Michael Gruber v. Wolf Creek Productions, Inc., al.

Corunna, Michigan employment law lawyers represented the parties in a breach of contract dispute.



On May 31, 2016, the individual defendants, Nichols, Sherrill, and Nelson, terminated Gruber from his position as an employee and board member of defendant Wolf Creek, which is a company that produces television shows about hunting and fishing. Gruber's termination stemmed from his receipt of part of a "finder's fee" for Wolf Creek to produce a season of a show for the Professional Sporting Clay Association. Defendants claimed that Gruber's termination was "for cause" because he breached his employment agreement and covenant not to compete. Gruber disagreed and filed an action for wrongful termination that was ultimately moved to arbitration.



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ARBITRATION LAW. CONFIRMATION OF ARBITRATION AWARD. The case addresses whether a trial court abused its discretion in denying a plaintiff's motion for attorney fees incurred after an arbitration panel awarded fees, with the court affirming the decision based on the discretion allowed under statutory provisions and an assessment of the plaintiff's motion as cursory and unpersuasive.



CONTRACT LAW. ATTORNEY FEES PROVISION. The court considered whether sections of an employment contract required reimbursement of attorney fees following arbitration, determining that the arbitration panel's discretion in awarding fees based on the prevailing party outcome should be upheld without court interference.

Key Phrases Trial court ruling. Arbitration panel. Attorney fees award. Wrongful termination. Employment agreement.

Affirmed