On May 1, 2021, Simone accepted an offer for a job as a professor at Hunter College for the 2021-2022 academic semesters. Meeting that day in the office of Jasmine, the Assistant vice-dean for Hiring, she orally agreed that her employment would begin on August 1, 2021, and would finish on May 31, 2022, and that she would receive a salary of $90,000 for that period. When Simone asked Jasmine to confirm the agreement in writing, Jasmine refused, saying “No need. I am an honest person. You have my oral promise.”

On May 15, 2021, Simone came back to New York to look for an apartment. She met with Nicholas, the landlord of a building on East 67^th Street, and orally agreed to rent a studio apartment for $2000/month from him beginning on August 1, 2021, and ending on May 31, 2022. When Simone asked Nicholas to confirm the lease in writing, Nicholas also refused.

On July 15, 2021, Simone received a phone call from Nicholas informing her that Nicholas would not honor the lease agreement they had reached. Also on July 15, 2021, Simone received a phone call from Jasmine informing her that Hunter College would not honor the oral agreement it had reached with her.

1. Simone sues Hunter College for breach of contract and Hunter College pleads the Statute of Frauds as a defense. Judgment for whom? Explain. Would your answer to (a) be different if, on May 2, 2021, Simone had written and signed a thank you note to Jasmine that read, “Thanks for agreeing to hire me as a professor for $90,000/year. I look forward to working with you. (Signed) Simone.”? Explain.
2. Simone sues Nicholas for breach of contract because she still wants to rent the studio, and Nicholas pleads the Statute of Frauds as a defense. Judgment for whom? Explain.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

a In this case it appears that Hunter College has a valid defense based on the Statute of Frauds The ... View the full answer