Latest 4 Cases This Week: Coast Hematology-Oncology Associates Medical Group, Inc. v. Long Beach Memorial Medical Center (Cal. Ct. App.), Zelman ...

Joe, Joey, Joe-Baby, Sexist: Where’s Your Imposter Syndrome?

JOANNA L. GROSSMAN

SMU Dedman School of Law professor Joanna L. Grossman responds to a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed criticizing soon-to-be First Lady Jill Biden for using the academic title she earned. Professor Grossman dissects the op-ed, penned by a retired lecturer at Northwestern University, and explains the deep and pervasive sexism behind it.

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Coast Hematology-Oncology Associates Medical Group, Inc. v. Long Beach Memorial Medical Center

Court: California Courts of Appeal

Docket: B297984(Second Appellate District)

Opinion Date: December 15, 2020

Judge: Wiley

Areas of Law: Business Law

Coast filed suit against Memorial, a medical group seeking to buy Coast, after negotiations between the parties failed and Memorial hired people who were already working for Coast. The trial court ultimately granted summary judgment against Coast. In regard to the two trade secret claims, the Court of Appeal concluded that the trial court properly disposed of the medical codes secret claim, but remanded as to the physician productivity secret claim because Coast succeeded in generating a genuine factual dispute in this case. In regard to the claims for tortious interference with economic relations, the court concluded that the trial court was correct to summarily dispose of both of Coast's interference claims, because Coast offered no proof Memorial had engaged in wrongful conduct. Finally, the court concluded that the trial court correctly granted Memorial summary relief from Coast's cause of action for unfair competition. Accordingly, the court reversed the trial court's grant of summary judgment; directed the summary adjudication of all claims in Memorial's favor, with the exception of the claim for misappropriation on the physician productivity secret. The court remanded that claim for further proceedings.

Zelman v. Zelman

Court: Maine Supreme Judicial Court

Citation: 2020 ME 138

Opinion Date: December 15, 2020

Judge: Joseph Jabar

Areas of Law: Business Law, Trusts & Estates

The Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the business and consumer docket's entry of final judgment reaffirming a partial summary judgment on the complaint filed by Michael Zelman and a counterclaim filed by Andrew and Zelman Family Business Holdings, LLC (ZFBH), holding that the business and consumer court had subject matter jurisdiction. Michael brought this action both individually and as personal representative of the Estate of Estelle Betty Zelman asking the superior court to dissolve and liquidate ZFBH. Andrew and ZFBH filed an answer and counterclaim. The court entered a final judgment concluding that Andrew was not a manager of ZFBH and that the sole remaining manager of ZFBH had died and declining to dissolve ZFBH. The Supreme Judicial Court affirmed, holding (1) the business and consumer court had subject matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction; and (2) the court correctly concluded that William did not have the authority to appoint Andrew as a manager of ZFBH.

Jackpot Farms, Inc. v. Johns Farms, Inc.

Court: Montana Supreme Court

Citation: 2020 MT 311

Opinion Date: December 15, 2020

Judge: James A. Rice

Areas of Law: Business Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the district court providing for the dissolution of the Johns Brothers Farms partnership, accounting of the partners' capital accounts, and settlement and distribution of partnership assets, holding that the district court did not err. Brothers Jerry Johns and Jule Nathan "Butch" Johns began farming together as a partnership in 1980. In 1994, the brothers each formed a corporation to hold their individual interests, and the corporations became the partners in Johns Brothers Farms. In 2013, the brothers agreed to dissolve the partnership and distribute the assets between the partners. The next year, Jerry commenced this action to dissolve Johns Brothers Farms, for settlement of capital accounts, and for distribution of partnership assets. In 2020, the district court issued its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and judgment. Butch appealed. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the district court (1) did not err by concluding that Jerry did not breach his fiduciary duty to Butch and the partnership; (2) did not err in its calculation of the capital account balances for Jerry and Butch; and (3) did not err by awarding Jerry the forty-acre parcel in its distribution of partnership assets.

Three Aces Properties v. United Rentals

Court: North Dakota Supreme Court

Citation: 2020 ND 305

Opinion Date: December 17, 2020

Judge: Daniel J. Crothers

Areas of Law: Business Law, Contracts, Real Estate & Property Law

Three Aces Properties LLC appealed, and United Rentals (North America), Inc., cross-appealed a judgment and orders denying their motions to amend the judgment. In 2017, Three Aces sued United Rentals for breach of contract and waste. Three Aces claimed United Rentals breached the lease by failing to pay rent after it vacated the property, failing to maintain and repair the parking area, and failing to maintain and repair the premises. Three Aces alleged United Rentals’ use of the premises resulted in destruction of the asphalt parking area and damages to the building and other areas of the property. Three Aces claimed United Rentals attempted to repair the parking area by replacing the asphalt paving with scoria, the City of Williston notified the parties that replacement of the asphalt with scoria violated zoning ordinances, and the parties disagreed about which party had an obligation to repair the parking area. Three Aces argued the district court erred by failing to award it damages for its breach of contract claims. United Rentals argued the court erred in dismissing its breach of contract and constructive eviction claim. Finding no reversible error, the North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed the district court.