Hammerquist v. Employment Security Division

The Montana Unemployment Insurance Division ruled that Kirk Hammerquist must pay unemployment insurance taxes on certain earnings of Charles Hornbacher, whom Mr. Hammerquist argued was his partner or a joint venturer, not an employee. The District Court for the Eleventh Judicial District, Flathead County, affirmed the administrative ruling. Mr. Hammerquist appeals. We affirm.

We restate the issue as whether the District Court and the hearing officer incorrectly applied the law in determining whether the parties were in a joint venture or partnership.

Mr. Hammerquist is a building contractor in…