Anderson v. Deere & Co., 393 Mont. 157

Summary

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed the denial of Deere's motion to compel arbitration of Milton Anderson's tort claims. The court held that the arbitration clause in the dealership agreements covered disputes between Deere and the dealer, Frontline Ag, and did not encompass Anderson's personal claims merely because he had signed the agreements as a manager and guarantor. A dissent would have reached a different interpretation of the arbitration clause but concluded that Anderson was no longer bound by it after redeeming his ownership interest.

Holdings

1. The arbitration clause did not require arbitration of Anderson's personal tort claims because the agreement defined an arbitrable "Dispute" as a claim between the Dealer, meaning Frontline, and Deere or Deere Credit; Anderson was not Frontline merely because he signed the agreements as an agent or personally guaranteed Frontline's obligations.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Anderson's personal guarantees and signatures on Frontline's dealership agreements bound him to the agreements' arbitration clause.
2. Whether Anderson's personal tort claims against Deere fell within the dealership agreements' defined category of arbitrable disputes.

Disposition

affirmed