Opinion ID: 1640631
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Directed verdict for individual partners.

Text: Defendants' motion for directed verdict, made at the conclusion of Kristerin's evidence, was made on behalf of Granson and the individual partners. No separate grounds were advanced on behalf of the partners. Trial court, without assigning a reason and without a separate ruling on each ground as required by Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 118, directed a verdict for the partners. Under Iowa Code section 544.15 each partner is jointly and severally liable for the obligations of the partnership and may be joined as a defendant with the firm. Assuming a judgment against a partnership, due process would require a plaintiff to bring a new action on the original cause against partners not served or appearing in the original suit. See Cody v. J.A. Dodds & Sons, 252 Iowa 1394, 1398, 110 N.W.2d 255, 257 (1961); see also Iowa R.Civ.P. 4. Kristerin in this case did join the partners and in the circumstances their fate rode with the fate of the partnership. Trial court erred in directing the verdict in their favor.