Conrad v. Fields

2007 WL 21063202 (2007)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

D and P met and became friends when they were neighbors in an apartment complex. D started his own business and became a financially successful businessman. D is a philanthropic individual who has sometimes paid education costs for others. D suggested that P attend law school, and he offered to pay for her education. D promised that he would pay tuition and other expenses associated with law school as they became due. P quit her $45,000 per year job at Qwest to attend law school. D admitted at trial that before respondent enrolled in law school, he agreed to pay P's tuition. D made two tuition payments, each in the amount of $1,949.75, in August and October 2001, but stopped payment on the check for the second payment. D claimed that his assets had been frozen due to an Internal Revenue Service audit and that payment of her education expenses would be delayed. In May 2004, D wrote, 'to be clear and in writing, when you graduate law school and pass your bar exam, I will pay your tuition.' Later, D said he would not pay, and he threatened to get a restraining order against her if she continued attempting to communicate with him. P sued alleging that in reliance on D's promise to pay her education expenses, she gave up the opportunity to earn income through full-time employment and enrolled in law school. P got an award of $87,314.63 under the doctrine of promissory estoppel. D appealed.