Farrell v. Whiteman
Annotate this CaseAppellants Kent Whiteman and Whitehorse Properties, LLC, (Whiteman), brought a second appeal of this case before the Supreme Court. In the original trial, Respondent Damian Farrell sued Whiteman for uncompensated architect services rendered for Whiteman's condominium project from 2003 to 2004. Whiteman counterclaimed arguing that Farrell was not entitled to compensation due to his failure to obtain a license to practice architecture in Idaho. Farrell is a resident of Michigan and was licensed as an architect in the states of Michigan, Texas, and New York when he began working with Whiteman. Farrell did not receive his architect's license in Idaho until 2004. The district court found that an implied in fact contract existed between the parties and awarded Farrell damages in quantum meruit for services rendered, expenses incurred, and attorney's fees and costs. Whiteman appealed and the Supreme Court vacated the district court's damage award and its award of attorney's fees, finding that any damages awarded to Farrell prior to being licensed in Idaho should be based on unjust enrichment, not quantum meruit. On remand, the district court heard new evidence and awarded Farrell damages for reimbursement of out of pocket expenses incurred prior to licensing under unjust enrichment, damages for architectural services rendered after Farrell obtained his license based on quantum meruit, and attorney's fees and costs. Upon re-review, the Supreme Court upheld the district court's award of damaged under unjust enrichment and quantum meruit, and upheld the award of attorney's fees and costs.
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