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Lawyer Sues the Pants off Dry Cleaner Over a Pair of Pants
No matter what kind of pun you apply to this lawsuit -- either suing the pants off a mom-and-pop operation or taking them to the cleaners -- lawyer and administrative law Judge Roy Pearson's $65 million lawsuit against a neighborhood dry cleaner for misplacing his pants is simply not funny. As detailed in this commentary piece by Mark Fisher in the Washington Post (4/26/07), here's what happened. In 2005, Pearson dropped off a pair of pants at Custom Cleaner on May 3 to wear them to his new job May 6. The pants weren't ready when promised or the next day. A week later, the cleaners produced a pair of pants that it believed belonged to Pearson, but Pearson claimed they were not his. So Pearson wrote to the store, demanding $1,150 to buy a new suit. And then, Fisher writes, "Two lawyers and many legal bills later, the Chungs offered Pearson $3,000, then $4,600 and, finally, says their attorney, Chris Manning, $12,000 to settle the case."
So how'd the suit get this far? Pearson claims that he relied on signs in the store, stating "satisfaction guaranteed." The cleaners' failure to satisfy Pearson put them in violation of D.C.'s consumer protection law that provides for damages of $1,500 per day, which at 12 violations per day (not sure how Pearson arrived at that figure) eventually add up to $65 million. And Pearson even tried to expand the suit to include violations on behalf of all D.C. residents, a claim that led the judge to express concern that Pearson is acting in bad faith.
I can't even imagine the toll that this case has taken on the couple who own the cleaning store. I hope that they're represented by an attorney who's honorable enough to make them realize that not all lawyers are like Pearson. As for Pearson, I can imagine the appropriate remedy for a lawyer who persists in pursuing $65 million for a pair of lost pants: How about a lost license to practice law? That seems like a fair trade.
Posted by Carolyn Elefant on April 26, 2007 at 04:14 PM | Permalink
| Comments (31)
Comments
Lawyer? This guy is an ALJ. Now that's scary.
Posted by: mythago | Apr 26, 2007 5:04:39 PM
Your blog is spot on ... clear case of abusing the system ... at a minimum his local bar should censure his conduct, publically ... and he should be removed as an AL judge --- would like to think there is some degree of common sense on the ALJ circuit
Posted by: | Apr 27, 2007 7:22:47 AM
Your blog is spot on ... clear case of abusing the system ... at a minimum his local bar should censure his conduct, publically ... and he should be removed as an AL judge --- would like to think there is some degree of common sense on the ALJ circuit
Posted by: Charles Ruttan | Apr 27, 2007 7:23:37 AM
how scared would the defendant be regarding this. it looks like abuse of power to me
Posted by: jay | Apr 28, 2007 5:07:10 AM
I think everyone in the country should send their old pants to this jerk.
Posted by: Julie Siehl | Apr 28, 2007 8:50:48 AM
Is there a way to get Pearson disbarred? Has anyone referred this to bar counsel?
Posted by: DC LAwyer | May 1, 2007 10:24:50 AM
It is all over the US. Just look at this one.
www.workplace-security-got-sued.com
Posted by: Greg | May 2, 2007 10:33:11 AM
This man should be disbarred in every jurisidiction he is licensed in.
Posted by: Thomas Nixon | May 2, 2007 5:18:19 PM
Pearson should absolutely be disbarred, and thrown in jail. How ridiculous and just plain selfish of this jerk. My wife is absolutely shocked and disgusted upon reading this story. Pearson is going to ruin these poor people's lives...for what? Besides, his precious pants have been found, apparently, and all he has to do is pick them up. How could things like this happen in this country? Things need to change.....
Posted by: Paul | May 2, 2007 7:33:23 PM
Can happen ONLY in DC !!!
A District of Columbia administrative hearings judge Roy L. Pearson, sues a dry cleaners for $65 million.
I hope they take action and fire this bum, then have him disbarred, counter-sue for every penny he's worth and then throw that piece of crap in jail.
What a reckless and irrational person operating our court system.
Take action! DC resident
Posted by: jo jo | May 2, 2007 9:26:32 PM
What a moron. This sleazeball is setting a fine example for everyone on how to abuse our dysfunctional justice system. Disbar this jerk !
Posted by: Steve Johnson | May 3, 2007 5:20:53 AM
THE JUDGE HAS TO BE OUT OF MIND TO SUE OVER A PAIR OF PANTS. TALK ABOUT FRIVILOUS LAWSUITS AND A WASTE OF TIME. THE JUDGE SHOULD BE DISBARRED. THIS IS SAD TO THINK A JUDGE WOULD TIE UP THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND DESTROY A FAMILY AND THEIR BUSINESS IN THE PROCESS. MAY GOD TAKE CARE OF THE CHUNG'S.
Posted by: Virginia Wild | May 3, 2007 6:35:12 AM
Roy Pearson is a BIG blot on the legal system and the very type who gives lawyers a bad name. He is also a greedy pig who deserves to have the case thrown out. I hope whoever sits on this case gives Mr Pearson a good talking to and sends the message that frivolous lawsouts meant to bilk innocent people are NOT acceptable practice.
Posted by: deborah | May 3, 2007 6:53:40 AM
How did this guy get to become judge in the first place.. Unbelievable! I'm sure he's abused his power in the past.
Posted by: plantronics cs70n | May 3, 2007 6:54:52 AM
Send him some love!
Pearson, Roy L Jr
3012 Pineview Ct NE
Washington, DC 20018-1617
Or leave a message on his answering machine (he doesn't answer his phone directly anymore): (202) 269-1191
Or send him an email: roypearsonjr@verizon.net
Posted by: Jeffery Wright | May 3, 2007 10:33:24 AM
This should be a total embarrassment for Judge Pearson (I use the term Judge VERY loosely). I have to agree that there should be some sort of censure against this man. All we hear is how law judicial system is overworked because of frivolous lawsuits, and here this man, a judicial system representative, filing a VERY frivolous one of his own. The Chungs offered him WAY more than what the pants were worth and he responds like this. It sickens me to know that this man is able to do this, but since we are in America, it is his right...but as he exercises his right to file this lawsuit, I hope the Chungs exercise their right to countersue him for defamation and pain & suffering that this has caused them. I just hope that he realizes one thing and remembers an old adage...what comes around goes around...because this will come back around and bite him hard one day.
Posted by: Stephanie | May 3, 2007 11:02:17 AM
what a slimeball!
Posted by: S | May 3, 2007 8:43:00 PM
I bet Pearson will change his phone number, and have a filter preventing all emails with the words 'hate', 'ashamed', '$65', 'disbar', 'Chungs'.
He's an embarrassment to the legal profession. Guess what? He's black. He's already abused the system during his divorce case and now this?! Money should be donated to people on the blink of starvation, not to someone with heaps of money over a pair of pants.
Posted by: RaidSonnet | May 4, 2007 6:07:22 AM
well, i suppose he is the type of guy who is likely to trigger the Massacre At Virginia Tech, May the chungs blow his head off.. hehe..
Posted by: Justice Served | May 5, 2007 12:14:07 AM
well, i suppose he is the type of guy who is likely to trigger the Massacre At Virginia Tech, May the chungs blow his head off.. hehe..
Posted by: Justice Served | May 5, 2007 12:14:10 AM
Why the legal system allow such an abuse in first place? Why all the crying about how bad this judge is to sue and to exploit the legal system? If the system allows it then it will be used to harass people.
Why cannot the system be adjusted to protect regular law abiding people from jerks like this jugde?
Why not require anyone filing a lawsuit to put 10% of the amount sought into escrow account to be paid to the defendand in case the case is lost? That simple solution will dramatically decrease the number of the frivolous lawsuits. And the people who are being sued will be able to find the best attornies to defend them for free (their lawers will be paid in case they prevail out of that escrow account).
Posted by: Mike | May 5, 2007 1:12:30 PM
You know what this doorknob is? A BULLY. Pure and simple. I hope his family doen't turn out like him. The man's a disgrace. A BULLY
Posted by: Sheldon | May 8, 2007 12:20:25 PM
Unbelievable, how this pathetic judge can do something like this to a business owner. What the entire city should do is ban this clown from coming into any business. Remember, "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone". He is the epitomy of a jerk. Next thing thats gonna happen is he goes in a restaurant and his steak is undercooked, he will sue because he had to look at the red meat. Not a good thing. No one should do business with this man. He is dangerous.
Posted by: Gene | May 8, 2007 12:28:40 PM
I agree with all that has been said so far 100%. However a judge somwhere has agreed to hear this, why is my ?. Is this what attorneys have turned into.
Posted by: Gregg Sellers | May 11, 2007 8:04:36 AM
Hello,
I just wanted to send you the following advisory with updates to the Pearson v Chung drycleaner case. Please let me know if you have any questions.
On May 31, 2007, D.C. Administrative Law Judge, Roy L. Pearson, filed a Pre-Trial Brief in the Pearson v. Chung dry cleaner case. In the brief, Pearson shifts the focus of his claims from his allegedly lost pants to claims related to signage in the Chungs’ store. One sign reads “Satisfaction Guaranteed” and another reads “Same Day Service.” Pearson claims the signs are somehow misleading and apparently continues to seek over $54,000,000 in damages from the Chungs. Pearson had previously sought $67,000,000 in compensation from the Chungs.
Christopher Manning, of the law firm Manning & Sossamon in Washington D.C., represents the Chungs and made the following statement in response to Pearson's recent actions:
"Although it is always encouraging to see claims withdrawn, it is simply baffling that Mr. Pearson continues to assert that he is entitled to tens of millions of dollars as a result of two completely harmless, completely straight-forward signs. Mr. Pearson's claims are not founded in common sense and are extraordinarily abusive towards the Chungs. As a result, the Chungs' terrible ordeal continues. The Chungs' decision to move to and build a business in America began with the classic American dream. Mr. Pearson has turned that dream into an American nightmare."
Mr. Pearson's lawsuit has cost the Chungs tens of thousands of dollars in defense costs. Donations to a defense fund set up by the Chungs may be made at www.customcleanersdefensefund.com.
This case will be tried in courtroom 415 of the District of Columbia Superior Courthouse on June 11th and 12th beginning at 9:30am each day.
All questions regarding the matter should be directed to the office of Manning & Sossamon at:
Manning & Sossamon PLLC
1532 Sixteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 387-2228 (voice)
(202) 387-2229 (fax)
chungdefense@manning-sossamon.com
Posted by: Mstalz | Jun 4, 2007 1:34:57 PM
Please tell me the Judge hearing the suit this morning threw it out.....any updates on the case?
Posted by: Bill M | Jun 12, 2007 4:19:55 PM
I think he's a racist. He knows that this is crazy. He is doing this perhaps to release his frustration to someone who seems "weaker" than him. He is absolutely an evil man. I hope he is an atheist because if he believes in any God, he sure should be in fear of death.
Posted by: sistae | Jun 12, 2007 11:14:25 PM
I think he's a racist. He knows that this is crazy. He is doing this perhaps to release his frustration to someone who seems "weaker" than him. He is absolutely an evil man. I hope he is an atheist because if he believes in any God, he sure should be in fear of death.
Posted by: sistae | Jun 12, 2007 11:14:28 PM
I've seen no comments about the Judge (?) handling this case. What the hell is wrong with her?
Posted by: T.S. | Jun 14, 2007 8:00:10 AM
TRULY A DISPICABLE LAWYER WHO HAS NO BUSINESS HAVING A LICENSE TO 'PRACTICE' NOR BE AN ALJ.
GO FETCH PEARSON...
t.
Posted by: THOMAS HENRY | Jun 25, 2007 10:14:15 AM
Hey Everybody-
I am going to DC. I am going to assassinate Roy. Problem Solved.
Posted by: Mr X | Dec 28, 2007 1:29:49 PM
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