Hein Enterprises V. San Francisco Real Estate Investors

Following the first phase of a bifurcated trial to the court, judgment was entered in favor of defendants San Francisco Real Estate Investors (San Francisco), Kinnickinnic Realty Company (KK), and Terrydale Realty Trust (Terrydale), on the claim of Hein Enterprises, Ltd., and Real Ventures (Hein) for specific performance of a real estate contract or in the alternative for damages. Judgment was entered by the trial court in favor of defendants Robert M. Richmond Commercial Real Estate Company and Robert M. Richmond on Hein's claim for damages based on promissory  estoppel. The trial court also entered judgment in favor of KK against Hein upon KK's counterclaims for slander of title and interference with contractual relationship. Following trial of the damage phase of the action, the trial court entered judgment in favor of KK on its counterclaim against Hein for slander of title in the sum of $104,703.50 attorney fees, $5,857.13 costs, and $14,000 expert witness fees. Judgment in the sum of $2,000,000 was entered by the trial court in favor of KK on its counterclaim for interference with contractual relationship. In addition, the trial court awarded KK moratory interest on the total judgment in the sum of $289,600. On appeal by Hein, we affirm in part and reverse in part.