KENT J. DAWSON, District Judge.
Before the Court is Defendant Gregory J. Kamer, Ltd.'s ("Kamer") Motion for Partial Summary Judgment Regarding Thirteenth Claim for Unjust Enrichment (#119). Plaintiff U-Haul Co. of Nevada, Inc. responded (#185) and Defendant replied (#225).
The parties and the Court are familiar with the procedural and factual background in this case. Therefore, the Court will provide only a brief recitation of the facts and circumstances relevant to the motion at issue. Plaintiffs retained Gregory J. Kamer, Ltd., ("Kamer") to represent them in several consolidated National Labor Relations Board ("NLRB") unfair labor practice proceedings. These legal services were provided pursuant to a retention agreement signed by both parties. (#185, Ex. 2). Kamer employed Wilcher as a paralegal during this period. NLRB General Counsel appointed Nathan W. Albright ("Albright") and Steven Wamser to prosecute Plaintiffs. After an affair between Albright and Wilcher came to light, Plaintiffs enlisted the services of other law firms to reopen the NLRB proceedings. Plaintiffs eventually settled the NLRB Proceedings and brought this action against Kamer and Wilcher for claims related to malpractice and improper use of confidential information in the NLRB proceedings. Defendant Kamer seeks summary judgment as to Plaintiff's claim for unjust enrichment.
Summary judgment may be granted if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.
All justifiable inferences must be viewed in the light must favorable to the nonmoving party.
Summary judgment shall be entered "against a party who fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party's case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial."
In Nevada, "[a]n action based on a theory of unjust enrichment is not available when there is an express, written contract, because no agreement can be implied when there is an express agreement."
Here, U-Haul's claim is based upon Kamer's representation of U-Haul in the NLRB proceeding. (First Am. Comp. ¶¶10-12). U-Haul and Kamer's relationship was governed by an express, albeit general contract to provide "Labor and Employment Services." (#185, Ex. 2). U-Haul's sole dispute is that the contract was not intended to govern the legal proceedings during which U-Haul alleges it was harmed, but only "other" legal proceedings. However, U-Haul has failed to provide any meaningful evidence substantiating this claim. U-Haul first directs the Court to the deposition of Henry Kelly, former Vice President of Human Resources for U-Haul. Kelly was asked if any other written agreement existed between Kamer and U-Haul, to which Kelly responded that the retention letter "is for the objections trial — hearing." When Kelly was later asked why he retained Kamer, he responded "I retained them for the objections trial." This hearing apparently took place on the 10th and 11th of June, 2003. However, Kamer continued to represent U-Haul after these hearings, and U-Haul continued to pay them. U-Haul also directs the Court to its First Amended Complaint. However, the Complaint, as well as all other evidence presented to the Court supports the plain language of the contract; Kamer was to represent U-Haul in "Labor and Employment Services" generally. (#185, Ex. 2).
As noted above, "uncorroborated and self-serving testimony," without more, will not create a "genuine issue" of material fact precluding summary judgment.