In a legal showdown that could rival a courtroom drama, Pennsylvania real estate developer Kevin Baird’s lawsuit against Meyers Roman Friedberg & Lewis Co. LPA has just been given the green light by a Pennsylvania federal judge. Baird’s allegations claim a soured real estate deal, resulting in a staggering loss of $9.8 million. The Cleveland-based law firm had attempted to dodge the lawsuit by challenging the court’s jurisdiction, but the judge’s decision has turned the tables.
Plaintiff Kevin Baird sues Meyer Roman : Legal Battle Unleashed
Kevin Baird, the plaintiff in this legal saga, sued Meyer Roman for malpractice, negligence, breach of contract, and misrepresentation in relation to a real estate venture in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His claim centers around purported legal paperwork flaws, which he alleges caused the project to miss out on valuable tax benefits. Intriguingly, the Ohio-based law firm fired back by filing a lawsuit in Ohio federal court, while Baird chose Pennsylvania as the battleground for his legal fight.
Plaintiff Kevin Baird sues Meyer Roman : Jurisdiction Showdown
“The Ohio law firm asks this court to dismiss this case for lack of personal jurisdiction in Pennsylvania, improper venue based on a forum selection clause, and/or stay proceedings in deference to the Ohio action,” stated Eastern District of Pennsylvania Judge Michael M. Baylson in his ruling. “This court finds it retains personal jurisdiction over the firm, and the law firm waived the forum selection clause. Further, the court will not stay this proceeding.”
Promised Tax Benefits Turned Sour
Baird’s initial engagement with Meyers Roman revolved around creating efficient, tax-compliant entities to channel capital gains from a Philadelphia property sale into a real estate development endeavor in Harrisburg. His objective was to capitalize on the tax advantages offered by the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and to defer capital gains from the proceeds of the real estate sales. He identified midtown Harrisburg as an “economically distressed community,” making it eligible for preferential tax treatment.
