Kevin Samkian (JD '23) and Justin Wong Secure Trial Court Reversal in Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal Case

Pepperdine Caruso Law alumnus and Palmer Fellow Kevin Samkian (JD ’23) and Caruso Law third-year student Justin Wong worked closely with an appellate legal team, led by Pepperdine University Board member Mary Anne Keshen, a Florida attorney and investor, in securing a trial court reversal in the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal. The case, TKH Coastal Property Investments, LLC v. Talcor Group, Inc., decided a seminal "law of the case" matter often at issue in Florida in regard to attorney’s fees. The reversal by the Fifth District Appellate Court was in favor of the appellant, a Florida based real estate holding company owned by Ms. Keshen that develops and owns retail assets in the US and in California, including the only Walmart project located on the Monterey Peninsula.

Samkian and Wong worked closely with legal counsel on behalf of the appellant. Wong also assisted an appearance attorney in preparation for oral argument. On August 25th, 2023, the Fifth District Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the appellant. The soon to be published opinion provides important legal authority in the application of the "law of the case" doctrine in the Florida courts.