Weil, Gotshal & Manges v. CA-Towers @ShoresCenter
This case raises issues of intersecting equitable and legal claims concerning a law firms long-term, multi-million dollar lease of office space and an unfulfilled contractual promise of access-controlled parking.
Plaintiff, the law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, entered into a written long-term lease agreement with the corporate predecessor of defendants, CA-Towers @ Shores Center, L.P. et al., for office space in Silicon Valley. The lease provided for access-controlled surface parking that defendants failed to provide. Plaintiff sued defendants for rescission, fraud, breach of contract, and reformation. After a bench trial, the trial court awarded damages for breach of contract and reformed the contract to reflect the true intent of the parties regarding parking. But the court found that no fraud had occurred and denied plaintiff rescission. The court also denied each sides request for attorneys fees.
Plaintiff contends it was denied its right to jury trial on its fraud claim, and that it should have been considered the prevailing party and awarded attorneys fees. Defendants cross-appeal and contend that the trial court erroneously admitted parol evidence to interpret the lease terms, and that they should have been considered the prevailing parties and awarded attorneys fees. Court reject all contentions and affirm.
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