COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
MORGAN T. ZURN LEONARD L. WILLIAMS JUSTICE CENTER 500 N. KING STREET, SUITE 11400 VICE CHANCELLOR WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19801-3734
August 26, 2020
Jeffrey M. Weiner, Esquire Bartholomew J. Dalton, Esquire Law Offices of Jeffrey M. Weiner, P.A. Michael C. Dalton, Esquire 1332 King Street Dalton & Associates, P.A. Wilmington, DE 19801 Cool Spring Meeting House 1106 West Tenth Street Wilmington, DE 19806
RE: Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ
Dear Counsel,
I write regarding the motion for judgment on the pleadings (the “Motion”)
filed by Plaintiffs and Counterclaim Defendants Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty LLC
(“WND”) and Gary S. Nitsche, P.A. (“Nitsche, P.A.,” and together with WND,
“Plaintiffs”) with respect to counterclaims filed by Defendant and Counterclaim
Plaintiffs Samuel Pratcher, III, Nicholas M. Krayer, and Pratcher Krayer LLC
(collectively, “Defendants”).1 For the reasons that follow, today I grant the Motion
in part, deny it in part, and ask the parties to submit supplemental letters of no more
than 1,000 words to assist in resolving the remaining issues.
1 Docket Item (“D.I.”) 37. Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 2 of 22
A. Defendants’ Counterclaim And Plaintiffs’ Motion
The parties are familiar with the factual allegations in this matter, and
therefore, I do not detail them today. This matter primarily involves a schism
between a law firm and its partner, WND and Nitsche, P.A., and two former
associates of the firm.2 Gary S. Nitsche, the individual, owns and controls all of the
issued and outstanding shares of stock of Nitsche, P.A., and the allegations in this
matter refer to Nitsche the individual acting on Nitsche, P.A.’s behalf.
After years as associates, Pratcher and Krayer co-managed personal injury
cases that Nitsche originated; they also originated and managed their own cases, and
were entitled to one-third of the fees from those cases. To originate cases, Pratcher
and Krayer self-marketed and advertised without explicitly identifying their
affiliation with WND. The parties dispute whether Nitsche and WND knew about
and permitted Pratcher and Krayer’s self-marketing activities.3
Eventually, Pratcher and Krayer wanted more compensation for their work,
and Nitsche and WND agreed to begin compensating them as “partners” at the firm.
The new terms of Pratcher and Krayer’s employment were memorialized in
documents referred to as “Succession Agreements.” Among other things, the
2 See generally D.I. 13 [hereinafter “Am. Compl.”]; D.I. 33 [hereinafter “Countercl.”]. 3 See D.I. 36 ¶¶ 16, 18, 19, 26, 36, 37, 38. Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 3 of 22
Succession Agreements increased the percentage of fees Pratcher and Krayer were
entitled to from self-originated cases. Shortly after executing the Succession
Agreements, Nitsche allegedly discovered Pratcher and Krayer’s self-marketing
campaigns and ordered them to desist; the parties’ relationship then fractured.
Pratcher and Krayer resigned from WND and opened their own firm, Pratcher
Krayer LLC.
This action followed in November 2018.4 In January 2019, Plaintiffs filed
their Amended Complaint against Defendants seeking equitable rescission of the
Succession Agreements; an accounting of all fees recovered for WND clients that
elected to transfer their representation to Pratcher, Krayer, or Pratcher Krayer LLC;
a declaratory judgment that any accounting between the parties be based on the terms
of their pre-Succession Agreement relationship; a constructive trust for any monies
or fees received, or expected to be received, by Defendants from those clients that
elected to transfer their representation to Defendants; an injunction prohibiting
Defendants from disclosing WND’s confidential and proprietary information; and
damages.5
4 See D.I. 1. 5 See generally Am. Compl. Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 4 of 22
Defendants unsuccessfully moved to dismiss Plaintiffs’ Amended
Complaint,6 then filed their Answer and Counterclaim on January 23, 2020. Count
I asserts a claim for breach of contract based on the Succession Agreements.7 Count
II asserts a claim for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. 8
In the event the Court voids the Succession Agreements as Plaintiffs request,9
Defendants also plead non-contractual counterclaims in the alternative: Count III
asserts breach of implied contract;10 Count IV asserts promissory estoppel;11 Count
6 See D.I. 15, 27, 30, 35. 7 See Countercl. ¶¶ 86–93. 8 See id. ¶¶ 94–100. 9 See Am. Compl. ¶¶ 32–41. 10 See Countercl. ¶¶ 101–09. Defendants premise the alleged breaches underlying Counts I, II, and III on the allegations set forth in paragraph 89 of the Counterclaim. See id. ¶¶ 89, 97, 103. Paragraph 89 states, Plaintiffs/Counterclaim-Defendants worked to frustrate the bargained-for benefits of the Succession Agreements, including, but not limited to, the following conduct: a. Feigning ignorance of Pratcher and Krayer’s self- marketing and advertising; b. Removing Pratcher and Krayer’s direct dial phone numbers; c. Preventing Pratcher and Krayer’s support staff from accessing their client files and cost sheets; d. Belatedly publishing a client intake policy that is at once in variance with the established custom of attorneys at WND, and contrary to the bargained-for benefits to Pratcher and Krayer as outlined in the Succession Agreements; e. Causing the preparation of a memorandum that falsely alleged Pratcher and Krayer fraudulently held funds settled in 2016 into 2017 to profit to a greater extent when the (then inchoate) Succession Agreements would be executed. 11 See id. ¶¶ 110–15. Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 5 of 22
V asserts quantum meruit;12 and Count VI asserts unjust enrichment.13 Finally,
Count VII asserts a violation of 19 Del. C. § 1103 for “wages” Pratcher and Krayer
“were owed” “upon their resignation” from WND,14 and Count VIII asserts a claim
for intentional interference with prospective contractual relationship.15
On February 11, Plaintiffs filed their reply to the Counterclaim.16 Plaintiffs
also filed their Motion for judgment on the pleadings with respect to “Count VII and
any aspect of any other Counterclaim based upon wages or salary” based on the
statute of limitations.17 In their March 13 opening brief, Plaintiffs contend they are
entitled to judgment on the pleadings with respect to Counts I, II, III, V, VI, and VII
of the Counterclaim because those counts are based on wages, not any expectation
from an underlying promise or contract, and so are subject to the one-year statute of
limitations set forth in 10 Del. C. § 8111, rather than the three-year statute of
limitations set forth in 10 Del. C. § 8106(a).18 Plaintiffs also expanded their grounds
12 See id. ¶¶ 116–20. 13 See id. ¶¶ 121–24. 14 Id. ¶¶ 128; see id. ¶¶ 125–27, 129–32. 15 Id. ¶¶ 133–38. 16 D.I. 36. 17 D.I. 37 ¶ 6. 18 D.I. 49. Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 6 of 22
for judgment on the pleadings with respect to Counts II and III, asserting that
Defendants failed to properly plead claims for breach of the implied covenant of
good faith and fair dealing and breach of implied contract.
In their answering brief,19 Defendants concede that Count VII is a claim for
wages subject to Section 8111’s one-year statute of limitations and that, accordingly,
the claim should be dismissed. However, they maintain that the remainder of their
claims are contractual in nature, are not claims for wages under Section 8111, and
are therefore subject to the three-year statute of limitations. Defendants further
contend that Plaintiffs improperly expanded the grounds for the Motion by raising
additional arguments with respect to Counts II and III in their opening brief. But if
the Court is to consider those arguments, Defendants maintain they adequately pled
those claims. Plaintiffs replied.20
The parties jointly requested that the Court decide the Motion on the papers.21
In considering a motion for judgment on the pleadings, the Court views the facts
pled and the reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom in a light most favorable
19 D.I. 55. 20 D.I. 58. 21 See D.I. 47. Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 7 of 22
to the non-moving party.22 The Court grants such a motion only where no material
issue of fact exists and where the movants—here, Plaintiffs—are entitled to a
judgment as a matter of law.23
The pleadings and briefing did not adequately apprise the Court of the parties’
respective theories and the application of governing law with respect to Counts I, II,
III, V, and VI. Accordingly, I rule on certain preliminary arguments, share my
thoughts on the applicable law to focus the parties’ arguments, and request
supplemental briefing.
B. Counts IV And VIII May Proceed, And Plaintiffs Are Entitled To Judgment On Count VII.
As an initial matter, because Plaintiffs’ Motion addresses only Counts I, II,
III, V, VI, and VII of the Counterclaim, Defendants’ Counterclaim proceeds on
Count IV for promissory estoppel and Count VIII for intentional interference with
22 See, e.g., Pullin v. Davis, 2016 WL 4679246, at *1 (Del. Ch. Sept. 7, 2016). 23 See, e.g., id.; Fiat N. Am. LLC v. UAW Retiree Med. Benefits Tr., 2013 WL 3963684, at *7 (Del. Ch. July 30, 2013). Based on admissions and denials in Plaintiffs’ reply, I note several relevant material issues of fact, including whether (1) Plaintiffs “expressly permitted” “Pratcher and Krayer to engage in self-marketing and advertising” “from the beginning of their employment,” D.I. 36 ¶¶ 16, 19; (2) “Pratcher made clear to [Nitsche] that he would only join WND if he were permitted to engage in self-marketing and advertising,” id. ¶ 18; (3) Nitsche also engaged in self-advertising using a direct dial phone number, id. ¶ 26; (4) Nitsche had actual knowledge that Defendants were engaged in self- advertising, id. ¶¶ 36, 37; and (5) if Nitsche did have actual knowledge of Defendants’ conduct, he objected thereto, id. ¶ 38. Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 8 of 22
prospective contractual relationship.24 And in light of Defendants’ concession that
Count VII is a claim for wages subject to Section 8111’s one-year statute of
limitations, Plaintiffs are entitled to judgment as a matter of law with respect to
Count VII.25
C. Plaintiffs Properly Raised All Arguments In The Motion And Opening Brief.
I now turn to Defendants’ assertion that Plaintiffs improperly expanded the
grounds for the Motion in their opening brief. “Under the briefing rules, a party is
obliged in its motion and opening brief to set forth all of the grounds, authorities and
arguments supporting its motion. A movant should not hold matters in reserve for
reply briefs.”26 The movant must set forth enough information in his motion and
opening brief to present all arguments so that the nonmovant is “afforded an
24 See D.I. 49, 55. 25 Accord, e.g., Turner v. Diamond Shamrock Chem. Co., 1987 WL 17175, at *2 (Del. Feb. 8, 1897) (applying Section 8111’s one-year limitation period to a claim arising under Section 1108 of the Delaware Wage Payment and Collection Act (“DWPCA”)); Girardot v. Chemours Co., 2018 WL 1472337, at *3 (Del. Super. Ct. Mar. 26, 2018) (“Section 8111 of Title 10 of the Delaware Code states that any claim for wages for work or any other benefits arising from such work expires 1 year from the accruing of the cause of action on which such action is based. This one-year statute of limitations applies to DWPCA claims.” (footnotes and quotations omitted)). 26 Franklin Balance Sheet Inv. Fund v. Crowley, 2006 WL 3095952, at *4 (Del. Ch. Oct. 19, 2006) (emphasis added) (footnotes omitted). Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 9 of 22
adequate opportunity to assess the pertinent information before filing their
answering brief.”27
Plaintiffs’ opening brief “set forth all of the grounds, authorities and
arguments supporting [their] motion.”28 As evidenced by Defendants’ answering
brief, Plaintiffs’ Motion and opening brief presented sufficient information to
“afford[] [Defendants] an adequate opportunity to assess the pertinent information
before filing their answering brief.”29 “Moreover, Delaware law has a strong
preference for deciding cases on the merits, rather than on procedural grounds.”30
Accordingly, I consider Plaintiffs’ arguments presented for the first time in their
opening brief.
D. Defendants Have Adequately Pled Count III In The Alternative.
Having determined that Plaintiffs appropriately raised an additional ground
for judgment with respect to Count III, I address that argument today. Plaintiffs
contend that, in my December 2019 ruling on Defendants’ motion to dismiss, I
“ruled that an agreement exists between the parties,” and so Count III “should be
27 Id. at *5. 28 Id. at *4. 29 Id. at *5. 30 Id. Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 10 of 22
dismissed, as a claim for breach of implied contract cannot proceed when an express
contract has been found.”31 This argument is inconsistent with Plaintiffs’ affirmative
claims in the Amended Complaint seeking to void or rescind the Succession
Agreements. Defendants retort, and I agree, that Count III is pled in the alternative
“if the Succession Agreements are voided”32 as Plaintiffs request in the Amended
Complaint.
Plaintiffs are correct that if the parties’ relationship is comprehensively
governed by contract, a claim for implied contract cannot stand.33 “A contractual
obligation cannot be implied where an express obligation exists. A court will only
consider recovery under an implied contract if there is no express contract which
governs the parties’ rights and obligations. An implied contractual obligation cannot
‘flow from matters expressly addressed’ in a written contract.”34 Rather, “[a]
contract will be implied in fact only when the Court may fairly infer such an intent
31 D.I. 49 at 27 (citing Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Bransburg & Ellers, LLP v. Mosacia Educ. Inc., 2009 WL 5177144, at *2 (Del. Super. Dec. 14, 2009)). 32 Countercl. ¶¶ 102 (“If the Succession Agreements are voided, then the parties are subject to an implied-in-fact contract of employment.”), 111 (“If the Succession Agreements are voided, then the parties are subject to an implied-in-fact contract of employment.”), 117 (“If the Succession Agreements are voided, then Defendants/Counterclaim-Plaintiffs substantially contributed to the recovery of proceeds from settling cases . . . .”). 33 See, e.g., Good v. Moyer, 2012 WL 4857367, at *5 (Del. Super. Ct. Oct. 10, 2012). 34 Id. (footnotes omitted) (quoting Moore Bus. Forms v. Cordant Hldgs. Corp., 1995 WL 662685, at *9 (Del. Ch. Nov. 2, 1995)). Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 11 of 22
from the evidence; it represents the presumed intention of the parties as indicated by
their conduct.”35
The Succession Agreements are express contracts that govern the parties’
employment relationship. But Plaintiffs’ Count I “respectfully request[s] that this
Court declare the June 6, 2017 Succession Agreements void ab initio, cancel/rescind
the June 6, 2017 Succession Agreements, and return the parties to the status quo
ante.”36 And contrary to Plaintiffs’ argument on this Motion, I did not previously
“rule[] that an agreement exists between the parties.”37 I ruled that Plaintiffs’ claim
to void the Succession Agreement survived Defendants’ motion for failure to state a
claim.38 Plaintiffs’ claim for equitable recession, and their theory that the Succession
35 Parfi Hldg. AB v. Mirror Image Internet, Inc., 794 A.2d 1211, 1238 (Del. Ch. 2001) (quoting Creditors’ Comm. of Essex Builders, Inc. v. Farmers Bank, 251 A.2d 546, 548 (Del. 1969)), rev’d on other grounds, 817 A.2d 149 (Del. 2002). 36 Am. Compl. at 18. 37 D.I. 49 at 27. 38 See D.I. 35 at 16 (“The amended complaint also requests that this Court declare the agreements void or cancel or rescind the agreements and return the parties to the status quo. Defendants have failed to show that plaintiffs could not recover under any reasonably conceivable set of circumstances susceptible of proof. Defendants’ motion to dismiss Count I for failure to state a claim is denied.”). Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 12 of 22
Agreements should be void to return the parties to their pre-June 2017 position,
remains a viable claim in this case.
In view of that claim, Defendants brought Count III in the alternative. Under
Court of Chancery Rule 8, they are permitted to do so:
A party may set forth 2 or more statements of a claim or defense alternately or hypothetically, either in 1 count or defense or in separate counts or defenses. When 2 or more statements are made in the alternative and 1 of them if made independently would be sufficient, the pleading is not made insufficient by the insufficiency of 1 or more of the alternative statements. A party may also state as many separate claims or defenses as the party has regardless of consistency.39
Although Defendants have the right to plead an alternative theory of recovery to a
breach of contract claim, “[a] right to plead alternative theories does not obviate the
obligation to provide factual support for each theory.”40 The alternative claim must
have an independent basis that is not comprehensively governed by the
39 Ct. Ch. R. 8(e)(2); see also CMS Inv. Hldgs., LLC v. Castle, 2015 WL 3894021, at *17 (Del. Ch. June 23, 2015) (“[I]t is not unusual for plaintiffs to attempt to supplement claims for breach of contract with additional claims [pled in the alternative], generally as a hedge against the possibility that the court might conclude that there was no formal contract between the parties.”). 40 BAE Sys. Info. & Elec. Sys. Integration, Inc. v. Lockheed Martin Corp., 2009 WL 264088, at *8 (Del. Ch. Feb. 3, 2009); accord CMS Inv. Hldgs., 2015 WL 3894021, at *17 n.97. Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 13 of 22
accompanying breach of contract claim.41 Defendants offer such a basis for their
implied contract claim: Plaintiffs’ claim that no express contract exists.
Defendants have also provided independent factual support for their implied
contract theory, based on reading the Counterclaim in the light most favorable to
Defendants.42 Pratcher and Krayer joined WND as associate attorneys in 2012,
executed the Succession Agreements in June 2017, and resigned in November
2017.43 Defendants allege, and Plaintiffs do not meaningfully dispute, that no
express or formal employment contract governed their employment relationship
from 2012 until June 2017, when the parties executed the Succession Agreements.44
Further, if the Succession Agreements are voided in Plaintiffs’ favor, then no express
contract would control the parties’ employment relationship from June 2017 onward.
Defendants allege a course of dealing that governed the parties’ relationship between
2012 and the June 2017 execution of the Succession Agreements,45 in addition to a
course of dealing between the parties from execution through resignation.46 Under
41 See CMS Inv. Hldgs., 2015 WL 3894021, at *17; BAE Sys. Info. & Elec. Sys. Integration, 2009 WL 264088, at *8. 42 BAE Sys. Info. & Elec. Sys. Integration, 2009 WL 264088, at *8. 43 See Countercl. ¶¶ 2, 3, 60, 81. 44 Id. ¶¶ 7, 60. 45 See, e.g., id. ¶¶ 8–15, 20–21, 41, 56, 101–02, 106–08. 46 See id. ¶¶ 61, 63, 65, 66, 69, 71–76, 78, 80. Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 14 of 22
that course of dealing, Defendants were paid approximately $150,000 per year until
that salary was reduced in 2017;47 Defendants were entitled to a percentage of fees
from cases they originated while at WND;48 Defendants were entitled to a year-end
bonus of approximately $30,000 in 2017;49 Defendants openly self-advertised and
marketed through the duration of their employment for WND, and Plaintiff at least
reasonably could have discovered that conduct, but did not address or prohibit such
conduct until August 2017;50 and Defendants expended out-of-pocket marketing and
advertising costs that WND did not agree to reimburse until June 2017.51 Assuming
that the Succession Agreements are void, Defendants allege that these terms, among
others, governed the parties’ relationship and that Plaintiffs breached.52
Defendants have adequately alleged, and the Court may reasonably infer, an
implied contract between the parties to “represent[] the presumed intention of the
parties as indicated by their conduct.”53 Count III is not duplicative of Count I. It
47 See id. ¶¶ 8, 106. 48 See id. ¶¶ 14, 15. 49 See id. ¶¶ 10, 11, 13, 107. 50 See, e.g., id. ¶¶ 39–45, 66, 104. 51 See id. ¶¶ 20, 108. 52 See id. ¶¶ 102–03, 105–07. 53 Parfi Hldg. AB, 794 A.2d at 1238. Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 15 of 22
may proceed as long as it is not a claim for wages barred by the statute of limitations,
which I discuss next.
E. The One-Year Statute Of Limitations Applies To Any Claim For Services Performed.
Finally, I turn to Plaintiffs’ primary argument that Counts I, II, III, V, and VI
are claims for wages subject to a one-year statute of limitations under 10 Del. C.
§ 8111, rather than contract claims subject to the three-year statute of limitations
under 10 Del. C. § 8106(a).54 Plaintiffs contend they are entitled to judgment on
those Counts as a matter of law. Defendants maintain that Counts I, II, III, V, and
VI are contractual, not claims for wages, and are therefore subject to the three-year
statute of limitations.55 “The parties’ dueling arguments once again present a
54 D.I. 49. 55 Defendants also argue that “Delaware law is inequitable in its application of statutes of limitations for a compulsory counterclaim involving the same transaction or occurrence stated in the complaint.” D.I. 55 at 8. That argument is contrary to Delaware law. See, e.g., Del. Chems., Inc. v. Reichhold Chems., Inc., 121 A.2d 913, 918 (Del. Ch. 1956) (rejecting a defendant’s argument that the statute of limitations did not apply to a compulsory counterclaim, and holding, “The three year statute of limitations relied upon by plaintiff, 10 Del. C. § 8106, applies to any ‘action’ enumerated therein. I believe a counterclaim seeking affirmative relief is an ‘action’ within the meaning of the statute. The fact that it appears in a counterclaim cannot obscure the fact that it has all the characteristics of an independent action.”). Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 16 of 22
Delaware trial court with a question about the appropriate spheres of § 8111 and
§ 8106.”56
Section 8106(a) establishes a three-year statute of limitations for contract
claims or any “action based on a promise.”57 Section 8111 establishes the applicable
statute of limitations for “work, labor or personal services”:
No action for recovery upon a claim for wages, salary, or overtime for work, labor or personal services performed, or for damages (actual, compensatory or punitive, liquidated or otherwise), or for interest or penalties resulting from the failure to pay any such claim, or for any other benefits arising from such work, labor or personal services performed or in connection with any such action, shall be brought after the expiration of 1 year from the accruing of the cause of action on which such action is based.58
The Delaware Code defines “wages” as “compensation for labor or services
rendered by an employee, whether the amount is fixed or determined on a time, task,
piece, commission or other basis of calculation.”59 Section 8111 “has a
comprehensive sweep,”60 and “‘was intended to bar all claims arising out of the
56 Little Switz., Inc. v. Hopper, 867 A.2d 955, 958 (Del. Ch. 2005). 57 10 Del. C. § 8106(a). 58 10 Del. C. § 8111. 59 19 Del. C. § 1101(a)(5). Although this definition of “wages” originates from the DWPCA, I find the definition instructive, especially given that Section 8111 often arises in the context of the DWPCA. See, e.g., Turner, 1987 WL 17175, at *2; Girardot, 2018 WL 1472337, at *1. 60 Sorensen v. Overland Corp., 142 F. Supp. 354, 360 (D. Del. 1956), aff’d 242 F.2d 70 (3d Cir. 1957); see also Hopper, 867 A.2d at 956–57. In Stifel Fin. Corp. v. Cochran Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 17 of 22
employer-employee relationship’, for the reason that a claim arising out of that
relationship would necessarily be one referable to the period during which the
relationship existed, not after its termination.”61
As this Court has recognized,
[t]he relationship between the statutes is obvious because an employee’s entitlement to wages, salary, overtime or other benefits will usually arise out of a written or oral contract that specifies the amount and nature of the reward the employee was to receive for her efforts. Put otherwise, almost every claim for an item specifically mentioned in § 8111 will arise out of a contract generally covered by § 8106.62
To determine what statute of limitations applies, the Court asks “whether [the]
claims are properly characterized as employment claims or contract/statutory
claims.”63 This Court uses a “temporal test” to determine whether a claim is “for
wages” or arises from an expectancy related to some underlying promise.64 Section
(Cochran II), 809 A.2d 555, 558–59 (Del. 2002), our Supreme Court flagged that it did not expressly approve Sorenson in prior rulings, but explained that Sorensen’s broad reading of Section 8111 was consistent with Goldman v. Braunstein’s, Inc., 240 A.2d 577 (Del. 1968). 61 Goldman, 240 A.2d at 578 (quoting Sorensen, 142 F. Supp. at 360). 62 Hopper, 867 A.2d at 958. 63 Cochran II, 809 A.2d at 558. 64 Hopper, 867 A.2d at 960; Goldman, 240 A.2d at 578; see also Cochran v. Stifel Fin. Corp. (Cochran I), 2000 WL 286722, at *7 (Del. Ch. Mar. 8, 2000) (“Delaware courts have since followed the temporal line drawn by Goldman. In situations where the benefit sought by the plaintiff arose out of the plaintiff’s past service as an employee, Delaware courts have applied § 8111. But where the damages sought by the plaintiff were for benefits connected with services the plaintiff would have performed but for his allegedly wrongful Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 18 of 22
8111 applies to “claims arising out of services [already] performed,” and
consequently “damages” “arising from services which have been performed.”65 This
is true “even though the work may have originally been undertaken on the strength
of a promise. Since the services have been completed, the action is based upon the
service performed rather than on the original promise.”66 And this Court has warned
that “Delaware courts should resist the further erosion of § 8111, by respecting the
intention reflected in its plain language to cover in broad terms most claims arising
out of the employment relationship.”67
In contrast to Section 8111, Section 8106 applies to “claims arising upon or
after termination of the employer-employee relationship.”68 “The three-year statute
applies to claims based on work or services not yet completed as to which a promise
termination, our courts have applied § 8106.” (footnotes omitted)), aff’d in part, rev’d in part, Cochran II, 809 A.2d 555 (Del. 2002); Compass v. Am. Mirrex Corp., 72 F. Supp. 2d 462, 467–68 (D. Del. 1999) (holding that if plaintiff alleges a breach of a duty to provide benefits for work already performed, then Section 8111 applies, but if plaintiff alleges employer breached a different duty arising out of employment agreement, then Section 8106 applies). 65 Goldman, 240 A.2d at 578; accord Cochran II, 809 A.2d at 558. 66 Cochran I, 2000 WL 286722, at *7 (quoting Brown v. Colonial Chevrolet Co., 249 A.2d 439, 441 (Del. Super. 1968) (“No doubt most employment relationships, even if fully executed on the part of the employee, are originally undertaken on the strength of some sort of promise.”)). 67 Hopper, 867 A.2d at 956–57. 68 Cochran II, 809 A.2d at 558 (citing Goldman, 240 A.2d at 578); accord Hopper, 867 A.2d at 959. Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 19 of 22
has been made. Since the work remains uncompleted, an action with respect such
work is necessarily based upon the underlying promise.”69 But “if there is doubt as
to which of two statutes of limitations applies, that doubt should be resolved in favor
of the longer period.”70
Here, I agree with Plaintiffs that Counts I, II, III, V, and VI, at least in part,
are claims for wages that are subject to Section 8111’s one-year statute of
limitations. This conclusion is based primarily on the plain language of Defendants’
allegations, which indicate that Defendants seek compensation for cases they
originated and settled before resigning from WND,71 despite conclusory allegations
that their claims are based on Pratcher and Krayer’s “expectancy in the contracts.”72
69 Cochran I, 2000 WL 286722, at *7 (quoting Brown, 249 A.2d at 441). 70 Cochran II, 809 A.2d at 559 (citing Sonne v. Sacks, 314 A.2d 194, 196 (Del. 1973)). 71 See, e.g., Countercl. ¶¶ 93 (hinging damages on “Fees Generated as of Nov. 7, 2017” and “Cases Settled”), 109 (hinging damages on “Fees Generated in Originated Cases as of Nov. 7, 2017” and “Cases Settled”), 118 (stating Pratcher and Krayer “contributed to the recovery of proceeds from settling cases,” and they “are entitled to the attorneys’ fees recovered based on the substantial value they added to [cases they originated while working for WND] through their efforts”), 119 (stating Pratcher and Krayer “assumed representation of several cases”), 120 (stating Plaintiffs “failed to pay [Defendants] a portion of the attorneys’ fees in these cases”), 122 (stating Pratcher and Krayer “substantially contributed to the recovery of proceeds from settling cases for which they may not be adequately compensated”), 124 (stating Pratcher and Krayer are “without a remedy for the unjust retention of fees they are owned”), 128 (stating Pratcher and Krayer “were owed ‘wages’ . . . as that term is defined in § 1101”), 130 (stating Plaintiffs “failed to pay such wages). 72 Id. ¶ 92; see also, e.g., id. ¶¶ 93 (noting what Pratcher and Krayer “expected to recover”), 100 (noting Plaintiffs’ alleged breach caused Pratcher and Krayer “to resign and lose their Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 20 of 22
To the extent any alleged damages are unpaid compensation for services performed,
the claims are subject to Section 8111. But to the extent any alleged damages would
have been owed to Pratcher and Krayer after and because of a breach of the
Succession Agreements, the claims are subject to Section 8106.
Paragraphs 93 and 109 of the Counterclaim provide charts of funds sought.
Those charts, in view of Defendants’ competing specific allegations of wages and
conclusory allegations of an expectancy, do not explain which funds are unpaid
compensation for services performed, and which, if any, are damages flowing from
a breach of the Succession Agreement. I am unable to apply Defendants’
characterizations of “fees generated in originated cases” and “expected” salary and
bonus.73 To ensure my ruling is fully informed and that I am properly making
reasonable inferences in Defendants’ favor, I invite the parties to explain and further
parse what portion of funds in the charts arise from attorneys’ fees from cases
Pratcher and Krayer originated and settled that WND received before November 7,
2017, as opposed to any expectancy under the Succession Agreements.
expected profits from the Succession Agreement”), 109 (hinging damages, in part, on “Expected 2017 Salary” and “Expected 2017 Bonus”). 73 Id. ¶¶ 93, 109. Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 21 of 22
With respect to the latter, considering this Court’s recognition that “almost
every claim for an item specifically mentioned in § 8111 will arise out of a contract
generally covered by § 8106”74 and admonition to maintain Section 8111’s reach
and significance,75 I expect Defendants to specifically identify any expectancy under
the Succession Agreements and distinguish any such expectancy from services
already performed.76 I also invite the parties to explain the quantitative differences
between the charts in paragraphs 93 and 109.77
Accordingly, the parties shall submit supplemental letter briefs of no more
than 1,000 words. Defendants shall submit their letter first, and then Plaintiffs shall
74 Hopper, 867 A.2d at 958. 75 Id. at 956–57. 76 By this request for supplemental briefing, I do not mean to impose any particular pleading standard on expectancy claims that are otherwise in tension with Section 8111. I simply find the pleadings here confusing. 77 Defendants argue that, based on my December 30, 2019, ruling on the motion to dismiss, they should not be considered “employees” and therefore their claims are not subject to Section 8106. See D.I. 55 at 15–17. I reject this position. Section 8111’s application does not hinge on whether Pratcher and Krayer are “employees” of WND, but instead on whether their claims are for services already performed. See 10 Del. C. § 8111. And Defendants asserted Count VII, which expressly relies on characterizing them as “employees,” after I ruled on the motion to dismiss that it was reasonably conceivable that Pratcher and Krayer entered into a partnership with Nitsche under the Succession Agreements. Nowhere in their Counterclaim do Defendants plead they were, in fact, WND partners or that they seek to recoup partnership proceeds. To the extent Defendants contend my December ruling bears on this Motion, I invite the parties to address the extent to which the damages Defendants seek are partnership proceeds and whether that alters my inquiry under Section 8111 in their supplemental letter briefs. Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC et al., v. Samuel D. Pratcher, et al., Civil Action No. 2018-0803-MTZ August 26, 2020 Page 22 of 22
respond, on a stipulated briefing schedule. Thereafter, I will issue my final decision
on the Motion.
In conclusion, Plaintiffs are entitled to judgment as a matter of law with
respect to Count VII; Plaintiffs’ Motion is denied as to Count III; and Plaintiffs’
Motion is granted insofar as Counts I, II, III, V, and VI are claims for wages that are
subject to Section 8111’s one-year statute of limitations, to be delineated with the
benefit of supplemental briefing. Plaintiffs’ Motion also remains under advisement
with regard to whether Defendants’ Count II states a claim for breach of the implied
covenant of good faith and fair dealing. To the extent an order is necessary to
implement my holdings today, IT IS SO ORDERED.
Sincerely, /s/ Morgan T. Zurn Vice Chancellor
MTZ/ms cc: All Counsel of Record via File & ServeXpress