Tyler Chapman obtains summary judgment in case involving closely held business
Tyler E. Chapman recently obtained summary judgment in favor of his clients – a real estate development company and its members – in a closely held business dispute pending in Middlesex Superior Court.
The court's decision dismissed all of the plaintiffs' business-related claims on statute of limitations grounds, even though the plaintiffs had attempted to argue that the statute should be tolled on various grounds.
The case arose when the plaintiffs claimed that Mr. Chapman's clients had improperly induced a prior member (since deceased) of the real estate development company to transfer his interest in the company to them. The transfers occurred 10-14 years before the prior member passed away.
The plaintiffs tried to overcome the statute of limitations bar by claiming "fraudulent concealment" of the claim and mental incapacity on the part of the prior member. While these tend to be fact-intensive claims, making summary judgment difficult, the Superior Court judge found that the plaintiffs were unable to produce facts in support of essential elements of their claims and entered judgment in favor of Mr. Chapman's clients.
Mr. Chapman's practice encompasses a wide range of business and real estate-related litigation.