APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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McKinley vs. Holt

03A01-9807-PB-00220
Court of Appeals 04/15/99
Street vs. Waddell

03A01-9710-CV-00488
Washington County Court of Appeals 04/15/99
Julia Leach Bryan vs. James Leach

M1998-00922-COA-R3-CV
This case involves post-divorce disputes over alimony and child support and issues of contempt of court. The father commenced this appeal after the trial court declined to modify or terminate his alimony obligation and awarded the mother more than $50,000 in child support arrearages and, later, found the father in contempt of court and ordered him to pay a fine of $100 per day until all judgments were paid to the mother. On appeal, the father argues that his alimony obligation should have terminated or decreased, that a portion of his child support payments should be placed in trust for the benefit of the children, and that the trial court erred by fining him for contempt. We affirm the trial court's orders but modify the fine imposed upon the father.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Jim T. Hamilton
Maury County Court of Appeals 04/15/99
Norris vs. Gounaris

03A01-9807-CH-00238
Court of Appeals 04/15/99
O'Bryant vs. Reeder Chevrolet

03A01-9810-CV-00325
Court of Appeals 04/15/99
Julia Leach Bryan vs. James Leach

M1998-00922-COA-R3-CV
This case involves post-divorce disputes over alimony and child support and issues of contempt of court. The father commenced this appeal after the trial court declined to modify or terminate his alimony obligation and awarded the mother more than $50,000 in child support arrearages and, later, found the father in contempt of court and ordered him to pay a fine of $100 per day until all judgments were paid to the mother. On appeal, the father argues that his alimony obligation should have terminated or decreased, that a portion of his child support payments should be placed in trust for the benefit of the children, and that the trial court erred by fining him for contempt. We affirm the trial court's orders but modify the fine imposed upon the father.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Jim T. Hamilton
Maury County Court of Appeals 04/15/99
Janice Leslie vs. Charles/Patricia Caldwell

02A01-9807-CV-00179

Originating Judge:Robert L. Childers
Shelby County Court of Appeals 04/13/99
Elipidio Placencia vs. Lauren Placencia

02A01-9803-CV-00065

Originating Judge:George H. Brown
Shelby County Court of Appeals 04/13/99
Conister Trust v. Boating Corp. of America & Villas-Afloat

M1998-00949-COA-R3-CV
The buyer of three boats that were to be built pursuant to specific instructions defaulted on payment for the second and third boats by failing to pay the entire purchase price of the boats. The seller resold the two boats and recovered its damages caused by the buyer's breach. A creditor of the buyer, who furnished funds for the purchase of the first two boats, sought the excess proceeds from the sale of the second boat asserting that it had an unperfected security interest. Because the buyer did not attain rights in the collateral sufficient to meet the requirements for attachment of a security interest, the creditor is not entitled to distribution of the proceeds under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Instead, the rights of the buyer and seller are governed by Article 2. The creditor was entitled to assert the buyer's right to restitution of partial payments, and the seller was entitled to recover its damages from the resale of the two boats. The seller also had a right of setoff which it exercised to recover losses on the third boat from moneys realized in the sale of the second boat. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Tom E. Gray
Sumner County Court of Appeals 04/12/99
Remington Investments, Inc., v. Ronald S. Obenauf and Ardeth Obenauf

01A01-9809-CH-00512

This is an appeal from a grant of summary judgment by the trial court domesticating a Connecticut judgment under Tennessee Code Annotated section 26-6-101 et seq. against both defendants. I. The Connecticut Action In September 1990, Connecticut Savings Bank brought suit in the Superior Court of the Judicial District of New Haven, Connecticut against Ronald S. Obenauf and Ardeth H. Obenauf on a promissory note in the amount of $34,000, executed by Ronald S. Obenauf and dated March 27, 1990. Plaintiff alleged that it was the current holder of the promissory note and that Ronald S. Obenauf had failed to make monthly payments in accordance therewith. The bank demanded judgment of the amount of the promissory note together with  nterest and costs. The bank further sought fees and expenses, including reasonable attorney fees, asserting that plaintiff had been harmed by the failure of the defendant to make payment on the promissory note.

Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Chancellor Robert E. Corlew, III
Rutherford County Court of Appeals 04/07/99
Luvana Leean Tudors vs. Carl William Bell, Jr., - Concurring

01-A-01-9802-CV-00103

This is an appeal of two ten-day sentences for criminal contempt. We find that the procedural requirements for a sentence for criminal contempt have not been satisfied. We, therefore, reverse the lower court’s order.

Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Judge Thomas W. Graham
Marion County Court of Appeals 04/07/99
Doyle Shirt Manufacturing Corporation, v. T. Michael O'Mara, et al.

01A01-9711-CH-00670

This appeal involves the requirement of Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 11.01 that pleadings be signed by an attorney or by a party if that party is not represented by an attorney. Finding that the plaintiff did not comply with Rule 11 within the statutory period of limitations, the Putnam County Chancery Court granted summary judgment to the defendant. We affirm the decision of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Special Judge Walter W. Bussart
Originating Judge:Chancellor Vernon Neal
Putnam County Court of Appeals 04/07/99
Paula H. Chaffin, Manny Formigo, and Brenda Thurman, et al., v. Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd, A/K/A Norwegian Cruise Lines, Inc., A/K/A Norwegian Cruise Lines, et al.

02A01-9803-CH-00080

Paula Chaffin, Manny Formigo, Brenda Thurman, Brent Mezzacasa, Maria 3 Rodriguez, Robert Kirk, Lloyd Ramer, Jerry Knott, and Mike Freeman (“Plaintiffs”), who were appointed by the trial court as class representatives in this conditionally certified class action, appeal from the trial court’s dismissal of their claims against four separate cruise line businesses, which included: (1) Norwegian Cruise Line Limited f/k/a Kloster Cruise Limited (“Norwegian”); (2) Carnival Corporation and/or Carnival Cruise Lines, Inc. (“Carnival”); (3) Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (“Royal Caribbean”); and (4) Princess Cruise Lines, Inc. (“Princess”). Plaintiffs’ claims were based upon alleged Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) violations and upon alleged fraudulent misrepresentations. The trial court dismissed Plaintiffs’ claims based upon forum selection clauses contained in written cruise contracts. Based upon the following, we find that the subject forum selection clauses are neither invalid based upon fraud nor unenforceable based upon unreasonableness. Moreover, we find that the subject forum selection clauses do not contravene a strong Tennessee public policy. Accordingly, we find that the forum selection clauses are enforceable and that the trial court’s dismissal was proper. We therefore affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Chancellor J. Steven Stafford
Dyer County Court of Appeals 04/07/99
Estate of Carlisa Toney. a minor, by next friend, parent and guardian, Vernioca M. Toney, Individually, v. Bill Cunningham, Mrs. Bill (Ardia) Cunningham, Percy L. Ward and Mrs. Percy L. (Mary) Ward

02A01-9801-CV-00005

In this wrongful death action, the trial court granted a motion to quash process and dismiss complaint filed by Defendants Percy and Mary Ward. Additionally, the trial court granted a motion for summary judgment filed by Defendants Bill and Ardia Cunningham. Plaintiff Veronica Toney appeals the ruling of the trial court regarding the motion to quash process and dismiss complaint as well as the motion for summary judgment. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge George H. Brown, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Appeals 04/06/99
Myranda Brown, a minor, Candy Brown, a minor, and Sherry Mills, Individually and as Parent and Next Friend of Myranda Brown and Candy Brown v. Jessica M. Chesor and Lisha D. Oaks

02A01-9806-CV-00174

This appeal involves a suit for personal injuries and property damage resulting from an automobile accident. Plaintiffs-appellants, Myranda Brown (Brown), Candy Brown (Candy) and Sherri Mills (Mills) appeal the judgment on the jury verdict that awarded plaintiff Mills $922.00 in damages and awarded no damages for plaintiffs Myranda and Candy against defendants, Jessica Chessor (Jessica) and Lisha D. Oaks (Oaks).

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood
Hardeman County Court of Appeals 04/06/99
Brenda Kaye Thomas v. Johnny Wayne Thomas

02A01-9711-CH-00292

This appeal involves a petition to modify an award of alimony. Appellant, Johnny Wayne Thomas (Husband), appeals the order of the trial court denying Husband’s petition to modify by deletion an award of alimony in futuro awarded to Appellee, Brenda Kaye Thomas (Wife).

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Judge J. Steven Stafford
Lake County Court of Appeals 04/06/99
Ray Darris Thompson v. Betty Hammond, et al. - Concurring

02A01-9808-CV-00221

Plaintiff Ray Darris Thompson appeals the trial court’s final order entering summary judgment in favor of Defendants/Appellees Betty Hammond, Vernon Brown, June Wesson, Bruce MacDonald, and Christine Bradley.  We reverse the trial court’s judgment based on our conclusion that the trial court erred in granting the Defendants’ motion for summary judgment  without considering Thompson’s motion to compel discovery.

Authoring Judge: Judge Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge Robert L. Childers
Shelby County Court of Appeals 04/06/99
Greg Townshend v. Erin Blanding Bingham

02A01-9801-CV-00019

This appeal involves a petition to modify child custody. Respondent-Appellant, Erin Blanding Bingham (Mother), appeals from the order of the trial court granting the petition to modify custody filed by Petitioner-Appellee, Thomas Gregory Townshend (Father).

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Judge D'Army Bailey
Shelby County Court of Appeals 04/06/99
Billy Wesson and Diane Wesson v. Woodworks, Inc. v. Larry Cupples, D/B/A Construction Company

02A01-9808-CV-00225

Defendant Woodworks, Inc., appeals the circuit court’s final judgment in the amount
of $8288 which was entered in favor of Plaintiffs/Appellees Billy and Diane Wesson. We reverse
the circuit court’s judgment based upon our conclusion that the court erred in directing a verdict in
favor of Defendant/Appellee Larry Cupples, d/b/a Cupples Construction Company, and we remand
for a new trial.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Madison County Court of Appeals 04/06/99
In Re: Estate of J.B. Warren, Deceased

02A01-9806-CH-00156

Respondent Anita W. Goode LeCornu (Respondent) appeals the trial court’s judgment admitting to probate the will of J. B. Warren, Jr. (Testator). We vacate the trial court’s judgment based upon our conclusion that the court erred in ruling that the Testator did not effectively revoke one of the will’s provisions.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Chancellor George R. Ellis
Haywood County Court of Appeals 04/06/99
Hite vs. Glazer Steel

03A01-9808-CV-00256
Court of Appeals 04/01/99
01A01-9807-CH-352

01A01-9807-CH-352
Court of Appeals 03/31/99
Jaco vs. Dept. of Health, Bureau of Medicaid

01A01-9806-CH-00324

Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 03/31/99
Fideltity and Casualty Company of New York, v. Gregory Entertainment, Inc.

01-A-0-9804-CH00203

The primary issue in this case is whether the trial court should have granted Plaintiff's motion to amend its complaint to correct deficiencies that were raised by Defendant in a motion for judgment on the pleadings. Plaintiff disputes that the Complaint is deficient, but requested to be allowed to amend the Complaint by attaching discoverable documents that would have been introduced at trisl. We are of the opinion that leave to amend should have been granted.

 

Authoring Judge: Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge Henry Denmark Bell
Williamson County Court of Appeals 03/31/99
B&H Investments, Inc., v. James W. Brooks

W1999-01252-COA-R3-CV

This appeal arises from a dispute regarding whether Plaintiff B& H was entitled to a deficiency judgment following a foreclosure sale of Defendants' property. Despite Defendant Brooks' counter-claim of fraud in the sale, the court found that Plaintiff was entitled to a deficiency judgment. Defendant Brooks' motion for new trial or for an amendment of the findings of fact was denied. Brooks appeals this denial.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Chancellor Joe C. Morris
Madison County Court of Appeals 03/31/99