Attorney Norman A. Yatooma's Legal Cases

Corporate and incorporation

Zourob Enterprises, Inc., et al. vs. ExxonMobil Corporation, et al.

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OUTCOME: As a direct result of ExxonMobil’s negligent actions as well as their violation of franchise and antitrust laws, plaintiff’s were awarded compensation for losses in the amount of $460,983.80 as well as rescission of franchisee contracts.

Norman Yatooma & Associates represented current and former ExxonMobil Franchisees in a lawsuit against ExxonMobil, ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, and the companies’ officers and directors. The plaintiff’s ... claimed that the company undermined the profitability of franchisees. More specifically, the franchise was accused of setting wholesale prices paid by franchisees at or above retail price being charged by plaintiffs’ competitors. According to franchisees, they were left with one of two options which included selling gas at a loss to keep up with competition or raising prices enough to make a profit but lose customers to the better priced competition.

Government

Ernest Flagg, et al. v. The City of Detroit, et al.

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OUTCOME: The case is still in progress and is scheduled to go to trial in January of 2011.

Mr. Yatooma is currently representing the family of Tamara “Strawberry” Greene, an exotic dancer, was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting outside her home in April 2003. As part of the lawsuit, Mr. ... Yatooma is suing ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick as well as the city of Detroit and other city officials for intentionally obstructing Tamara Greene’s murder investigation in an effort to hide the long rumored party at the Manoogian Mansion. Other people named in the suit include Christine Beatty, Kilpatrick’s former chief of staff, as well as Kilpatrick’s wife, Carlita, and his father, Bernard, among others. Ms. Greene was dancing at this rumored party where she was also allegedly assaulted by the former first lady Carlita Kilpatrick.

Franchising

Norman Yatooma & Associates, PC v. Ziebart International Corporation

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OUTCOME: The plaintiff's won a significant binding arbitration award, including nearly $2 million in damages for breach of contract and product liability as well as declaratory relief to guide the future actions of the parties.

On behalf of 27 current and former franchisees spanning across nine states, Norman Yatooma & Associates filed suit against Ziebart Corporation for violating contract agreements by not providing product ... s to franchisees “at or below competitive market prices.” Violated franchise agreements by overpricing chemicals and other products and by providing defective Formula Q, a rustproofing sealant, among other issues. Ziebart’s careless actions resulted in a significant binding arbitration award, including nearly $2 million in damages. The company initially failed to pay off the judgment as ordered by the court so Attorney Norman Yatooma secured a writ of execution and seized Ziebart’s Troy, MI headquarters. Yatooma arrived with five court officers, three movers, and two moving trucks at which point CEO Tom Wolfe finally escorted them to the bank and handed over $200,000. As a result of Mr. Yatooma’s integrity, the company has agreed to make monthly payments ranging from $50,000 to $70,000, with the stipulation that payment could be doubled if delivered even one day late.

Franchising

Karen Hazlewood and Jeff Spinello vs. Media Arts Group, Inc., et al.

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OUTCOME: The judgment awarded nearly $3 million to plaintiffs - 860,000 in damages to the former gallery owners, Karen Hazlewood and Jeff Spinello, and more than $1.2 million in attorneys' fees and arbitration expenses.

Norman Yatooma & Associates represented Karen Hazlewood and Jeff Spinello, a Virginia couple who lost their entire life savings to Thomas Kinkade, also known as the “Painter of Light.” The defendant wa ... s found guilty of making franchisees purchase and sell art at an inflated rate to the point where they were unable to make any sort of profit. Meanwhile, Mr. Kinkade was selling the same art to discount stores for half of what he allowed the dealers to sell his art for.

Consumer protection

La-Van Hawkins Urban City Foods, et al., v. Burger King Corporation

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OUTCOME: Mr. Yatooma helped Hawkins reach a settlement award of $30 million in 2001.

Norman Yatooma initially took on La-Van Hawkins’ lawsuit as an attorney with Butzel Long and then later left the firm to work directly for Mr. Hawkins in a $1.9 billion fraud and racial discrimination ... lawsuit against Burger King. Hawkins, Chairman and CEO of La-Van Hawkins Food Group, L.L.C. and an African American Burger King Franchise owner, sued Burger King for breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation, breach of implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, and violation of the franchise law. The company was supposed to provide him with 225 stores and stand behind him in his initiative to build those stores in low-income areas. The idea was to provide jobs and support for low-income families and to reach out to the African American community. The lawsuit alleged that Burger King simply wanted to learn Hawkins’ “recipe for success” with regard to reaching out to the African American Community then “cut him loose.”

Class action

Anne M. Lynas, et al, v. Beaver Creek Golf Links, Inc., et al

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OUTCOME: In the end, Lynas and fellow golfers received a $6.8 million judgement on their behalf.

Led by 73 year old Anne Lynas of Rochester Hills, Michigan, 230 fellow golfers filed a class action lawsuit against Beaver Creek Golf Links in Oakland Township, Michigan. Beaver Creek sold guests lifet ... ime memberships at rates ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 but failed to ensure the validity of these contracts upon selling the golf course. The golf course was sold to GTR Oakland Properties in 2004 who stopped honouring Beaver Creek memberships in 2006, two years after they inquired the establishment. The initial membership agreements had a provision guaranteeing 25 years of free golf for all golfers in the event that the property was sold. The suit names Beaver Creek Golf Links, GTR Oakland Properties and all affiliate corporations.