Brannam v. Reedy

OPINION BY

Judge LEAVITT.

Brenda Brannam, Latasha Scruggs and Willie Jessie (collectively Appellants) appeal from an order of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County (trial court) denying their Motion to Strike the Order of Settlement. In this appeal we consider whether a trial judge can resolve a dispute about the existence of a settlement agreement by making findings of fact based on his own personal knowledge instead of conducting an evidentiary hearing on the points in dispute. We also consider whether an attorney who has apparent, but not express, authority can bind his clients to…