How does one quantify enjoyment gained from the perfect pair of pants? A flattering fit, oh-so-crisp lines or fine-woven fabrics might make trousers priceless to their owner. Roy L. Pearson, Jr., who just happens to be an administrative law judge for the District, doesn’t have a problem putting a price on such clothes. He believes his pants are worth $67 million.

Pearson alleges Custom Cleaners in Northeast lost his trousers back in 2005. He filed a lawsuit seeking damages and claiming the city’s consumer protection laws were violated. The cleaners said they gave the him the proper pants, but offered the judge a $12,000 settlement anyway. He refused and pressed on with the case, which Chris Manning, attorney for Custom Cleaners, calls, “possibly the most amazing example of frivolous and ridiculous litigation.”

A glance at Judge Pearson’s bio reveals no clues to whether he’s crazy enough to think a jury would award him such a hefty sum. For almost 25 years he worked with an organization that provides, “civil legal assistance to indigent residents of the District of Columbia,” — surely a worthy cause. We’ll have to wait until June, when the complaint is scheduled to appear in court, and see if the case leads to a windfall for victims of sartorial mistaken identity everywhere.

Photo by Flickr user terecico.