Ackerman v. Sobol Family Partnership, LLP
Connecticut Supreme Court
4 A.3d 288 (2010)
- Written by Sharon Feldman, JD
Facts
Rena Sobol Ackerman and others (collectively, the Ackermans) (plaintiffs) sued the Sobol Family Partnership and others (collectively, the partnership) (defendants) for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and other claims. The parties engaged in mediation and settlement negotiations, with attorney Glenn Coe as the Ackermans' representative. During the negotiations, Coe rejected settlement offers, made counteroffers, and had several conversations with the partnership’s attorneys on the Ackermans' behalf. Coe also repeatedly assured the partnership’s attorneys that he possessed settlement authority, and the Ackermans never indicated that Coe lacked such authority. Coe ultimately made a global settlement offer to settle all the lawsuits at once, and the partnership accepted. The partnership moved to enforce the settlement agreement. The Ackermans objected, claiming that they had never granted Coe settlement authority. But the trial court granted the motion, finding that the Ackermans had granted Coe the apparent authority to enter a settlement agreement on their behalf. The Connecticut Appellate Court affirmed, and the Connecticut Supreme Court granted review.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Zarella, J.)
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