Coan v. Orsinger
United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
265 F.2d 575, 105 U.S.App.D.C. 201 (1959)
- Written by Josh Lee, JD
Facts
Carl Coan (plaintiff) was hired by Victor Orsinger (defendant) to be the resident manager of an apartment development. Coan and Orsinger reached an oral agreement providing that Coan would be provided a rent-free apartment and $75 per week. The term of the agreement was to continue until Coan completed his law degree or was obliged to discontinue his studies. Coan had just begun law school, so the contract was generally expected to be for three years. Coan terminated his existing lease, declined a different job, and began work for Orsinger in October 1956, Orsinger terminated the agreement the next month. Coan sued Orsinger, alleging breach of contract. Orsinger moved for summary judgment, alleging that the contract was void based on the statute of frauds. The trial court granted summary judgment, and Coan appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Bastian, J.)
Dissent (Danaher, J.)
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