Petersen v. Schafer

—Respondent, Howard Petersen, is an assignee of real property rights formerly held by Haines and Mary Ellen Gaifner. The appellant, George L. Scha-fer, is Gaffner's former business associate. Schafer and Gaifner had entered into a joint venture agreement which purported to convey a one-half interest in certain real property to Schafer. A dispute arose over whether or not the agreement did indeed convey an interest in the real property. After a bench trial, the judge quieted title in favor of Petersen and awarded Schafer a money judgment for quantum meruit. Schafer appeals the judgment…