Hartwell Corp. v. Smith

SWANSTROM, Judge.

The Hartwell Corporation sued Edgar Smith, a former employee, to recover on a promissory note. Smith counterclaimed for the reasonable value of his services to the Corporation. At trial, when the evidence was in, the district court ruled Smith had failed to prove the defenses he had pled to the note. Therefore, the court directed the jury to find for the Corporation on its complaint. The jury was further instructed to determine the amount to which the Corporation was entitled under the note and whether Smith should prevail on his counterclaim. The jury awarded the Corporation…