Heyman v. Adeack Realty Company

**Heyman v. Adeack Realty Company: Oral Commission Agreements Must Be in Writing** A real estate broker sued Adeack Realty Company for unpaid commissions he claimed he was owed under an oral agreement. The broker argued that the company had promised to pay him a commission for his work, but this promise was only made verbally, not in a written contract. The court ruled against the broker and sided with the real estate company. The judge found that the oral commission agreement violated the "statute of frauds" - a law that requires certain types of contracts to be written down to be legally enforceable. Since the commission agreement was only verbal, it could not be legally enforced. The court also rejected the broker's alternative argument that he should be paid the reasonable value of his services. This case matters for workers because it shows the importance of getting employment agreements and compensation promises in writing. Verbal promises about pay, commissions, or benefits can be difficult or impossible to enforce in court. Workers should always ask for written contracts or documentation when employers make promises about compensation to protect themselves legally.