JAMES GRUBB v. JOE GRUBB (2025)

ORDER

Upon consideration of the application for permission to appeal of Plaintiff-Appellant James W. Grubb and the record before us, the application is granted, limited to the following issues:

(1) Whether the Court of Appeals erred in rejecting Plaintiff's claim for tortious interference with business relationships. In addition to evaluating Plaintiff's claim under the five-element test we adopted in Trau-Med of America, Inc. v. Allstate Insurance Co., 71 S.W.3d 691, 701 (Tenn. 2002), the parties are asked to address whether this Court should refine the element requiring an improper motive or improper means. The parties are encouraged to consult relevant treatises as well as precedents from other jurisdictions.

(2) Whether the Court of Appeals erred in rejecting Plaintiff's claim for breach of fiduciary duty. The parties should also address whether—under the pre-2006 LLC Act, Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-245-901, or the common law—one member of a member-managed LLC owes fiduciary duties to another member.

(3) Whether, under the pre-2006 LLC Act or another source of equitable power, the trial court had authority to order Plaintiff and Defendant to exchange their respective ownership interests in A Plus LLC and A Plus Rent to Own, Inc.

(4) Whether the trial court abused its discretion in awarding attorney's fees.

The Clerk is directed to place this matter on the docket for oral argument upon the completion of briefing.

PER CURIAM