Verni v. Cleveland Chiropractic College
Missouri Supreme Court
212 S.W.3d 150 (2007)
Dr. Aleksandr Makarov (defendant) taught dermatology at Cleveland Chiropractic College (Cleveland) (defendant); Leonard Verni (plaintiff), a student dismissed for disseminating advance exam copies, sued to enforce Makarov's employment contract, claiming Makarov failed to treat him with "courtesy, respect, fairness and professionalism" as the faculty handbook required for students. Makarov's one-page employment contract described his duties and compensation and required compliance with handbook policies; Verni argued that as a student, he was an intended beneficiary of the Makarov-Cleveland contract. Verni prevailed at trial, and Makarov appealed.
Whether a third party may sue to enforce a contract where the contracting parties have not expressly declared their intent to benefit the third party.