John F. McBurney v. Armand A. Teixeira

Summary

The Supreme Court of Rhode Island affirmed summary judgment against John F. McBurney in his intentional-interference-with-contractual-relations claim against Armand A. Teixeira. The court held that a broad general release executed in connection with McBurney's prior action against Joseph J. Roszkowski unambiguously released Teixeira, an associate of Roszkowski's firm, from claims arising from the same core facts. The court therefore did not reach the statute-of-limitations issue relied upon by the Superior Court.

Holdings

1. The clear and unambiguous general release barred McBurney's claim against Teixeira because the release covered Roszkowski's firm, agents, employees, attorneys, affiliates, and associates, and extended to any claims arising in connection with McBurney's original action against Roszkowski.
2. The Supreme Court could affirm the Superior Court judgment on the release ground even though the motion justice granted summary judgment solely because the claim was untimely.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the broad general release executed by McBurney in connection with his settled action against Roszkowski barred his related intentional-interference claim against Teixeira.
2. Whether the Superior Court judgment could be affirmed on the release ground even though the Superior Court granted summary judgment solely on the statute-of-limitations ground.

Disposition

affirmed