THE COMPLAINT WAS NEVER PROPERLY AMENDED TO ADD DEFENDANT AS A PARTY PURSUANT TO CPLR 1003 OR CPLR 3025 REQUIRING DISMISSAL (FIRST DEPT). ​

The First Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the action against defendant (Adam) must be dismissed because the complaint was never properly amended to had Adam as a party:

This action must be dismissed as against Adam Max (Adam) because the complaint was never properly amended to add him as a defendant. CPLR 1003 requires leave of court or a stipulation by all parties to add parties, at least where, as here, parties have previously been added. CPLR 3025(a)-(b) similarly requires leave of court or a stipulation by all parties to amend a complaint, at least when done so late in the case. Because this procedure was not followed, the amended complaint must be dismissed, at least as against the newly joined Adam … . ALP, Inc. v Moskowitz, 2022 NY Slip Op 03962, First Dept 6-16-22

Practice Point: Here the amendment of the complaint to add a party was not done by leave of court or a stipulation of all parties/ The action against the added party was dismissed.