After a weeklong jury trial, Jackson Walker L.L.P. secured a take-nothing verdict for its client in a highly contested dispute between two limited partners arising from the management and sale of millions of dollars in partnership property.

The weeklong jury trial focused on numerous allegations of breach of fiduciary duty brought by limited partner Lori Hagee against Jackson Walker’s client Scott Felder, who was also a limited partner and sole director of the general partnership at issue. Among other allegations, Hagee alleged that Mr. Felder had inappropriately utilized partnership proceeds for personal gain and to secure capital for non-partnership ventures. The principal focus was on whether the general partner had the authority to enter certain transactions and whether those transactions resulted in a breach of fiduciary duty. Ms. Hagee was seeking millions of dollars in damages, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees.

On March 9, 2012, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Jackson Walker’s client and the partnership. Significantly, the jury found that Ms. Hagee had breached her contract and that her business had trespassed on partnership property. Mr. Felder and the partnership were found to have complied with all fiduciary duties, and Hagee received no judgment against them. Jackson Walker’s client and the partnership were awarded approximately $600,000 in attorneys’ fees by the jury.

Jackson Walker partners Chris Mugica and Al Kainz served as lead counsel in defending this claim, with Kimberly Gdula, Jorge Padilla, and Chad Smith supporting the trial team. Jackson Walker worked closely with the partnership’s counsel, Kevin Young of Prichard Hawkins McFarland & Young.

The victory highlights Jackson Walker’s depth of expertise in commercial litigation and proven trial experience that has made the firm the “go to” choice for clients in complex or bet-the-company cases in Texas and across the U.S.

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