By Bob Allen
A federal appeals court has appointed a pro bono attorney to represent an Arkansas couple challenging LifeWay Christian Resource’s 2013 sale of Glorieta Conference Center near Santa Fe, N.M.
Judge Carlos Lucero took it upon himself to choose an attorney to represent Kirk and Susie Tompkins in their appeal of a dismissed lawsuit in the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
The couple, owners of one of 65 homes built on lots leased on a year-to-year basis from Glorieta that the new owners opted to discontinue, filed a lawsuit in September 2013 attempting to block the property sale and seeking damages totaling $12.4 million.
Last March a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit, finding the couple representing themselves without an attorney failed to assert any legal claims and did not have legal standing to sue.
In a Jan. 28 order, Judge Lucero determined the appointment of counsel “would aid the court in its consideration and disposition” of the appeal. The judge named Houston attorney Seth Kretzer to file legal papers without cost to the couple.
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