What did Engel & Volkers agree to do regarding pursuing damages against Jessie Rodriguez in the settlement?
Engel_Volkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
unt of $200,000. On January 2, 2025 the court dismissed us with prejudice from the action.
Jessie Rodriguez and Cal American Homes and Realty v. Engel & Volkers Americas, Inc. and Does 100, Case No. 2:21-cv-02993, in the U.S. District Court, The Central District of California, On April 7, 2021 our franchisee, Cal American Homes and Realty, and its owner Jessie Rodriguez, filed a complaint against us alleging fraud, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, negligent interference with prospective economic advantage, and violations of the California franchise investment law, and seeking rescission of its license agreement, punitive damages, actual damages of at least $250,000, as well as attorney's fees and other litigation costs. The complaint followed the franchisee's abandonment of its franchise with us. On April 27, 2021 the parties entered into a settlement agreement and all claims between them were settled, without any damages being paid. The plaintiffs agreed to dismiss the lawsuit and we agreed to not pursue any damages claims against them for the
Source: Item 3 — LITIGATION (FDD pages 17–21)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Engel & Volkers Franchise Disclosure Document, in a settlement agreement dated April 27, 2021, Engel & Volkers agreed not to pursue any damages claims against Jessie Rodriguez. This agreement was made in connection with a lawsuit filed by Rodriguez, the owner of franchisee Cal American Homes and Realty, following the franchisee's abandonment of its franchise.
Specifically, the lawsuit included allegations of fraud, intentional and negligent interference with prospective economic advantage, and violations of California franchise investment law. Rodriguez sought rescission of the license agreement, punitive damages, actual damages of at least $250,000, attorney's fees, and other litigation costs.
The settlement resolved all claims between Engel & Volkers and Rodriguez without any damages being paid by either party. As part of the settlement, Rodriguez agreed to dismiss the lawsuit, and Engel & Volkers agreed not to pursue any damages claims related to the franchisee's termination of the license agreement.