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Judge Overturns $1.1 Million Verdict Against Lawyer who Represented Aroostook County Farmers

PORTLAND, Maine — A judge has overturned a $1.1 million verdict awarded to the owners of an Aroostook County potato seed farm who had sued their defense lawyer saying he failed to properly represent them in a legal battle.

Vaughn and Mary Sleeper of Island Falls had hired Daniel Lilley's firm in 2001 to represent them and their business, Sleeper Hill Farms, against Agway Inc., the New York-based agricultural conglomerate. The Sleepers alleged Agway withheld money from them.

The Sleepers said Lilley didn't do his job properly.

A jury had awarded the Sleepers $1.1 million in 2013.

But the Portland Press Herald reports that Warren said last week he is granting Lilley's motion for a new trial because of the errors the judge himself said he made before and during the trial.