Successful Representation in Leasehold Interest Lawsuit

Represented our client in a federal lawsuit in which an Arizona entity and its principals (the “defendants”) claimed a leasehold interest in Arizona property purchased by our clients free and clear of any such interest. The defendants’ attorney sent threatening and defamatory letters and a draft complaint to members of the clients’ industry. We filed an action in federal court in Arizona seeking a declaration that the defendants had no leasehold interest and claiming damages for the defamation, for interference with our clients’ business relationships and for other claims. The defendants filed a counterclaim against our clients. We were successfully granted monetary sanctions against the defendants’ attorney, as well as a summary judgment on our declaratory relief claim and against the defendants’ comparable claim, with the court concluding that the defendants had no leasehold interest. In addition, the defendants’ remaining counterclaims were dismissed and we were granted attorneys’ fees against the defendants. On behalf of our client, we filed two more attorneys’ fees motions that are pending, entered defaults of two of the defendants and requested that defaults of the additional two defendants be entered, and will be filing a motion for judgment against all defendants.