Commercial Real Estate Firm – Partial Summary Judgement Granted in Complex Dispute

Awarded partial summary judgement on behalf of commercial real estate client in a dispute with a former officer and member of the parties’ investment vehicle. The New York Federal Court held that that the plaintiff former officer breached contractual obligations and fiduciary duties by misappropriating resources and soliciting investors during his employment. The Court granted Herrick’s clients’ requested declaratory relief by holding that they properly ascribed “Cause” to the officer’s termination upon discovering the misconduct and validly effectuated the termination and redemption of his profits interest in the parties’ investment vehicle for a penny. The Court also ordered the disgorgement of the former officer’s salary and value of company paid benefits during his period of disloyalty together with injunctive relief requiring him to return all confidential and proprietary information. Notably, the Court also held that the officer’s new business and business partner were jointly and severally liable for aiding and abetting the breaches of fiduciary duty.