Facts

Plaintiff Mara M. Farah, an independent sales representative of United Way International Ltd. (a garment manufacturer located in Guangzhou China) claimed that she entered into a written contract with United Way in December 2004 to serve as United Way's exclusive United States sales representative entitling her to a commission from United Way for all orders placed by Forever 21 in perpetuity. Pursuant to Plaintiff's purported contract with United Way, she began soliciting orders from Forever 21, an international clothing retailer, and submitting orders from Forever 21 to United Way.

Plaintiff claimed that at some time in June 2008, Forever 21, in an effort to reduce costs, communicated to Plaintiff that it would no longer be ordering garments through her and would begin ordering garments directly from United Way to lower costs. As a result, Plaintiff claimed damages for lost commissions from June 2008 through the present on all orders placed by Forever 21 to United Way.

Plaintiff filed suit against Forever 21 asserting causes of action for intentional interference with Plaintiff's contractual relationship with United Way to breach its contract with Plaintiff.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Forever 21 denied ever having knowledge of any purported contract between Plaintiff and United Way as the scope of Plaintiff's relationship with United Way was never disclosed to Forever 21.

Damages

Plaintiff alleged $1.3 million in lost commissions for orders placed by Forever 21 to United Way.

Result

Defense verdict. The jury found Forever 21 did not intend to cause any disruption or breach of Plaintiff's contractual relationship with United Way.

Other Information

FILING DATE: June 17, 2010.

Deliberation

five hours.

Length

4.5 days