N.Y. UJC Law § 1809

§ 1809. Procedures relating to corporations, associations, insurers and\nassignees.\n 1. No corporation, except a municipal corporation, public benefit\ncorporation, school district or school district public library wholly or\npartially within the municipal corporate limit, no partnership, or\nassociation and no assignee of any small claim shall institute an action\nor proceeding under this article, nor shall this article apply to any\nclaim or cause of action brought by an insurer in its own name or in the\nname of its insured whether before or after payment to the insured on\nthe policy.\n 2. A corporation may appear in the defense of any small claim action\nbrought pursuant to this article by an attorney as well as by any\nauthorized officer, director or employee of the corporation provided\nthat the appearance by a non-lawyer on behalf of a corporation shall be\ndeemed to constitute the requisite authority to bind the corporation in\na settlement or trial. The court or arbitrator may make reasonable\ninquiry to determine the authority of any person who appears for the\ncorporation in defense of a small claims court case.\n