Unexpected success at an international blind wine tasting competition propelled two unlikely friends (Jacobs and Alvarez) into a successful wine importation and distribution partnership. After a decade, though, their interests diverged, and they mutually agreed it was time to wind up the business.

That’s when trouble started. The partnership’s rare wine collection had to be auctioned off, and Alvarez was put in charge of researching and arranging an auction that was “in the best interests of the partnership,” as agreed by the partners in two separate agreements. Alvarez chose a private auction that took place in less than a week and generated less than half of what Jacobs believed the wine collection was worth. Jacobs, who does not believe the private sale was in the best interests of the partnership, is suing to recover from Alvarez damages allegedly caused by the private auction decision.

This entertaining case file is great for general civil and business litigation practice. With a wide assortment of exhibits for maximum training possibilities and carefully crafted witness statements, this file is perfect for a two- or three-day trial advocacy course.

Professors and students will benefit from:

• A case file written by a seasoned mock trial case writer with a decade of experience
• Deliberate evidentiary problems – both in testimony and documents – that address common issues that arise under the Rules of Evidence
• Unique witness backgrounds and testimony that create more dynamic direct and cross-examinations
• Exhibits that reflect real-world documentary evidence – contracts, emails, invoices, public filings, business records, and online media
• A realistic but fictionalized legal standard that provides all students, irrespective of their background or experience, a foundation for developing strong trial advocacy skills