Hall Maines Lugrin served as lead trial counsel for the defendant. Following a two-week jury trial, the jury found that a partnership had been formed and awarded money damages; but in response to post-verdict motions we filed, the court entered a judgment notwithstanding the verdict in our client’s favor. The court subsequently entered a take-nothing judgment against the plaintiff and in favor of our client, completely vindicating our client of any liability. We also handled the appeal to the court of appeals, which affirmed the trial court’s judgment in our client’s favor.
Defense Found Not Guilty in Breach of Oral Partnership Agreement
A former investment banker accused our client of breaching an oral partnership agreement to identify and acquire oil and gas prospects and conspiring with a large private equity fund to misappropriate an opportunity to acquire an oil and gas company. A target was identified, but when the transaction closed, the plaintiff was left out of the deal. The plaintiff claimed he was deprived of a stake in the new business and sued our client, alleging a variety of business torts.