FILED May 04 2023, 9:33 am
CLERK Indiana Supreme Court Court of Appeals and Tax Court
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE Laura E. Landenwich Zachary F. Stewart Adams Landenwich Walton, PLLC Jeffersonville, Indiana Louisville, Kentucky
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
William Spalding, May 4, 2023 Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No. 22A-PL-2398 v. Appeal from the Clark Superior Court Utica Township Volunteer Fire The Honorable Kyle Williams, Association d/b/a New Chapel Judge Fire & EMS, Trial Court Cause No. Appellee-Plaintiff 10D06-2207-PL-78
Opinion by Judge May Judges Mathias and Bradford concur.
May, Judge.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-PL-2398 | May 4, 2023 Page 1 of 8 [1] William Spalding appeals the trial court’s denial of his motion for change of
venue from Clark County to Floyd County. We affirm.
Facts and Procedural History [2] The Utica Township Volunteer Fire Association d/b/a New Chapel Fire &
EMS (“New Chapel”) provides emergency medical services to residents in both
Clark County, Indiana, and Floyd County, Indiana. In 2013, New Chapel
hired Spalding, a Floyd County resident, as a paramedic, and the parties
executed an “Employment, Confidential Information, and Invention
Assignment Agreement” (“the Agreement”). (App. Vol. II at 13.) In pertinent
part, the Agreement stated:
9. Covenant Not to Compete
(a) I agree that during the course of my employment and for a period of eighteen (18) months immediately following the termination of my relationship with the Company [“New Chapel”] for any reason, whether with or without good cause or for any or no cause, at the option either of the Company or myself, with or without notice, I will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, (i) serve as a partner, employee, consultant, officer, director, manager, agent, associate, investor, or otherwise for, (ii) directly or indirectly, own, purchase, organize or take preparatory steps for the organization of, or (iii) build, design, finance, acquire, lease, operate, manage, invest in, work or consult for or otherwise affiliate myself with, any business in competition with or otherwise similar to the Company’s business. The foregoing covenant shall cover my activities in every part of Clark and Floyd counties, Indiana (hereinafter “Territory”).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-PL-2398 | May 4, 2023 Page 2 of 8 *****
12. General Provisions.
(a) Governing Law; Consent to Personal Jurisdiction. This agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Indiana without regard for conflicts of laws principles. I hereby expressly consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state courts located in Clark County, Indiana and/or the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Indiana for any lawsuit filed there against me by the Company concerning my employment or the termination of my employment or arising from or relating to this agreement.
(Id. at 17-18.) Sometime thereafter, Spalding left his job with New Chapel and
began working for Baptist Health, a hospital in Floyd County.
[3] On July 14, 2022, New Chapel filed suit against Spalding in Clark County
Superior Court. In its complaint, New Chapel claimed Spalding breached the
covenant not to compete provision of the Agreement by leaving his New
Chapel employment and going to work for Baptist Health. New Chapel
alleged:
Venue is proper in this Court as the Defendant is a resident of Indiana, regularly conducts business in Indiana, and the facts giving rise to this Complaint occurred, at least in part, in Clark County, Indiana. In addition, [the Agreement] section 12(a) specifies the Parties express “consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state courts located in Clark County, Indiana[.]”
(Id. at 7-8.)
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-PL-2398 | May 4, 2023 Page 3 of 8 [4] On August 3, 2022, Spalding filed a verified motion for change of venue.
Spalding requested the case be transferred from Clark County to Floyd County
because, pursuant to Trial Rule 75, Floyd County was a “preferred venue”
whereas Clark County was not a “preferred venue.” (Id. at 23.) On August 8,
2022, New Chapel filed a response in which it contended the Agreement
conferred venue in Clark County. The trial court held a hearing on Spalding’s
motion, and on September 19, 2022, the trial court issued an order summarily
denying Spalding’s motion for change of venue. 1
Discussion and Decision [5] We generally review the denial of a motion for change of venue for an abuse of
discretion. Indianapolis-Marion Cnty. Pub. Libr. v. Shook, LLC, 835 N.E.2d 533,
540 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). An abuse of discretion occurs “if the trial court’s
decision is clearly against the logic and effect of the facts and circumstances
before it, or if the trial court has misinterpreted the law.” Id. Nonetheless,
“when the parties consent to venue in a contract, that agreement overrides the
preferred venue analysis that is set forth in Trial Rule 75.” Id.
1 Pursuant to Indiana Appellate Rule 14(A), Spalding pursues this interlocutory appeal of the denial of his motion for change of venue as a matter of right.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-PL-2398 | May 4, 2023 Page 4 of 8 [6] We review questions of contract interpretation de novo. Lake Imaging, LLC v.
Franciscan All., Inc., 182 N.E.3d 203, 206 (Ind. 2022). As our Indiana Supreme
Court has explained:
In interpreting a contract, we ascertain the intent of the parties at the time the contract was made, as disclosed by the language used to express the parties’ rights and duties. We look at the contract as a whole . . . and we accept an interpretation of the contract that harmonizes all its provisions. A contract’s clear and unambiguous language is given its ordinary meaning. A contract should be construed so as to not render any words, phrases, or terms ineffective or meaningless.
Ryan v. TCI Architects/Eng’rs/Cont’rs, Inc., 72 N.E.3d 908, 914 (Ind. 2017)
(internal citations omitted).
[7] Spalding contends the Agreement “does not establish Clark County as the
proper venue for disputes, it just provides that the court has ‘personal
jurisdiction.’” (Appellant’s Br. at 6.) Spalding asserts he “agreed to the
‘personal jurisdiction’ of state courts in Clark County and the US District Court
for the Southern District of Indiana.” (Id.) He argues “[t]he contract makes no
designation of the proper venue.” (Id.)
[8] We addressed a similar argument in Sunburst Chem., LLC v. Acorn Distribs., Inc.,
922 N.E.2d 652 (Ind. 2010). In that case, Sunburst Chemical, a company with
its principal place of business in Fort Wayne, agreed to purchase products from
Acorn Distributors. Id. at 653. The purchase agreement included a provision
that in the event of a lawsuit based on the agreement, Sunburst “hereby submits
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-PL-2398 | May 4, 2023 Page 5 of 8 to the jurisdiction of the Courts of Marion [C]ounty in the state of Indiana.” Id.
(brackets in original). Acorn then filed suit against Sunburst in Marion County
alleging Sunburst failed to pay for the products it purchased. Id. Sunburst filed
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FILED May 04 2023, 9:33 am
CLERK Indiana Supreme Court Court of Appeals and Tax Court
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE Laura E. Landenwich Zachary F. Stewart Adams Landenwich Walton, PLLC Jeffersonville, Indiana Louisville, Kentucky
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
William Spalding, May 4, 2023 Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No. 22A-PL-2398 v. Appeal from the Clark Superior Court Utica Township Volunteer Fire The Honorable Kyle Williams, Association d/b/a New Chapel Judge Fire & EMS, Trial Court Cause No. Appellee-Plaintiff 10D06-2207-PL-78
Opinion by Judge May Judges Mathias and Bradford concur.
May, Judge.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-PL-2398 | May 4, 2023 Page 1 of 8 [1] William Spalding appeals the trial court’s denial of his motion for change of
venue from Clark County to Floyd County. We affirm.
Facts and Procedural History [2] The Utica Township Volunteer Fire Association d/b/a New Chapel Fire &
EMS (“New Chapel”) provides emergency medical services to residents in both
Clark County, Indiana, and Floyd County, Indiana. In 2013, New Chapel
hired Spalding, a Floyd County resident, as a paramedic, and the parties
executed an “Employment, Confidential Information, and Invention
Assignment Agreement” (“the Agreement”). (App. Vol. II at 13.) In pertinent
part, the Agreement stated:
9. Covenant Not to Compete
(a) I agree that during the course of my employment and for a period of eighteen (18) months immediately following the termination of my relationship with the Company [“New Chapel”] for any reason, whether with or without good cause or for any or no cause, at the option either of the Company or myself, with or without notice, I will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, (i) serve as a partner, employee, consultant, officer, director, manager, agent, associate, investor, or otherwise for, (ii) directly or indirectly, own, purchase, organize or take preparatory steps for the organization of, or (iii) build, design, finance, acquire, lease, operate, manage, invest in, work or consult for or otherwise affiliate myself with, any business in competition with or otherwise similar to the Company’s business. The foregoing covenant shall cover my activities in every part of Clark and Floyd counties, Indiana (hereinafter “Territory”).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-PL-2398 | May 4, 2023 Page 2 of 8 *****
12. General Provisions.
(a) Governing Law; Consent to Personal Jurisdiction. This agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Indiana without regard for conflicts of laws principles. I hereby expressly consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state courts located in Clark County, Indiana and/or the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Indiana for any lawsuit filed there against me by the Company concerning my employment or the termination of my employment or arising from or relating to this agreement.
(Id. at 17-18.) Sometime thereafter, Spalding left his job with New Chapel and
began working for Baptist Health, a hospital in Floyd County.
[3] On July 14, 2022, New Chapel filed suit against Spalding in Clark County
Superior Court. In its complaint, New Chapel claimed Spalding breached the
covenant not to compete provision of the Agreement by leaving his New
Chapel employment and going to work for Baptist Health. New Chapel
alleged:
Venue is proper in this Court as the Defendant is a resident of Indiana, regularly conducts business in Indiana, and the facts giving rise to this Complaint occurred, at least in part, in Clark County, Indiana. In addition, [the Agreement] section 12(a) specifies the Parties express “consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state courts located in Clark County, Indiana[.]”
(Id. at 7-8.)
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-PL-2398 | May 4, 2023 Page 3 of 8 [4] On August 3, 2022, Spalding filed a verified motion for change of venue.
Spalding requested the case be transferred from Clark County to Floyd County
because, pursuant to Trial Rule 75, Floyd County was a “preferred venue”
whereas Clark County was not a “preferred venue.” (Id. at 23.) On August 8,
2022, New Chapel filed a response in which it contended the Agreement
conferred venue in Clark County. The trial court held a hearing on Spalding’s
motion, and on September 19, 2022, the trial court issued an order summarily
denying Spalding’s motion for change of venue. 1
Discussion and Decision [5] We generally review the denial of a motion for change of venue for an abuse of
discretion. Indianapolis-Marion Cnty. Pub. Libr. v. Shook, LLC, 835 N.E.2d 533,
540 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). An abuse of discretion occurs “if the trial court’s
decision is clearly against the logic and effect of the facts and circumstances
before it, or if the trial court has misinterpreted the law.” Id. Nonetheless,
“when the parties consent to venue in a contract, that agreement overrides the
preferred venue analysis that is set forth in Trial Rule 75.” Id.
1 Pursuant to Indiana Appellate Rule 14(A), Spalding pursues this interlocutory appeal of the denial of his motion for change of venue as a matter of right.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-PL-2398 | May 4, 2023 Page 4 of 8 [6] We review questions of contract interpretation de novo. Lake Imaging, LLC v.
Franciscan All., Inc., 182 N.E.3d 203, 206 (Ind. 2022). As our Indiana Supreme
Court has explained:
In interpreting a contract, we ascertain the intent of the parties at the time the contract was made, as disclosed by the language used to express the parties’ rights and duties. We look at the contract as a whole . . . and we accept an interpretation of the contract that harmonizes all its provisions. A contract’s clear and unambiguous language is given its ordinary meaning. A contract should be construed so as to not render any words, phrases, or terms ineffective or meaningless.
Ryan v. TCI Architects/Eng’rs/Cont’rs, Inc., 72 N.E.3d 908, 914 (Ind. 2017)
(internal citations omitted).
[7] Spalding contends the Agreement “does not establish Clark County as the
proper venue for disputes, it just provides that the court has ‘personal
jurisdiction.’” (Appellant’s Br. at 6.) Spalding asserts he “agreed to the
‘personal jurisdiction’ of state courts in Clark County and the US District Court
for the Southern District of Indiana.” (Id.) He argues “[t]he contract makes no
designation of the proper venue.” (Id.)
[8] We addressed a similar argument in Sunburst Chem., LLC v. Acorn Distribs., Inc.,
922 N.E.2d 652 (Ind. 2010). In that case, Sunburst Chemical, a company with
its principal place of business in Fort Wayne, agreed to purchase products from
Acorn Distributors. Id. at 653. The purchase agreement included a provision
that in the event of a lawsuit based on the agreement, Sunburst “hereby submits
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-PL-2398 | May 4, 2023 Page 5 of 8 to the jurisdiction of the Courts of Marion [C]ounty in the state of Indiana.” Id.
(brackets in original). Acorn then filed suit against Sunburst in Marion County
alleging Sunburst failed to pay for the products it purchased. Id. Sunburst filed
a motion to transfer venue from Marion County to Allen County, and the trial
court denied Sunburst’s motion. Id. On appeal, Sunburst argued the purchase
agreement “does not establish venue because it mentions only jurisdiction.” Id.
Sunburst suggested the “clear and ordinary intent” behind the provision was to
subject foreign companies to the jurisdiction of Marion County. Id. While we
acknowledged jurisdiction and venue are distinct legal concepts, 2 we held that if
the purchase agreement was not intended to address venue, “it would render
the reference to Marion County meaningless.” Id. at 654. Therefore, we
affirmed the trial court’s denial of Sunburst’s motion for change of venue
because “we must presume that Acorn placed the provision in the agreement
for a purpose and that the reference to the courts of Marion County is intended
to have meaning.” Id.
[9] Likewise, in the case before us, if the Agreement’s reference to Clark County is
not also intended to address venue, it would render the contract provision
meaningless. Spalding notes some of New Chapel’s employees live in
Kentucky, and he argues “the ‘personal jurisdiction’ provision serves the
purpose of committing non-resident employees to the jurisdiction of Indiana
2 See Hootman v. Fin. Ctr. Fed. Credit Union, 462 N.E.2d 1064, 1066 n.7 (Ind. Ct. App. 1984) (explaining jurisdiction involves the court’s ability to hear a particular case, whereas venue concerns the proper situs for trial).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-PL-2398 | May 4, 2023 Page 6 of 8 state courts.” (Appellant’s Br. at 10.) However, the clause does not simply
state the parties agree to personal jurisdiction in Indiana. The clause specifies
Clark County, Indiana, and we presume this reference to a specific county was
intended to mean the courts of that county. See Sunburst Chem., LLC, 922
N.E.2d at 654 (holding venue in Marion County was proper when the parties’
contract conferred jurisdiction in the courts of Marion County).
[10] Spalding takes issue with such an interpretation because he characterizes other
provisions of the Agreement, like the provisions pertaining to intellectual
property, as “utterly superfluous and clearly inapplicable to New Chapel[.]”
(Appellant’s Br. at 10.) However, we are not tasked with interpreting those
other provisions in this appeal, and during the hearing before the trial court,
New Chapel disagreed with the assertion “that there may be some provisions in
[the Agreement] that maybe aren’t really applicable to New Chapel[.]” (Tr.
Vol. II at 10-11.) Spalding also notes New Chapel drafted the Agreement, and
he argues “[u]nder well-established principles of Indiana contract law, the
employment contract should have been construed against the drafter, New
Chapel.” (Appellant’s Br. at 7.) We agree that one of the principles of contract
interpretation “is that any ambiguity in a contract should be construed against
the drafter of the contract.” Celadon Trucking Servs., Inc. v. Wilmoth, 70 N.E.3d
833, 844 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017), trans. denied. We do not, though, see the
Agreement’s designation of the Clark County courts as the forum for resolving
disputes arising out of the Agreement to be ambiguous. Therefore, we hold the
Agreement conferred venue in Clark County, and we affirm the trial court’s
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-PL-2398 | May 4, 2023 Page 7 of 8 order denying Spalding’s motion for change of venue. See Sunburst Chem., LLC,
922 N.E.2d at 654 (holding agreement between the parties conferred venue in
Marion County when it used the word jurisdiction).
Conclusion [11] For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the trial court’s order.
[12] Affirmed.
Mathias, J., and Bradford, J., concur.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-PL-2398 | May 4, 2023 Page 8 of 8