Manhattan's Appellate Division courthouse, located at 27 Madison Ave., is an example of Beaux-Arts architecture, a time capsule of Progressive Era aesthetic values and recently a canvas for its contemporary leadership to imprint modern attitudes. Photo by Dean Moses [Editors note: Welcome to the amNew York Law Bench Report, where we will feature notable rulings from state and federal courts, brief news bulletins that impact the judiciary and announcements from judges' chambers. Are we missing anything? Contact editor-in-chief Andrew Denney at adenney@schnepsmedia.com]