The Ohio Court of Appeals recently ruled in favor of Mark's Pro Services, L.L.C., a landscaping company, in a breach of contract case against Alan Pearlman and his affiliated companies. The court affirmed a lower court's decision that awarded Mark's Pro Services $11,464.75 for unpaid landscaping services. This ruling highlights the importance of adhering to contractual agreements and the consequences of failing to do so.
The case, Mark's Pro Servs., L.L.C. v. Pearlman, was filed under docket number 2025-G-0041 and decided on July 20, 2026, by Judge Eugene A. Lucci. The ruling affects not only the parties involved but also serves as a reminder to businesses about the legal obligations tied to contracts.
Background
Mark's Pro Services, L.L.C. is a professional landscaping business that provided services to Alan Pearlman, who resides at a property owned by a family trust. Pearlman has ownership interests in multiple properties, including those managed by Pedra Properties, LLC and Continental Enterprises, Ltd., both of which were also named as defendants in the case.
The dispute began in March 2024 when Pearlman requested quotes for landscaping work at three different properties. Mark's Pro Services provided written quotes totaling $21,100 for work at the three locations. Pearlman agreed to these quotes and signed them, indicating he was authorized to enter contracts for the companies involved.
After the landscaping work was completed from April to May 2024, Mark's Pro Services sent invoices totaling $11,464.75 for the services rendered. However, Pearlman refused to pay the full amounts, claiming dissatisfaction with the work performed. This led to the filing of a breach of contract complaint in the Chardon Municipal Court in June 2024.
The Ruling
The Ohio Court of Appeals upheld the trial court's judgment in favor of Mark's Pro Services. The court found that Pearlman failed to provide sufficient evidence to support his claims of dissatisfaction with the landscaping work. Judge Lucci stated, "Simply because Mr. Pearlman testified that he was dissatisfied with the grass coverage does not provide 'overwhelming evidence' that appellants breached the terms of the contracts at issue."
The court noted that Pearlman had not requested the company to return to address his concerns and had not provided qualified witnesses to challenge the quality of the work performed. The magistrate's decision, which was adopted by the trial court, concluded that the landscaping work met professional standards.
Impact
This ruling reinforces the legal principle that parties must adhere to the terms of their contracts. It emphasizes the importance of providing clear evidence when disputing the quality of services rendered. The decision also serves as a reminder to businesses about the potential consequences of failing to fulfill contractual obligations.
Mark's Pro Services is expected to receive the awarded amount, which includes interest at the statutory rate of 8% per annum. This case could influence future disputes involving service contracts, as it highlights the necessity of maintaining clear communication and documentation throughout the service process.
What's Next
Details were not available in the court filing regarding whether the decision can be appealed. However, given the nature of the ruling, it is likely that the appellants may consider further legal options, especially if they believe there are grounds for appeal.