Facts

Plaintiffs, 12 former students of defendant Ex'pression Center for New Media, brought claims against Ex'pression and two of its former officers, Gary Platt and Peter Laanen. Plaintiffs filed claims for breach of contract, fraud, violation of specific sections of the Education Code, unfair competition and violations of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA).

Ex'pression filed cross-claims for breach of contract against certain plaintiffs arising out of such plaintiffs' failure to repay their tuition loans.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiffs contended that Ex'pression had misrepresented the type of license or accreditation status the school had, the education plaintiffs would receive, the type of degree plaintiffs would get, the financial aid available to plaintiffs, the facilities at the school, and the plaintiffs' post-graduation ability to find employment. Plaintiffs claimed that the school's acts violated specific Education Code sections, breached plaintiffs' contracts with the school, constituted fraud and unfair competition, and violated the CLRA.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Ex'pression contended that plaintiffs received a quality education, and received the degrees that they earned and were entitled to. Ex'pression was at all relevant times authorized and licensed to offer and issue the degrees that plaintiffs received. Ex'pression did not misrepresent anything to the plaintiffs and did not breach any contract with plaintiffs or commit any other acts giving rise to unfair competition or breach of the CLRA. It was established at trial that plaintiffs all either obtained valuable employment in fields of their choosing or chose not to pursue such employment at all.

Ex'pression cross-claimed against certain plaintiffs for their outstanding tuition due to Ex'pression. Ex'pression prevailed on every claim against it and recovered every penny sought on its cross-claims.

Result

Ex'pression recovered the entirety of its damages sought on its cross-claims for $356,312. Ex'pression also recovered $229,213 in attorneys' fees, and $108,213 in costs.

Other Information

FILING DATE: Sept. 13, 2004.

Deliberation

five days

Length

two months