Opinion ID: 184023
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Interference with Business Expectancy

Text: Drew Memorial's contractual discretion is also fatal to Dr. Schueller's tortious interference claim under Arkansas law. In order to establish a claim for tortious interference with a contract, a plaintiff must establish (1) the existence of a valid contractual relationship; (2) knowledge of the relationship on the part of the third party; (3) intentional and improper interference by that third party inducing or causing a breach or termination of the relationship; and (4) resulting damage to the plaintiff. Palmer v. Ark. Council on Econ. Educ., 344 Ark. 461, 40 S.W.3d 784, 791 (2001); see also Mason v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 333 Ark. 3, 969 S.W.2d 160, 162-65 (1998) (analyzing the impropriety requirement). [A] successful claim for interference with a contractual relation must allege and prove that a third person did not enter into or failed to continue a contractual relationship with the claimant as a result of the unauthorized conduct of the defendant. Palmer, 40 S.W.3d at 791. We agree with the district court that Drew Memorial's plenary right to request Dr. Schueller's removal prevents Dr. Schueller from establishing a prima facie case of tortious interference under Arkansas law. The independent contractor agreement on which Dr. Schueller bases his claim expressly authorized Drew Memorial to request his removal from service. Dr. Schueller has failed to produce any evidence Drew Memorial improperly interfered with the independent contractor agreement by exercising its contractual rights in response to continuing complaints from its patients. The district court correctly granted summary judgment in favor of Drew Memorial. [4]