Momentis U.S. Corporation v. Sheldon Weisfeld and Wesley Bishop

Opinion

Vacate Trial Court’s Order and Remand and Opinion Filed July 23, 2014

S In The Court of Appeals Fifth District of Texas at Dallas No. 05-13-01250-CV

MOMENTIS U.S. CORPORATION, Appellant V. SHELDON WEISFELD AND WESLEY BISHOP, Appellees

On Appeal from the 68th Judicial District Court Dallas County, Texas Trial Court Cause No. DC-12-13869

MEMORANDUM OPINION Before Justices FitzGerald, Francis, and Myers Opinion by Justice Francis In this accelerated appeal, Momentis U.S. Corporation appeals the trial court’s order

denying its motion to compel arbitration. Momentis contends the trial court abused its discretion

by denying its motion because Sheldon Weisfeld and Wesley Bishop entered into an agreement

and, under the terms of the agreement, agreed to arbitrate all disputes. Momentis also argues the

terms of the agreement dictate that all the defenses raised by appellees must be decided by the

arbitrator. We agree with both arguments, vacate the trial court’s order denying arbitration, and

remand for further proceedings.

Momentis is a company that markets natural gas and electricity contracts, mobile phones,

internet, digital television, and other home and business-related services. As part of its sales

program, Momentis contracts with third-party independent contractors, called independent representatives. The IRs are direct sellers of the products Momentis offers and may recruit other

IRs to work for Momentis. An individual IR is paid based on his sales for Momentis as well as

the sales of any IRs he recruits.

An existing IR recruits a new IR by sending the recruit a link to his “biz” website. The

new recruit electronically completes and signs the IR application and agreement on the recruiting

IR’s biz website. After the recruit pays the application fee and submits the form, Momentis

sends the recruit a “welcome email” which the company considers acceptance of the application.

The online application provides that any dispute arising out of or relating to the agreement or

Momentis’s policies “shall be exclusively resolved by binding arbitration.” The agreement also

provides that an IR may rescind the agreement within three days of completing and submitting

the form. A recruit may print a paper version of the terms of the agreement as well as a copy of

Momentis’s policies by clicking on links provided on the online application page.

Bishop and Weisfeld signed up to be IRs in May 2011 and July 2011, respectively. Each

completed the online application, paid the agreement fee, and submitted the form to Momentis.

Each received a welcome email as well as a representative ID and password, a log-in access to

Momentis’s M-Center, and an “M-Rep Starter Kit,” containing marketing and training materials.

In September 2011, Momentis held a two-day international conference at the Gaylord

Texan Resort in Grapevine to mark the launching of Momentis in Texas. Both Bishop and

Weisfeld attended. At the end of the conference, president and CEO Andy McWilliams gave a

closing speech in which he stressed the virtues of working for Momentis as well as the

opportunities the company offered to its IRs. He then told the people gathered at the conference

that, for every IR in attendance that day who returned the following year and had “at least gotten

a customer in the last year and sponsored a representative,” Momentis would “pay for your hotel

room, your event will be free, and we will give you $500 to be here.”

–2– The following year, Momentis again held a two-day international conference at the

Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine. The event cost $99 to attend, and a hotel room for both

nights was $340. Considering McWilliams’s offer from the previous year, Weisfeld and Bishop

believed they could receive up to $939―$500 plus the event cost of $99 and the $340 cost of a

room for two nights. Although Weisfeld asked how to take advantage of the offer or get

reimbursement, he was later told his request “has respectfully been denied by management.” He

and Bishop then filed this class action lawsuit against Momentis, alleging violations of the Texas

Deceptive Trade Practices Act, breach of oral contract, and promissory estoppel. Momentis filed

a general denial and alleged Weisfeld’s and Bishop’s claims were subject to a binding and

enforceable arbitration agreement. Several months later, Momentis filed a motion to compel

arbitration. After the trial court denied the motion, Momentis filed this accelerated appeal.

On appeal, Momentis contends the trial court abused its discretion by denying its motion

to compel arbitration. Momentis claims it proved appellees agreed to arbitrate all disputes and

that all appellees’ defenses must be decided by the arbitrator.

We apply an abuse of discretion standard when reviewing an interlocutory order denying

a motion to compel arbitration. Sidley Austin Brown & Wood, LLP v. J. A. Green Dev. Corp.,

327 S.W.3d 859, 862–63 (Tex. App.―Dallas 2010, no pet.). When the only dispute is one of

law, we review the trial court’s legal determinations de novo. In re Labatt Food Serv., L.P., 279

S.W.3d 640, 643 (Tex. 2009) (orig. proceeding).

In general, a party seeking to compel arbitration under the Federal Arbitration Act must

establish (1) the existence of a valid, enforceable arbitration agreement and (2) that the claims at

issue fall within that agreement’s scope. In re Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc., 166 S.W.3d 732, 737

(Tex. 2005) (orig. proceeding). Because of state and federal policies favoring arbitration, doubts

about the scope of the arbitration agreement must be resolved in favor of arbitration. Sidley

–3– Austin Brown & Wood, 327 S.W.3d at 863. The party seeking to avoid arbitration then bears the

burden of proving its defenses against enforcing an otherwise valid arbitration provision. In re

FirstMerit Bank, N.A., 52 S.W.3d 749, 756 (Tex. 2001) (orig. proceeding).

In determining the validity of agreements to arbitrate that are subject to the FAA, we

generally apply state contract law principles governing the formation of contracts. In re Palm

Harbor Homes, Inc., 195 S.W.3d 672, 676 (Tex. 2006) (orig. proceeding). Thus, an employer

attempting to enforce an arbitration agreement must show the agreement meets all requisite

contract elements. J.M. Davidson, Inc. v. Webster, 128 S.W.3d 223, 228 (Tex. 2003). Parties

enter into a binding contract when the following elements exist: (1) an offer; (2) an acceptance in

strict compliance with the terms of the offer; (3) a meeting of the minds; (4) each party’s consent

to the terms; and (5) execution and delivery of the contract with the intent that it be mutual and

binding. Thornton v. AT&T Adver., L.P., 390 S.W.3d 702, 705 (Tex. App.―Dallas 2012, no

pet.).

In its motion to compel arbitration, Momentis stated Weisfeld and Bishop both signed up

to be IRs by completing, signing, and submitting the IR agreement and paying the required fee.

Momentis also asserted (1) the IR agreement provides that any dispute between Momentis and an

IR will be resolved by binding arbitration and (2) Momentis’s policies and procedures, which are

also referenced in the IR agreement, specifically provide that arbitration will occur under the

FAA.

In support of its motion, Momentis filed the affidavit of Thomas Grissom, the director of

research and compliance, and the person in charge of all IR functions, including the sign-up

process. Grissom detailed the manner in which individuals become IRs. A current IR contacts a

potential recruit by email, sending the recruit a link to the current IR’s biz website. To access the

application and agreement, the recruit must select the “join” option on the recruiter’s website,

–4– identify the state in which he resides, and choose the “Independent Representative Enrollment

Form.” The recruit electronically completes and signs the application and agreement by clicking

on the “Sign & Submit” option.

According to Grissom, the on-line form has ten steps that must be completed before the

application is complete. Step 9 is labeled “Momentis Terms of Agreement, Policies &

Procedures and Compensation Plan” and contain links to PDF versions of the Terms of

Agreement and Polices & Procedures. To continue with the application process, a recruit must

select the “I agree” option, which states “You must indicate that you have read and agreed to the

Momentis Representative Terms of Agreement, Policies & Procedures and Compensation Plan in

order to complete this application process. By submitting this form you are electronically

signing a legal agreement between you and Momentis.” If the recruit does not agree, he

cannot continue nor can he submit the application.

The Terms of Agreement provides, in pertinent part:

1. Compliance. I have carefully read and agree to comply with all terms and conditions and this Independent Representative Agreement (the “Agreement”), the Momentis Policies and the Momentis Compensation Plan, as well as all other terms of use, guidelines, policies and procedures published by Momentis U.S. Corp. (“Momentis”) applicable to Momentis Independent Representatives, all of which are incorporated into this Agreement. This Agreement is not binding until received and accepted by Momentis at its home office in Dallas, Texas.

* * *

22. Arbitration. Except as set forth herein, any dispute between Momentis or its affiliates and [the recruit], including but not limited to, those arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Policies shall be exclusively resolved by binding arbitration as more fully set forth in the Policies. Arbitration shall occur in Dallas, Texas, under the commercial rules of the American Arbitration Association.

* * *

27. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Compensation Plan and the Momentis Policies, and other terms and conditions of use which are incorporated herein by reference, constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede prior or existing oral or written agreements between the parties. No –5– other additional promises, representations, guarantees or agreements of any kind, whether oral or written, shall be valid unless expressly agreed to in writing and signed by an authorized officer of Momentis. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Policies, the Policies will control.

Grissom stated the Policies also contain an arbitration agreement which provides that

disputes will be arbitrated under the FAA. Specifically, it provides:

Independent Representatives agree that, except as set forth herein[,] any claim, dispute or other difference between Independent Representatives and Momentis or among Independent Representatives and Momentis will be exclusively resolved by binding arbitration pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (The “Rules”) and the United States Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C., Sections 1-16 (The “Act”), with arbitration to occur at Dallas, Texas. This paragraph will control over any conflict between this paragraph and The Act or The Rules. The parties agree that the arbitrator will have the primary power to decide any question about the arbitrability of any claim, dispute or other difference between them.

According to Grissom, both Bishop and Weisfeld signed up as IRs by completing,

submitting, and electronically signing the IR agreement (Bishop on May 25, 2011 and Weisfeld

on July 22, 2011). Each checked the “I agree” button at Step 9, paid the requisite fee, and

clicked on the “Sign & Submit” button. After Bishop and Weisfeld submitted the forms,

Momentis accepted each application as evidenced by the welcome email sent from Chris

Domhoff, then CEO of Momentis, to Bishop and Weisfeld. Each one also received an “M-Rep

Starter Kit” containing marketing and training materials, further evidence they agreed to the

terms and conditions of the agreement.

Although appellees filed a response and a supplemental response to the motion to

compel, arguing there is no signature on the arbitration agreement, and even if there is, the

agreement is illusory, unconscionable, and void, they did not file any objections or produce any

evidence to contradict Grissom’s testimony. Grissom’s testimony shows that every person who

wishes to be a Momentis IR must agree to the Momentis Representative Terms of Agreement,

the Policies & Procedures, and the Compensation Plan before completing the application. The

–6– Terms of Agreement as well as the Policies & Procedures provide that disputes will be arbitrated.

And Grissom’s testimony establishes that Bishop and Weisfeld each agreed to the terms and

conditions set forth in the IR agreement, including that “any dispute between Momentis or its

affiliates and [the recruit], including but not limited to, those arising out of or relating to this

Agreement or the Policies shall be exclusively resolved by binding arbitration as more fully set

forth in the Policies,” by clicking on the “I agree” selection and submitting their applications.

We conclude the trial court abused its discretion by concluding the parties did not agree to

arbitrate.

In reaching this conclusion, we reject appellees’ argument that nothing establishes the

parties agreed to conduct an electronic transaction. Section 322.005 of the business and

commerce code provides, “Whether the parties agree to conduct a transaction by electronic

means is determined from the context and surrounding circumstances, including the parties’

conduct.” TEX. BUS. & COM. CODE ANN. § 322.005 (West 2009). Here, the evidence shows

Momentis allows prospective recruits to access an application on-line, complete the application

after first agreeing to the Terms as well as the Policies & Procedures, and click on the “Sign &

Submit” option. Bishop and Weisfeld each accessed the on-line application and, after agreeing

to the terms, completed and submitted the same. When considered in context, appellees’

actions―agreeing to terms and submitting on-line applications via the “Sign & Submit”

button―is sufficient evidence they agreed to conduct the transaction by electronic means.

We also reject appellees’ argument that the unsigned, undated paper copies of the Terms

of Agreement and Policies & Procedures attached to Grissom’s affidavit, render all the other

evidence insufficient. Grissom stated Step 9 of the on-line application process contains a link to

PDF files and that the paper copies he attached to his affidavit are copies of the Terms of

Agreement and Policies that recruits can access via the PDF links. Grissom notes that the copy

–7– differs from the on-line application but this does not negate or diffuse his testimony about the on-

line process and application, including its contents. Because the evidence established Bishop

and Weisfeld agreed to arbitrate any dispute, we sustain Momentis’s first issue.

In its second issue, Momentis contends the trial court erred by denying its motion to

compel arbitration because, under the arbitration agreement, all appellees’ defenses must be

decided by the arbitrator. Again, we agree.

Whether the parties have submitted a particular dispute to arbitration, i.e., the “question

of arbitrability,” is an issue for judicial determination unless the parties clearly and unmistakably

provide otherwise. AT & T Techs., Inc. v. Commc’ns Workers, 475 U.S. 643, 649 (1986). When

the parties agree to a broad arbitration clause and explicitly incorporate rules that empower an

arbitrator to decide issues of arbitrability, the incorporation serves as clear and unmistakable

evidence of the parties’ intent to delegate such issues to an arbitrator. Saxa Inc. v. DFD

Architecture Inc., 312 S.W.3d 224, 230 (Tex. App.―Dallas 2010, pet. denied).

In this case, the Terms of Agreement state any dispute between Momentis and the IR,

“including but not limited to, those arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Policies

shall be exclusively resolved by binding arbitration as more fully set forth in the Policies.” And

the Policies provide, “The parties agree that the arbitrator will have the primary power to decide

any question about the arbitrability of any claim, dispute or other difference between them.”

Under the clear terms of the parties’ agreement, whether the arbitration agreement is illusory,

unconscionable, or against public policy is for the arbitrator to decide. We sustain Momentis’s

second issue.

We vacate the trial court’s order denying arbitration and remand this case for further

–8– proceedings consistent with our opinion.

131250F.P05 /Molly Francis/ MOLLY FRANCIS JUSTICE

–9– S Court of Appeals Fifth District of Texas at Dallas JUDGMENT

MOMENTIS U.S. CORPORATION, On Appeal from the 68th Judicial District Appellant Court, Dallas County, Texas Trial Court Cause No. DC-12-13869. No. 05-13-01250-CV V. Opinion delivered by Justice Francis, Justices FitzGerald and Myers participating. SHELDON WEISFELD AND WESLEY BISHOP, Appellees

In accordance with this Court’s opinion of this date, we VACATE the trial court’s order denying arbitration and REMAND this case to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with the Court’s opinion. We ORDER that appellant MOMENTIS U.S. CORPORATION recover its costs of this appeal from appellees SHELDON WEISFELD AND WESLEY BISHOP.

Judgment entered this 23nd day of July, 2014.

/Molly Francis/ MOLLY FRANCIS JUSTICE

–10–