Manning, R. v. Kelly, W.

J-A29043-15
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
ROBERT MANNING, : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee :
:
v. :
:
WILLIAM KELLY, PAMELA KELLY, :
KELLYCARS, INC., NATIONAL :
BUSINESS BROKERS, INC., GPB :
HOLDING AUTOMOTIVE, LLC, GPB :
HOLDING LP, GPB AUTOMOTIVE :
MANAGEMENT, LLC, GPB CAPITAL :
HOLDINGS, LLC, AND LASH AUTO :
GROUP, LLC, :
:
APPEAL OF: WILLIAM KELLY, PAMELA :
KELLY AND KELLYCARS, INC. :
:
Appellants : No. 2040 WDA 2014
Appeal from the Order December 8, 2014
in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County,
Civil Division, No. GD 14-010482
BEFORE: FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E., BOWES and MUSMANNO, JJ.
MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.: FILED DECEMBER 23, 2015
In this breach of contract dispute, William Kelly (“Kelly”), Pamela Kelly
(collectively, “the Kellys”), and KellyCars, Inc. (“KellyCars”) (collectively,
“the Defendants”) appeal from the Order granting the Motion for a
preliminary injunction filed by Robert Manning (“Manning”). We affirm.
The trial court thoroughly set forth the relevant factual and procedural
history underlying this appeal in its Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) Opinion. See Trial
Court Opinion, 5/27/15, at 1, 4-10. We adopt and incorporate the court’s
recitation herein by reference. See id.
J-A29043-15
Following hearings on Manning’s Motion and Amended Motion for a
preliminary injunction, the trial court entered an Order on December 8,
2014, granting preliminary injunctive relief. The Order states, inter alia, as
follows:
Manning [] is currently suffering, and will continue to suffer,
immediate and irreparable injury, not otherwise compensable by
monetary damages[. A]s a result of [the] Defendants[’] …
violation of the Restrictive Share Agreement (“RSA”), and the []
Defendants[’] refusal to recognize Manning as a shareholder,
injunctive relief is necessary to return the parties to the status
quo as it existed at the time of the [] Defendants’ breach of the
RSA on November 20, 2013[,] and to prevent Manning from
suffering immediate, substantial and irreparable injury, including
the loss of his right to acquire the outstanding shares of
KellyCars [hereinafter “the Kelly shares”] …; the loss of his
ownership interest in KellyCars []; and further oppression
through the attempted freeze out by the [] Defendants.
Order, 12/8/14, at 1-2 (unnumbered). Concerning the grant of injunctive
relief, the Order provided the following, in relevant part:
1. The [] Defendants shall immediately cease and desist
from all efforts and actions to convert the ownership of
Manning’s 125 shares of KellyCars [] from Manning to the
[] Defendants.
2. The [] Defendants shall [continue] to recognize Manning
as an owner of 125 shares of KellyCars [] stock and shall
immediately provide Manning with accounting reports,
information and records, including balance statements
and profit and loss statements.
3. The [] Defendant[s] shall immediately cease all efforts to
sell the Kelly shares.
4. The [] Defendants shall immediately cease all efforts to
sell the assets of KellyCars [].
5. The [] Defendants shall immediately comply with the
procedure detailed in Section 2.3 of the RSA, which
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provides Manning with the opportunity to purchase the
Kelly shares[,] and … [t]he [] Defendants shall order an
appraisal of KellyCars[] ….
Id. at 2-3, ¶¶ 1-5 (unnumbered).
The Defendants filed a timely Notice of Appeal.1 In response, the trial
court ordered the Defendants to file a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) concise statement
of errors complained of on appeal. The Defendants timely filed a Concise
Statement, which raised sixteen separate issues on appeal. The trial court
then issued a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) Opinion.
On appeal, the Defendants present the following issues for our review:
1. Did the trial court err when it found that [the]
Defendants … violated the … []RSA[] by failing to provide
… Manning [] with (1) written notice of [Kelly’s] intention
to sell the Kelly[] shares; (2) an appraisal; and (3) an
opportunity to purchase the Kelly[] shares, when credible
record evidence indicates otherwise, and when Manning
made multiple judicial admissions that he received
written notice of Kelly’s intention to sell [the Kelly]
shares[,] and that Kelly had the option to provide
[Manning] with a per[-]share value of KellyCars [], in lieu
of an appraisal?
2. Was any alleged breach of Section 2.3 of the RSA by the
[] Defendants a material breach as a matter of law[,]
when Manning was given all of the financial information
necessary to ascertain the per[-]share value of
[KellyCars,] and multiple opportunities to purchase the
Kelly[] shares before Kelly attempted to sell [the Kelly]
shares to a third party, after having given Manning
written notice of his intention to do so?
3. Did Manning waive his rights pursuant to Section 2.3 of
the RSA by (1) failing to ever request an appraisal; (2)
1
We have jurisdiction over this appeal by virtue of Pa.R.A.P. 311(a)(4),
which provides that a party aggrieved by an order granting a preliminary
injunction may appeal the order as of right.
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consenting to Kelly’s efforts to sell [the Kelly] shares to
the Lash Automotive Group, LLC[,] and GPB Capital
Holdings, LLC (“Lash/GPB”); and (3) voluntarily
participating in negotiations with Lash/GPB about the
terms of his continued employment and retention of his
equity interest in [KellyCars]?
4. Did Manning waive his rights to assert that the []
Defendants’ failure to obtain an appraisal upon receipt of
the Lash/GPB November 20, 2013 offer to purchase the
Kelly[] shares constituted a material breach of the RSA[,]
given his continued performance and acceptance of the
benefits under the RSA through June 2014?
5. Does the doctrine of estoppel preclude Manning from
claiming breach of the RSA?
6. Did Manning demonstrate that greater injury would result
from refusing the mandatory injunctive relief than from
granting it?
7. Should Manning have been required to post a sufficient
injunction bond to cover the difference in the value of
Kelly’s 75% ownership interest in [KellyCars] as of
November 2013[,] and the date of the actual sale of the
Kelly[] shares to Manning that is contemplated in
paragraph 5 of the appealed Order[,] based upon the
uncontroverted evidence of record?
Brief for Appellants at 4-6 (footnote omitted).
Our scope of review in preliminary injunction matters is plenary.
Warehime v. Warehime, 860 A.2d 41, 46 n.7 (Pa. 2004). Our standard of
review of a trial court’s order granting preliminary injunctive relief is “highly
deferential.” Id. at 46 (citation omitted). “This highly deferential standard
of review states that in reviewing the grant … of a preliminary injunction, an
appellate court is directed to examine the record to determine if there were
any apparently reasonable grounds for the action of the court below.” Id.
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(citation, footnote, and internal quotation marks omitted). In order to
obtain preliminary injunctive relief, the party must establish all of the
following “essential prerequisites”:
1) that the injunction is necessary to prevent immediate and
irreparable harm that cannot be adequately compensated by
damages; 2) that greater injury would result from refusing an
injunction than from granting it, and, concomitantly, that
issuance of an injunction will not substantially harm other
interested parties in the proceedings; 3) that a preliminary
injunction will properly restore the parties to their status as it
existed immediately prior to the alleged wrongful conduct; 4)
that the activity it seeks to restrain is actionable, that its right to
relief is clear, and that the wrong is manifest, or, in other words,
must show that it is likely to prevail on the merits; 5) that the
injunction it seeks is reasonably suited to abate the offending
activity; and, 6) that a preliminary injunction will not adversely
affect the public interest.
Id. at 46-47 (citation and quotation marks omitted). The burden of proof is
on the party requesting the preliminary injunctive relief. Id. at 47.
An injunction can be either preventative or mandatory in nature.
Overland Enter., Inc. v. Gladstone Partners, LP, 950 A.2d 1015, 1019
(Pa. Super. 2008). “While the purpose of all injunctions is to preserve the
status quo, pr[eventative] injunctions do this by forbidding an act or acts[,]
while mandatory injunctions command the performance of some specific act
that will maintain the relationship between the parties.” Ambrogi v. Reber,
932 A.2d 969, 974 (Pa. Super. 2007). Mandatory injunctions are subject to
“greater scrutiny,” and must be issued “more sparingly” than preventative
injunctions. Overland Enter., Inc., 950 A.2d at 1019 (quoting Mazzie v.
Commonwealth, 432 A.2d 985, 988 (Pa. 1981) (stating that “in reviewing
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the grant of a mandatory injunction, we have insisted that a clear right to
relief in the plaintiff be established.”)).
In the instant case, the trial court’s Order granted Manning both
preventative and mandatory preliminary injunctive relief. See Order,
supra, 12/8/14, at 2-3, ¶¶ 1-5 (unnumbered). Accordingly, to the extent
that the Defendants challenge the mandatory injunctive relief awarded, we
will review such challenge under the stricter, “clear right to relief” standard.
See Mazzie, supra.
We will address the Defendants’ first six issues simultaneously, as they
are related. In their first issue, the Defendants argue that the trial court
erred in determining that Kelly had breached the RSA by failing to give
Manning written notice of Kelly’s intent to sell the Kelly shares, an appraisal,
and an opportunity to purchase the Kelly shares. See Brief for Appellants at
26-27, 32-41. According to the Defendants, “Manning was advised of, and
effectively consented to, Kelly’s listing for sale of [the Kellys’] interest in
[KellyCars], a step Kelly took only after Manning was unable to put together
a market-value offer for [the] Kelly[] shares.” Id. at 26 (emphasis in
original); see also id. at 32-33 (asserting that Kelly’s forwarding to Manning
a “Listing Agreement” that Kelly had executed in September 2013,
concerning the proposed sale of KellyCars to Lash/GPB, constituted written
notice of Kelly’s intent to sell the Kelly shares under the RSA). The
Defendants further contend that Kelly complied with Section 2.3 of the RSA
when he gave Manning a per-share value of KellyCars (i.e., via Kelly’s
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discussions with Manning and the provision to Manning of KellyCars financial
statements) in lieu of an appraisal.2 See id. at 33-37; see also id. at 36
(asserting that “the RSA provided Kelly with the option – not the
requirement – of an appraisal.”). The Defendants additionally challenge the
trial court’s failure to acknowledge that they had provided Manning with
multiple opportunities to purchase the Kelly shares, but Manning was unable
to complete the transaction. See id. at 37-39; see also id. at 45 (asserting
that “[i]t is undisputed that Kelly and Manning engaged in a number of
discussions about the value of [KellyCars].”); id. at 39-40 (describing
instances wherein Kelly allegedly disclosed financial information concerning
KellyCars to Manning and “potential backers” that Manning was coordinating
with in attempts to purchase the Kelly shares).
In their second issue, the Defendants assert that
[e]ven if it could be found that Kelly breached the RSA by failing
to give Manning an appraisal, such breach could not possibly be
deemed “material.” The sole reason for an appraisal was to give
Manning a sufficient understanding of the per[-]share value of
the Kelly[] shares so that he could fashion an appropriate offer.
Kelly, in fact, provided Manning with all of the financial data
necessary to ascertain per[-]share value.
Id. at 44-45; see also id. at 44-49 (arguing, at length, that any alleged
breaches by Kelly were not “material”); see also Reply Brief for Appellants
at 20 (asserting that “Kelly did not ‘reject’ any offer from Manning [to
purchase the Kelly shares], as he now alleges, with the exception of the
2
The Defendants concede that they never provided Manning with an
appraisal. See Brief for Appellants at 37.
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June 2013 lowball offer. Rather, Manning could not amass the financing to
present a subsequent offer[,] much less an offer that matched the
per[-]share value.”).
In their third and fourth issues, the Defendants assert that Manning,
by his actions, waived his rights to written notice and an appraisal under the
RSA. See Brief for Appellants at 49-50; see also id. at 51-52 (setting
forth, at length, Manning’s actions that allegedly “overwhelmingly
demonstrate[d] that Manning waived his rights under Section 2.3 of the
RSA,” including, inter alia, that Manning had offered to purchase KellyCars
without an appraisal, and participated in negotiations to sell KellyCars to
Lash/GPB); see also Reply Brief for Appellants at 22 (asserting that
Manning’s “failure to [previously] invoke the Section 2.3 rights he now
asserts …[,] despite the numerous opportunities to do so[,] clearly shows
that Manning waived his rights under that provision.”) (footnote omitted).
Additionally, the Defendants argue that “Manning [] waived any right to
assert a November 2013 violation of Section 2.3 of the RSA because he
continued to behave as though the RSA was in effect for the remainder of
2013[,] and until mid-June 2014, when he finally filed this lawsuit.” Brief for
Appellants at 56; see also id. at 57 (stating that “Manning took no action to
address Kelly’s purported breach of Section 2.3 of the RSA[, in November
2013,] for seven months. During this time, Manning continued to accept the
benefits of the RSA[,]” i.e., he still received tax distributions (emphasis
omitted)).
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In their fifth issue, the Defendants argue that the trial court erred in
failing to rule that Manning was equitably estopped, by means of his
conduct, from asserting a claim for the Defendants’ alleged breach of the
RSA. Id. at 58; see also id. at 59-61 (setting forth, at length, Manning’s
conduct upon which Kelly purportedly relied, to his detriment); see also
Reply Brief for Appellants at 29 (asserting that “the specific contractual
breach that Manning alleges here … would not have occurred had Manning
not consented to it, or otherwise invoked the rights he now claims.”)
(emphasis omitted).
Finally, the Defendants argue that the trial court erred in determining
that the injury to Manning, in the absence of injunctive relief, is greater than
the harm to the Defendants, since (1) after Manning’s departure from
KellyCars in March 2014, KellyCars’ profits “dramatically improved”; and (2)
“[t]hus, if the [] Defendants are compelled to offer the Kelly shares to
Manning at November 2013 values, Manning stands to purchase the Kelly
shares at a deep discount, thereby costing Kelly the true current value of
[the Kelly] shares.” Brief for Appellants at 62.
In its Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) Opinion, the trial court concisely addressed
the Defendants’ above-mentioned claims, discussed the relevant law and all
of the “essential prerequisites” for the granting of an injunction set forth in
Warehime, supra, and concluded that (1) the Defendants had committed a
material breach of the terms of the RSA; (2) Manning did not waive his
rights under the RSA, nor should he be estopped from claiming breach of
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contract; and (3) Manning met all of the prerequisites to entitle him to
injunctive relief. See Trial Court Opinion, 5/27/15, at 11-16. Our review
discloses that the trial court’s sound analysis is supported by the record and
the law, and we discern no error of law or abuse of discretion by the trial
court in granting preventative and mandatory3 preliminary injunctive relief.
Accordingly, we affirm based on the trial court’s rationale concerning the
Defendants’ first six issues. See id.4
In their final issue, the Defendants challenge the trial court’s failure to
require Manning to post a bond in connection with the preliminary injunction.
See Brief for Appellants at 6, 62-63. However, this issue is moot in light of
the trial court’s foregoing analysis in its Opinion: “[the] Defendants are
correct in their position that a bond is required. Therefore, with the issuance
of this [O]pinion[, the trial court is] also issuing an order scheduling a
3
To the extent that the trial court granted mandatory injunctive relief, we
conclude that Manning established a “clear right” to such relief at the trial
court level. See Mazzie, supra.
4
As an addendum, we observe that, in multiple portions of their Argument,
the Defendants challenge the trial court’s credibility findings. See, e.g.,
Brief for Appellants at 38, 39 n.3, 40, 52, 53. This Court, however, may not
disturb the fact-finder’s credibility determinations. See Gillingham v.
Consol Energy, Inc., 51 A.3d 841, 861 (Pa. Super. 2012) (observing that
the fact-finder is free to believe all, part, or none of the evidence and to
determine the credibility of the witnesses). Moreover, to the extent that the
Defendants allege that they gave written notice to Manning of Kelly’s intent
to sell the Kelly shares by means of the September 2013 “Listing
Agreement,” this claim is waived because the Defendants never raised it in
the trial court. See Pa.R.A.P. 302(a) (stating that a claim cannot be raised
for the first time on appeal). Nevertheless, even if this claim was not
waived, we determine that it lacked merit as being unsupported by the
record and the language of the RSA.
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hearing on an appropriate bond in this case.” Trial Court Opinion, 5/27/15,
at 16.5
Order affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 12/23/2015
5
Moreover, the Defendants state in their Reply Brief that the trial court
subsequently entered an Order imposing an injunction bond, and that they
intend to appeal the Order, believing the amount of the bond imposed to be
inadequate. See Reply Brief for Appellants at 30. Accordingly, this issue is
not properly before us at this time.
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.~ THE COURT OF CO:MMON PLEAS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ROBERT MANNING, CIVIL DIVISION
Plaintiff, G.D. 14-010482
v.
HON. CHRISTINE WARD
WILLIAM KELLY, PAMELA KELLY,
KELLYCARS, INC., NATIONAL
BUSINESS BROKERS, INC., GPB
HOLDINGS AUTOMOTIVE, LLC, OPINION
GPB HOLDINGS, LP, GPB CAPITAL
HOLDINGS,LLC and LASH AUTOMOTIVE
GROUP, LLC,
Defendants. COPIES SENT TO:
Counselfor Plaintiff:
James R. Hankle, Esquire
Christopher Passodelis, Esquire
Christopher J. Davis, Esquire
SHERRARD GERMAN & KELLY
Two PNC Plaza, 28th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Counsel for Defendant:
Jordon M. Webster, Esquire
Kate R. Paine, Esquire
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL &
ROONEY, P.C.
One Oxford Centre, 20th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Kip Schwartz, Esquire
SCHWARTZ & ASSOCIATES, PLLC
1010 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. Ste. 540
Washington, D.C. 20007
Robert J. Behling, Esquire
DAPPER BALDASARE BENSON
BEHLING & KANE, P.C.
.v ~ -.
Four Gateway Center, 101h Floor
, .... ;"''
)
444 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
r, . . . -~·
:..,'.'-.J ·,._,
~.r·-.:1u.J l.Z :· ...
.. James A. Prestiano, Esquire
631 Commack Road, Suite 2A
Cammack, NY 11725
Fli_E[)
Circulated 12/08/2015 03:59 PM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ROBERT MANNING, CIVIL DIVISION
Plaintiff, G.D. No. 14-010482
v. Hon. Christine Ward
WILLIAM KELLY, PAMELA KELLY,
KELLYCARS, INC., NATIONAL
BUSINESS BROKERS, INC., GPB
HOLDINGS AUTOMOTIVE, LLC, GPB
HOLDINGS LP, GPB AUTOMOTIVE
MANAGEMENT LLC, GPB CAPITAL
HOLDINGS, LLC, and LASH
AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, LLC,
Defendants.
OPINION
This is a breach of contract action. Plaintiff, Robert Manning ("Manning")
alleges, inter alia, that defendants, William Kelly, Pamela Kelly and KellyCars, Inc., ("Kelly
Defendants") breached a Restrictive Share Agreement ("RSA") between the parties by refusing
to provide Manning with an opportunity to purchase KellyCars, Inc. ("KellyCars"), before
negotiating for its sale to a third party. Plaintiff has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction.
Plaintiff asks this Court to enforce the RSA and require the Kelly Defendants to provide
Manning with an opportunity to purchase KellyCars. An evidentiary hearing was held before
this court on November 1 r, 181h and 241\ 2014. The only question before the Court at this time
is whether the Kelly Defendants breached the RSA and, if so, whether Manning is entitled to
injunctive relief. Based on the evidence presented, this Court found that Manning satisfied his
burden of proof and, therefore, granted his motion.
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I. CONCISE STATEMENTS OF ERRORS ON APPEAL
The Kelly Defendants have filed a Concise Statement of Errors Complained of on
Appeal, asserting the following errors:
1. By issuing the requested mandatory preliminary injunction, in that Plaintiff
Robert Manning ("Plaintiff' or "Manning") failed to put forth the requisite strong
showing of a clear right to such relief;
2. By issuing the requested preliminary injunction, insofar as Plaintiff failed to
establish that he was suffering, and would continue to suffer, immediate and
irreparable injury not otherwise compensable by monetary damages;
3. By issuing the requested injunction, insofar as Plaintiff failed to demonstrate that
greater injury would result from refusing the injunction than from granting it;
4. By failing to require Plaintiff to post an injunction bond in an amount sufficient
to cover the difference in the value of the Kelly's 75 percent ownership interest in
KCI ("the Kelly Shares") between November 2013 and the date of the sale of the
Kelly Shares to Plaintiff that is contemplated in Paragraph 5 of the Appealed
Order;
5. By issuing the requested preliminary injunction, in that Plaintiff is unlikely to
prevail on the merits of his claims;
6. To the extent it found that Section 2.3 of the Restrictive Share Agreement
("RSA") obligated Kelly to provide Plaintiff with an appraisal, given Plaintiff's
admissions that Kelly was required to provide Plaintiff with "an appraisal or
otherwise provide a per share value of KellyCars, Inc.," along with an opportunity
to purchase the Kelly Shares;
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7. To the extent it found that Plaintiff had not waived his rights pursuant to Section
2.3 of the RSA by voluntarily and actively participating in negotiations with the
Lash Auto Group and the GPB entities ("Lash/GPB") about the terms of his
continued employment, failing to object to the Kellys' negotiations with
Lash/GPB to buy the Kelly Shares, failing to request or demand an appraisal and
that Kelly sell his shares to Plaintiff;
8. To the extent that it concluded that the doctrine of estoppel did not preclude
Plaintiff from claiming breach of the RSA;
9. To the extent that it concluded that any alleged breach of Section 2.3 of the RSA
by the Kelly Defendants was a material breach as a matter of law, insofar as
Plaintiff could calculate the pre share value of the Kelly Shares and admits that he
was given multiple opportunities to purchase the Kelly Shares;
10. By issuing the requested preliminary injunction because Plaintiff has failed to
demonstrate that the mandatory injunctive relief is reasonably suited to abate the
alleged offending activity, in view of Plaintiff's admission and the Court's own
finding in Paragraph 8 of the Appealed Order that Plaintiff wishes to sell his
shares as part of the dealership;
11. To the extent that it concluded that the Kelly Defendants were attempting to
convert ownership of Plaintiff's 125 shares of KCI;
12. To the extent that it found that the Kelly Defendants oppressed or attempted to
"freeze out" Plaintiff;
13. To the extent that it concluded that Plaintiff did not waive his right to assert that
the Kelly Defendants' failure to obtain an appraisal upon receipt of the GPB
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Entities' November 20, 2013 offer to purchase the Kelly Shares constituted a
material breach of the RSA by his continued performance and acceptance of
benefits under the RSA through June 2014;
14. To the extent that it found that Plaintiff is the rightful owner of 125 shares of KCI
stock after June 20, 2014;
15. By issuing the requested preliminary injunction, because such injunction was
broader than necessary for Plaintiff's interim protection in that it requires the
Kelly Defendants to obtain an appraisal and sell the Kelly Shares to Manning at
the appraised per-share value, thus effectively granting permanent relief following
a hearing on Plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction; and
16. By issuing the requested preliminary injunction when Plaintiff failed to meet his
burden of showing that an injunction was necessary to preserve the status quo.
II FACTS
The following facts were adduced during the hearing held m this matter on
November 1 i\ 181h and 241\ 2014.
Defendant William Kelly ("Kelly") has been the corporate President and
Treasurer of KellyCars, a Chrysler dealership, since November of 2008. Defendant Pamela
Kelly has been the corporate Vice President and Secretary. Manning was hired as General Sales
Manager for Kelly Cars on April 9th, 2011. Soon after, he was promoted to General Manager.
In 2012, Manning and Kelly began to negotiate for the sale of some KellyCars
stock to Manning. Their negotiations culminated in an agreement which provided that Manning
would purchase 125 shares of KellyCars stock for $275,000. Manning and Kelly executed three
separate agreements: (1) The Share Purchase Agreement ("SPA"); (2) The Restrictive Share
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Agreement ("RSA"); and (3) The Employment Agreement. The parties executed the
Employment Agreement on June 201\ 2012 and the other agreements on June 23, 2012.
Manning purchased the shares on June 23rd, 2012. After he purchased the shares, he owned 25%
of the shares of Kellyf.arsjwith Kelly and Mrs. Kelly owning the remaining 75%. In January of
2014, Mrs. Kelly conveyed her shares to Kelly, making him the majority shareholder.
The RSA provided that, if the Kellys subsequently decided to sell their shares in
KellyCars to a third party, Manning would be provided the first opportunity to purchase the
shares. Specifically, Section 2.3 of the RSA provides, in pertinent part:
If at any time Kelly wishes to sell any or all of their shares, or
KellyCars desires to sell all or substantially all of the assets of the
Business, Kelly or KellyCars, as applicable, may obtain an
appraisal of KellyCars by a qualified independent appraiser with
experience in appraising new and used automobile sales and
service dealerships (the "Appraisal"). The Appraisal will
determine the Per Share value of KellyCars which will be a value
equal to the value of the entire Business, without discount for lack
of control or marketability or any other such discount, divided by
the total of all outstanding shares in KellyCars. If Kelly or
KellyCars wish to sell their Shares or otherwise sell the Business at
the price determined in such Appraisal or otherwise, they shall
deliver to Manning written notice thereof together with a copy of
the Appraisal. Manning shall have the right for a period of sixty
(60) days after receipt for the Appraisal to purchase all of Kelly's
Shares for an amount equal to the Per Share Value multiplied by
the number of Kelly's Shares ("the Purchase Price").
The RSA further provides that Manning would be required to tender 75% of the
total purchase price to Kelly at the time of the sale. The remaining 25%, according to the RSA,
would be financed by a note from Kelly, and secured by the shares Manning purchased. In the
event Manning did not purchase the shares, Section 2.3 of the RSA provides that:
If Manning does not exercise his option to purchase the Shares
Kelly shall thereafter be free to sell any or all of the Shares or the
assets of KellyCars at any time during the next eighteen (18)
months, subject to Section 9 of this Agreement. Any such sale
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subsequent to Manning's offer shall not be made for a purchase
price less than the value of the Business as determined in the
Appraisal. If no binding agreement of sale between either or both
of Kelly and KellyCars and a third party is executed during that
eighteen (18) month period, Manning's right of first offer under
this Section 2.3 shall be reinstated.
At Section 9, the RSA specifies Manning's rights in the event Manning does not
exercise his option to purchase KellyCars and Kelly negotiates a sale to a third party.
Specifically, Section 9 provides that:
If after having complied with the requirements of Section 2.3 of
this Agreement, Kelly or KellyCars, as applicable sets forth in a
signed notice delivered to KellyCars and Manning, their desire to
effect a sale of KellyCars, then Manning (whether in his capacity
as a shareholder, director, member of a board, committee or
otherwise) shall consent to, vote in favor of and raise no objections
against, such sale, and shall authorize KellyCars' management to
take all actions reasonably necessary to effect such sale and, if
such sale is structured as a sale of stock, Manning shall agree, and
hereby does agree, to sell his Shares on the terms and conditions
approved by Kelly; provided the following conditions are
satisfied:
9.1 Upon the consummation of such sale of KellyCars,
all of the shareholders shall receive the same form
and amount of consideration per share, or if an
option is given as to the form or amount of
consideration, each such shareholder will be given
the same option as the other shareholders owing
Shares.
9.2 In the event such sale of KellyCars is the sale of
stock (excepting only sales of Shares to members of
Kelly's family), each shareholder shall be entitled to
participate based on such person's pro rata share
within the class of stock being sold.
On June 20, 2012, the parties also executed the Employment Agreement. The
Employment Agreement provides in Section 1 that "KellyCars hereby employs Manning in the
capacity of a general manager and Vice-President, and Manning hereby accepts such
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employment and agrees to serve KellyCars in such capacity subject to and upon the terms and
conditions set forth herein." The Employment Agreement provided that Manning's employment
could be terminated for any reason or no reason upon ninety (90) days written notice. If
Manning was terminated prior to the second anniversary of the RSA, or June 23 2014, the RSA
required Manning to transfer his KellyCars shares to the Kellys, in exchange for $275,000.00.
In November, 2012, Kelly decided to replace Manning as General Manager of
KellyCars and arranged for two advertisements to be placed in local newspapers seeking
candidates. No suitable candidate was found at that time. Manning was not aware of Kelly's
attempts to replace him. In the Spring of 2013, Manning advised Kelly he would like an
opportunity to purchase KellyCars. Kelly then ceased his efforts to replace Manning.
Kelly contacted Jeff Rochwarger, the senior vice president of Defendant National
Business Brokers ("NBB") in February of 2013 to discuss identifying potential third party
purchasers of KellyCars. Kelly also forwarded to Mr. Rochwarger financial reports of
KellyCars. Rochwarger and Kelly met at the National Automobile Dealers Association
conference in Florida on or about February 81\ 2013. Rochwarger and Kelly continued their
discussions after the conference.
During this period, Kelly and Manning also discussed Manning's desire to make
an offer to purchase KellyCars. Kelly and Manning discussed the value of KellyCars and agreed
that the overall value would be calculated by adding the value of the hard assets to the blue sky
value. Manning had access to the KellyCars financial statements and he was able to discern the
value of the hard assets from the financial statements. In June 2013, Kelly sent to Manning an
article which indicated that Chrysler dealership blue sky value was 3-4 times adjusted net
earnings. In June 2013, Manning made a written offer to purchase KellyCars. The Kellys
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rejected Manning's offer because it was too low and required the Kellys to finance the entire
transaction. Manning did not request an appraisal of KellyCars at this time.
In September of 2013, Rochwarger notified Kelly he had a potential third party
buyer for KellyCars. Rochwarger did not, at that time, identify the buyer. On September 2i\
2013, Kelly executed a one-party listing agreement with NBB. Manning received a copy of the
listing agreement. Rochwarger then identified the potential buyer as Jeff Lash ("Lash"), of Lash
Automotive Group and GPB ("Lash/GPB"). Manning, Rochwarger and Lash participated in a
conference call in October of 2013. Lash explained that he was interested in acquiring
dealerships with existing General Managers in place who were willing to retain equity in the
dealership, and, therefore, that he would like Manning to continue to be employed by KellyCars
as General Manager. Lash further explained that it was possible that there would be a future
initial public offering,.at which time Manning could sell his shares for a profit.
Manning told Lash he would be willing to stay on with an appropriate
Employment Agreement. During this period, Manning consulted with Paul Matvey, a Certified
Public Accountant with Schneider Downs. Matvey focuses his practice in the automobile
industry. Manning asked Matvey to provide him with an estimate of the value of KellyCars.
Manning further asked Matvey to draft an offer to purchase KellyCars on his behalf. Matvey
calculated two values for KellyCars. The first value used a multiple of three (3) times the net
earnings for blue sky value. The second used a multiple of 3.5 times the net earnings for blue
sky value. Matvey testified that these calculations were based on the financial information
Manning provided to him. Matvey further testified that he had all the information necessary to
formulate these offers. Manning never submitted these offers to Kelly. Manning did not ask
Kelly for an appraisal while working with Matvey.
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In November of 2013, Kelly received an offer to purchase the assets of the
KellyCars from Lash/GPB. The offer was for $5,000,000.00. Kelly shared this offer with
Manning. Manning objected to the offer on the basis that an asset purchase agreement would
cause him negative tax consequences. Manning informed Kelly that he would like to present an
offer to purchase the shares. Kelly refused to hear Manning's offer and told Manning that he
wanted to accept the higher Lash/GPB purchase offer. Kelly then asked Lash/GPB to restructure
the proposed transaction as a stock purchase.
On November 20, 2013, Lash/GPB presented Kelly with an offer to purchase
Kelly's shares, which constituted 75% of the ownership of KellyCars for $4,800,000.00. Kelly
shared this offer with Manning. Manning provided a copy of this offer to Matvey and to his
counsel, Robert Bashaw. Manning asked Matvey to review the offer and advise him as to the tax
consequences of the offer. At Kelly's direction, Manning then met with Lash, Rochwarger and
Brian Marshall, the Chief Financial Officer of the GPB entities to discuss the post sale terms of
his continued employment with KellyCars. Kelly executed the stock purchase offer.
On December 291h, 2013, Kelly's attorney asked Manning to waive his rights
under Section 2.3 of the RSA so that the deal could go forward. Manning refused to do so. In
spite of Manning's refusal to waive his rights under the RSA, on February ih, 2014, Kelly,
Lash/GPB entered into an agreement for the sale of the Kelly Shares for $4,709,134.00. The
transaction was scheduled to close on April 5th, 2104.
The terms of the purchase offer required, as a condition precedent, that KellyCars
and Manning enter into a new employment agreement on or before March 9th, 2014. The terms
further required Manning to retain his shares in KellyCars. If Manning did not agree to a new
employment agreement, the purchase offer could be terminated by Kelly. On March 51\ 2014,
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Lash/GPB sent a proposed employment agreement to Manning. Manning refused to sign it.
Shortly thereafter, Lash./GPB sent Manning a Restrictive Shareholder Agreement. The
Restrictive Shareholder Agreement contained terms that were not acceptable to Manning.
Manning rejected this agreement as well, but offered to sell his shares to),he'Lash/GPB on the
same terms as they had negotiated with Kelly. Lash/GPB refused Manning's offer.
On March 201\ 2014, Kelly terminated the sale of KellyCars to Lash/GPB
because they had failed to reach an agreement with Manning. On March 22"ct, 2014, Kelly
terminated Manning without cause effective June 201\ 2014. Manning received his salary and
his other distributions during this period. By letter dated April 151\ 2014, Kelly asked Manning
to return his shares. Manning refused. On June 181\ 2014, counsel for KellyCars, Inc. advised
counsel for Manning that Kelly intended to purchase Manning's 125 shares for $275,000.
Manning refused to sell his shares. Kelly then converted Manning's termination to "for cause"
and again asked Manning to relinquish his shares. Manning again refused. Since he has been
terminated, Manning has not received any further compensation or distributions from KellyCars,
Inc. Manning's shares remain in the custody of his counsel.
Kelly continued his negotiations for the sale of KellyCars, Inc. following
Manning's termination. Specifically, both #1 Cochran and Diehl Automotive expressed interest
in purchasing KellyCars after Manning was terminated. KellyCars has not been sold.
Manning filed this action on June 161\ 2014, and contemporaneously filed a
motion for a preliminary injunction. On June 191\ 2014, Manning filed an amended motion for a
preliminary injunction. As noted above, a hearing was held on November 1 i\ 181h and 241\
2014.
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III. STANDARD OF REVIEW
At issue is whether Manning has shown he is entitled to injunctive relief on his
claim in Count I that Kelly violated the terms of the RSA. In order to obtain injunctive relief,
Manning bears the burden of proving the following six essential prerequisites:
The party must show: 1) "that the injunction is necessary to
prevent immediate and irreparable harm that cannot be adequately
compensated by damages"; 2) "that greater injury would result
from refusing an injunction than from granting it, and,
concomitantly, that issuance of an injunction will not substantially
harm other interested parties in the proceedings"; 3) "that a
preliminary injunction will properly restore the parties to their
status as it existed immediately prior to the alleged wrongful
conduct"; 4) "that the activity it seeks to restrain is actionable,
that its right to relief is clear, and that the wrong is manifest, or, in
other words, must show that it is likely to prevail on the merits"; 5)
"that the injunction it seeks is reasonably suited to abate the
offending activity"; and, 6) "that a preliminary injunction will not
adversely affect the public interest." The burden is on the party
who requested preliminary injunctive relief...
Warehime v. Warehime, 860 A.2d 41, 46-47 (Pa. 2004) (citation omitted). "[I]f the petitioner
fails to establish any one [prong] there is no need to address the others." County of Allegheny v.
Commw., 544 A.2d 1305, 1307 (Pa. 1988).
IV. ANALYSIS
As noted above, the sole issue before the Court at this juncture is whether
Manning is entitled to injunctive relief on his claim that defendants breached the RSA. Set forth
below is an analysis of each Warehime factor.
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A. Irreparable Harm
The purpose of a preliminary injunction is the avoidance of immediate and
irreparable injury or gross injustice until the legality of the challenged action can be determined.
All-Pak, Inc. v. Johnston, 694 A.2d 347, 350 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1997). In order to constitute
irreparable harm, the conduct complained of must be harmful in a way that cannot be adequately
compensated in money damages. The York Group, Inc. v. Yorktowne Caskets, et. al, 924 A.2d
1234, 1242 (Pa. 2007) (additional citations omitted). A loss, though monetary, is uncompensable
• and thus irreparable if the extent of the loss is not entirely ascertainable. Santoro v. Morse, 781
A.2d 1220, 1227-28 (Pa. Super. 2001). In the commercial context, the loss of a business
opportunity may be characterized as an irreparable injury. Id. at 1228.
Based on the evidence presented, Manning has satisfied his burden of proof. The
RSA granted him the right to purchase KellyCars prior to the sale of KellyCars to a third party
buyer. This opportunity constitutes an intangible benefit, which is neither quantifiable nor
compensable by money damages alone. If Kelly is permitted to sell KellyCars to a third party in
violation of the RSA, Manning will lose his rights under the RSA permanently. Accordingly,
the Court finds Manning has established the first prong of the Warhime test.
B. Balance of Injuries
Manning must next establish that greater harm would result from refusing to grant
the injunction than from granting the injunction. As set forth above, if the Court refuses to issue
the injunction, Manning will forever lose his opportunity under Section 2.3 of the RSA to
purchase KellyCars. In addition, in the event he is unable to purchase KellyCars, he will also
lose his rights under Section 9 of the RSA to sell his shares to the third party buyer for the same
consideration to be paid to Kelly. In contrast, there was no evidence presented of any harm to
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defendants from issuing the injunction. They are not being required to sell KellyCars to
Manning. Rather, they are simply being required to honor the RSA by providing Manning with a
written appraisal of KellyCars and an opportunity to purchase KellyCars for that price.
C. Returnto the Status Quo
Manning must also establish is that the injunction will properly restore the parties
to their status as it existed immediately prior to the wrongful conduct. Here, the wrongful
conduct was Kelly's attempts to sell KellyCars to a third party without providing Manning with
the opportunity to either purchase KellyCars or sell his shares for the same terms as required by
the RSA. Simply put, the injunction will protect the status quo prior to the breach of contract.
D. Likelihood of Success on the Merits
Manning also bears the burden to proof his right to relief is clear and that he is
likely to prevail on the merits of his breach of contract claim. In order to establish a claim for
breach of contract, a party must show: "(1) the existence of a contract, including its essential
terms; (2) a breach of a duty imposed by the contract; and (3) resultant damages." J.F. Walker
Co. v. Excalibur Oil Grp., Inc., 792 A.2d 1269, 1272 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2002). A party is entitled to
specific performance in a breach of contract action where the facts establish the plaintiff's right
to performance, the plaintiff lacks an adequate remedy at law, and where justice so requires it.
Snyder v. Brown, 518 A.2d 558, 560 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1986).
A breach must have been a material breach of the contract. Oak Ridge
Construction Co. v. Tolley, 504 A.2d 1343, 1348 (Pa.Super. Ct. 1985) A material breach of
contract excuses the non-breaching party from its performance obligation under the same
contract. Widmer Engineering, Inc. v. Dufalla, 8_;7 A.2d 459, 467 (Pa. Super. 2003).
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Here, there is no dispute that the RSA is a valid contract. There is further no
dispute that Kelly never provided Manning with an appraisal. And, there is no dispute that Kelly
never provided Manning with written notice of his intention to sell KellyCars together with a
copy of an appraisal. Accordingly, Manning has shown a substantial likelihood of success on the
merits of his claim that defendants breached Sections 2.3 and 9 of the RSA.
The Court finds that the breach of the RSA was material as a matter of law. The
essential purpose of the RSA was to provide Manning the opportunity to purchase KellyCars
prior to any negotiations for its sale to a third party. A secondary purpose of the RSA was to
allow Manning, if he was unable to purchase KellyCars himself, to sell his shares to the third
party for the same price negotiated by Kelly. The conduct of the Kelly defendants effectively
rendered the RSA a nullity.
Defendants contended that, despite their breach of the RSA, Manning either
waived his rights under the RSA or should be estopped from claiming breach of contract.
Defendants argue that because Manning made offers to purchase KellyCars without an appraisal,
participated in the negotiations with the Lash/GPB group and failed to request an appraisal he
should not be permitted to claim that they breached the RSA. Defendants further argue that
Manning's receipt of compensation and distributions after Kelly accepted the Lash/GPB offer
constitutes a waiver of his rights under the RSA.
The doctrines of waiver and estoppel are defenses to a breach of contract
Claim. Waiver may be established by a party's express declaration or by a party's undisputed
acts or language so inconsistent with a purpose to stand on the contract provisions as to leave no
opportunity for a reasonable inference to the contrary. Prime Medica Assocs. v. Valley Forge
Ins. Co., 970 A.2d 1149, 1156-57 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2009). Estoppel is "a doctrine sounding in
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equity, [which] recognizes that an informal promise by one's words deeds, or representations
which leads another to rely justifiably thereon to his own injury or detriment " Novelty
Knitting Mills, Inc. v. Siskind, 457 A.2d 502, 503 (Pa. 1983).
Here, however, the evidence presented established that Manning did not waive his
rights under the RSA. While it is true that Manning presented offers without an appraisal) his
conduct did not violate or otherwise void the RSA. In fact, Manning had no duties under the
RSA until the Kelly Defendants provided him with written notice of their intention to sell to a
third party}ogether with a copy of an appraisal.
Further, the credible evidence presented indicated that Manning participated in
the Lash/GPB negotiations at the direction of Kelly. Notably, after the negotiations failed, Kelly
terminated Manning. In additionI the RSA did not require Manning to ask for an appraisal.
Rather, it was Kelly's duty to provide Manning with an appraisal prior to entertaining offers
from third parties.
Additionally, defendants effectively admitted that Manning had not waived his
rights under the RSA when their attorney asked Manning to waive Section 2.3 of the RSA in
December of 2013. If the Kelly Defendants had in fact believed that Manning had already
waived his rights under the RSA1 or acted in a way that would otherwise estop him from
enforcing the RSA, no such request would have been necessary. Manning's acceptance of
compensation and distributions after the breach did not waive his rights. The Kelly Defendants
have not established that they relied to their detriment on Manning's conduct. Accordingly,
defendants have failed to establish that Manning waived his rights under the RSA or should be
estopped from seeking relief.
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E. The Injunction is Reasonably Suited to Restrain the Offending Activity
The Court has concluded that Manning is likely to prevail on the merits. The
injunction simply requires the Kelly Defendants to honor their obligations pursuant to the RSA.
Accordingly, the injunction is reasonably suited to restrain the offending activity.
F. The Injunction will not Adversely Affect the Public Interest
Finally, Manning must establish that the injunction will not adversely affect the
public interest. Based upon the evidence presented at the hearing, the Court concludes that
issuing the injunction will have no effect on the public interest.
G. Bond
After review of the parties' arguments regarding the requirement that a bond be
posted when granting injunctive relief, the court finds that Defendants are correct in their
position that a bond is required. Therefore, with the issuance of this opinion we are also issuing
an order scheduling a hearing on an appropriate bond in this case.
V. CONCLUSION
For the reasons set forth above, Plaintiff's Amended Motion for A Preliminary
Injunction was granted.
BY THE COURT:
Dated: ~J',~k l(J~ 'J.
1
V\,\..(). :i-1-1'\, ?.o IS
Christine Ward, J.
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