Progressive Transportation, LLC v. Republic National Industries of Texas, LP, and Republic Corporation

In The
Court of Appeals
Sixth Appellate District of Texas at Texarkana
No. 06-14-00030-CV
PROGRESSIVE TRANSPORTATION, LLC, Appellant
V.
REPUBLIC NATIONAL INDUSTRIES OF TEXAS, LP, AND
REPUBLIC CORPORATION, Appellees
On Appeal from the County Court at Law
Harrison County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2013-9369
Before Morriss, C.J., Moseley and Carter*, JJ.
Memorandum Opinion by Chief Justice Morriss
_______________________________
*Jack Carter, Justice, Retired, Sitting by Assignment
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Much is murky in this collection dispute between Progressive Transportation, LLC, and
Republic National Industries of Texas, LP (Republic). 1 What is clear, however, resulted in a
summary judgment that Progressive take nothing in its suit against Republic and that Progressive
owed Republic overpayments and attorney fees. We modify the judgment to strike Republic’s
recovery of attorney fees from Progressive; and, as modified, the judgment is affirmed both as to
the denial of Progressive’s claims against Republic and the recovery by Republic from
Progressive on its non-attorney-fee claims. We reach that result because, as a matter of law,
(1) denying Progressive’s claims was proper, (2) awarding Republic recovery on its
overpayments was proper, and (3) Republic was not entitled to recover attorney fees.
Pursuant to an assignment of accounts from freight carrier BMB Logistics, Inc.,
Progressive billed Republic for freight services that Progressive alleged were provided by BMB
to Republic. Republic paid several invoices before concluding that Progressive was billing for
work that was actually completed by another freight carrier, Tenco Transportation, Inc., which
had not assigned any accounts to Progressive. After Republic refused to pay additional invoices,
Progressive filed a suit on sworn account for the unpaid invoices and claims for breach of
contract and quantum meruit. In response, Republic filed a counterclaim for money had and
received, arguing that it was entitled to reimbursement for payments made on the initial invoices
1
Progressive also sued Republic Corporation, the general partner of Republic National Industries of Texas, LP,
formally seeking to attach liability in its role as general partner. For purposes of this opinion, the general partner is
subsumed in the term “Republic.”
2
to Progressive on the mistaken belief that Progressive was billing for Tenco’s work and that
Progressive had an assignment to collect Tenco’s accounts.
Republic filed a motion for summary judgment seeking to negate at least one essential
element of each of Progressive’s claims and another traditional motion for summary judgment on
its counterclaim. The trial court granted both motions in Republic’s favor and entered a final
judgment declaring that Progressive take-nothing on its claims, ordering Progressive to return the
money Republic paid to Progressive for work completed by Tenco, and awarding attorney fees to
Republic. On appeal, Progressive argues that summary judgment was improper on the breach of
contract and quantum meruit causes of action because there was a genuine issue of material fact
as to whether BMB completed the work referenced in the invoices instead of Tenco. 2
We review de novo the grant of a motion for summary judgment. Mann Frankfort Stein
& Lipp Advisors, Inc. v. Fielding, 289 S.W.3d 844, 848 (Tex. 2009). To prevail on a traditional
motion for summary judgment, the movant bears the burden of showing no genuine issue of
material fact exists and that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. TEX. R. CIV. P. 166a(c).
If a defendant conclusively negates one of the essential elements of a cause of action, then the
defendant is entitled to summary judgment as to that cause of action. Randall’s Food Mkts., Inc.
v. Johnson, 891 S.W.2d 640, 644 (Tex. 1995); Davis v. Education Serv. Ctr., 62 S.W.3d 890,
893 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2001, no pet.). Once the defendant produces evidence entitling it to
2
Progressive states, “A suit on sworn account is not a substantive cause of action, but a procedural device to pursue
a contract claim.” See Hollingsworth v. Nw. Nat’l Ins. Co., 522 S.W.2d 242, 245 (Tex. Civ. App.—Texarkana 1975,
no writ) (classifying suit on sworn account as rule of evidence which, if not properly denied, avoids necessity of
proving correctness of account); see also TEX. R. CIV. P. 185. Thus, Progressive does not challenge the summary
judgment on the sworn account claim per se. Instead, Progressive focuses on its claims for breach of contract and
quantum meruit.
3
summary judgment, the burden then shifts to the plaintiff to present evidence that creates a fact
issue. Walker v. Harris, 924 S.W.2d 375, 377 (Tex. 1996).
We review the summary judgment evidence in the light most favorable to the party
against whom summary judgment was rendered, crediting evidence favorable to that party if
reasonable jurors could and disregarding contrary evidence unless reasonable jurors could not.
City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 827 (Tex. 2005); Johnson v. Brewer & Pritchard,
P.C., 73 S.W.3d 193, 208 (Tex. 2002).
The factual background leading to this lawsuit is critical to the parties’ arguments on
appeal. We begin by explaining Republic’s relationship with Tenco—the company Republic
claims actually performed the freight services referenced in Progressive’s invoices.
Republic manufactures and installs cabinets, but does not deliver them to its customers.
Instead, it engages the transportation services of third-party independent contractors. On April 6,
2008, Republic entered into an Independent Transportation Agreement (Agreement) with
Tenco—then a Texas general partnership—to carry and transport Republic’s goods to its
customers. Specifically, Tenco agreed “to provide supervision and management of all of
Republic’s transportation and transportation-related activities from facilities owned or leased by
Republic.”
The Agreement contained two provisions allowing Republic to offset the cost for Tenco’s
transportation services. First, because Tenco used Republic’s tractors and trailers under the
Agreement, Republic was authorized to offset the value attributed to Tenco’s use of this
equipment against the amount owed by Republic to Tenco for transportation services, thereby
4
reducing the total amount owed by Republic to Tenco for transportation. 3 Second, the
Agreement also referenced a $117,833.10 promissory note executed by Tenco in Republic’s
favor and allowed Republic to “set off and deduct any amount due to it under the Promissory
Note from any amounts it owes [Tenco] under this Agreement.”
Both the promissory note and the Agreement bound Tenco’s “successors and assigns,”
yet prohibited assignment of Tenco’s obligations unless Republic agreed to the assignment in
writing. The promissory note, signed by Tenco on the same date that it signed the Agreement,
also referenced the setoff provision in the Agreement and stated, “This Note will be binding on
MAKER and MAKER’s respective . . . successors and assigns, and shall not be assigned by any
3
Specifically, the Agreement provided,
(b) Republic Equipment. Pursuant to that one certain Vehicle Lease Service Agreement, as
amended and including all additions thereto and the Consent Agreement & Sublessee
Acknowledgement, executed by Republic Industries, Inc., the predecessor in interest to Republic,
on or about September 23, 1994 (hereinafter "VLSA"), Republic is in possession of the tractors as
shown on the attached Appendix D (hereinafter “Republic Equipment”). Republic and Carrier
hereby agree that Carrier will use in the performance of this Agreement said Republic Equipment
as shown and listed in Appendix D. . . . Carrier shall pay Republic in full each month the actual
costs associated with said Republic Equipment, including but not limited to, any and all costs
associated with leasing, renting, operating, repairs, maintenance, licensing, registration and
insurance, for the Republic Equipment. All such costs related to Republic Equipment and due
Republic, will be withheld from any payment due to Carrier for the 4th week of each fiscal month.
If such amount due Republic exceeds the total invoiced amount due Carrier, then any remaining
balance will be withheld from the next weeks’ payment to Carrier, until the balance is paid in full.
....
(d) Trailers. Upon the effective date of this Agreement, Carrier shall assume operational
responsibility for all trailers owned and/or leased by Republic (“Republic Trailers”). Carrier
acknowledges and agrees that it has received the Republic Trailers in good order and condition as
of the Effective Date. Carrier shall pay Republic in full each month the actual costs associated
with said Republic Trailers, including but not limited to, any ancillary costs associated with
leasing, renting, operating, repairs, maintenance, licensing, registration and insurance, for the
Republic Trailers. All such costs related to Republic Equipment and due Republic, will be
withheld from any payment due to Carrier for the 2nd week of each fiscal month. If such amount
due Republic exceeds the total invoiced amount due Carrier, then any remaining balance will be
withheld from the next weeks’ payment to Carrier, until the balance is paid in full.
5
MAKER without the prior written consent of HOLDER.” The Agreement, which was “binding
on . . . the parties . . . and their respective successors,” also stated, “Neither party to this
Agreement may assign or subcontract all or any portion of its obligations hereunder to another
party without the prior written consent of the other party.” The Agreement was effective for
thirty months, and thereafter on a month-to-month basis until terminated on ninety days written
notice by either party.
At the time that the Agreement was signed, Tenco’s partners were Billy Michael Doty
and Ben Standridge. Although he was not a Republic employee, Doty officed at Republic’s
headquarters and assisted in the day-to-day business operations of Republic. Doty testified that
Republic’s in-house counsel, Mike Duncan, assisted Tenco in changing its corporate form from a
general partnership into a Texas limited liability corporation. According to Doty, Tenco was
doing business with Republic under the same Agreement. 4
All of Tenco’s transactions with Republic were documented by “Load Out Sheets” that
listed the name of the carrier, unique assigned load number, ship date, mileage traveled, delivery
date and time, recipient, and details of the load delivered. 5 When Republic’s cabinets were
delivered to the customer, the customer or person receiving the load signed a bill of lading
confirming the delivery. After the load delivery, Tenco would send Republic an invoice, and
Republic would pay the invoice after applying any offsets allowed under the Agreement.
4
Accordingly, we refer to Tenco Transportation, both the general partnership and the limited liability company as
“Tenco.”
5
The Load Out Sheets attached the bill of lading for each completed delivery.
6
Republic’s offsets under the agreement continued as contemplated by the Agreement until it
began receiving Progressive invoices in June 2011.
Progressive’s business is to collect accounts that are assigned to it by third parties.
Robert Whitaker, Progressive’s treasurer and vice president of finance, explained that
independent agents use Progressive’s load management system to input delivery data so that
Progressive can bill and collect payment on the agent’s behalf. 6
Republic received invoices on Progressive letterhead from June through late July 2011,
totaling $60,436.67. The face of the invoices did not mention the name of the carrier, and most
simply stated that the carrier’s accounts had been assigned. Each Progressive invoice contained
the unique assigned load number and separately attached Republic’s Load Out Sheets. It is
undisputed that all of the load numbers on the invoices and the matching and attached Load Out
Sheets pointed to Tenco as the carrier. Because it believed that Progressive was billing for
Tenco’s work and because the invoices contained language of assignment, Republic paid the
June-July invoices. But then, questions arose about Progressive’s role in the matter.
The invoices Republic received from Progressive from August 3 to October 17, 2011,
also did not contain the name of the carrier. Unlike the June–July invoices, language evidencing
any assignment was omitted from invoices dating August 24 through October 12, 2011.
Nevertheless, Republic still believed that Progressive was billing for Tenco’s services due to the
unique assigned load numbers on the invoices that suggested Tenco was the carrier and the
attached Load Out Sheets listing Tenco as the carrier. This time, however, according to Republic
6
According to Whitaker, Progressive also provides human resources functions and guidance with safety and
regulatory compliance.
7
employee Marsha Durham, Republic did not pay the invoices as a result of offsets allowed under
the Agreement.
From October 18 to October 31, 2011, Republic received Progressive invoices that—for
the first time—contained a BMB logo and identified the carrier as BMB. 7 Republic’s employee,
Joey Keith Little, testified that the loads identified by the invoices had been hauled, but that
Republic did not pay the invoices because it was not aware of BMB as a separate entity from
Tenco. 8 Again, the unique assigned load numbers on the invoices suggested Tenco as carrier
and the Load Out Sheets attached to these invoices identified Tenco as the carrier.
On October 27, 2011, Jeffrey Kroyer, Republic’s Senior Vice President of Operations
who managed the shipment and delivery of Republic’s products to its customers, notified
Progressive that Republic had discontinued using Tenco’s services and that the amounts due
under the Progressive invoices would be offset by the loan balance. In response, on
November 14, 2011, Progressive’s counsel, Robert R. Kasak, wrote, “Progressive . . . has no
relationship whatsoever with Tenco Transportation . . . . As a result, Progressive has no
obligation for any debts incurred by Tenco.” Indeed, Progressive’s claim was based on a
document titled “Assignment of Revenue and Carrier Service Agreement,” which showed an
7
The October 31, 2011, invoices were for work that had been completed October 25, 2011.
8
Republic sent an email to Progressive employee, Richard Domotor, to ask if BMB was Tenco. Unfortunately,
Domotor’s reply is absent from the appellate record.
8
assignment of transportation revenue from BMB to Progressive. The assignment was dated
June 9, 2011, and was signed on behalf of BMB by its owner, Patti Pyatt. 9
In reply, Kroyer wrote, “Republic recognizes Progressive as a billing agent for Tenco, as
was clarified by Tenco in June 2011. Republic has no agreement with Progressive, but instead
had an active agreement with Tenco during the time in question. All loads were tendered to
Tenco, dispatched to Tenco and delivered by Tenco.”
Because Republic learned that Progressive had no assignment agreement in Tenco’s
name and sought to collect only on behalf of BMB—a company that Republic claimed that it had
no contract with—Republic refused to pay the invoices. It chose instead to offset the cost of the
invoices pursuant to the Agreement because it believed Tenco had performed the services for
which Progressive was billing.
When Republic refused to pay the remaining invoices, Progressive sued Republic,
claiming in its verified petition that Progressive—not Tenco or BMB—found carriers and drivers
at Republic’s request, but that Republic failed to pay seventy-five invoices for those services
totaling $73,310.84. 10 Progressive’s causes of action included breach of contract and quantum
meruit. The petition attached invoices dating from August 3, 2011, to October 31, 2011, 11 with a
9
The assignment clarified that Progressive had no carrier-related duties. Instead, Progressive was simply assisting
with BMB’s billing and collection efforts in exchange for a percentage of the linehaul revenue collected.
10
Progressive’s verified claim and arguments to the trial court stated that Progressive had directly provided services
to Republic. Progressive has abandoned this position on appeal.
11
These invoices reflect work completed by the carrier from July 28 to October 25, 2011.
9
notation to remit payment to Progressive. 12 Only a few of these attached invoices contained
notice of assignment language.
In its verified answer, Republic asserted that Progressive did not find carriers or drivers
for Republic. 13 Instead, Kroyer swore on Republic’s behalf that there was no agreement between
Republic and BMB, that Progressive’s claims arose entirely from contractual dealings with third-
party, Tenco, that Tenco actually provided transportation-delivery services, that all of the
shipments and deliveries covered by Progressive’s invoices were transactions conducted between
Republic and Tenco, that Tenco owed Republic $117,833.10 pursuant to the promissory note,
that Tenco deducted the amount of the invoices from the principal and interest which it owned to
12
The invoices attached to Progressive’s petition (except for the first one), contain BMB’s logo. Kroyer swore that
Republic did not receive invoices with BMB’s logo until October 18. The invoices actually received by Republic
were attached to Kroyer’s affidavit and support his account. Progressive’s Treasurer and Vice President of Finance,
Robert Whitaker, confirmed that only the last eight invoices that Progressive sent to Republic bore the BMB logo
and that the invoices attached to Progressive’s petition had been changed after-the-fact to add BMB’s logo pursuant
to Doty’s request.
13
“Generally, pleadings are not competent evidence, even if sworn or verified.” Livingston Ford Mercury, Inc. v.
Haley, 997 S.W.2d 425, 431 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 1999, no pet.). The exception to the general rule, of course, is
found in a suit on sworn account. Id. Rule 185 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (the Rule governing suits on
sworn accounts) states,
When any action or defense is founded upon an open account . . . including any claim for a
liquidated money demand based upon written contract or founded on business dealings between
the parties, or is for personal service rendered, or labor done or labor or materials furnished, . . .
and is supported by the affidavit of the party, his agent or attorney taken before some officer
authorized to administer oaths, to the effect that such claim is, within the knowledge of affiant,
just and true, that it is due, and that all just and lawful offsets, payments and credits have been
allowed, the same shall be taken as prima facie evidence thereof, unless the party resisting such
claim shall file a written denial, under oath . . . . No particularization or description of the nature of
the component parts of the account or claim is necessary unless the trial court sustains special
exceptions to the pleadings.
TEX. R. CIV. P. 185. “It is settled . . . that a defendant’s verified denial of the correctness of a plaintiff’s sworn
account in the form required by Rule 185 destroys the evidentiary effect of the itemized account attached to the
petition and forces the plaintiff to put on proof of his claim.” Rizk v. Fin. Guardian Ins. Agency, Inc., 584 S.W.2d
860, 862 (Tex. 1979); see S. Mgmt. Servs., Inc. v. SM Energy Co., 398 S.W.3d 350, 353 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th
Dist.] 2013, no pet.).
10
Republic under the promissory note in lieu of Republic paying the invoices, and that the amounts
claimed by Progressive were not just and true. Because Progressive had admitted that Tenco had
not assigned any accounts to Progressive, Republic also filed a counter-claim against Progressive
seeking to recover for the June–July invoices that it had paid under the mistaken assumption that
Progressive was billing for Tenco’s work.
Republic then filed a motion for summary judgment seeking to negate at least one
element on all of Progressive’s claims. 14 Progressive responded that there was a genuine issue of
material fact as to whether BMB had performed the services under Tenco’s contract instead of
Tenco and that this fact issue precluded summary judgment on its suit for breach of contract and
quantum meruit. Republic’s response argued that Tenco’s obligations under the Agreement
could not be assigned and that there was no evidence BMB, instead of Tenco, performed the
work covered by Progressive’s invoices.
The trial court granted Republic’s first motion for summary judgment December 20,
2013. Thereafter, Republic filed another motion for summary judgment seeking to establish its
counterclaim and to defeat Progressive’s affirmative defenses to the counterclaim. 15 Republic
attached another affidavit from Kroyer setting forth the amount Republic paid Progressive as
14
Republic’s motion for summary judgment contained the following statements: (1) “The undisputed evidence is
that there were no agreements between the parties,” (2) “there was no valid contract between Republic and
Progressive or BMB Logistics and, accordingly, no breach,” (3) “[t]here was no account between Progressive or
BMB Logistics and Republic,” (4) “[t]he undisputed evidence in this case proves . . . the non-existence of the first
and third elements [of a suit on sworn account]—no sale and delivery of goods or services by Progressive or BMB
Logistics to Republic,” (5) “quantum meruit is not available . . . [because] Progressive and BMB Logistics did not
render services or furnish materials to Republic.” The motion for summary judgment did not discuss Republic’s
affirmative defenses of accord and satisfaction, estoppel, offset, payment, and waiver.
15
In its appellate brief, Progressive affirmatively states that it is not challenging the trial court’s summary judgment
as to these affirmative defenses.
11
evidenced by copies of the checks Republic issued to Progressive and an attorney fee affidavit
concluding that $47,646.00 was a reasonable and necessary fee and that $17,500.00 in
reasonable and necessary attorney fees would be incurred to defend an appeal.
The trial court granted Republic’s second motion for summary judgment. Thereafter, it
entered a final, take-nothing judgment against Progressive on its claims, awarded $60,436.67 on
Republic’s counterclaim, and ordered Progressive to pay $47,646.00 in attorney fees and
$17,500.00 in the event of an unsuccessful appeal.
(1) Denying Progressive’s Claims Was Proper
Progressive argues that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment denying its
claims of breach of contract and quantum meruit. We disagree.
a. Breach of Contract
The elements of a claim for breach of contract are (a) a valid, enforceable contract,
(b) performance under the contract by the claimant, (c) breach by the defendant, and (d) an injury
to the claimant caused by the breach. Werline v. E. Tex. Salt Water Disposal Co., 209 S.W.3d
888, 898 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2006), aff’d, 307 S.W.3d 267 (Tex. 2010). To establish the
first element, existence of a valid contract, the plaintiff must show (a) an offer, (b) acceptance,
(c) meeting of the minds, (d) each party’s consent to the terms, and (e) execution and delivery of
the contract with the intent that it be mutual and binding. Cessna Aircraft Co. v. Aircraft
Network, L.L.C., 213 S.W.3d 455, 465 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2006, pet. denied). Republic’s
summary judgment evidence must have conclusively established its entitlement to judgment as a
12
matter of law on the breach of contract and quantum meruit claims before the burden shifted to
Progressive to create a fact issue precluding summary judgment.
Republic relied on the Agreement, the Tenco promissory note, letters between Kroyer
and Kasak, Load Out Sheets showing Tenco as the carrier, Progressive’s interrogatory responses
stating that no relationship existed between Progressive and Tenco, and an affidavit filed by
Kroyer.
In the affidavit, Kroyer, who oversaw all performance under the Agreement on
Republic’s behalf, swore (a) that “Tenco and Republic performed under the Transportation
Agreement from April, 2008 until October, 2011”; 16 (b) that “[a]ll of the deliveries identified in
the unpaid Progressive invoices . . . were tendered by Republic to Tenco, dispatched by Tenco,
and delivered by Tenco under the [Agreement]”; (c) that none of the deliveries referenced in the
unpaid invoices were dispatched or delivered by Progressive or BMB; (d) that Republic never
entered into a contract or agreement with Progressive or BMB; (e) that Republic never requested
Progressive or BMB Logistics to provide services or goods, including, specifically, any
transportation or transportation-related services; (f) that Republic did not receive the benefit of
any services provided by Progressive or BMB; and (g) that Republic never consented that any
deliveries under the Agreement would be made by any party other than Tenco.
To create a genuine issue of material fact as to whether BMB, instead of Tenco, had
completed the work referenced in the invoices, Progressive relied on Doty’s deposition
testimony. Doty testified that Tenco was involved in several accidents, that some of the
16
Kroyer’s October 27, 2011, letter to Progressive stated that Republic had terminated its contract with Tenco.
13
accidents resulted in fatalities, and that the cost of insurance became too much for Tenco to bear.
In order to obtain a more reasonable insurance rate, Doty testified that Tenco underwent a name
change from Tenco to PBM Logistics, LLC (PBM). 17 Doty added, “When we changed company
names [Republic] w[as] informed of it beforehand, when it happened, when it was done.”
Doty testified that Tenco ceased operating under its name “when we started PBM,” but
was unsure whether Tenco was dissolved as an entity. While there was no written termination
notice with Tenco as required under the Agreement, Doty also believed that Republic ceased
doing business with Tenco and began doing business with PBM under a new transportation
agreement. 18 Even though Doty referenced a new agreement with PBM, he admitted that the
work that was being completed by PBM was always invoiced under Tenco’s name because he
“didn’t change the name on the computer.” Doty explained how he used Progressive’s load
management system. He said, “We would put the specifics of the load in there, where it was
going, when it was going to be picked up. . . . And when we completed the load, we would mark
it completed and it would final out.” The certificates of liability insurance provided by Doty to
Republic, effective from August 2010 until August 2011, identified the insureds as “PBM
Logistics, LLC and Billy M. Doty, d/b/a Tenco Transportation.” Doty believed that the inclusion
of Tenco’s name on the certificates of insurance was a mistake.
17
Because Doty was not involved with the paperwork, he was unable to clarify the process by which the name
change occurred, whether Tenco simply started doing business as PBM, or whether PBM succeeded Tenco as an
entity and was doing business under Tenco’s name.
18
There is no transportation agreement with PBM in this Court’s appellate record.
14
In the following portion of his deposition, Doty also suggested that PBM might have
changed its name to BMB.
Q. Throughout the period that you used Progressive, it’s your
testimony that it was PBM that was doing the freight hauling for Republic?
A. No, sir, it was PBM to begin, and then it went to BMB.
Q. And when did it go to BMB?
A. I don’t remember the date, but the billing changed.[19]
Q. Well, I understand --
A. -- to reflect BMB.
....
Q. Okay. And what was the reason it went from -- or it changes from
PBM to BMB?
A. We had to -- Our insurance -- You know, when we changed from --
PBM -- to BMB, we -- we were having some problems with a fatality accident.
Q. And -- Right. And when was that?
A. That happened about a year ago, I believe, a little more. I can’t
remember when it was. It . . . [m]ust have been in the winter of ‘11, yes, sir.
Doty testified that PBM went out of business sometime in 2011, and “then it went to
BMB.” The following discussion shed some light on Doty’s statement:
Q. How did Republic become a customer of BMB?
19
Doty did not further clarify when the billing changed.
15
A. We changed over. I went and told them. I said, “Listen, we’re
going to BMB. Progressive is still going to bill you just as always. They will
only -- it will be as -- billed as BMB,” and I told them why.
Q. And who did you tell this to?
A. I told it to everybody that I normally talk to.
Q. Tell me the names of the people you told this.
A. Jeff Kroyer, Brian Roper, Joey Little, LaSonya Williams.
Anybody I did normal -- you know, I didn’t discuss it with the plant manager or
anybody.
Q. I understand.
A. Everybody that was in the loop as far as -- as the business part of
it, I -- I told them straight up about it. There’s no secrets.
Q. When did BMB start doing business in the -- in the freight
shipping business?
A. I’m not -- I’m not real sure.
Q. What year?
A. It was in -- had to have been in 2012, I believe.
Q. This year?
A. I -- I may be wrong about that.
Doty agreed that Republic never entered into a new agreement with BMB even though Republic
required a written Transportation Agreement with every carrier. Yet, Doty testified,
[O]ur trucks had the correct company name on the side of them from the first day,
you know. The insurance that we provided had the correct name on it from the
first day. This paperwork like this was not a -- you know, just a minor oversight.
It didn’t matter to anybody. Everybody knew what was going on.
16
Here, it is undisputed that Republic had no written contract with BMB or Progressive,
and, to avoid any offset that would be allowed under the Agreement, Progressive denied any
relationship with either Tenco or its successor companies, if any. The Agreement obligated
Tenco to provide all of Republic’s transportation needs and required Republic’s written consent
before any assignment of Tenco’s obligations under the contract. Kroyer swore that Tenco
actually provided transportation services referenced in Progressive’s invoices, as demonstrated
by the Load Out Sheets. He also swore that Republic never consented for any deliveries under
the Agreement to be made by any company other than Tenco. Republic’s evidence demonstrated
that there was no valid, enforceable contract with BMB during the timeframe referenced in
Progressive’s invoices.
In the face of this evidence, Progressive was required to raise a genuine issue of material
fact showing that BMB completed the work referenced in the invoices instead of Tenco.
Contrary to Progressive’s arguments, we find that Doty’s testimony fell short of meeting this
task. Doty did not speak about the specific invoices at issue in this lawsuit and never stated that
BMB, as an entity separate and apart from Tenco or its successor companies, did the work for
Republic during the time period in question.
In order to raise a genuine issue of material fact, Progressive was required to bring forth
some evidence showing that Republic engaged BMB’s services before October 25, 2011—the
last delivery date referenced on Progressive’s invoices to Republic. Here, Doty merely said that
PBM went out of business sometime in 2011 and “then it went to BMB.” Doty failed to state
whether PBM went out of business before or after Republic received Progressive’s invoices.
17
Although he stated that the company name changed from PBM to BMB because it was having
problems with a fatality accident that occurred in the winter of 2011, Doty did not state that
Republic engaged BMB in the winter of 2011 to provide freight services. In fact, Doty testified
that it was not until 2012—well after Republic received Progressive’s invoices—that BMB
actually began doing business and that Republic was made aware of BMB.
Further, Doty’s assertion that “it went to BMB” fails to negate Kroyer’s affidavit that
Republic never engaged BMB’s services before October 25, 2011. At the time of his deposition
on October 22, 2012, Doty testified that he worked for BMB as a mechanic and that he had been
employed by BMB for only around six months. Further, because he was neither an employee of
Republic nor employed by BMB in any capacity other than a mechanic, there is no evidence
suggesting that Doty could bind either Republic or BMB to a transportation agreement.
Moreover, taking the evidence in the light most favorable to Progressive, Doty’s
testimony establishes, at best, that Republic was aware of PBM before receiving Progressive’s
invoices, that Republic might have been doing business with PBM, and that PBM might have
changed its name to BMB at some point. 20 If either Tenco had been dissolved and replaced by
PBM or BMB, or Tenco’s name was changed to PBM and then to BMB, the obligations under
the promissory note and the Agreement did not change. In any event, Progressive’s evidence
does not suggest that Republic engaged BMB’s services until 2012.
20
We note that the BMB assignment was signed by BMB’s owner, Patti Pyatt—not Doty or Standridge. There is no
evidence of any relationship between Pyatt and Doty or Standridge.
18
A genuine issue of material fact exists if more than a scintilla of evidence establishing the
existence of the challenged element is produced. King Ranch, Inc. v. Chapman, 118 S.W.3d
742, 751 (Tex. 2003). More than a scintilla of evidence exists when the evidence “rises to a
level that would enable reasonable and fair-minded people to differ in their conclusions.” Id. On
the other hand, the evidence amounts to no more than a scintilla if it is “so weak as to do no more
than create a mere surmise or suspicion” of fact. Id. Based on the record before us, we find that
Republic conclusively established that BMB did not perform the services referenced in
Progressive’s invoices and that Progressive did not create a genuine issue of material fact
suggesting otherwise. 21 Consequently, we find proper the trial court’s summary judgment
against Progressive on its claim of breach of contract.
21
After the trial court had entered its summary judgment on the breach of contract claim, Progressive asked the trial
court to reconsider the possibility of an implied contract. ‘“The elements of a contract, express or implied, are
identical’; there must be an offer, an acceptance, a meeting of the minds, each party’s consent to the terms, and
execution and delivery of the contract with the intent that it be mutually binding.” Plotkin v. Joekel, 304 S.W.3d
455, 476 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2009, pet. denied) (quoting Univ. Nat’l Bank v. Ernst & Whinney, 773
S.W.2d 707, 710 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1989, no writ)). “[T]he real difference between express contracts and
those implied in fact is in the character and manner of proof required to establish them.” Haws & Garrett Gen.
Contractors, Inc. v. Gorbett Bros. Welding Co., 480 S.W.2d 607, 609 (Tex. 1972). “In each instance there must be
shown the element of mutual agreement which, in the case of an implied contract, is inferred from the
circumstances.” Id.; see Angeles v. Brownsville Valley Reg’l Med. Ctr., Inc., 960 S.W.2d 854, 859 (Tex. App.—
Corpus Christi 1997, pet. denied) (“An implied contract arises from the dealings of the parties, from which the facts
show that the minds of the parties met on the terms of the contract without any legally expressed agreement
thereto.”). Here, Progressive’s claims on the invoices relied on the charges anticipated by Republic pursuant to the
Agreement. There is no contention that BMB adopted the terms and conditions of the Agreement or that there were
any dealings between BMB and Republic prior to October 25, 2011. Progressive did not plead the implied contract
theory and presented no evidence of any offer to or from BMB, and no evidence of a meeting of the minds on any
terms of a transportation agreement between Republic and BMB. See Stern v. Wonzer, 846 S.W.2d 939, 945 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1993, no writ) (holding failing to plead implied contract theory prevented appellants from
raising issue on appeal even though argument on implied contract was made before trial court); see also Hill v.
Aldrich, 242 S.W.2d 465, 466 (Tex. Civ. App.—San Antonio 1951, writ dism’d); Henderson v. Davis, 191 S.W.
358, 359 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1917, no pet.).
19
b. Quantum Meruit
The doctrine of quantum meruit is based on the equitable principle that a party deserves
to be paid for the services or materials furnished to one who knowingly accepts them. See
Heldenfels Bros., Inc. v. City of Corpus Christi, 832 S.W.2d 39, 41 (Tex. 1992); Davidson v.
Clearman, 391 S.W.2d 48, 49 (Tex. 1965). This remedy is based on the promise implied by law
to pay for beneficial services rendered and accepted. Davidson, 391 S.W.2d at 49; see Campbell
v. Nw. Nat’l Life Ins. Co., 573 S.W.2d 496, 498 (Tex. 1978). To recover under the doctrine of
quantum meruit, Progressive was required to establish that (a) valuable services and/or materials
were furnished, (b) to the party sought to be charged, (c) which were accepted by the party
sought to be charged, and (d) under such circumstances as reasonably notified the recipient that
BMB, in performing, expected to be paid by the recipient. See Bashara v. Baptist Mem’l Hosp.
Sys., 685 S.W.2d 307, 310 (Tex. 1985); Heldenfels Bros., Inc., 832 S.W.2d at 41 (quoting City of
Ingleside v. Stewart, 554 S.W.2d 939, 943 (Tex. Civ. App.—Corpus Christi 1977, writ ref’d
n.r.e.)).
As explained above, Kroyer’s affidavit swore that Republic had no dealings with BMB
before October 25, 2011. Doty’s testimony established that BMB began doing business in 2012
and that Republic was made aware of BMB in 2012. Our review of the summary judgment
evidence leads us to conclude that BMB did not perform services for Republic before
October 25, 2011, under such circumstances as reasonably notified Republic that BMB expected
to be paid by Republic for those services. Rather, the evidence established that, pursuant to the
Agreement, Tenco or its successors performed the services referenced in Progressive’s invoices.
20
Therefore, we find that the trial court’s summary judgment against Progressive on its claim for
quantum meruit was proper. 22
(2) Awarding Republic Recovery on Its Overpayments Was Proper
After Republic secured the first summary judgment, it filed a traditional summary
judgment on its claim for money had and received for the June–July paid invoices. ‘“Money had
and received’ is an equitable doctrine applied to prevent unjust enrichment.” Phippen v. Deere
& Co., 965 S.W.2d 713, 725 n.1 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1998, no writ). “An action for money
had and received arises when one person obtains money which in equity and good conscience
belongs to another, . . . and it belongs conceptually to the doctrine of unjust enrichment.” Id.
Whittaker testified that the invoices Progressive had sent to Republic for the first seven
weeks were pursuant to an assignment from Redden Transportation. Doty never mentioned
Redden Transportation in his deposition, and there was no evidence suggesting that it was
somehow related to Tenco, PBM, or BMB. Kroyer filed an affidavit setting forth the amounts
Republic paid to Progressive and attached copies of checks supporting the figure. Progressive
did not “dispute that it was paid $60,436.67” for the June–July invoices. In response to a request
22
We also note that a plaintiff who seeks to recover the reasonable value of services rendered or materials supplied
will be permitted to recover in quantum meruit or unjust enrichment only when there is no express contract covering
those services or materials. Fortune Prod. Co. v. Conoco, Inc., 52 S.W.3d 671, 683–84 (Tex. 2000). When a valid
agreement already addresses the matter, there can be no recovery for unjust enrichment or quantum meruit if the
same subject is covered by the express contract. TransAmerican Natural Gas Corp. v. Finkelstein, 933 S.W.2d 591,
600 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1996, writ denied); Lone Star Steel Co. v. Scott, 759 S.W.2d 144, 154 (Tex. App.—
Texarkana 1988, writ denied). Corporate structures have meaning. Doty’s testimony did not clarify the question
that Republic initially asked Domotor—whether BMB was Tenco. If Tenco just ceased operating under its name
and Tenco still existed as an entity, the Agreement—including the obligation under the promissory note and right of
setoff—applied. If Tenco was truly succeeded by BMB as an entity, then the Agreement still applied. Under either
of these scenarios, the equitable remedy of quantum meruit would be unavailable. However, if Tenco was an entity
separate and apart from BMB, then, because Doty could not bind Republic, Progressive was required to show some
engagement between Republic and BMB, which it did not do.
21
to “identify who assigned to Progressive the invoices sent to Republic, copies of which are
Bates-stamped ‘Republic 00301-00346,’” Progressive admitted that “there was no assignment.”
The Bates-stamp references established that there was no assignment of the paid June–July
invoices. 23 Therefore, because Progressive admitted that it had no assignment from anyone to
collect these invoices, and because Republic conclusively established that BMB did not do the
work referenced in the invoices, Republic met its burden to show that the money for the June–
July invoices did not belong to Progressive. Accordingly, we find that the trial court’s summary
judgment in favor of Republic on its overpayment claim was proper.
(3) Republic Was Not Entitled To Recover Attorney Fees
Texas law does not allow recovery of attorney fees unless authorized by statute or
contract. Tony Gullo Motors I, L.P. v. Chapa, 212 S.W.3d 299, 310 (Tex. 2006). Because
Republic could not recover attorney fees for defeating Progressive’s claims, Republic sought to
recover attorney fees on its counterclaim. See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 38.001
(West 2008); Ashford Partners, Ltd. v. ECO Res., Inc., 401 S.W.3d 35, 40–41 (Tex. 2012). In
this regard, Republic’s counsel, Joe Chumlea, filed an attorney fee affidavit swearing that the
fees incurred in defending against Progressive’s claims were necessary to Republic’s
counterclaim for money had and received. In other words, he claimed that “all of the legal
services [provided in the case] . . . would have been necessary even if Republic’s counterclaim
was the only matter filed in this suit.” Relying on Chumlea’s affidavit, the trial court awarded
Republic $47,646.00—the amount it spent on attorney fees for the entire litigation.
23
Further, the first five June invoices were for work that was completed before BMB’s assignment to Progressive.
22
However, Progressive argues that attorney fees are not available on a claim for money
had and received since there is no statute or contract specifically allowing for their recovery
under that cause of action. Republic argues that it sought attorney fees on its counterclaim under
Section 38.001(4) of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, providing for recovery of
reasonable attorney fees “if the claim is for: . . . (4) freight or express overcharges.” See TEX.
CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 38.001(4).
Republic argues that Progressive sent seventy-five invoices for freight charges, even
though Progressive admitted that it had no assignment of the June–July invoices and that it was
generally billing for work performed by another company that had not assigned its accounts to
Progressive. Thus, Republic argues that its counterclaim was for a freight or express overcharge.
Progressive counters by arguing that Republic complained only that the charges were mislabeled
as BMB’s charges instead of Tenco’s and that there was no claim that the invoice charges were
unjust or too high. Thus, we must determine whether a misdirected charge equals an overcharge.
We begin by noting that the prior versions of Section 38.001, which were enacted before
1977, addressed only the issue of when a party could recover attorney fees on a claim for breach
of contract. G.R.A.V.I.T.Y. Enters., Inc. v. Reece Supply Co., 177 S.W.3d 537, 547 n.3 (Tex.
App.—Dallas 2005, no pet.). Under the prior iterations of the statute, a party was not entitled to
recover attorney fees for breach of contract unless the breached contract concerned personal
services rendered, labor performed, material furnished, overcharges for freight or express, lost or
damaged freight or express, or killed or injured stock—items that later became part of the current
Section 38.001 list. Id. The cases specifically addressing recovery of attorney fees for freight or
23
express overcharges all involve lawsuits between shippers and carriers where the typical
recovery was sought from the carrier who had overcharged for its services. See generally Sw.
Motor Transport Co. v. Valley Weathermakers, Inc., 427 S.W.2d 597 (Tex. 1968); Nationwide
Horse Carriers, Inc. v. Johnston, 519 S.W.2d 163 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1975, writ
ref’d n.r.e.); Strickland Transp. Co. v. Kool Kooshion Mfg. Co., 230 S.W.2d 277 (Tex. Civ.
App.—Fort Worth 1950, no writ). This is because the carrier’s charge must ultimately come
from the carrier, which, it is assumed, has some sort of an agreement to carry goods for the
shipper.
Because statutes authorizing the award of attorney fees are penal in nature and in
derogation of the common law, we must strictly construe them. New Amsterdam Cas. Co. v. Tex.
Indus., Inc., 414 S.W.2d 914, 915 (Tex. 1967). Under Section 38.001, the claim must be for a
freight or express overcharge. Here, the claim was for money had and received. As explained
by Doty, the charges for the carrier services were entered by him. Thus, compensation for an
overcharge could have been recovered from the carrier only. By securing a summary judgment
on its counterclaim, Republic did not absolve itself of liability of paying for the services of a
carrier, it merely established that, because BMB was not the carrier, Progressive was not entitled
to recover for the June–July invoices. The fact that Republic paid the June–July invoices does
not transform the gravamen of Republic’s complaint into one involving a carrier overcharge.
Given the history and common application of the provision at issue here, we hold that Section
38.001(4) does not authorize recovery from a collection agency for freight charges made by a
carrier when the shipper does not complain that the carrier’s charges constituted overcharges.
24
Therefore, we sustain Progressive’s last point of error, and reverse the trial court’s award of
attorney fees.
We modify the trial court’s final judgment by deleting the award of attorney fees and
affirm the trial court’s judgment as modified.
Josh R. Morriss, III
Chief Justice
Date Submitted: November 10, 2014
Date Decided: February 5, 2015
25