Opinion ID: 1782673
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: whether the circuit court erred in failing to disqualify one of boomtown's trial attorneys, gerald blessey, who had also served as counsel in the re-zoning application of the property at issue in this case.

Text: ¶ 23. A full evidentiary hearing was conducted on Ray's motion to disqualify Gerald Blessey as co-counsel for Boomtown. The record shows that Blessey was only involved in the re-zoning of the property and was not involved in any negotiations or discussions between the parties regarding the terms and conditions of the ground lease or other lease documents. Ray states that Blessey served as his counsel in the re-zoning application. This in not accurate. Blessey actually represented Boomtown in the re-zoning application, and Jim Keith represented the Skrmettas at the time. The record shows that there was no actual conflict established. Blessey did help Eric form a corporation in 1992. However, Eric is not a party to this action. Furthermore, there is no evidence that Blessey, in his previous work for Eric, obtained or learned any confidential information involving matters in this case. See Shorter v. Shorter, 740 So.2d 352, 355 (Miss.Ct.App.1999). ¶ 24. Boomtown also raises several issues which it raised in its motion for directed verdict. First, Boomtown contends that Ray assigned all his rights to Eric when he was assigned the 15% partnership interest and therefore his claims are barred because he lacks standing. Second, Boomtown contends that Eric, as Ray's assignee, litigated the same fraud and negligent misrepresentation claims in the arbitration proceeding that Ray attempts to litigate in this case. Therefore, Boomtown argues that it has satisfied the legal requirements of payment, accord, and satisfaction by paying $400,000.00 to Eric in settlement of that arbitration. Third, Boomtown argues that Ray's claims are barred by res judicata, since the subject matter in Eric's arbitration was identical to the subject matter in Ray's claim. These issues were not considered by the trial judge; therefore, there is no need to consider them here.