Galitzka v. Fields

PUTNAM, J. Whether or not it is against public policy for a broker, who is in a confidential relation, and not a mere middleman, to agree with a prospective customer not to act in the owner’s interest, and not seek any other customer (see Rabinowitz v. Pizer [Sup.] 108 N. Y. Supp. 994; Id., 127 App. Div. 941, 111 N. Y. Supp. 1141), the facts in this case do not sustain the complaint. [1] The present complaint, following Siegel v. Rosenzweig, 129 App. Div. 547, 114 N. Y. Supp. 179, alleges at the threshold an agency, with an agreement with the principal for commissions, on the sale of the property, which prospective commissions the broker gave up at the request of the intending purchaser. This was essential to make a consideration for the new promise, which rests on the agreement to step aside as a broker, and refrain from efforts to earn a commission from the seller. [2] At the time of the alleged promise (on January 8th), this plaintiff, however, was not working for Mr. Sullivan, as he had expressly assured him that he did not expect to earn any commissions from the owner. Hence there could be no valid promise to plaintiff, as in Siegel v. ■ Rosenzweig, to terminate efforts to earn a commission. In fact, plaintiff proved himself already out of the deal by having, on January 2d, renounced commissions from Mr. Sullivan. There was, therefore, a failure to make out the special grounds for recovery as pleaded, and hence the complaint should have been dismissed. Judgment reversed, and new trial ordered, costs to abide the, event. ASPINALE and CRANE, JJ., concur.