Burr & Forman successfully represented IMH Columbia as part of a three-firm team in an appeal involving the redevelopment of a lakefront property in Columbia, Maryland. The Appellate Court of Maryland upheld a trial court decision in IMH Columbia’s favor, affirming a jury verdict that awarded nearly $17 million in damages and resolved a long-running dispute over the application of restrictive covenants affecting the project.  Jessica Haire argued the damages at oral argument; the total judgment now nearly $20 million with statutory interest.

The case stemmed from efforts by The Howard Research and Development Corporation, a subsidiary of The Howard Hughes Corporation, to block IMH Columbia’s planned mixed-use redevelopment of a six-acre lakefront site. IMH Columbia challenged those actions, arguing that decades-old restrictions were being improperly wielded and not reflective of current development conditions. After a five-day jury trial, the court ruled in IMH Columbia’s favor on all claims.

The Howard Research and Development Corporation appealed.  On appeal, the court rejected the opposing party’s attempts to overturn the verdict, leaving the jury’s findings and damages award intact. The decision brings closure to years of litigation and clears the way for IMH Columbia to move forward with its redevelopment plans.

Jessica Haire led the Burr & Forman team on the appeal, working alongside Nicole Campbell of Huddles Jones and Michael Eidel of Fox Rothschild to represent IMH Columbia throughout the appellate process.