Patterson-Schwartz & Associates, Inc. v. Unit, Inc.

397 F. Supp. 1384, 1975 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12584
CourtDistrict Court, D. Delaware
DecidedApril 30, 1975
DocketCiv. A. No. 74-130
StatusPublished

This text of 397 F. Supp. 1384 (Patterson-Schwartz & Associates, Inc. v. Unit, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Delaware primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Patterson-Schwartz & Associates, Inc. v. Unit, Inc., 397 F. Supp. 1384, 1975 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12584 (D. Del. 1975).

Opinion

STAPLETON, District Judge:

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. Plaintiff Patterson-Schwartz & Associates, Inc. (“Patterson-Schwartz”) is a Delaware corporation having its principal place of business in Delaware.

2. Defendant Unit, Inc. (“Unit”) is a Texas corporation whose principal place of business is not in Delaware. It is registered to do business in Delaware and has real estate investment interests in Wilmington, Delaware; Cincinnati, Fairmont and Columbus, Ohio; Lexington, Kentucky; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Dallas, Texas.

3. The amount alleged to be owed Patterson-Schwartz by Unit, exclusive of interests and costs, exceeds $10,000.

4. On May 29, 1969 Patterson-Schwartz and Unit entered into a general partnership agreement (“the Agreement”), a copy of which is attached and incorporated herein. As set forth in the Agreement, the purpose of the partnership—the name of which was the Pennsylvania Avenue Property Company (“PAPC”)—was to “engage in the busi[1386]*1386ness of acquiring and holding for investment [certain real property]” and “to build [on the acquired real property] an apartment project or other commercial buildings.”

5. On the day the Agreement was executed, the partnership borrowed $325,000 from the Bank of Delaware. The partners executed a “corporate note” 1 rendering themselves jointly and severally liable for repayment of the loan. Shortly thereafter the principal was reduced to $301,000 by repayment of funds received from the bank as a part of the loan.2

6. The proceeds of the bank loan, together with $15,600 advanced in equal shares by Patterson-Schwartz and Unit,3 were used to purchase lots in the City of Wilmington in a block bounded by Rodney and Broom Streets and Pennsylvania Avenue. These lots were then mortgaged to secure the debt to the bank. Located on the acquired properties were residential dwellings which the partnership intended to rent until their removal would be made necessary by the advent of the contemplated construction project.

7. Although the partnership agreement provided that Patterson-Schwartz and Unit were to be “co-managing partners of the partnership business,” it was tacitly understood that Patterson-Schwartz, being the partner located near the partnership property, would manage the properties and maintain the accounts. Rental income was insufficient to meet interest and other expenses, and in November of 1969, Patterson-Schwartz billed Unit for its share (i. e. 50%) of the deficiencies which Patterson-Schwartz had paid on behalf of the partnership. In the beginning of December, Unit made a $4,949.65 disbursement to Patterson-Schwartz to cover this bill.

8. On December 10, 1969, the partnership received some adverse news. Despite a favorable recommendation by the Wilmington Planning Director, the City Planning Commission rejected the partnership’s application for rezoning of the partnership land to permit inclusion of commercial units within the envisioned project. Harry Tingle, the Vice-President of Patterson-Schwartz, advised B. W- Morris, the President of Unit, of this development and further wrote:

Our next step is before City Council, but I can’t predict the outcome. However, we expect to go ahead with a condominium apartment project regardless, which requires no change in the present status of the property.

I am quite hopeful that we can bail you out with a profit on the land unless you feel you would like to stay in the deal. Response from the publicity has been great. ... 4 The inference to be drawn from this letter—an inference confirmed by testimony of the witness—is that Unit had no enthusiasm for going forward with a strictly residential project.

9. Accordingly, shortly after the rezoning fell through, Patterson-Schwartz and Unit reached an understanding that Patterson-Schwartz would try to interest third parties in the partnership nroperty. Over the subsequent years, Patterson-Schwartz made a number of unsuccessful efforts toward this end. These efforts involved solicitation of proposals either to take over the entire project or to join with Patterson-Schwartz in some kind of joint venture to carry the project forward.

[1387]*138710. In the Spring of 1972, there were discussions between Tingle and Unit’s counsel, Marvin Lewis, regarding the possible sale of Unit’s interest in the partnership to Patterson-Schwartz or to a third party. During a phone conversation, Tingle suggested to Lewis that the latter discuss with his principals the terms on which Unit would be willing to sell out. Lewis testified at trial that an agreement for the acquisition of Unit’s interest was reached during this conversation, but the subsequent correspondence between the parties does not bear this out. On April 19, 1972, Lewis wrote to Tingle, stating:

I have discussed the matter of Unit’s participation in the Pennsylvania Avenue Property with Mr. B. W. Morris and it is agreeable with him and Unit, Inc. that you or a proposed purchaser that you might have purchase Unit’s interest in the Pennsylvania Avenue Property and we will join in the deed upon payment or settlement with Unit, Inc. of all the monies that Unit, Inc. has invested in the property and for a complete release of any indebtedness Unit might have with your company or the bank.
If this is agreeable with you, please let me hear from you at the earliest possible moment as to when this transaction can be closed.5

11. The following day, Lewis again wrote Tingle—this time to specify the exact amount of cash which—together with a release of all indebtedness to the bank and Patterson-Schwartz, would be necessary to acquire Unit’s interest.6

12. On May 25, 1972, Tingle returned Lewis’ letter, indicating that:

I am taking the entire matter up with our other principals and I think that maybe the best way to handle this matter would be for you and Bill to execute the quit-claim deed in favor of Patterson-Schwartz & Associates, Inc. and forward the same to Jack Killoran7 with instructions to deliver the same, in the event that Patterson-Schwartz & Associates, Inc. agree to pay the Unit investment.8

13. The requested deed was not forwarded, however, and on July 28, 1972, Patterson-Schwartz’s attorney, Vincent A. Theisen, stepped into the picture. He wrote Lewis:

I now have been requested by Patterson-Schwartz & Associates, Inc. to lend a hand in bringing to a conclusion the Pennsylvania Avenue joint venture about which you wrote Harry Tingle on April 20, 1972. As I understand it, there is the sum of $13,434.65 due you as a result of the forwarding payment of interest, accounting and legal and travel expenses. I am advised by Patterson-Schwartz & Associates, Inc. that there has been a considerable amount of difficulty in communications and that although Harry Tingle had suggested that you prepare a quit-claim deed and send it to Jack Killoran, who represents you in this matter, nothing has been done. Actually, I think Tingle’s suggestion was completely wrong inasmuch as I doubt that a Texas lawyer should prepare a deed for property located in Wilmington. I, therefore, have taken the matter into my own hands and have prepared the enclosed deed for your consideration.

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Bluebook (online)
397 F. Supp. 1384, 1975 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12584, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/patterson-schwartz-associates-inc-v-unit-inc-ded-1975.