The Denison Landscaping lawsuit is a breach-of-contract fight between former owner Donna Denison and the buyers who purchased the company in 2021, Robert E. Horsey and David W. Horsey. In June 2026, a federal judge in Maryland confirmed that roughly $3 million is owed to Denison under the sale terms. At the same time, the buyers’ companies are operating under a confirmed Chapter 11 reorganization plan.1Justia Law. Horsey Denison Landscaping LLC v. Denison, No. 1:2024cv01484
What the Dispute Is About
On October 22, 2021, Donna Denison sold Denison Landscaping, Inc., Denison Landscaping & Nursery, Inc., and Denison Farms, LLC to the Horseys through a Stock and Membership Purchase Agreement. The acquiring entity, Horsey Denison Landscaping, LLC (HDL), signed a Seller Note for a $6 million principal payment, subject to adjustments. Both Horseys personally guaranteed HDL’s obligations.1Justia Law. Horsey Denison Landscaping LLC v. Denison, No. 1:2024cv01484
After closing, the sides disagreed over the Working Capital Adjustments and post-closing financial statements the contract required. In July 2024, they hired Vallit Advisors, LLC, an independent accounting firm, to resolve the disagreement under the contract’s terms.1Justia Law. Horsey Denison Landscaping LLC v. Denison, No. 1:2024cv01484
The Federal Court Ruling
HDL sued Denison first. On May 21, 2024, it filed a breach-of-contract action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (Case No. 1:24-cv-01484). Denison brought third-party claims against David and Robert Horsey personally.2PACER Monitor. Horsey Denison Landscaping LLC v. Denison
Vallit issued its report on January 30, 2025, concluding that $2,398,854.13 was owed to Denison as a working capital adjustment. The firm later clarified that an additional $600,000 in “cash on hand” was owed separately. Denison filed a second action (Case No. 1:25-cv-00448) to confirm the Vallit report as an arbitration award, and the court consolidated it into the lead case on May 2, 2025.1Justia Law. Horsey Denison Landscaping LLC v. Denison, No. 1:2024cv01484
On June 4, 2026, Judge Julie Rebecca Rubin granted Denison’s petition to confirm the Vallit report as an arbitration award under the Federal Arbitration Act. The court held that the roughly $2.4 million adjustment, plus the $600,000 cash-on-hand figure, were owed to Denison. A joint status report followed on June 18, 2026, indicating further proceedings remain.1Justia Law. Horsey Denison Landscaping LLC v. Denison, No. 1:2024cv014842PACER Monitor. Horsey Denison Landscaping LLC v. Denison
The Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
While the contract case was pending, the buyer entities filed for Chapter 11 protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland. The lead case (No. 0:25-bk-14103) was filed on May 6, 2025, before Judge Lori S. Simpson. Five related entities are being jointly administered:3Inforuptcy. Horsey Denison Landscaping LLC and Denison Landscaping and Nursery Inc.
- Horsey Denison Landscaping, LLC (lead debtor)
- Denison Landscaping & Nursery, Inc.
- Denison Landscaping, Inc.
- Denison Farms, LLC
- Horsey Denison Properties, LLC
The debtors are represented by Jonathan A. Grasso and Paul Sweeney of YVS Law, LLC in Annapolis. For Denison Landscaping, Inc. alone, filings listed estimated assets of $1 million to $10 million against liabilities of $10 million to $50 million, with between 200 and 999 creditors. Denison Landscaping & Nursery, Inc. listed estimated assets of $100,001 to $500,000 against liabilities of $1 million to $10 million.4PACER Monitor. Denison Landscaping, Inc.5PACER Monitor. Denison Landscaping and Nursery, Inc.
Where Things Stand Now
The bankruptcy cases have moved into the post-confirmation phase, meaning the court has approved a reorganization plan and the companies are operating under it. Counsel filed a Post-Confirmation Quarterly Operating Report for the first quarter of 2026 on June 4, 2026.4PACER Monitor. Denison Landscaping, Inc.
The two proceedings intersect. The bankruptcy court lifted the automatic stay to let the contract case in front of Judge Rubin proceed, which is what produced the June 2026 ruling. In January 2026, an adversary proceeding (No. 0:26-ap-00008), styled Horsey Denison Landscaping LLC et al. v. Denison et al., was filed inside the bankruptcy case, adding another layer of litigation between the same parties.1Justia Law. Horsey Denison Landscaping LLC v. Denison, No. 1:2024cv014846PACER Monitor. Horsey Denison Landscaping LLC and Denison Landscaping and Nursery, Inc.
Denison has a confirmed federal judgment in her favor for roughly $3 million. Collecting it against companies in Chapter 11 is a separate question, and the June 18, 2026 joint status report signals the parties are still working through what comes next.2PACER Monitor. Horsey Denison Landscaping LLC v. Denison