James Eric Crain v. CRST Van Expedited, Inc.

This case stems from an employment contract dispute. James Eric Crain (“Crain”) was terminated by his employer, CRST Van Expedited, Inc. (“CRST”). CRST demanded payment from Crain pursuant to a clause in his employment contract. Crain filed suit in the Knox County Chancery Court (the “Trial Court”), seeking, among other things, injunctive relief. CRST filed an answer and counterclaim in the Trial Court seeking damages, among other things. CRST also filed a lawsuit, based on the same facts and issues, against Crain in Iowa. CRST prevailed in the Iowa lawsuit before the suit in Tennessee went to judgment. CRST filed a motion for summary judgment in the Trial Court, which was granted. Crain appeals, raising a number of issues. We hold that the Trial Court did not err in granting CRST’s motion for summary judgment relying on the doctrine of res judicata. We further hold that the Trial Court did not err in finding that CRST also was entitled to judgment as a matter of law pursuant to the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act. We affirm.