A partner in a national accounting firm was called into a meeting and told to retire after 22 years of partnership.
The firm later invoked a partnership agreement provision allowing the policy board to request a partner's resignation if it unanimously determined it was in the partnership's best interest.
The partner sued for breach of the partnership agreement.
The motion judge granted summary judgment, finding that the firm breached the agreement because the policy board did not make an independent determination based on evidence, and the decision was predetermined by the CEO.
The court awarded expectation damages for lost profits and retirement benefits, plus aggravated damages for reputational harm.
The firm appealed, but the appeal was dismissed.
