Barnett v. Branch & Associates, Inc.

By JUDGE KENNETH I. DEVORE

This matter is before the Court on the defendant’s, Smithey & Boynton, demurrer, VPI & SU’s (VPI) motion to dismiss, and Branch & Associates, Inc.’s motion to stay pending arbitration and motion to compel arbitration.

In March of 1986, Smithey & Boynton entered into a contract with VPI, pursuant to which Smithey & Boynton provided certain architectural services in connection with the design and renovation to the Squires Student Center located on the VPI campus. In the fail of 1988, VPI employed Branch & Associates (Branch), a general contractor, to build the Squires…