Rena Sobol Ackerman et al. v. Sobol Family Partnership, LLP, et al.

Summary

The Connecticut Supreme Court affirmed enforcement of a global settlement agreement in consolidated litigation involving a family partnership and family trusts. The court held that the plaintiffs' attorney had apparent authority to make settlement proposals and bind the plaintiffs because the plaintiffs' conduct led defense counsel reasonably and in good faith to believe that the attorney possessed settlement authority. The court also rejected the plaintiffs' claim that they were entitled to a jury trial on the equitable motions to enforce the settlement.

Holdings

1. The trial court's finding that the plaintiffs' attorney had apparent authority to settle the litigation was not clearly erroneous.
2. Plaintiffs had no constitutional right to a jury trial on the motion to enforce the settlement agreement.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the trial court's finding that plaintiffs' attorney had apparent authority to bind plaintiffs to a settlement agreement was clearly erroneous.
2. Whether plaintiffs had a constitutional right to a jury trial on the factual question of whether a valid settlement agreement existed.

Disposition

affirmed