Opinion ID: 1964882
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Interference with Contractual Relations and Prospective Advantage

Text: Dr. Paul alleged that the four individual appelleesWalker, Momoh, Johnson, and Harrisintentionally interfered with her right to contractual relations with Howard University and that they and the University interfered with prospective advantages and contractual relations between herself and two independent companies. To establish a prima facie case of intentional interference with contractual relations, Dr. Paul had the burden of showing (1) the existence of a contract; (2) knowledge of the contract; (3) intentional procurement of a breach of the contract; and (4) damages resulting from the breach. [23] Sorrells v. Garfinckel's, Brooks Brothers, Miller & Rhoads, Inc., 565 A.2d 285, 289 (D.C.1989) (citation omitted). Running parallel with this tort is the tort known as interference with prospective business advantage. Brown v. Carr, 503 A.2d 1241, 1247 (D.C.1986). To establish a prima facie case of interference with prospective advantage, Dr. Paul had to show that the interference was intentional and that there was resulting damage. Alfred A. Altimont, Inc. v. Chatelain, Samperton & Nolan, 374 A.2d 284, 289 (D.C.1977). We first address Dr. Paul's contention that the four individual appellees interfered with her contractual relations with the University. In Press v. Howard University, 540 A.2d 733 (D.C.1988), we held that officers of a University act as the University's agents and thus cannot be held liable for tortiously interfering with a contract between the University and a third party. Id. at 736 (the University through their actions could not tortiously interfere with its own contract (citing cases)); accord, Nickens, supra note 16, 600 A.2d at 819-820. Other supervisory employees may lawfully interfere with a contract between their employer and a third person, but only for proper purposes. Sorrells, 565 A.2d at 291. Therefore, in order to recover for interference with contractual relations by a supervisor who is not an officer, a plaintiff must present evidence that the supervisor acted with malice. Id. at 291-292. Dr. Paul contends that Walker, Momoh, Johnson, and Harris intentionally interfered with her alleged right to indefinite tenure and to equal employment opportunity at Howard University. Once again we reiterate that Dr. Paul had no contractual right to indefinite tenure; hence the four individual appellees could not have interfered with her contractual relations with the University on that ground. As to her other allegations of unfair treatment, there is no evidence in the record that these appellees intentionally interfered with the University's performance of any contract with Dr. Paul, that any of them acted with malice, [24] or that Dr. Paul suffered pecuniary loss from any alleged malicious conduct. [25] Consequently, there was insufficient evidence to sustain Dr. Paul's claim that appellees intentionally interfered with her contractual relations with the University. Dr. Paul also contends that appellees interfered with her prospective advantages and contractual relations with two independent companies, Martin Marietta Corporation and Communications Satellite Corporation (Comsat). The record is almost totally devoid of any evidence that even mentions these companies. The only references to Martin Marietta are in a letter from Dr. Walker dated July 21, 1994, stating that he was unable to approve an application to submit a proposal to Martin Marietta Government Electronic Systems and a letter from Dr. Paul herself to Dr. Ladner, Interim President of the University, requesting that she resolve the Martin Marietta matter before the contract is lost for Howard University. From these letters it appears that Dr. Paul was attempting to submit a proposal to Martin Marietta for a grant to the University, and that the University refused to give her the necessary authority to write the proposal. The sole reference to Comsat in the record is in a memorandum making arrangements for another employee to manage a grant from Comsat after Dr. Paul's lecturer contract had ended. As to both contracts, it appears that Dr. Paul was working on behalf of the University to secure and/or manage grants to the University. There is no evidence whatever that Dr. Paul personally had a contract, or even a prospective contract, with either company. Since appellees cannot be held liable for interfering with the University's relations with Martin Marietta and Comsat, see Press, supra, summary judgment on these claims was appropriately granted.