Summary
noting that the existence of a partnership depends upon, inter alia, the express or implied intent of the parties
Summary of this case from Wilson v. DantasOpinion
2013-02-8
Richard BIANCHI, Angelo Bianchi and Joseph Errigo, Plaintiffs–Respondents, v. MIDTOWN REPORTING SERVICE, INC., doing business as Midtown Reporting Service, Defendant–Appellant.
Ernstrom & Dreste, LLP, Rochester (Timothy D. Boldt of Counsel), for Defendant–Appellant. Schiano Law Office, P.C., Rochester (Charles A. Schiano, Sr., of Counsel), for Plaintiffs–Respondents.
Ernstrom & Dreste, LLP, Rochester (Timothy D. Boldt of Counsel), for Defendant–Appellant. Schiano Law Office, P.C., Rochester (Charles A. Schiano, Sr., of Counsel), for Plaintiffs–Respondents.
PRESENT: FAHEY, J.P., CARNI, LINDLEY, AND SCONIERS, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:
Plaintiffs commenced this action alleging the breach of a partnership agreement and fraud, and seeking an accounting with respect to a court reporting business that operated as Midtown Reporting Service. We reject defendant's contention that Supreme Court erred in denying that part of its motion for summary judgment dismissing the causes of action alleging breach of a partnership agreement and seeking an accounting. Although defendant is correct in asserting that “a joint venture may not be carried on by individuals through a corporate form” ( Weisman v. Awnair Corp. of Am., 3 N.Y.2d 444, 449, 165 N.Y.S.2d 745, 144 N.E.2d 415), that principle set forth in Weisman “has been qualified” ( Blank v. Blank, 222 A.D.2d 851, 852, 634 N.Y.S.2d 886), and thus defendant is not entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Where, as here, “ there is no written partnership agreement between the parties, the court must determine whether a partnership in fact existed from the conduct, intention, and relationship between the parties” ( Czernicki v. Lawniczak, 74 A.D.3d 1121, 1124, 904 N.Y.S.2d 127). “In deciding whether a partnership exists, the factors to be considered are the intent of [those individuals] (express or implied), whether there was joint control and management of the business, whether there was a sharing of the profits as well as a sharing of the losses[ ] and whether there was a combination of property, skill or knowledge ... No one factor is determinative; it is necessary to examine the ... relationship as a whole” ( Griffith Energy, Inc. v. Evans, 85 A.D.3d 1564, 1565, 925 N.Y.S.2d 282 [internal quotation marks omitted] ). Based on this record, we conclude that there are issues of fact whether a partnership existed and, if so, whether the partnership agreement was breached. Given those issues of fact, plaintiffs likewise have a viable cause of action for an accounting ( see generally Bouley v. Bouley, 19 A.D.3d 1049, 1051, 797 N.Y.S.2d 221).
We agree with defendant, however, that the court erred in denying that part of its motion with respect to the first cause of action, for fraud. We therefore modify the order accordingly. To prevail on a cause of action for fraud, plaintiffs must prove “a material misrepresentation of a fact, knowledge of its falsity, an intent to induce reliance, justifiable reliance by the plaintiff[s] and damages” ( Eurycleia Partners, LP v. Seward & Kissel, LLP, 12 N.Y.3d 553, 559, 883 N.Y.S.2d 147, 910 N.E.2d 976;see Ross v. Louise Wise Servs., Inc., 8 N.Y.3d 478, 488, 836 N.Y.S.2d 509, 868 N.E.2d 189;Lama Holding Co. v. Smith Barney, 88 N.Y.2d 413, 421, 646 N.Y.S.2d 76, 668 N.E.2d 1370). Defendant met its initial burden of establishing its entitlement to judgment as a matter of law with respect to the cause of action for fraud, and plaintiffs failed to raise an issue of fact in opposition ( see generally Zuckerman v. City of New York, 49 N.Y.2d 557, 562, 427 N.Y.S.2d 595, 404 N.E.2d 718).
It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously modified on the law by granting defendant's motion in part and dismissing the first cause of action and as modified the order is affirmed without costs.