CHICAGO – A veterinarian has filed suit against her one-time business partner over allegations she violated a contract by opening a competing clinic and alleging she attempted to poach clients.
Kjerstin Jacobs, individually and derivatively on behalf of Metropolitan Veterinary Center LLC, filed a complaint on Jan. 10 in Cook County Circuit Court against June Lafave, individually and as co-owner of Metropolitan Veterinary Center LLC, and Metropolitan Veterinary Center LLC, over alleged violation of the Illinois Limited Liability Company Act.
According to the complaint, on Feb 8. 2012, Jacobs and Lafave entered into an operating agreement for Metropolitan Veterinary Center LLC, which designated each of them as 50 percent members and managers.
The suit states in 2018, the plaintiff discovered Lafave organized Lafave Enterprises to open a competing clinic and that Lafave has been contacting Metropolitan Veterinary Center clients to inform them of the new clinic.
The plaintiff alleges the new clinic violates a noncompete and geographic limitation restriction agreement, and is a breach of Lafave's fiduciary duty to Metropolitan Veterinary Center.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for punitive damages of more than $500,000, permanent injunction and other further relief. She is represented by Kristi S. Poskus, Spencer J. Marks and Jonathan D. Rosen of Pokorny & Marks LLC in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 19-CH-00343