In an important ruling, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of plaintiffs in a case alleging that the Ritz-Carlton Condominiums in Washington, D.C. suffered from extensive design and construction defects.  At issue in the appeal was whether plaintiffs, the owners of condominium units at the Ritz-Carlton, have a right to have their claims heard in court, or whether instead that would be forced into a secret “arbitration” proceeding before the very architect who designed the building.  The Court of Appeals ruled that plaintiffs were not required to arbitrate, and instead could have their cases heard and decided by a court.  The appeal was successfully argued by Jonathan Tycko.  To download a copy of the decision, click here.