Jeff Goodin and Philip Goodin v. Marsha A. Jolliff, Jimmie Jolliff, and H.V.G.C., Inc., a Texas Corporation ( 2008 )

COURT OF APPEALS
SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS
FORT WORTH
NO. 2-06-327-CV
JEFF GOODIN AND PHILIP APPELLANTS
GOODIN
V.
MARSHA A. JOLLIFF,
JIMMIE JOLLIFF, AND H.V.G.C.,
INC., A TEXAS CORPORATION APPELLEES
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FROM THE 158TH DISTRICT COURT OF DENTON COUNTY
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OPINION
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This case involves a dispute over the ownership of real property and the
terms of employment of appellants Jeff and Philip Goodin by appellee H.V.G.C.,
Inc., which is owned by appellee Marsha A. Jolliff. In five issues, the Goodins
contend that there is legally and factually insufficient evidence to support the
jury’s award of $10,000 to H.V.G.C. for Jeff’s breach of contract; that the
$5,000 award of attorney’s fees to H.V.G.C. should be vacated because there
is no evidence of presentment; that the trial court should have entered a
declaratory judgment in the Goodins’ favor that the Non-Competition
Agreements they signed in favor of H.V.G.C. are invalid under the Texas
Business and Commerce Code; that the Goodins are entitled to attorney’s fees
in connection with a declaratory judgment regarding the Non-Competition
agreements; and that the trial court erred by ordering the release of cash
deposited in lieu of a bond to Marsha for the benefit of H.V.G.C. and appellee
Jimmie Jolliff. We affirm in part and reverse in part.
Background Facts
H.V.G.C. hired Jeff as an employee in January 2000. H.V.G.C. is
engaged in the business of directional drilling, which involves drilling
underground tunnels for utilities, such as water lines or telephone cable. After
working for H.V.G.C. for a little over a year, Jeff terminated his employment
relationship with H.V.G.C. to become a subcontractor. As part of his
agreement with H.V.G.C., Jeff was responsible for paying his own insurance
and obtaining his own crew; however, because he was unable to afford
equipment of his own, he used H.V.G.C.’s equipment. On April 30, 2001, he
signed a Subcontractor Agreement, Non-Competition Agreement, and Property
Agreement. In the Subcontractor Agreement, he agreed to be responsible for
his own negligence, to use H.V.G.C. equipment for H.V.G.C. jobs only, and to
2
indemnify H.V.G.C. for losses in connection with his work. In the Non-
Competition Agreement, he agreed that for a period of five years, he would not
“directly or indirectly start a competing business, work for [H.V.G.C.’s]
competitors, solicit [H.V.G.C.’s] customers, recruit [H.V.G.C.’s] current
employees, or disclose trade secrets or confidential information regarding
[H.V.G.C.].” The Property Agreement concerned Jeff’s use of H.V.G.C.’s
personal property. It made Jeff responsible for all repairs to H.V.G.C.’s
personal property, including equipment, provided that Jeff was prohibited from
lending property to another person or from using H.V.G.C.’s property on jobs
for other customers, and obligated Jeff to immediately return any of H.V.G.C.’s
property upon termination of employment or upon H.V.G.C.’s request.
Jeff worked on a job in San Antonio for H.V.G.C. in 2003 and early
2004. It was a tough job, and he was having trouble financially. According to
Jeff, at the end of 2003, before the San Antonio job was finished, he went
back to work for H.V.G.C. as an employee, but H.V.G.C. contends that he
remained a subcontractor. Regardless, he continued to work for H.V.G.C. In
spring 2004, he returned to North Texas and eventually began living on ten
acres in Justin owned by Marsha. 1 In summer 2004, Jeff’s son Philip moved
1
… At trial, the Goodins contended that the Jolliffs had agreed that they
could buy the property; the Jolliffs disputed their claim, and the jury agreed
3
to Texas. He started working for H.V.G.C. as well. 2 In the fall of 2004, Philip
bought two mobile homes and moved them onto Marsha’s property.
In late 2004 or early 2005, Jeff and Philip each signed a Subcontractor
Agreement, Non-Competition Agreement, and Property Agreement with
H.V.G.C. that were the same as the ones Jeff had previously signed. Jeff
contended that Marsha had lost his first ones, but Marsha contended that she
was just updating her records. Jeff quit working for H.V.G.C. in March 2005
after an argument with Jimmie; he then went to work for a former customer of
H.V.G.C.’s, Dambold & Wilson Pipeline Construction, Inc. Philip continued
working for H.V.G.C. for about another week, but he quit too and also went to
work for Dambold & Wilson. Although they no longer worked for H.V.G.C., the
Goodins continued to live on Marsha’s property.
In April 2005, Jimmie hand delivered a letter to the Goodins at Marsha’s
property, which stated that if they did not move off the property, the Jolliffs
would begin eviction proceedings. Marsha filed a forcible detainer suit in the
justice of the peace court; the court awarded possession of the property to
Marsha. The Goodins appealed the judgment to the county court, which also
with the Jolliffs. The Goodins do not dispute this finding on appeal.
2
… The parties also disputed at trial whether Philip was an employee or
subcontractor of H.V.G.C.
4
ruled in Marsha’s favor. The Goodins then filed suit against the Jolliffs in the
158th District Court of Denton County, claiming that they had contracted to
buy the property from Marsha and that they were entitled to possession,
damages, or both. They also sought a declaratory judgment that the Non-
Competition Agreements they had signed were invalid 3 and reimbursement for
improvements they claimed they had made to the property. The Goodins also
requested and obtained a temporary injunction prohibiting Marsha from evicting
them from the property during the pendency of their suit in the 158th District
Court; their attorney deposited $1,500 cash in lieu of a cost bond as required
by civil procedure rule 684. T EX. R. C IV. P. 684. Marsha, Jimmie, and
H.V.G.C. filed counterclaims against the Goodins for trespass, nuisance, fraud,
and breach of the Subcontractor Agreement, Non-Competition Agreement, and
Property Agreement.
A jury heard the case in February 2006. After hearing all the evidence,
the jury declined to grant the Goodins relief on any of their claims. As to
H.V.G.C.’s claims, the jury found that Jeff had breached only the Property
Agreement and awarded H.V.G.C. $10,000 for that breach. It also found that
3
… H.V.G.C. had obtained a temporary restraining order “TRO” on the
basis of the Non-Competition Agreements prohibiting the Goodins from working
for Dambold Wilson. The TRO was not extended into a temporary injunction,
however.
5
Jeff committed fraud, but it did not award any damages for that finding.
Finally, the jury awarded H.V.G.C. $5,000 in attorney’s fees for trial. The jury
did not award Marsha or Jimmie any damages.
After hearing numerous post-verdict motions, the trial court entered a
judgment on the jury’s findings. It also released the $1,500 cash in lieu of
bond that had been deposited by the Goodins’ attorney to secure the temporary
injunction to Marsha for the benefit of Jimmie and H.V.G.C. Jeff appeals the
jury’s verdict on damages and attorney’s fees, and Jeff and Philip appeal the
trial court’s refusal to enter a declaratory judgment and award them attorney’s
fees in connection with their claim that the Non-Competition Agreements are
invalid. In addition, they both challenge the trial court’s award of the temporary
injunction security to Marsha for the benefit of Jimmie and H.V.G.C.
Sufficiency of Evidence of Damages
Jeff complains in the first issue that there is no pleading and no evidence
to support the award of $10,000 in damages to H.V.G.C. for his breach of the
Property Agreement.
Standard of Review
We may sustain a legal sufficiency challenge only when (1) the record
discloses a complete absence of evidence of a vital fact; (2) the court is barred
by rules of law or of evidence from giving weight to the only evidence offered
6
to prove a vital fact; (3) the evidence offered to prove a vital fact is no more
than a mere scintilla; or (4) the evidence establishes conclusively the opposite
of a vital fact. Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Co. v. Martinez, 977 S.W.2d 328, 334
(Tex. 1998), cert. denied, 526 U.S. 1040 (1999); Robert W . Calvert, "No
Evidence" and "Insufficient Evidence" Points of Error, 38 T EX . L. R EV. 361,
362–63 (1960). In determining whether there is legally sufficient evidence to
support the finding under review, we must consider evidence favorable to the
finding if a reasonable fact-finder could and disregard evidence contrary to the
finding unless a reasonable fact-finder could not. City of Keller v. Wilson, 168
S.W.3d 802, 807, 827 (Tex. 2005).
Absent an objection to the jury charge, the sufficiency of the evidence is
reviewed in light of the charge submitted. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Sturges, 52
S.W.3d 711, 715 (Tex. 2001); City of Fort Worth v. Zimlich, 29 S.W.3d 62,
71 (Tex. 2000). However, when a party properly objects to a jury question, we
review the sufficiency of the evidence in light of the charge the trial court
should have submitted. St. Joseph Hosp. v. Wolff, 94 S.W.3d 513, 530 (Tex.
2002); Allen v. Am. Gen. Fin., Inc., No. 04-06-00273-CV, 2007 WL 4180145,
at *8 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Nov. 28, 2007, pet. filed).
7
Analysis
The pertinent part of the charge asked the jury as follows:
What sum of money, if any, if paid now in cash, would fairly and
reasonably compensate H.V.G.C., Inc. for its damages, if any, that
resulted from the breach of the Property Agreement(s):
....
Consider the following elements of damages, if any,
and none other:
1. Loss of use of The Property;
2. Increase in taxes due to mobile homes being on
The Property; and
3. Replacement cost of the Ditch Witch Sub Site
Locator. [Emphasis added.]
The jury answered, “$10,000.”
Before the charge was submitted, the Goodins objected to the submission
of the “loss of use and increase in taxes purportedly resulting from mobile
homes being placed on the property . . . . These allegations are for breach of
a property agreement which, necessarily, by its terms does not include real
property; therefore, there is no actionable theory and no evidence to support
the submission.” After the jury’s verdict, the Goodins filed a motion to
disregard jury findings in which they argued that loss of use of the property and
increased taxes are not proper measures of damages for breach of contract as
alleged and that there is no competent evidence of the replacement cost for the
8
Ditch Witch Sub Site Locator. They make the same arguments on appeal.
More specifically, they note that H.V.G.C.’s pleadings alleged only that Philip
took the locator and that there was no evidence at trial that Jeff took the
locator. They also contend that even if there was competent evidence that Jeff
took the locator, there is no evidence to support the value of the locator. As
to the other two elements of damages, the Goodins contend that the Property
Agreement, “[b]y its terms, . . . only applies to personal property belonging to”
H.V.G.C.4 Accordingly, H.V.G.C. could not claim damages to Marsha’s real
property because the Property Agreement did not cover her property, only
H.V.G.C.’s personal property. The Goodins contend that H.V.G.C. failed to
plead any damages to its personal property.
The Property Agreement reads as follows, in pertinent part:
I.
USE OF EMPLOYER’S PROPERTY
During the term of employment, SUBCONTRACTOR [Jeff]
will have access to and become familiar with various personal
property, and will be responsible for all and any repairs to and
including, but not limited to, tools, equipment, motor vehicles,
pagers, telephones, and supplies owned by the EMPLOYER
[H.V.G.C.] and regularly used in the operation of the business of
the EMPLOYER. The SUBCONTRACTOR shall not lend any
property to another person, directly or indirectly, not use the
4
… The Goodins objected to the charge on this basis in the trial court.
9
property in any way for the personal use either during the term of
employment or at any time thereafter, except as required in the
course of his/her employment. Monies may not be earned for
SUBCONTRACTOR using EMPLOYER’S property. Monies will be
awarded to EMPLOYER as compensation for violation of this
agreement. All property shall remain the exclusive property of the
EMPLOYER and shall not be removed from the premises of the
EMPLOYER under any circumstances without the prior consent of
the EMPLOYER.
II.
RETURN OF EMPLOYER’S PROPERTY
Immediately upon termination of employment or whenever
requested by the EMPLOYER, SUBCONTRACTOR shall immediately
deliver to the EMPLOYER all property in the SUBCONTRACTOR’S
possession or under SUBCONTRACTOR’S control, belonging to the
EMPLOYER, including, but not limited to, tools, equipment, motor
vehicles, pagers, telephones, supplies, and other personal property
owned by EMPLOYER, at: [employer’s address], in good condition,
ordinary wear and tear excepted. Compensation for property not
returned or damaged will be given to EMPLOYER through payroll
deduction and/or retainage, if necessary. [Emphasis added.]
We agree that the unambiguous, plain language of the Property
Agreement shows that it applies only to H.V.G.C.’s personal property.5 See
J.M. Davidson, Inc. v. Webster, 128 S.W.3d 223, 229 (Tex. 2003); Heil Co.
v. Polar Corp., 191 S.W.3d 805, 809–10 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2006, pet.
5
… Although the language of the agreement is unambiguous, our
conclusion is supported by the fact that there was no evidence at trial that
H.V.G.C. owned any real property; the only property Jeff used that was owned
by H.V.G.C.—as opposed to Marsha—was personal property and equipment
related to his subcontracting work.
10
denied). Marsha was not a party to the Property Agreement in an individual
capacity, and there is no evidence that H.V.G.C. had any ownership in
Marsha’s real property. Thus, as the Goodins pointed out to the trial court, the
jury could not properly consider any increase in taxes due to mobile homes
being on Marsha’s real property in answering this question. But, contrary to the
Goodins’ assertion to the trial court, loss of use damages are proper with
respect to personal property. See, e.g., Owen Dev. Co. v. Calvert, 302 S.W.2d
640, 641–42 (Tex. 1957); 3-C Oil Co. v. Modesto P’ship, 668 S.W.2d 741,
751–52 (Tex. App.—Austin 1984, writ ref’d n.r.e.). Accordingly, we must
determine whether there is sufficient evidence supporting the jury’s verdict as
to the other two categories of damages.
In its Second Amended Counterclaim, H.V.G.C. contended that Jeff
breached the part of the Property Agreement prohibiting him from using
H.V.G.C.’s property for personal purposes. H.V.G.C. also alleged more
specifically that Jeff “used an [H.V.G.C.] credit at a C&O Equipment Rental for
a backhoe rental and then proceeded to conduct personal construction work on
the Land [Marsha’s property].”
The usual measure of damages for loss of use of injured property is the
reasonable cost of renting a replacement. Cessna Aircraft Co. v. Aircraft
Network, L.L.C., 213 S.W.3d 455, 465 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2006, pets. denied).
11
Here, the contract itself also provides that Jeff would be responsible for the
costs of any necessary repairs to equipment he used and that he would be
liable to H.V.G.C. for the full amount of any compensation he received by using
H.V.G.C.’s equipment on jobs for customers other than H.V.G.C.
H.V.G.C. presented evidence at trial that Jeff had incurred expenses for
equipment repairs as follows: 3/25/2003 “CASE/NAPA/REPAIR TO PETERBILT”
in the amount of $1,131.32; 6/6/2003 “HVGC, INC. SHOP INV-REPAIRS” in
the amount of $1,474.87; “02/16/05 Damage Repairs to machine JG used -ck.
6639” in the amount of $1,320.00; “02/25/05 Damage repairs to JG machine-
ck. 6667” in the amount of $1,060.00. It also introduced evidence that Jeff
had used H.V.G.C. equipment for a non-H.V.G.C. job for Y & O Services, Inc.,
for which Jeff was paid $3,106.62. These amounts total $8,092.81. Jimmie
testified that Jeff damaged three down hole motors during the San Antonio job
because he failed to maintain them properly. Jimmie estimated that each of
these motors would cost around $10,000 at the time they had to be replaced
although he also testified that the price had come down to maybe $5,000 or
$6,000 each by the time of trial. Finally, Jeff admitted that he used H.V.G.C.’s
truck, a track hoe, and the backhoe that H.V.G.C. had rented from C&O
Equipment for the improvements that he and Philip made to Marsha’s property.
12
Based on the foregoing, we conclude and hold that the jury’s $10,000
damage award is supported by both legally and factually sufficient evidence.
See Mayberry v. Tex. Dep’t of Agric., 948 S.W.2d 312, 317 (Tex.
App.—Austin 1997, writ denied) (holding that jury has discretion to award
damages within the range of evidence presented at trial). We overrule the first
issue.
Attorney’s Fees
In the second issue on appeal, Jeff contends that H.V.G.C. is not entitled
to attorney’s fees for his breach of the Property Agreement. Specifically, he
contends that H.V.G.C. failed to prove that the claim for attorney’s fees was
presented to Jeff prior to trial as required by section 38.002 of the civil practice
and remedies code. T EX . C IV. P RAC. & R EM. C ODE A NN. § 38.002(2) (Vernon
2002). 6
A party seeking to recover attorney’s fees must present the claim to the
opposing party. Id. The purpose of presentment is to allow the person against
whom the claim is asserted an opportunity to pay within thirty days of receiving
6
… H.V.G.C. contends that Jeff failed to preserve this issue for review;
however, he specifically challenged the attorney’s fees finding on the
presentment ground in his postverdict motion to vacate the jury’s findings. See
Jim Howe Homes, Inc. v. Rogers, 818 S.W.2d 901, 905 (Tex. App.—Austin
1991, no writ) (holding that raising failure-to-present issue for first time in
JNOV was sufficient to preserve error for appeal).
13
notice of the claim, thereby avoiding the obligation to pay attorney’s fees. Carr
v. Austin Forty, 744 S.W.2d 267, 271 (Tex. App.—Austin 1987, writ denied).
The party seeking attorney’s fees must plead and prove that he or she
presented a contract claim to the opposing party, and the opposing party failed
to tender performance. See id. No particular form of presentment is required;
“present” means simply a demand or request for payment. Jim Howe Homes,
Inc. v. Rogers, 818 S.W.2d 901, 905 n.3 (Tex. App.—Austin 1991, no writ).
Oral presentment of a claim is sufficient to satisfy the requirement. Jones v.
Kelley, 614 S.W.2d 95, 100 (Tex. 1981). However, neither the filing of a suit,
nor the allegation of a demand in the pleadings can, alone, constitute
presentment of a claim or a demand that a claim be paid. Austin Forty, 744
S.W.2d at 271.
Here, H.V.G.C. filed a counterclaim in which it specifically alleged that
Jeff had breached the Property Agreement and pled for attorney’s fees as
damages for that breach.7 However, the pleading did not allege that the claim
7
… Although H.V.G.C. claims that Jeff should have filed a verified denial
of presentment, such a pleading was not necessary due to H.V.G.C.’s failure
to allege presentment in its pleading. See T EX. R. C IV. P. 93 (requiring verified
pleading alleging “[t]hat notice and proof of loss has not been given as
alleged”); cf. Wallace v. Ramon, 82 S.W.3d 501, 505 (Tex. App.—San Antonio
2003, no pet.) (holding that lack of verified denial “dispenses with the necessity
to provide proof of notice” when the claimant has alleged presentment in its
pleadings).
14
had been presented to Jeff and that he had failed to pay it.8 H.V.G.C. contends
that it orally presented its claim for breach of the Property Agreement to Jeff
in pretrial depositions. But H.V.G.C. has not cited any evidence of this oral
presentment in the record, and after a careful review of the record, we find no
such evidence; thus, we conclude that there is no evidence of presentment
upon which an award of attorney’s fees can be based. See Llanes v. Davila,
133 S.W.3d 635, 641 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2003, pet. denied); cf.
Jones, 614 S.W.2d at 100 (holding that sufficient evidence of oral presentment
of claim existed when transcript of telephone conference supporting
presentment contention was admitted into evidence). We sustain Jeff’s second
issue.
Validity of Non-Competition Agreements
In their third issue, the Goodins contend that the trial court erred by
refusing to enter a declaratory judgment that the Non-Competition Agreements
they signed in 2004 are invalid under section 15.50(a) of the Texas Business
and Commerce Code.
Section 15.50(a) provides that
8
… When H.V.G.C.’s attorney cross-examined Jeff at trial about the
expenses H.V.G.C. claimed Jeff owed, he claimed that he had never seen any
of the exhibits showing the receipts and invoices H.V.G.C. claims it paid on
Jeff’s behalf.
15
a covenant not to compete is enforceable if it is ancillary to or part
of an otherwise enforceable agreement at the time the agreement
is made to the extent that it contains limitations as to time,
geographical area, and scope of activity to be restrained that are
reasonable and do not impose a greater restraint than is necessary
to protect the goodwill or other business interest of the promisee.
T EX. B US. & C OM. C ODE A NN. § 15.50(a) (Vernon 2002); Alex Sheshunoff
Mgmt. Svcs., L.P. v. Johnson, 209 S.W.3d 644, 648 (Tex. 2006). Section
15.50(a) does not permit a noncompete covenant to stand alone; it must be
“ancillary to or part of” an enforceable agreement. T EX. B US. & C OM. C ODE
A NN. § 15.50(a). It must also be supported by consideration. Id.
To be enforceable, a covenant must “contain[] limitations as to time,
geographical area, and scope of activity to be restrained that are reasonable and
do not impose a greater restraint than is necessary to protect the goodwill or
other business interest of the promisee.” Id.; Alex Sheshunoff Mgmt. Svcs.,
209 S.W.3d at 648. A restraint is unnecessary if it is broader than necessary
to protect the legitimate interests of the employer. DeSantis v. Wackenhut
Corp., 793 S.W.2d 670, 682 (Tex. 1990). Whether a covenant is a reasonable
restraint on trade is a question of law for the court. Light v. Cent. Cellular Co.
of Tex., 883 S.W.2d 642, 644 (Tex. 1994), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 1048
(1991); Peat Marwick Main & Co. v. Haass, 818 S.W.2d 381, 388 (Tex.
1991).
16
Applicable Facts
In their second amended petition, the Goodins pled for a declaratory
judgment that the Non-Competition Agreements are void and unenforceable
because they were not ancillary to a personal services contract, not supported
by consideration, executed under duress, and not reasonably limited as to time,
geographical area, and scope of activities. At the close of the Goodins’ case,
their attorney informed the trial court as follows:
Just one other point. Since they’re starting their case, part
of their case is enforcement of these agreements. I don’t think
we’ve ever made it clear to this Court, it was clear where we had
the issue on the injunction that there’s a lot of issues that are
strictly for the Court. The enforceability of those agreements with
respect to satisfying the requirements in the Texas Business Code
for a Non-Compete, I just mentioned it so I don’t want to surprise
you on whether or not they’re separate and apart from another
agreement, whether we have the actual interest that we’re trying
to protect. You just can’t keep somebody from going out and
earning a living, the short of it is. It’s got to be ancillary, typically,
and if the Supreme Court had their way, exclusively in connection
with the sale of a business; not what we’ve got going on here.
On top of that, they’re seeking claims with respect to what
would be an injunction or damages for failure to follow a non-
compete that is not reasonably limited to protect the interest
involved. There is no limitation as to geographic scope, so we
can’t even enforce it as it exists as of this date. I just wanted to
pop those issues up. They’re coming.
At that point, the trial court went off the record.
17
After the defense rested, the Goodins’ attorney moved for a directed
verdict as to H.V.G.C.’s claims for breach of the Non-Competition Agreements
on the same grounds he had previously argued to the trial court. The trial court
denied the motion, however. The jury charge included a question asking
whether the Goodins signed the Non-Competition Agreements under duress, to
which the jury answered, “No.” It also included a question asking whether the
Goodins breached the Non-Competition Agreements, to which the jury also
answered, “No.”
In the Goodins’ postverdict motion to disregard jury findings, they also
requested that the trial court enter a declaratory judgment that the Non-
Competition Agreements are “null and void.” They also requested “that the
Court award [the Goodins’] attorney[‘]s fees in connection with same. The jury
only considered the issue of duress. Therefore, the declaratory relief requested
remains before the court.” The trial court denied the requested relief.
Analysis
The Goodins contended at trial, and contend on appeal, that the Non-
Competition Agreements are unenforceable because, among other reasons, they
contain no geographic limitation. H.V.G.C. contends—without authority—that
they contain an implicit, reasonable geographic restriction because they restrict
the Goodins from working only for H.V.G.C.’s then-current competitors; thus,
18
the Goodins should be prohibited from engaging in a competing business and
working for H.V.G.C. competitors only in areas in which H.V.G.C. actually does
business.
The text of the Non-Competition Agreements reads as follows: 9
BY THIS AGREEMENT, [H.V.G.C. as EMPLOYER] and [either
Jeff or Philip as SUBCONTRACTOR] for mutual consideration, agree
as follows:
For a period of 5 (five) years . . . SUBCONTRACTOR, shall
not directly or indirectly start a competing business, work for
EMPLOYER’S competitors, solicit EMPLOYER’S customers, recruit
EMPLOYER’S current employees, or disclose trade secrets or
confidential information regarding EMPLOYER.
Monies and/or compensation will be awarded to EMPLOYER
as compensation for violation [of] this agreement.
H.V.G.C.’s business is directional drilling services.10 There was evidence
that H.V.G.C. had done business in not only the North Texas area, but in Tyler
and San Antonio, Texas, and as far away as North Carolina. Thus, there was
no evidence that the geographical scope of H.V.G.C.’s business was limited to
9
… Jeff signed a Non-Competition Agreement dated April 30, 2001, and
one dated December 31, 2004; both were for five-year periods. The first
agreement has expired by its own terms. Philip signed a Non-Competition
Agreement dated December 31, 2004. The 2004 agreements expire December
31, 2009.
10
… Although Jeff already knew about the business, Philip learned the
drilling side from Jeff while working at H.V.G.C.
19
any one particular area. Moreover, contrary to H.V.G.C.’s contention, the
agreement does not purport to restrict the Goodins from competing only with
respect to H.V.G.C.’s then-current customers; the agreement purports to
restrict the Goodins from starting, directly or indirectly, a “competing business,”
without any limitation as to geographic scope whatsoever. Accordingly, we
conclude and hold that the Non-Competition Agreements are unenforceable and
that the trial court should have entered a declaratory judgment to that effect.11
See Stone v. Griffin Comm’n & Sec. Svcs., Inc., 53 S.W.3d 687, 695 (Tex.
App.—Tyler 2001, no pet.) (“Texas courts have generally held that a
geographical limitation imposed on the employee which consists of the territory
within which the employee worked during his employment is a reasonable
geographical restriction.”); Butler v. Arrow Mirror & Glass, Inc., 51 S.W.3d
787, 793–94 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2001, no pet.) (“A covenant not
to compete with a broad geographical scope is unenforceable, particularly when
no evidence establishes the employee actually worked in all areas covered by
the covenant.”); cf. Curtis v. Ziff Energy Group, Ltd., 12 S.W.3d 114, 119–20
11
… H.V.G.C. did not plead for reformation of the covenant not to
compete. Hardy v. Mann Frankfort Stein & Lipp Advisors, Inc., No. 01-05-
0180-CV, 2007 WL 1299661, at *13 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2007,
pet. filed); Zep Mfg. Co. v. Harthcock, 824 S.W.2d 654, 661 (Tex.
App.—Dallas, no writ).
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(Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1999, no pet.) (upholding noncompete
agreement restricting oil and gas consulting company’s vice president from
working for competing oil and gas consulting companies in North America when
employer introduced evidence lim iting its competitors to only twenty
companies). We sustain the Goodins’ third issue.
In their fourth issue, the Goodins claim that because they were entitled
to a declaration that the Non-Competition Agreements are invalid, the trial court
erred by refusing to award them attorney’s fees on that claim. At trial, their
attorney testified that $2,500 of his fee was attributable to trial of the “duress”
claim and that $2,500 would be an appropriate appellate fee for the
“declaratory judgment, duress issues.” The jury declined to award attorney’s
fees on the Goodins’ claim that they signed the agreements under duress. But
having determined that the trial court erred by refusing to enter a declaratory
judgment that the Non-Competition Agreements are invalid, we remand this
issue to the trial court to determine whether the Goodins are entitled to any
attorney’s fees on this claim.12 See T EX. C IV . P RAC. & R EM. C ODE A NN. §
37.009 (Vernon 1997); Allstate Ins. Co. v. Hallman, 159 S.W.3d 640, 643
12
… Whether to award attorney’s fees, and in what amount, is a
discretionary matter for the trial court, with few restrictions. See Bocquet v.
Herring, 972 S.W.2d 19, 20 (Tex. 1998); NP Anderson Cotton Exch., L.P. v.
Potter, 230 S.W.3d 457, 466 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2007, no pet.).
21
(Tex. 2005); Ayers v. Mitchell, 167 S.W.3d 924, 932 (Tex. App.—Texarkana
2005, no pet.).
Trial Court’s Post-trial Release of Temporary Injunction Security to Marsha
The Goodins’ fifth issue challenges the trial court’s release of their
temporary injunction security to Marsha. At the beginning of the suit, the
Goodins obtained a temporary injunction against Marsha to prevent her from
evicting them from the property during the pendency of the suit. Their attorney
deposited $1500 cash in lieu of a cost bond with the district clerk in
accordance with civil procedure rule 684. T EX. R. C IV. P. 684. After the trial
court entered its final judgment, the Goodins moved to release the entire
amount, plus interest, to them. After a hearing on October 6, 2006, the trial
court ordered the money released to Marsha for the benefit of Jimmie and
H.V.G.C.
The Goodins contend that the release of the bond to Marsha was
improper because she never pleaded nor proved any damages resulting from the
issuance of the temporary injunction and because Jimmie and H.V.G.C. were
not parties to the temporary injunction as they did not have any ownership
interest in the property. The trial court’s order says it considered the pleadings,
attorneys’ arguments, and the jury’s verdict in determining to release the
security “pursuant to a Writ of Execution on the Final Judgment of
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$15,000.00.” The order also states that “credit in the amount of [$1,500]
should be applied to the Final Judgment.”
Rule 684 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure requires a bond before the
issuance of a temporary injunction. T EX. R. C IV. P. 684; IAC, Ltd. v. Bell
Helicopter Textron, Inc., 160 S.W.3d 191, 203 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2005,
no pet.). The applicant must post the bond, and it is payable to the adverse
party if the temporary injunction is dissolved at trial. IAC, Ltd., 160 S.W.3d at
203. The purpose of the bond is to provide protection to the enjoined party for
any possible damages occurring as a result of the injunction. Id.; Bayoud v.
Bayoud, 797 S.W.2d 304, 312 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1990, writ denied).
A cause of action on the injunction bond is predicated on a breach of the
condition of the bond. DeSantis, 793 S.W.2d at 685; Safeco Ins. Co. of Am.
v. Gaubert, 829 S.W.2d 274, 278 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1992, writ denied). To
prevail on this cause of action, the claimant must prove that the temporary
injunction was issued or perpetuated when it should not have been, and that
it was later dissolved. DeSantis, 793 S.W.2d at 685-86; Safeco Ins. Co., 829
S.W.2d at 278. Specifically, the claimant must prove that the issuance of the
injunction caused him damages. DeSantis, 793 S.W.2d at 686; Safeco Ins.
Co., 829 S.W.2d at 278.
23
The record does not contain any pleading by Marsha requesting release
of the security for damages sustained as a result of the temporary injunction.
Moreover, the injunction was entered as part of a rule 11 agreement among the
parties; Marsha agreed to the imposition of the temporary injunction pending
trial if the Goodins would vacate the property within thirty days of any adverse
judgment against them becoming final. Accordingly, we conclude and hold that
the trial court erred by releasing the security amount to Marsha in the absence
of any pleading or proof that she was damaged by the issuance of the
temporary injunction.
However, we also conclude and hold that the error was harmless. See
T EX. R. A PP. P. 44.1. There is no evidence that the Goodins superseded the
judgment in favor of H.V.G.C. in accordance with rule 24. T EX. R. A PP. P.
24.1(a), (f). And the record of the October 6 hearing, along with the trial
court’s order, shows that the trial court ordered release of the bond in partial
execution of the judgment in favor of H.V.G.C.13 Accordingly, we overrule the
Goodins’ fifth issue.
13
… The Goodins contend that because the judgment is in favor of
H.V.G.C., the trial court erred by ordering the release of the bond to Marsha.
But because the trial court released the bond in partial execution of the
judgment, this complaint is H.V.G.C.’s, not the Goodins’; H.V.G.C. has not
complained on appeal about the release of the bond to Marsha.
24
Conclusion
Having sustained the Goodins’ third issue, we reverse the part of the trial
court’s order refusing a declaratory judgment on the Goodins’ claims regarding
enforceability of the Non-Competition Agreements and render a declaratory
judgment that the December 31, 2004 Non-Competition Agreements are
unenforceable for lack of a reasonable restraint as to geographic area. Having
sustained Jeff’s second issue, we reverse the part of the trial court’s judgment
awarding $5,000 in attorney’s fees to H.V.G.C. and render a take-nothing
judgment in Jeff’s favor as to that claim. Having overruled Jeff’s first issue and
the Goodins’ fifth issue, we affirm the remainder of the trial court’s judgment.
We remand the case to the trial court for a determination of whether the
Goodins are entitled to attorney’s fees on their claim for declaratory relief.
TERRIE LIVINGSTON
JUSTICE
PANEL A: CAYCE, C.J.; LIVINGSTON and MCCOY, JJ.
CAYCE, C.J. dissents and concurs without opinion.
DELIVERED: May 8, 2008
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