Question

Simba orally agrees to work with Lion King, Inc. in New York City for two years. Simba moves his family to New York from California and begins work. Three months later, Simba is fired for no stated cause. Simba sues for reinstatement and back pay. What legal theory will Simba use in court? And will he be successful?

Answer 1

The court might conclude that un­der the doc­trine of promissory estoppel, the employer is estopped from claiming the lack of a written contract as a de­fense.  The oral contract may be en­forced because the employer made a promise on which the employee justifi­ably relied in moving to New York, the reliance was foreseeable, and injustice can be avoided only by en­forcing the promise. If the court strictly enforces the Statute of Frauds, however, the employee may be without a remedy.