Hulsey
Hulsey v. Lindeman
Opinion
Lead Opinion
MEMORANDUM **
This is a diversity action. During his employment with Yuba North, Inc., Greg S. Hulsey located a buyer for some real property known as the Venable property. The Venable property was part of a lease agreement between Venable and Yuba Trucking. 1 It is undisputed that Michael Lindeman, Yuba’s CEO, made an oral offer to Yuba’s Oregon employees that if any of them could locate a buyer who would pay above a specified amount for the Venable property, Lindeman would • pay the finder the difference as compensation.
Hulsey’s buyer, Rock N Ready Mix, Inc., purchased the Venable property from Lindeman for just under $1,800,000. Lindeman refused to pay Hulsey any compensation for locating Rock N Ready, claiming that any contract for a commission was not valid under Oregon law. Hulsey brought this action in United States District Court. The magistrate judge, who tried the case with agreement of the parties, granted summary judgment in favor of Lindeman, holding that under Oregon law, Hulsey was not entitled to any commission because he engaged in professional real estate activities without a proper license. See Or.Rev.Stat. § 696.020(1).