Opinion ID: 561894
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Lavender and White's Appeal

Text: 14 The jury awarded Lavender and White $225,068.80 in damages on their counterclaim for intentional interference with contractual or business relations. The district judge set aside the factual finding of intentional interference, and Lavender and White appeal that decision. We apply the same standard of review on this issue that we used to consider Chrysler's motion for JNOV, which is whether the facts and inferences point so strongly in favor of Chrysler that no reasonable jury could reach a contrary verdict. See Carter v. City of Miami, 870 F.2d at 581. 15 The Supreme Court of Alabama requires proof of five elements to maintain a claim for intentional interference with contractual or business relations. The elements are: (1) the existence of a contract or business relation; (2) defendant's knowledge of the existence of that relationship; (3) intentional interference in the relationship by the defendant; (4) an absence of justification for the interference; and (5) damage to the plaintiff as the result of defendant's interference. Gross v. Lowder Realty Better Homes and Gardens, 494 So.2d 590, 597 (Ala.1986). 16 Lavender and White contend that Chrysler intentionally interfered in ABC's relationship with SSI when it told Groh that ABC was in danger of defaulting on the lease agreement. Lavender and White argued at trial that Chrysler abused its position as a creditor of ABC by improperly providing credit information to SSI without ABC's knowledge or approval. 17 It is undisputed that ABC and SSI had a business relationship and that Chrysler knew the relationship existed. A jury could also reasonably conclude that Chrysler interfered in the relationship. However, there is no evidence in the record that any interference was intentional and unjustified. Chrysler acted to protect its interest in the lease agreement, and Lavender and White did not offer any evidence showing that Chrysler deliberately attempted to interfere in ABC's relationship with SSI. 18 Lavender and White also alleged that they were damaged by the interference in the amount of Chrysler's claimed damages under the lease. Brief of Appellees/Cross Appellants Larry C. Lavender and James H. White, III at 27. They offered no proof of damages at trial, however, and any damages resulting from the lease evaporated when the jury excused ABC from further performance on the agreement. Without proof of damages, the claim of intentional interference cannot stand. See Gross, 494 So.2d at 597. Accordingly, we AFFIRM the district court's decision to set aside the jury's finding of intentional interference. 19 AFFIRMED.