Spectrum Cleaning Services Inc. v. Blalack

Decision Date23 March 1999
Docket NumberNo. 73140,73140
Citation990 S.W.2d 656
PartiesSPECTRUM CLEANING SERVICES INC., Appellant, v. Marc BLALACK, Respondent.
CourtMissouri Court of Appeals

Roger Pecha, Clayton, for appellant.

William Thomas Quick, Clayton, for respondent.

LAWRENCE E. MOONEY, Judge.

Spectrum Carpet Cleaning & Dyeing, Inc. ("Employer") appeals from the trial court's order denying its petition for a preliminary injunction. We dismiss the appeal.

Employer filed a verified petition for injunctive relief seeking to enforce a non-compete agreement against a former employee, Marc Blalack. In addition to seeking injunctive relief, Employer's petition also set forth causes of action sounding in breach of contract, quantum meruit, breach of fiduciary duty, and tortious interference with business relationships and expectancies. The trial court initially issued a temporary restraining order enforcing the terms of the non-compete agreement against the former employee. However, following a hearing, the trial court dissolved the temporary restraining order as improvidently granted and denied Employer's request for a preliminary injunction. The trial court determined that the non-compete agreement was unenforceable, because it was too broad in territorial reach and length of time of restraint, and because the court was unpersuaded that the former employee had gained any proprietary information from his employment.

Employer moved to have the cause certified for immediate appeal pursuant to Rule 74.01(b). In its Motion for Certification, Employer argued that the trial court's finding that the non-compete agreement was unenforceable ultimately disposed of all of its claims, thereby constituting a final judgment. The trial court certified the cause for immediate appeal stating that there was no just reason for delay. Employer timely filed this appeal.

In its sole point on appeal, Employer argues that the trial court erred in denying its application for a preliminary injunction in that the trial court misapplied the law in holding that the non-compete agreement was too broad in geographic scope and duration and that Employer had no protectable business interest. We need not reach this question.

Although Employer, the only party to file a brief on appeal, has not raised the issue, we must determine sua sponte whether the trial court had authority to certify its judgment as appealable under 74.01(b) as this question relates to...

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4 cases
  • Carleton Properties, LLC v. Patterson
    • United States
    • Missouri Court of Appeals
    • February 22, 2010
    ...S.W.3d 801, 803-04 (Mo.App.2006); Hair Kraz, Inc., v. Schuchardt, 131 S.W.3d 854, 854-55 (Mo.App.2004); Spectrum Cleaning Services, Inc., v. Blalack, 990 S.W.2d 656, 658 (Mo.App.1999); C.M. Brown & Associates, Inc., v. King, 662 S.W.2d 572, 573 (Mo.App.1983); Simms v. Ford Motor Credit Co.,......
  • Hall v. Missouri Board of Parole
    • United States
    • Missouri Court of Appeals
    • December 7, 1999
    ...February 25, 1999. Appellant's Points Relied On Because we must determine our jurisdiction, sua sponte, Spectrum Cleaning Servs., Inc. v. Blalack, 990 S.W.2d 656, 658 (Mo. App. 1999); Clay County by County Comm'n v. Harley & Susie Bogue, Inc., 988 S.W.2d 102, 108 (Mo. App. 1999), we initial......
  • Pointer v. Washington, ED 86169.
    • United States
    • Missouri Court of Appeals
    • March 14, 2006
    ...order or denying a preliminary injunction is interlocutory in nature and thus is not appealable. Spectrum Cleaning Servs. Inc. v. Blalack, 990 S.W.2d 656, 658 (Mo. App. E.D.1999). Until a permanent injunction is granted after a final disposition on the merits of the case, no final judgment ......
  • Church of God v. Secured Housing
    • United States
    • Missouri Court of Appeals
    • February 27, 2001
    ...judgment, meaning one that disposes of all claims and parties leaving nothing for further determination." Spectrum Cleaning Services v. Blalack, 990 S.W.2d 656, 658 (Mo.App.E.D. 1999). Appellate courts must dismiss an appeal for lack of jurisdiction, if the trial court's judgment is not fin......

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