Opinion
No. 71908
OPINION FILED: April 21, 1998.
APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY, HON. PATRICK CLIFFORD, JUDGE.
Michael A. Becker, Helfrey, Simon Jones, P.C., Yates, L.L.C., St. Louis, for plaintiffs/appellants.
Frank Susman, Kenneth B. Newman, Susman, Schermer, Rimmel Shifrin, L.L.C., Garry McCubbin, Warren W. Friedman, Jim R. Barkalow, Law Office of Warren W. Friedman, St. Louis, for defendants/respondents.
Crahan, C.J., Russell, J., and James R. Dowd, J., concurring.
Plaintiffs Vince and Margaret Manzer appeal from the trial court's order dismissing their shareholder derivative lawsuit with prejudice.
Although not raised by the parties, we must determine sua sponte whether this court has jurisdiction to hear the present appeal. McKean v. St. Louis County, 936 S.W.2d 184, 185 (Mo. App. E.D. 1996). Only rulings denominated as "judgments" are final and appealable. Rule 74.01(a) provides:
"Judgment" as used in these rules includes a decree and any order from which an appeal lies. A judgment is rendered when entered. A judgment is entered when a writing signed by the judge and denominated "judgment" is filed. The judgment may be a separate document or included on the docket sheet of the case.
(emphasis added); see also City of St. Louis v. Hughes, 950 S.W.2d 850, 853 (Mo. banc 1997).
After carefully searching the record, we find that the order fails to satisfy the requirements of Rule 74.01(a). Although signed by the trial judge, the order was not denominated a "judgment." Consequently, this appeal must be dismissed. Hughes, 950 S.W.2d at 852-53.
So ordered.