…two chimps may get legal standing in New York.  Two points to note:  (1) the "Supreme Court" in New York is the trial court, not the highest court of the state; (2) the judge's order is not a finding that the chimps are persons, legally or otherwise, but only that the University must justify holding them.  It is possible that after hearing the university's arguments, the judge will rule that the chimps must be released, but that's still a way off.  (Judge Jaffe has only been on the bench since 2010, but beyond that I know nothing about this judge.)