The sole determinative issue on appeal is whether an agreement which mandates arbitration in the event of claims or disputes "arising out of or relating in any way to the relationship of the parties or this Agreement, or the breach thereof," requires arbitration of tort claims including acts arising after the parties' contractual relationship ended. We hold that arbitration of claims of tortious interference with contracts or business relations is required under the terms of the parties' agreement and reverse the judgment of the trial court.
This appeal arises from the Father's post-divorce petition to set child support and to terminate previously ordered alimony in futuro. From an adverse decision of the trial court denying child support and termination of the alimony obligation, Father appeals. We affirm the portions of the trial court's ruling regarding alimony and reverse the award of attorney's fees and denial of support.
Davidson
Court of Appeals
Beverly Wilson v. Thomas Wilson M2002-02286-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: Steven A. Cassety
This appeal arises from an order of the trial court distributing 25% of the increase in value of the husband's business to the wife as marital property. We affirm.
Jackson
Court of Appeals
Jodell Dunkin v. David Dunkin M2002-01899-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Muriel Robinson
This is a post-divorce dispute concerning the custody of Kaylea Jodell Dunkin ("the child") (DOB: July 1, 1994), the child of these litigants. The non-custodial parent, David H. Dunkin ("Father"), filed a petition seeking to enjoin the child's mother, Jodell L. Dunkin ("Mother"), from relocating with the child to Montana. Following a hearing, the trial court found that there was no reasonable purpose for the proposed move and that the relocation would not be in the best interest of the child. The trial court then denied Mother's request to relocate. We affirm.
Davidson
Court of Appeals
Denicia Wills v. Russell Wills M2002-02167-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: C. L. Rogers
This case involves an appeal from an order of the trial court modifying the father's child support obligation and denying the father's request for change of custody. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.
Sumner
Court of Appeals
In Re: Martha Blanks Maxwell M2002-01654-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Charles D. Haston, Sr.
The niece of an elderly woman who suffered a stroke, followed by memory loss and confusion, petitioned the court to be appointed as her aunt's conservator. The trial court granted the petition as well as the conservator's plan to have her aunt moved to an assisted living environment. There, the woman's condition improved, and the guardian ad litem moved the court to consider whether it was advisable to revoke the conservatorship and allow her to return to her own home. After a hearing, the court terminated the conservatorship. The former conservator appeals, and we affirm.
Warren
Court of Appeals
Armand Salvatore vs. Baron Corp. E2002-01978-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Daryl R. Fansler
Following the termination of his employment, Armand M. Salvatore sued two corporations and six limited partnerships, as well as Miles E. Cullom, Jr., who was a stockholder, director, and president of the corporations, and who was also a limited partner in each of the limited partnerships, for salary, fees, and commissions allegedly due him under the terms of a written employment agreement. He also sued the defendant Cullom for statutory treble damages in tort for interference with his employment contract. Following a bench trial, the court below held that Salvatore, at the time of his termination, was employed under a renewed one-year employment contract. Pursuant to this holding, the trial court awarded him the remainder of his base salary for the second year of his employment. Salvatore appeals, contending that the trial court erred when it failed to award him salary for two additional years, fees, commissions, and treble damages. The defendants, on the other hand, claim that Salvatore is not entitled to the salary awarded to him by the trial court. We modify the trial court's judgment to increase Salvatore's award by $20,500. As modified, the judgment is affirmed.
Knox
Court of Appeals
Betty Bryant vs. Roy Bryant E2002-02201-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: John D. Mcafee
In this divorce case, the trial court dissolved a marriage of over 36 years; divided the parties' marital property; and denied the request of Betty J. Bryant ("Wife") for attorney's fees. Wife appeals, arguing that the division of marital property is not equitable. Her argument is predicated primarily upon the assertion that her spouse, Roy C. Bryant ("Husband"), dissipated the marital assets as a result of his gambling activities. In addition, Wife contends that the trial court erred in refusing to award her attorney's fees. We affirm.
Claiborne
Court of Appeals
John Doe 1 v. Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashville M2001-01780-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Walter C. Kurtz
This appeal involves claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress through outrageous conduct. John Doe 1, his mother, and John Doe 2 seek to hold the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashville liable for injuries caused by the alleged outrageous conduct of the Diocese in its dealings with Edward McKeown, a former priest, who sexually molested John Doe 1 and John Doe 2 a number of years after his affiliation with the Diocese ended. The trial court granted the Diocese's summary judgment motion, finding the Does had failed as a matter of law to satisfy the threshold requirements for stating a claim for the tort of outrageous conduct. The plaintiffs appeal that decision. Because we find the summary judgment motion was properly granted, we affirm the trial court.
Davidson
Court of Appeals
Trinity Industries v. McKinnon Bridge M2002-02713-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.
In this case, appellant-contractor for construction of a bridge entered into a contract with appellee-subcontractor for the fabrication and delivery of structural steel. By virtue of an indemnity clause in the contract, the trial court held the contractor liable to the subcontractor for the amounts expended by the subcontractor in settlement of a lawsuit filed against it and for the expenses incurred in the defense of the lawsuit. Contractor appeals. We affirm.
Davidson
Court of Appeals
Lori Bates v. Joseph Bates M2002-02037-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Carol A. Catalano
This is an appeal from a final decree of divorce, involving issues of appreciation involving Husband's property, award of attorney fees, and division of marital property and debt. Husband appeals. We affirm as modified herein and remand for such further proceedings as may be necessary.
Robertson
Court of Appeals
W2003-00911-COA-R3-PT W2003-00911-COA-R3-PT
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Robert W. Newell
Gibson
Court of Appeals
W2003-01180-COA-R3-CV W2003-01180-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Trial Court Judge: Rita L. Stotts
Shelby
Court of Appeals
Bobby R. Essary v. John R. Essary W2003-00299-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: George R. Ellis
Steve Rogers v. State M2003-00215-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Plaintiff appeals dismissal by the Tennessee Claims Commission of his claim against the State of Tennessee resulting from an alleged assault and battery by a Tennessee State Trooper in the State Capital Building. The Claims Commission dismissed the claim for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, and we affirm the action of the Claims Commission.
Court of Appeals
W2002-02633-COA-R9-CV W2002-02633-COA-R9-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Trial Court Judge: Julian P. Guinn
W2002-03053-COA-R3-CV W2002-03053-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: J. Steven Stafford
Dyer
Court of Appeals
Donald Freeman v. Lynn Freeman M2002-02558-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Trial Court Judge: Muriel Robinson
This appeal involves a former husband's attempt to modify or terminate an alimony award to his former wife because of a change of circumstances. Primarily, husband asserts that he is retired, and his income and assets have been drastically reduced to the extent that he is unable to pay the alimony awarded. Wife filed a petition to hold husband in contempt for his failure to pay the alimony installments accrued. After a non-jury hearing, the trial court dismissed husband's petition and granted wife's petition holding husband in civil contempt of court. Husband appeals. We affirm.
Davidson
Court of Appeals
Brenda King v. Danny King M2002-01897-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Marietta M. Shipley
Former Husband sought to accelerate former Wife's repayment of alimony overpayments that accrued between the divorce and this court's modification of the original award of alimony. Former Husband argues the trial court abused its discretion when it did not establish a reasonable repayment plan. Because we find the trial court did not abuse its discretion in fashioning a repayment plan, we affirm the trial court.
