A District of Columbia administrative law judge who sued South Korean immigrant dry cleaners for $54 million over a missing pair of pants has asked a judge to reconsider her ruling for the defense.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Judith Bartnoff ruled that defendants Soo Chung, Jin Nam Chung and Ki Y. Chung, owners of a dry cleaning business in Northeast Washington, owed judge Roy Pearson nothing for losing his pants. Pearson claimed the lost pants violated the cleaners’ “Satisfaction Guaranteed” policy.

Now, Pearson is asking the judge to reconsider her decision in what the Chungs’ defense attorney Charles Manning described as a precursor to an appeal.

“We’ve thought all along that his pursuit of this case was outrageous,” Manning added. “His continued support of an appeal after what was clearly a resounding defense verdict is not only unfortunate for my clients but for him.”

This story continues below
Advertisement

Pearson could not be reached for comment. He has until July 25 to file an appeal, which must be considered by the appellate court.

The case garnered worldwide attention and become fodder for tort reform activists, who argued it was an example of unnecessary litigation in the U.S. court system. These activists are now mobilizing to raise money for the Chungs’ legal expenses.

“It’s the epitome of a frivolous lawsuit, particularly given that the Chungs on three occasions offered to settle,” said Larry Akey of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform. The reform institute, along with the American Tort Reform Association, are organizing a July 24 event to raise funds for the Chungs’ defense.

Whatever happens with the lawsuit, Pearson’s future as a D.C. administrative law judge and his salary of more than $100,000 annually is in doubt. The administrative law commission is expected to meet today and may discuss whether Pearson should be appointed to a 10-year term on the bench, following a two-year term that expired in April.

According to sources, Pearson’s boss, D.C. Chief Administrative Judge Tyrone Butler, recommended in a letter to the commission that it reject Pearson’s reappointment.

dfrancis@dcexaminer.com