Opinion ID: 2147333
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Finding of Proximate Cause

Text: McGrath North next argued that its legal advice was not the proximate cause of any damages to Bellino because there was no evidence of any legally permissible alternative that could have been recommended and pursued other than a buyout. McGrath North argued that the trial evidence showed that the only way that Bellino could have terminated his business relationship with Anderson and retained the La Vista keno contract was to buy out Anderson. According to McGrath North, a buyout was not successful because Bellino did not want to pay the amount Anderson had demanded. During the trial, Jane Friedman, a retired law professor and one of Bellino's experts, testified that McGrath North could have advised Bellino to file an action for judicial dissolution of Lottery as provided by Nebraska law. McGrath North argued that judicial dissolution was not a viable alternative. It claimed there was no evidence of a deadlock between Bellino and Anderson or in the management of the corporate affairs that caused or threatened an irreparable injury to Lottery. Construing the evidence in favor of Bellino, the district court found that reasonable minds could conclude that there was a basis for judicial dissolution. The evidence showed that Bellino no longer wanted to be in business with Anderson and sought legal advice to terminate their relationship.