Dearing, Inc. v. Spiller

OPINION

DAY, Justice.

Defendants Dearing, Inc. and Royal Petroleum Corporation appeal from an adverse judgment based upon jury findings that they breached their duty of utmost good faith. Plaintiffs sought, and were awarded a variety of damages, including exemplary damages against both defendants. We affirm.

In 1943, a 600-acre tract of land owned by the Haag family was conveyed to R.H. Dearing & Sons. The deed conveyed the property in its entirety to Dearing but reserved to the Haags an undivided ⅝ interest in the minerals. The lease also granted Dearing the exclusive right to execute leases on…