully request that the Court take judicial notice of this publicly- filed document. See Spencer Stuart, 2017 WL 4570791, at *1; MJD Constr., 293 A.D.2d at 517; Rosenberg, 160 A.D.2d at 329. 6 6 of 10 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 10:29 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 155 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 27. Attached hereto as Exhibit X is a true and correct copy of a January 25, 2019 letter from Fitapelli & Schaffer to Public Hotel c/o Fox Rothschild concerning claims related to employees assigned to certain food and beverage venues in the Public Hotel other than Public Kitchen, including The Roof, Public Arts, Public Diego, Public Lobby and Lobby Bar, and Public Louis. IS Chrystie produced this document during discovery in this case. 28. Attached hereto as Exhibit Y is a true and correct copy of the April 10, 2019 tolling agreement executed by Fitapelli & Schaffer and Fox Rothschild concerning the claims identified in Fitapelli & Schaffer’s letter of January 25, 2019. IS Chrystie produced this document during discovery in this case. 29. IS Chrystie commenced this action on October 29, 2018. 30. The Amended Complaint in this action is focused on ADP's services with respect to IS Chrystie employees assigned to Public Kitchen. 31. Public Kitchen is referenced in the Amended Complaint fifty-five times. 32. Public Hotel is referenced in the Amended Complaint once in describing the physical location of Public Kitchen. 33. The Roof, Public Arts, Public Diego, Public Lobby and Lobby Bar, and Public Louis are not referenced in the Amended Complaint. 34. The Amended Complaint was filed nearly three months before Public Hotel’s receipt of Fitapelli & Schaffer’s letter of January 25, 2019 relating to tipped employees at The Roof, Public Arts, Public Diego, Public Lobby and Lobby Bar, and Public Louis. 35. IS Chrystie has neither sought nor obtained leave to amend or supplement the Amended Complaint. 7 7 of 10 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 10:29 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 155 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 36. Attached hereto as Exhibit Z is a true and correct copy of the transcript of the deposition of Scott Englund of New York Hospitality LLC (“New York Hospitality”) in this action. 37. In response to an amended deposition subpoena ADP served on New York Hospitality, New York Hospitality produced Mr. Englund as its corporate representative designated to testify on its behalf pursuant to Commercial Division Rule 11-f. Attached hereto as Exhibit AA is a true and correct copy of ADP’s amended deposition subpoena served on New York Hospitality. 38. Mr. Englund was designated to testify concerning, among other things, the services New York Hospitality provided with respect to Public Hotel. Dated: New York, New York June 4, 2021 Randall L. Morrison, Jr. 8 8 of 10 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 10:29 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 155 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit A: Amended Complaint Exhibit B: Transcript of the Deposition of Joan (O’Connor) Farooqi Exhibit C: IS Chrystie’s Objections and Responses to ADP’s Second Set of Interrogatories Exhibit D: ADP’s Commercial Division Rule 11-f Deposition Notice to IS Chrystie Exhibit E: ADP’s Amended Commercial Division Rule 11-f Deposition Notice to IS Chrystie Exhibit F: IS Chrystie’s Responses and Objections to ADP’s Amended Commercial Division Rule 11-f Deposition Notice Exhibit G: Excerpts from the website of Ian Schrager Company Exhibit H: Excerpts from the website of Public Hotel as of May 24, 2021 Exhibit I June 1, 2021 New York Times article headlined “Star Chef From Peru to Head Public Hotel Restaurants” Exhibit J: Excerpts from the website of Public Hotel as of June 4, 2021 Exhibit K Master Services Agreement between ADP and IS Chrystie Exhibit L: Letter of December 19, 2017 from Fitapelli & Schaffer to Public Kitchen Exhibit M: ADP’s First Set of Requests for Admission to ISC Exhibit N: IS Chrystie’s Responses and Objections to ADP’s First Set of Requests for Admission Exhibit O: Tolling Agreement dated January 10, 2018 between Fitapelli & Schaffer and Fox Rothschild in the Public Kitchen Class Action Exhibit P: Memorandum of Understanding between Fitapelli & Schaffer and Fox Rothschild in the Public Kitchen Class Action Exhibit Q: Settlement Agreement and Release dated April 30, 2018 in the Public Kitchen Class Action Exhibit R: Class Action Complaint in the Public Kitchen Class Action Exhibit S: Unopposed motion (with supporting brief) for preliminary approval of the Public Kitchen Class Action settlement Exhibit T: Proposed Notice of Class Action Lawsuit Settlement and Fairness Hearing in the Public Kitchen Class Action Exhibit U: November 26, 2018 order granting preliminary approval to the Public Kitchen Class Action settlement Exhibit V: Unopposed motion (with supporting brief) for final approval of the Public Kitchen Class Action settlement 9 of 10 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 10:29 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 155 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 Exhibit W: March 26, 2019 order granting final approval of the Public Kitchen Class Action settlement Exhibit X: Letter of January 25, 2019 from Fitapelli & Schaffer to Public Hotel Exhibit Y: Tolling Agreement dated April 10, 2019 between Fitapelli & Schaffer and Fox Rothschild re Public Hotel Exhibit Z: Transcript of the Deposition of Scott Englund Exhibit AA: ADP’s Amended Deposition Subpoena to New York Hospitality LLC 2 10 of 10 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 10:29 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 156 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 EXHIBIT A FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 02/15/2019 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 08:44 10:29 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 39 156 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/21/2019 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK ------------------------------------------------------------------------X : IS CHRYSTIE MANAGEMENT LLC, DEVENWOOD : Index No. 655374/2018 CORPORATION LLC and DEVONWOOD : CORPORATION, LLC, : : Plaintiffs, : : AMENDED -against- : COMPLAINT : ADP, LLC : : Defendant. : : ------------------------------------------------------------------------X Plaintiffs IS Chrystie Management LLC (“IS Chrystie”) and Devonwood Corporation, LLC (“Devonwood,” together with IS Chrystie, “Plaintiffs”), by and through their undersigned counsel, Morrison Cohen LLP, as and for their Amended Complaint against Defendant ADP, LLC (“Defendant” or “ADP”), allege as follows: INTRODUCTION 1. Plaintiff Devonwood operates and controls the popular, upscale restaurant Public Kitchen. Public Kitchen, known for its innovative cuisine prepared by a world-renowned chef, employs dozens of tipped employees such as servers, bartenders and the like. Plaintiff IS Chrystie, in its role as Public Kitchen’s manager, enters into service contracts on behalf of Public Kitchen to ensure that Public Kitchen’s essential services are met, including those provided to its employees. 2. In 2016, IS Chrystie entered into an agreement for ADP to provide critical payroll services for Public Kitchen’s employees. Pursuant to the agreement, ADP was to, among other things, process the payroll for Public Kitchen’s employees, deliver pay checks and related #8131346 v1 \026854 \0001 1 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 02/15/2019 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 08:44 10:29 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 39 156 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/21/2019 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 reports to Public Kitchen and design a system to carry out those payroll services in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. 3. At the time it entered into the agreement, ADP not only represented that it would provide payroll services of the highest quality, but specifically contracted to “be responsible for the accuracy of” the services to “assist [Public Kitchen] in complying with its legal and regulatory requirements.” Contrary to its representations, the payroll services provided by ADP were designed in an improper and haphazard manner, with a reckless and wanton disregard for the effect on Public Kitchen and its employees and otherwise failed to assist Public Kitchen in complying with existing law. Among other things, ADP failed to properly process the payroll of Public Kitchen’s employees and ultimately provided pay checks that failed to include information required under New York law. 4. As a result of ADP’s willful and reckless failure to perform the payroll services in conformance with applicable law, Plaintiffs are facing significant liability—all of which arise out of payroll statements improperly prepared and processed by ADP. 5. Plaintiffs have reached out to ADP on numerous occasions seeking recompense for ADP’s failure to live up to its representations and to provide the contracted services in a reasonable manner, to no avail. ADP has both refused to return the money it was paid for its services and to indemnify Plaintiffs for the harm caused by ADP’s willful and reckless failure to perform the payroll services. As such, Plaintiffs are now compelled to bring this lawsuit. 6. Upon information and belief, ADP’s willful failure to perform payroll services in conformance with applicable law is part of a pattern with respect to ADP’s treatment of its customers that has required other ADP customers and/or their employees to sue ADP. #8131346 v1 \026854 \0001 2 2 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 02/15/2019 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 08:44 10:29 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 39 156 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/21/2019 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 Plaintiffs have now been forced to join that line of ADP customers who have been wronged by ADP’s reckless, grossly negligent service. Plaintiffs should be compensated for ADP’s misconduct. PARTIES 7. IS Chrystie is a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business located at 215 Chrystie Street, New York, New York 10002. 8. Devonwood is a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business located at 215 Chrystie Street, New York, New York 10002. 9. Defendant is a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business located at One ADP Boulevard, Roseland, New Jersey 07068. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 10. Jurisdiction is proper in this Court under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (“CPLR”) Sections 301 and 302 because Plaintiff is located and transacts business in New York, and Defendant transacts business and supplies services in New York and has committed a tortious act within New York. 11. Venue is proper in New York County pursuant to CPLR Section 503 because Plaintiff’s principal place of business is located in New York County. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS Background of Public Kitchen 12. Public Kitchen is a restaurant located in lower Manhattan that opened in or about June 2017. 13. Public Kitchen is a world-renowned restaurant, located within New York’s Public Hotel. Its menu focuses on sustainable seafood, organic poultry and grass-fed meats, as #8131346 v1 \026854 \0001 3 3 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 02/15/2019 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 08:44 10:29 05:48 PM INDEX NO. 655374/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 39 156 341 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/21/2019 06/07/2021 10/22/2021 well as the use of fresh and organic fruits and vegetables. 14. As is typical for an upscale restaurant, Public Kitchen’s management employs numerous staff including servers, server assistants, food runners, bartenders, barbacks and other tipped employees. 15. In order to make sure each of Public Kitchen’s employees would be properly compensated in full compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, Plaintiffs began the search for a company to provide payroll processing services for their employees even before the restaurant’s doors opened. 16. In or about early 2016, Public Kitchen entered into discussions with ADP,