Opinion ID: 752950
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Trial and the Judgment as a Matter of Law

Text: 39 A jury trial on Hannex's first two causes of action was held from September 30 to October 4, 1996, with Judge Nicholas Tsoucalas presiding. At the close of the presentation of all evidence on liability, but prior to presentation of evidence concerning damages, closing arguments or a jury verdict, the Defendants moved for judgment as a matter of law pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50(a). The district court granted this motion. In granting Defendants judgment on the first cause of action, the court reasoned, somewhat unclearly, that the evidence did not support an inference that Defendants participated in any breach of fiduciary duty by Salvo. With regard to the second cause of action, the district court ruled that there is no evidence whatsoever to support Hannex's allegation that GMI, Gallen and Brockway interfered with Hannex's prospective contractual relations with S & S Japan. The court reasoned that where certain conduct advances a competitor's independent business interest, any interference is not actionable unless the means employed included or include criminal or fraudulent conduct. The court found that no such conduct took place in this case. Further, the court found that Yamaguchi terminated Hannex because he was dissatisfied. Accordingly, the district court granted judgment to Defendants on the tortious interference with contractual and prospective business relations claim as well. 40 This appeal followed.