owners of the restaurant group denied the existence of a binding settlement agreement and refused to pay him any money. One of the majority owners was an attorney, and the restaurant group suggested they would fare better in a lawsuit than would our client because the restaurant group was not going to incur legal fees. After multiple attempts to try to settle the case, Kristy Rogers and Phil sued the majority group and tried the case to a jury in Polk County. They needed to prove that an enforceable settlement agreement existed; the terms of that agreement; and that their client had fully performed his obligations. After a four-day trial, the team achieved a total victory for their client when he was awarded the $30,000 with interest from the date of the original settlement agreement, which has now been paid in full. Former Fredrikson lawyer Rhiannon Baker assisted.
LEVI SMITH
JACOB BAER
Owning and running your own business is often thought to be a part of the American dream for many. This past year, Levi Smith and Jacob Baer assisted a group of employees purchase a unique and successful cleaning company from the long-time owners who had decided to retire out of state. The owners felt very strongly that they wanted to give the employees a chance to continue to work at the business after it was sold. They were afraid that if they sold it to an outsider, the new owners might change the company and the employees could either be let go or would choose to leave. The owners and employees reached out to Neighborhood Development Center and agreed that the best option was for a core group of the employees to purchase the business themselves and run it as a cooperative. Levi and Jacob agreed to work with the group to set up the new business entity and to help the employees purchase the business. As owners, the employees now get a stronger voice to determine how the business is run and to also receive a portion of the profits. Gracie Hyland, Dan Mott, Jordan Rife and paralegal Jacki Bernu assisted. 20
