Woods v. Murdock

Plaintiff appeals as of right from the circuit court’s order dismissing her lawsuit with prejudice when plaintiff’s attorney failed to negotiate a settlement with defendant’s attorney and failed to appear. We reverse and remand for trial before a different judge.

The instant matter was scheduled for a one-day bench trial on Monday, May 2, 1988. Defendant notes that eight pretrial conferences and nine trials were also scheduled. The pretrial conferences were held until midmorning. Defendant also claims that three cases were settled before trial. Trial was held in the fourth scheduled matter…