On March 7, 2024, a jury delivered a unanimous verdict in favor of Cresta 6415 Melody, LLC, TRG 6415 Melody, LLC, Macmel, LLC and AA Melody LLC (collectively, “Cresta 6415 Melody”) in a commercial dispute over the purchase of an apartment complex in Dallas for $19 million. Cresta 6415 Melody was represented by Jackson Walker attorneys Matthew Swantner and Meredith Tavallaee.

The dispute arose when the buyer walked away from the deal after a fire broke out at the apartment complex before the closing date. The buyer filed suit to recover approximately $1,000,000 in earnest money and attorneys’ fees based on the allegation that Cresta 6415 Melody unreasonably estimated the damage caused by the fire in breach of the purchase agreement.

After a four-day trial, the jury unanimously agreed that Jackson Walker’s clients did not breach the purchase agreement. In addition to denying all of the relief requested by the buyer, the jury awarded more than $500,000 in attorneys’ fees to Cresta 6415 Melody.

The case is Inman Equities, LLC v. Cresta 6415 Melody LLC, TRG 6415 Melody LLC, Macmel, LLC and AA Melody LLC, No. DC-21-11267, in the 298th District Court in Dallas County, Texas.

Meet Our Team

Matthew Swantner’s litigation practice focuses on contract disputes, business torts, personal injury, oil and gas matters, creditor’s rights, mineral and construction liens, and insurance disputes throughout Texas and New Mexico. Matt also has extensive experience in post-judgment remedies, including issuing writs of execution and writs of garnishment, abstracting judgments, post-judgment discovery, asset searches, and filing construction and mineral liens.

Meredith Tavallaee is well-versed in contractual disputes and regularly analyzes and litigates issues related to a variety of complex contracts such as purchase agreements, employment agreements, promissory notes, loans, leases and non-disclosure and non-solicitation agreements. She is experienced in all phases of litigation from investigation to trial including taking and defending depositions of witnesses, handling mediations, preparing witnesses for trial testimony and depositions, drafting and arguing evidentiary and dispositive motions, negotiating settlements and collecting judgments.

About Jackson Walker’s Trial Team

Jackson Walker’s trial group is one of the largest in the Southwest, comprising about 30% of the firm’s more than 500 attorneys. A formidable opponent in the courtroom, our diverse experience covers a broad range of industry sectors and specialty practice areas, and takes us into courthouses across the state and nearly every Texas county. Our trial practice also spans the U.S., as we have litigated cases in all 50 states. To explore the firm’s experience representing clients in real estate-related disputes, visit the Trial & Appellate Litigation practice page.