The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's summary judgment ruling and sided with KJ-Park LLC in a commercial lease dispute involving a Palo Alto office building and claims of nearly $7 million in damages against Match Group companies.

The case, *KJ-Park, LLC v. Match Group, LLC*, centered on a 2018 office lease agreement for property at 2555 Park Boulevard in Palo Alto between California-based KJ-Park LLC and Match Group companies. KJ-Park alleged that Match Group breached the lease agreement and guaranty by improperly terminating the lease, seeking at least $6,986,605 in damages plus additional unpaid rent.

Match Group countered with claims that it properly terminated the lease due to KJ-Park's breach of contract, filing counterclaims for breach of contract and monies had and received. The dispute escalated through competing motions for summary judgment, with KJ-Park seeking partial summary judgment on its breach-of-contract claim while Match Group moved for summary judgment on all claims.

U.S. District Judge Virginia K. DeMarchi of the Northern District of California initially ruled comprehensively in Match Group's favor. The district court granted Match Group summary judgment on KJ-Park's claims, denied KJ-Park's motion for partial summary judgment, and awarded attorneys' fees and costs to Match Group.

However, on appeal, the Ninth Circuit found flaws in the district court's analysis. Following oral arguments held on November 18, 2025, the appellate court determined that summary judgment was inappropriate and that material factual disputes remained regarding the breach of contract claims.

The Ninth Circuit's decision, filed January 22, 2026, reversed the district court's grant of summary judgment in favor of Match Group and remanded the case for further proceedings. The court also vacated the award of attorneys' fees and costs that had been granted to Match Group.

Judge Bress dissented from the majority's decision to reverse, indicating he would have preferred to affirm the district court's original ruling in favor of Match Group. The dissent suggests disagreement within the appellate panel about the proper legal analysis of the lease dispute.

The reversal means KJ-Park LLC can now proceed with its breach of contract claims against Match Group in the district court, potentially recovering the nearly $7 million in damages it originally sought. Match Group will need to defend against these claims on remand rather than enjoying the protection of the summary judgment ruling that was overturned.