Verdict in Favor of Landlord Client after Bench Trial

March 1, 2011

James P. Collins, Jr. successfully tried a non-jury case in the United States District Court, on behalf of a Long Beach landlord client. The defendant, M&C’s client, was being sued by one of his tenants, a major telecommunications company, for claims of negligence, breach of lease and monetary damages. The claims arose from an incident whereby one of the microwave towers the company had contracted to place on top of the landlord’s building caught fire, damaging both the tower and building. The plaintiff claimed the defendant had allowed unauthorized access to the roof where the towers were located, and that the unauthorized individual started the fire. The judge rendered a decision, finding the defendant not negligent and not responsible for the tenant’s damages.