Equine-related legal matters and disputes need to be handled by equine attorneys. Period. Horse owners, breeders, trainers, agents, riders, boarders, etc. — these individuals are learning firsthand the value of equine-specific representation (and the limitations of using a non-specialized attorney). Experienced equine attorneys combine knowledge of the horse industry with expertise in handling business law, insurance law, and complex commercial matters. This combination of knowledge and expertise is what brought a recent favorable decision in the case of Sim Racing Stables Ltd. v. Accardy which was decided before a jury in the San Diego County Superior Court. Representing Sim Racing Stables Ltd. was T. Randolph Catanese, Esq. and Douglas R. Hume, Esq., each attorneys with Catanese & Wells, A Law Corporation located in Westlake Village, California.
Plaintiffs, Mr. and Mrs. Sim and their business, Sim Racing Stables Ltd. alleged that the defendant, their stable manager committed fraud, conversion, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence in the handling and management of eleven of their thoroughbred horses. Specifically, the Sims alleged that the defendant lied on multiple occasions about sales transactions, did not fully disclose the details of sales, and sold horses without their consent. Additionally, they alleged that he permitted a trainer to collect sales commissions on transactions without their knowledge or consent. The jury found the defendant liable on all counts — fraud, conversion, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence, and also awarded monetary damages. Moreover, in addition to the liability finding by the jury, the jury further found that the defendant acted with malice.
The lawyers of Catanese & Wells used their vast experience and legal expertise to obtain a favorable jury award for Sim Racing Stables Ltd. Why horse around? When you need equine legal representation, call an experienced equine attorney. At Catanese & Wells, for over twenty years we have been representing equine clients throughout the United States and internationally in all areas of equine business — contract preparation/review, purchasing and sales transactions, boarding agreements, racing and licensing, breeding issues, insurance claims, fraud and misrepresentation, veterinary malpractice, rider safety issues, and equine-related business operations.