Managing Partner Brianne Thomas Represents ex-husband and wins a six-figure verdict after wife conspired with realtor to sell home

When Donta and Tamika Hanks divorced, their dissolution of marriage decree required Donta to pay Tamika Hanks $17,500 within 90 days in exchange for their house.

Despite multiple attempts to pay Tamika, Donta and his attorneys argued that she conspired with My Joy Enterprises to sell the house before the 90-day period. A jury agreed with Donta resulting in a six-figure verdict.

Donta was represented by Eric S. Playter of Playter & Playter Trial Lawyers and Brianne N. Thomas of Boyd Kenter Thomas & Parrish.

Donata first came to Playter for representation and explained that despite calling and texting Tamika multiple times to coordinate the payment, he hadn’t received a response. Playter contacted Thomas because this is not his typical practice area and Civil Litigation is a strong practice area for  Boyd Kenter Thomas & Parrish.

When the 90 days passed and Donta still wasn’t able to make the payment, Tamika Hanks filed a motion of contempt.

Playter and Thomas sued Tamika Hanks and My Joy Enterprises for breach of contract, tortious interference with a contract and conspiracy.

“He took an envelope of cash to her lawyer’s office, he took an envelope of cash to the judge trying to pay him and all of that evidence came out at the trial, and we called independent witnesses to verify all that,” Thomas said. “And they still argued in closing argument, that he never had the money, and he never intended to pay her. So, the jury just really believed our client and did not believe Tamika, the ex-wife or the My Joy representatives and concluded that they worked together to take this house from him and never gave him the opportunity to perform under their divorce decree.”

No pretrial offers were made until the morning of the trial when My Joy Enterprises offered to let Donta buy back the house for $150,000. The couple originally paid $85,000 for it, according to Thomas.

Throughout the trial, Tamika and My Joy Enterprises maintained that Donta did not have the money to make the payment, despite his multiple attempts. Ultimately, the jury agreed with Donta, awarding him $657,500.

Amount of verdict, judgment or settlement: $657,500

Type of action: Verdict for plaintiff

Venue: Jackson County Circuit Court

Case Number/Date: 2116-CV03075/10/03/2024

Judge: Kenneth Garrett III

Caption: Donta Hanks V. Tamika Hanks, My Joy Enterprises LLC

Plaintiffs’ Attorneys: Eric S. Playter of Playter & Playter Trial Lawyers & Brianne N. Thomas of Boyd Kenter Thomas & Parrish, LLC.

Defendant’s Attorneys: Robert D. Murphy of Robert Murphy Attorney at Law & Willis Toney of Toney Law Firm.

Source: Missouri Lawyers