Jury Deliberations Begin in White Flint Mall Trial
A US Bankruptcy Court jury in Prince George's County began deliberating on Wednesday afternoon regarding the two-year-long battle between Lord & Taylor and the owners of Montgomery County's White Flint Mall. Lord & Taylor's attorney, Michelle Gambino of Greenburgh Traurig, alleged that principals of Lerner Enterprises and The Tower Cos violated a 1975 agreement obligating them to run a first-class, high-fashion retail center for as long as Lord & Taylor or Bloomingdale's remained anchor tenants, the Washington Business Journal reports. Katten Muchin Rosenman attorney Scott Morrison argued on behalf of White Flint that after Bloomingdale's exited, they couldn't attract comparable replacement tenants. He also argued that Lord & Taylor could benefit from the redevelopment, making the $66M sought in damages unnecessary. The trial began on July 29. Lord & Taylor is the last tenant standing at White Flint Mall. The owners plan to convert it into a larger mixed-use center. [WBJ]
