J. DANIEL BREEN, CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE.
Plaintiff, GTP Structures I, LLC ("GTP"), brought this action on November 25, 2014, pursuant to this Court's diversity jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1332, against Defendant, Wisper II, LLC ("Wisper II"), alleging claims for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and mandatory injunctive relief.
Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides in pertinent part that "[t]he court shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). The court must view all evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and draw all justifiable inferences in the non-moving party's favor. Ondo v. City of Cleveland, 795 F.3d 597, 603 (6th Cir. 2015). "There is a genuine issue of material fact only if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party." Id. "The test is whether the evidence presents a sufficient disagreement to require submission to a jury or whether it is so one-sided that one party must prevail as a matter of law." Id. The moving party must initially show the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Id. (citing Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986)). It is then incumbent upon the nonmoving party to "present significant probative evidence to do more than show that there is some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts to defeat the motion." Id. The court may not make credibility determinations or weigh evidence as these are functions of the jury rather than the judge. Yazdian v. ConMed Endoscopic Tech., Inc., 793 F.3d 634, 644 (6th Cir. 2015). Cross-motions for summary judgment are analyzed under the same standard. La Quinta Corp. v. Heartland Props. LLC, 603 F.3d 327, 335 (6th Cir. 2010). Each motion is evaluated on its own merits. Id. A party may move for partial summary judgment identifying the part of each claim on which summary judgment is sought. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a).
If the movant "also bears the burden of persuasion at trial, the moving party's initial summary judgment burden is higher in that it must show that the record contains evidence satisfying the burden of persuasion and that the evidence is so powerful that no reasonable jury would be free to disbelieve it." Cockrel v. Shelby Cty. Sch. Dist., 270 F.3d 1036, 1056 (6th Cir.2001); accord Hantz Fin. Servs., Inc. v. Nat'l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, Penn., No 13-cv-11197, 130 F.Supp.3d 1089, 1091-92, 2015 WL 5460632, at *2 (E.D.Mich. Sept. 17, 2015). "[S]ummary judgment in favor of the party with the burden of persuasion is inappropriate when the evidence is susceptible to different interpretations or inferences by the trier of fact." Cockrel, 270 F.3d at 1056; see also Arnett v. Myers, 281 F.3d 552, 561 (6th Cir.2002). "Plaintiff['s] showing must be sufficient for the court to hold that no reasonable trier of fact could find other than for plaintiffs." Hantz Fin. Servs., 130 F.Supp.3d at 1092, 2015 WL 5460632, at *2. "If the defendant[ ] respond[s] to the motion with controverting evidence which demonstrates a genuine issue of material fact, [the plaintiff's] motion must be denied." Kassouf v. U.S. Liability Co., No. 1:14CV2656, 2015 WL 5542530, at *3 (N.D.Ohio Sept. 18, 2015).
Wisper was a Tennessee limited liability company that provided wireless internet access services through equipment installed on wireless cell towers. (D.E. 1 at ¶ 6.). It leased the space for its equipment on the cell towers from NTCH-West Tenn, Inc. ("NTCH"), through two Master Lease Agreements ("MLAs"), on July 13, 2012. (Id. at ¶ 7.) The MLAs had identical terms and governed specific sets of site lease agreements and associated Site Lease Agreements (collectively, the "SLAs"). (Id.) All of the SLAs had identical terms except to identify the specific tower on which NTCH leased the space to Wisper. (Id. at ¶ 8.) NTCH and Global Tower
The MLAs are for twenty-five-year terms, and the "Initial Term" of each SLA is for five years. (Id. at ¶ 11.) Unless the SLA is properly terminated at the end of the first five year term, it is automatically extended for another four additional five year terms ("Extension Terms"). (Id.) The "Initial Term" and any "Extension Terms" are collectively referred to as the "Term." (Id.) Pursuant to the MLAs, the monthly rent ("Rent") for each SLA started at "$1,000 as outlined in each particular SLA" and was to be paid in monthly installments during the Term." (Id. at ¶ 12.) Both the MLAs and the SLAs provide that "the Rent for each month shall be 103% of the monthly Rent for the immediately preceding year commencing on the annual anniversary" of the particular SLA beginning date. (Id.)
The MLAs provide that failure to pay rent, after notice and lapse of a fifteen day cure period with no cure, constitutes default. (Id. at ¶ 13.) The party to whom rent is due then
(Id.)
On March 27, 2013, Wisper filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee. (Id. at ¶ 15.) It remained in possession of its assets as Debtor in Possession and kept its equipment installed on the wireless cell towers that were the subject of the MLAs and SLAs. (Id. at ¶ 16.) Pursuant to a Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan") confirmed by the bankruptcy court, Wisper was merged into Wisper II, with Wisper II — Defendant in the instant matter — as the surviving entity. (Id. at ¶ 17.) Following the Plan and a consent order for the assumption and assignment of unexpired lease agreements ("Consent Order"), the unexpired MLAs and forty-nine of the associated SLAs were assumed and assigned to Wisper II. (Id. at ¶¶ 18-19.) Accordingly, Wisper II became responsible for all obligations and liability for performance under the MLAs and associated SLAs. (Id. at ¶ 20.)
Wisper II continued to provide wireless internet service to its customers through its equipment located on the wireless cell towers but beginning in May of 2014, ceased to pay GTP the rent owed. (Id. at ¶ 21.) Ruth Dowling, GTP's legal counsel, contracted Tom Farrell, Wisper II's General Manager, in June of 2014 to inform Farrell of the default and to seek information on when or if rent would be paid. (D.E. 53-13.) Over the subsequent months, Farrell and Dowling continued to communicate about the default and potential lease renegotiations involving NTCH. (See D.E. 53-14; D.E 53-15.) GTP had yet to receive
On March 18, 2015, Wisper II filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to enjoin GTP "from taking any action to disable, disconnect and/or remove or dispose of Wisper II's Communication Facility on or from any of the remaining thirty seven (37) Tower sites" where its equipment remained. (D.E. 21 at 4.) On March 24, Defendant sought to withdraw its motion following a mutual agreement of the parties. (D.E. 25.) The motion was then terminated. On June 24, 2015, Wisper II's remaining equipment on the cell towers were removed, and it made a one-time payment of $140,968.20 to GTP. (D.E. 53-2 at 6.)
Plaintiff submits in its motion and supporting memoranda of law that: (1) it substantially complied with the contractual condition precedent to maintaining an action for default, and (2) it made reasonable efforts to mitigate the damage caused by Defendant's breach. (D.E. 53-2; D.E. 60.) Defendant contends that: (1) Plaintiff failed to comply with the condition precedent before filing suit — specifically that its method of giving notice of the default and the notice itself were inadequate, (2) there is a disputed issue of material fact as to whether Plaintiff engaged in sufficient mitigation efforts to offset its damages, and (3) there exists a disputed issue of material fact as to whether Defendant's liability is capped at $300,000. (D.E. 58.)
In a diversity action, state substantive law governs. Performance Contracting, Inc. v. DynaSteel Corp., 750 F.3d 608, 611 (6th Cir.2014). This Court must also apply the choice-of-law rules of Tennessee. Klaxon Co. v. Stentor Electric Mfg. Co., 313 U.S. 487, 496, 61 S.Ct. 1020, 85 L.Ed. 1477 (1941). Tennessee courts "will honor a choice of law clause if the state whose law is chosen bears a reasonable relation to the transaction and absent a violation of the forum state's public policy." Bourland, Heflin, Alvarez, Minor & Matthews, PLC v. Heaton, 393 S.W.3d 671, 674 (Tenn.Ct. App.2012). Here, the MLAs contain choice of law clauses stating that Florida law is applicable to the governance, interpretation, construction, and regulations of the performances pursuant to the contracts. (D.E. 53-4 at 7; D.E. 53-5 at 7.) Plaintiff is a Florida company and both parties rely exclusively upon Florida law in their memoranda of law. (See D.E. 53-2, 56-1, 58, 61.) The Court finds that there is a reasonable relationship between the transactions and the State of Florida such that a Florida court would honor the choice-of-law clauses and apply its own substantive law.
When a party claims a breach of contract, state law applies. See Simoneau v. Gen. Motors Corp., 85 Fed.Appx. 445, 447 (6th Cir.2003) (claim for breach of contractual rights is a state-law claim). As established supra, Florida law governs in this case. "In order to prevail in a cause of action for breach of contract, evidence must be presented that establishes: 1) a valid contract; 2) a material breach of the contract; and 3) damages." Burlington & Rockenbach, P.A. v. Law Office of E. Clay Parker, 160 So.3d 955, 960 (Fla. Dis.Ct.App.2015). A material breach is the failure to "perform a duty that goes to the essence of the contract and is of such significance that it relieves the injured party from further performance of its contractual duties." Id. Florida courts recognize the theory of substantial performance to satisfy the conditions of a contract.
In Green Tree Servicing, LLC, the lender sought to foreclose a mortgage for the failure of the mortgagors to pay. 177 So.3d at 11-12. A condition precedent to maintaining a foreclosure suit was the notice requirement found within the mortgage agreement. Id. The contractual requirement contained five pieces of information to be included: (1) the default, (2) the action required to cure, (3) a date thirty days after which the default was required to be cured, (4) that failure to cure may result in acceleration and foreclosure, and (5) the mortgagors' rights to reinstatement and available defenses. Id. The lender mailed notice to the mortgagors containing all of the required information. Id. The case turned on whether the letter sufficiently discussed each of these. Id. At no point did the mortgagors claim the letter caused them to suffer any harm as a result of any alleged deficiency in the notice letter. Id. The trial court granted summary judgment for the mortgagors after finding the notice letter failed to sufficiently apprise them of their rights to reinstatement and available defenses. Id. at 11-12. The appellate court reversed, finding that the notice did address all five items, and although the language was not exact, the letter "did substantially comply." Id. at 16. The court explained that "when the content of a lender's notice letter is nearly equivalent to or varies in only immaterial respects from what the [contract] requires, the letter substantially complies." Id. at 14. However, the court noted, "[w]here ... the lender's notice letter varies ... in a way that goes to the essence of the parties' bargain, the variation is material and the lender has failed to satisfy a condition precedent to the ... action." Id. The court emphasized that the notice provision in the contract was
Id. at 19.
Moreover, Florida courts have noted that "[a]bsent some prejudice, the breach of a condition precedent does not constitute a defense to the enforcement of an otherwise valid contract." Gorel v. Bank of New York Mellon, 165 So.3d 44, 48 (Fla. Dist.Ct.App.2015); see Allstate Floridian Ins. Co. v. Farmer, 104 So.3d 1242, 1248-49 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.2012) (holding breach of condition precedent must be material —
In the instant matter, paragraph 22(a) of the MLA governs the contract's requirements for default notice. (D.E. 53-4.) It states the following:
(Id. at 8.) Paragraph 21 provides:
(Id. at 7.)
It is undisputed that Wisper II is, in fact, in breach of the existing leases; Defendant has acknowledged upon multiple occasions that it failed to pay the required rent and did not cure the default. (See D.E. 53-8; D.E. 53-13; D.E. 53-14; D.E. 53-15; D.E. 53-16.) It is also not contested that Defendant had actual notice of its default. On June 26, 2014, Dowling emailed Farrell, stating that "Wisper ha[d] failed to make its required payments to [GTP] in May and June," and asking when it could expect to see the rent paid. (D.E. 53-13.) Farrell responded that he was hoping to restructure the existing leasing agreement with GTP and NTCH but did not note that Wisper II had any expectation to pay what they currently owed. (Id.) Dowling replied that GTP was seeking full payment and requested to be advised whether the payments would be made. (Id.) In October of 2014, Farrell and Dowling again discussed the fact that Wisper II was in default. (D.E. 53-14.) Farrell emailed Dowling stating, "Wisper II is not denying that it owes [GTP] rent" and although Defendant "had made improvements in its revenue and expenses," these improvements were "still not enough." (Id.) Dowling then responded on October 3, 2014, that GTP "want[ed] to be paid on the contracts," and that she
Defendant contends that GTP's failure to send written notice "by either certified mail return[,] receipt requested[,] or by commercial courier with next business day delivery" breached the condition precedent for pursuing a lawsuit for default. (D.E. 61 at 1.) Further, Defendant alleges that Plaintiff failed to comply with the condition precedent by not specifying that Wisper II was entitled to a fifteen day cure period for its monetary default. (Id. at 3.) Plaintiff does not deny that it failed to send notice of default via certified mail or by commercial courier, but instead asserts that the email correspondences between the agents of both parties regarding the default constituted substantial adherence with the notice requirements, making the breach not material. (D.E. 60 at 1, 2.)
Comparing the instant matter to Green Tree Servicing, Inc., GTP argues its failure to comply with the contractual condition precedent was a technical deficiency and "was not substantive, was of no practical consequence, and cannot have prejudiced Wisper II." (Id. at 2.) Defendant attempts to distinguish Green Tree Servicing, LLC, relying on the fact that in that case, a written notice of default was actually mailed and that the cure period had begun. (D.E. 61 at 8.) Further, it argues, that the mortgagors in Green Tree Servicing, LLC were not prejudiced by the notice's deficiency, but that harm does exist in the instant matter. (Id.) However, the contract in Green Tree Servicing, LLC differs from the one in this case. In Green Tree Servicing, LLC, the contract specified that the notice of default "shall specify:... (c) a date, not less than 30 days from the date the notice is given to Borrower, by which the default must be cured." Green Tree Servicing, LLC, 177 So.3d at 10. In the instant matter, the contract only requires that "the LESSOR shall give LESSEE written notice of ... default. After receipt of such written notice, LESSEE shall have fifteen (15) days in which to cure any monetary default." (D.E.53-4 at 8.) The contract then states that "[t]he LESSOR may not maintain an action or effect any remedies for default against the LESSEE unless and until the LESSEE has failed to cure the same within the time periods provided in this Section." (Id.) The condition precedent in this case is satisfied upon proper notice of default and then Plaintiff waiting at least fifteen days before maintaining an action. The contract does not require GTP to include in its default notice the amount of time Defendant had to cure; it merely requires that Plaintiff refrain from filing suit for at least fifteen days.
Wisper II also argues that this matter is analogous to Ramos v. Citimortgage, Inc., 146 So.3d 126 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.2014), and Samaroo v. Wells Fargo Bank, 137 So.3d 1127 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.2014). Both cases,
Under the terms of the contract, GTP had to meet two conditions before maintaining an action for default: 1) send a notice of default to Defendant, in writing, via certified mail or commercial order, and 2) provide Defendant a fifteen day period to cure its default. (D.E. 53-4 at 7-8.) Dowling, on behalf of GTP, first contacted Farrell on June 26, 2014, about Defendant's failure to pay rent for both May and June. (D.E. 53-13.) The two agents continued to communicate about the issue of default over the upcoming months, and, although Defendant was aware of its default, it made no attempt to cure. (See D.E. 53-13; D.E. 53-14; D.E. 53-15.) It is undisputed that Defendant was in default and was aware of it. Although Plaintiff failed to send its written notice of default pursuant to the terms of the contract, it substantially complied with the requirements. GTP provided written notice of the default, albeit in an email, specifically noted the months that were in default, and waited significantly longer than fifteen days to file its lawsuit. GTP warned Defendant that if it did not "catch up on the outstanding payments," it would bring a default action. (D.E. 53-14.) The notice provision in the contract was designed to ensure that Defendant would receive the essential information concerning its default. "It is not a technical trap designed to forestall a lender from prosecuting an otherwise proper... action." Green Tree Servicing, LLC, 177 So.3d at 18. Finding that Plaintiff did not substantially comply with the contractual notice requirements would be precisely the type of "technical trap" the Florida appellate court warned against in Green Tree Servicing, LLC.
Even assuming, arguendo, that Plaintiff breached the condition precedent, Defendant has failed to demonstrate prejudice resulting therefrom. See Gorel, 165 So.3d at 48. GTP did not file its lawsuit until November 25, 2014. (D.E. 1.) The first email correspondence regarding the issue of default was on June 26, 2014. (D.E. 53-13.) While Wisper II does not dispute that it had knowledge of the default, it claims that Plaintiff's failure to specify the fifteen-day cure period caused prejudiced by depriving "it of its opportunity to determine if it could cure." (D.E. 61 at 7.) Defendant's argument, however, is weakened by Farrell's assertion to Dowling that "[t]here is no action [GPT] can
Plaintiff also seeks damages under a theory of unjust enrichment. (D.E. 1 at ¶¶ 30-33.) It is well-established under Florida law that the existence of an express contract precludes a claim for unjust enrichment that arises out of the contractual relationship. See Moynet v. Courtois, 8 So.3d 377, 379 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.2009), disapproved of on other grounds by Bank of New York Mellon v. Condo. Ass'n of La Mer Estates, Inc., 175 So.3d 282 (Fla.2015) ("With regard to the count for unjust enrichment, where there is an express contract between the parties, claims arising out of that contractual relationship will not support a claim for unjust enrichment."); Diamond "S" Dev. Corp. v. Mercantile Bank, 989 So.2d 696, 697 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App. 2008) ("Florida courts have held that a plaintiff cannot pursue a quasi-contract claim for unjust enrichment if an express contract exists concerning the same subject matter."); Ocean Commc'ns, Inc. v. Bubeck, 956 So.2d 1222, 1225 (Fla.Dist.Ct. App.2007) ("Defendants correctly state that a plaintiff cannot pursue an equitable theory, such as unjust enrichment or quantum meruit, to prove entitlement to relief if an express contract exists.") As such, Defendant's motion for summary judgment on Plaintiff's claim for unjust enrichment is GRANTED.
Defendant asserts that there is a "disputed issue of material fact as to whether Wisper II's liability is capped at $300,000.00." (D.E. 58 at 12.) This argument is premised on the exhibit attached to "[t]he Creditor/Investor Plan Proponent's Plan of Reorganization" ("Plan"), which was later confirmed as the Plan of Reorganization by the bankruptcy court. (D.E. 53-9; D.E. 53-10.) In the Plan, it was agreed that "the Reorganized Debtor will assume each of the other Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases listed on Exhibit B." (D.E. 53-9 at 11.) Exhibit B, entitled "Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases to Be Assumed or Assigned," listed the following: "Lease: GTP Structures I, LLC"; "Amount: $300,000.00"; "Payment: Monthly lease payments of $50,470 will commence upon the effective date of the Plan." (Id. at 17.) Although the Plan did not specifically state what the "$300,000.00" referenced, it did contain a section explaining the details for payments relating to the assumption of executory contracts and unexpired leases:
(Id. at 12.)
The Plan of Reorganization was confirmed by court order on January 29, 2014. (D.E. 53-10 at 2.) On February 18, 2014, the bankruptcy court issued a consent order for the assumption and assignment of unexpired lease agreements. (Id.) In the order, the court highlighted that the parties — GPT and the Debtor — stipulated and agreed to the following:
(Id. at 3-5.) Although Defendant contends its potential liability is capped at $300,000.00, the consent order issued by the bankruptcy court undermines this argument. The order itself stated that Defendant already owed GTP $552,170.00 in cure costs for its outstanding default. (Id. at 5.)
Further, the only way that Defendant's future liability would be limited is if it assumed the existing executory contracts in part rather than in their entirety. Defendant provides no basis for this Court to find that it only partially assumed the executory contracts. Indeed, the law is well established that executory contracts assumed in bankruptcy must be taken in their entirety. See Cinicola v. Scharffenberger, 248 F.3d 110, 119-20 (3d Cir.2001) ("Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code authorizes the trustee to assume or reject executory contracts, enabling the trustee to maximize the value of the debtor's estate by assuming executory contracts ... that benefit the estate and rejecting those that do not. ... If the trustee meets the assumption requirements under § 365, it must assume the executory contract entirely."); In re Nat'l Gypsum Co., 208 F.3d 498, 506 (5th Cir.2000) ("A non-debtor is further protected by the requirement that an executory contract may not be assumed in part and rejected in part. Where the debtor assumes an executory contract, it must assume the entire contract, cum onere — the debtor accepts both the obligations and the benefits of the executory contract."); In re Plum Run Serv. Corp., 159 B.R. 496, 498 (Bankr.S.D.Ohio 1993) ("an executory contract must be assumed
Defendant has provided no legal authority supporting its contention that it assumed the executory contracts with GPT in part rather than in whole. Additionally, the claim that its liability is capped at $300.000.00 is contradicted by the bankruptcy court's consent order that Defendant must pay $552,170.00 in cure costs. As such, the Court finds that Wisper II's liability is not capped.
"The rule of damages applicable in a breach of contract action is loss of profit, which may be ... measured by deducting from the balance of the contract price the costs of completing performance of the contract." Graphic Assocs., Inc. v. Riviana Rest. Corp., 461 So.2d 1011, 1014 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.1984). The Florida Supreme Court recently expounded upon the issue of mitigation in System Components Corp. v. Florida Dep't of Transportation, 14 So.3d 967, 982 (Fla.2009), where it explained that "[t]he doctrine of avoidable consequences, which is also somewhat inaccurately identified as the duty to mitigate damages, commonly applies in contract and tort actions." The court held that "no actual duty to mitigate" exists "because the injured party is not compelled to undertake any ameliorative efforts." Id. The doctrine merely "prevents a party from recovering those damages inflicted by a wrongdoer that the injury party could have reasonably avoided." Id. Reduction in damages is not permitted if it would be based upon "what could have been avoided through Herculean efforts." Id. Rather, the court noted, "the injured party is only accountable for those hypothetical ameliorative actions that could have been accomplished through `ordinary and reasonable' care, without requiring undue effort or expense." Id. (quoting Graphic Assocs., Inc., 461 So.2d at 1014). Non-exclusive contracts, however, are "generally considered as exception to the requirement of avoiding unforeseeable consequences." Graphic Assocs., Inc., 461 So.2d at 1014. A party who is able to enter into similar contracts alongside an existing contract is considered to be in a non-exclusive contract and has "no duty to minimize ... losses." Gary Massey Chevrolet, Inc. v. Ritch, 507 So.2d 713, 715 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.1987); see Burger King Corp. v. Hinton, Inc., 203 F.Supp.2d 1357, 1365 (S.D.Fla.2002) ("[U]nder Florida law a franchisor does not have an obligation to minimize losses or mitigate damages, as a franchise agreement is a non-exclusive contract.").
The contract between GTP and Wisper II is non-exclusive. While Plaintiff was leasing space in the cell towers to Defendant, each of the towers rented could hold up to "five tenants," and none of them were at maximum occupancy, nor are they currently. (D.E. 53-2 at 6-7.) Thus, GTP could have performed its contract with Wisper II "in addition" to other contracts of the same type. See Graphic Assocs., Inc., 461 So.2d at 1014 ("A purchaser [at a car dealership] who breaches his contract to buy an automobile is not entitled to
Defendant does not dispute any of these efforts but merely offers one marketing list that did not include the particular cell towers at issue. (D.E. 58 at 12.) Plaintiff concedes that this is correct but explained that the towers on that particular list "were only those subject to a special promotion," which did not include the towers Defendant had been using. (D.E. 60 at 9.) Even taking into account the one list Defendant cites, it has not demonstrated how the additional steps taken by Plaintiff fell short of the mitigation standard of employing "ordinary and reasonable care, without requiring undue effort or expense." See Sys. Components Corp., 14 So.3d at 982. As such, the Court finds there is no issue of material fact regarding Plaintiff's mitigation efforts.
Pursuant to the MLA, in the event of a default, GTP had the right to
(D.E. 53-4 at 8.) Plaintiff claims it is entitled to "$1,839,696, before interest." (D.E. 53-2 at 6.) Defendant failed to address Plaintiff's calculation of damages in its response to GTP's motion for summary judgment or in its own motion, instead alleging an issue of disputed fact as to mitigation. In order for the Court to properly evaluate the issue, the parties are hereby DIRECTED to submit briefs to the Court solely as to the issue of damages.
Based on the foregoing, Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment as to the claim of breach of contract is GRANTED. Defendant's motion for summary judgment as to the allegation of unjust enrichment is GRANTED, and that claim is DISMISSED. Further, the parties are DIRECTED to submit briefs to the Court within fifteen days of entry of this Order addressing the issue of damages.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 22nd day of December 2015.