Radosh v. Shipstad

The central issue on this appeal is the viability of a defense to an action on an employment contract based upon the conceded illegality of a provision in plaintiff’s employment contract allowing her employers, the defendants, to suspend her without pay and still claim the exclusive right to her services.

The plaintiff is a professional ice skater, apparently of considerable talent. In 1952, when she was but 15 years of age, she was hired by the defendants to perform in their well-known traveling ice show, the Ice Follies. Four years later plaintiff and defendants entered into the contract…