Suenan Gober v. Bulkley Properties, LLC
Suenan Gober appealed a summary judgment granted against her in favor of Bulkley Properties, LLC, concerning an oral agreement to lease and purchase real estate. Gober had sought a declaratory judgment, alleging Bulkley refused to honor the agreement and was unjustly enriched. Bulkley asserted the claim was barred by the statute of frauds as the agreement was not in writing. The trial court granted summary judgment without allowing Gober to amend her pleadings to address the statute of frauds defense. The appellate court reversed, holding that the trial court erred by not allowing Gober an opportunity to amend her pleadings to plead an exception to the statute of frauds, such as partial performance, before granting summary judgment.