Force 10 Partners

An advisory firm specializing in corporate restructuring, challenged businesses, litigation, and other special situations.

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After an initial award of $7.7 million, Force 10 served as the defense expert witness, testifying to the extent of monetary damages. The plaintiff's expert argued that damages exceeded $25 million. The jury sided with the Force 10 expert and awarded no damages.

Force 10’s expert testimony played a pivotal role in the defense of Idanta Partners, ultimately leading to the jury awarding zero damages in the case of American Master Lease LLC v. Idanta Partners, Ltd. The dispute arose after AML accused Idanta of aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty and interfering with contractual obligations. AML alleged that members of its organization had improperly transferred its proprietary real estate investment strategy, the 1031 FORT model, to a competing entity, FORT Properties, Inc. (FPI), without proper authorization. According to AML, this action violated non-compete provisions and fiduciary duties outlined in AML’s operating agreement. AML sought over $25 million in damages, asserting that Idanta had unjustly profited from its involvement with FPI. Force 10 was engaged to evaluate the financial implications and determine whether Idanta Partners unjustly benefited from the transactions.

Force 10 examined the financial transactions between Idanta Partners and FPI through meticulous analysis, focusing on whether Idanta’s actions constituted unjust enrichment. Force 10’s expert reviewed Idanta’s $2.3 million investment in FPI and the subsequent $3.2 million proceeds from the sale of their shares. This resulted in a modest $0.9 million net gain over three years. Force 10 concluded that this financial outcome did not represent an excessive or unfair profit, considering venture capital investments’ inherent risks and typical returns. The testimony demonstrated that Idanta’s actions were consistent with standard business practices and did not unjustly harm AML.

The jury found Force 10’s analysis compelling, ultimately returning a verdict in favor of Idanta Partners and awarding AML no damages. Despite AML’s pursuit of over $25 million, the expert testimony dismantled the plaintiff’s claims, showing that Idanta’s modest returns were proportionate to its investment risks. This outcome underscored the importance of expert testimony in clarifying complex financial disputes and providing objective, data-driven conclusions, securing a complete defense victory.

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