Gordon Ripps v. D. Leon Powers

Appellant/Cross-Appellee Gordon Ripps and Appellee/Cross-Appellant Leon Powers appeal the district court’s grant of summary judgment on all breach of contract and related claims in this diversity case. Ripps and Powers undertook a business relationship in the mid-1990s, established first by an oral joint development agreement. A more narrow written agreement creating joint ownership of specific development interests followed in 1999.

The joint venturers were unable to abide by the terms of their agreements. Ripps sued first, claiming Powers breached the written agreement. Powers asserted…