Charles Harris Missouri Cases

Charles Harris, a former employee, sued the Department of Corrections for discrimination and retaliation under the MHRA. The trial court entered a default judgment on liability against the Department and awarded damages. On appeal, the Department challenged the default judgment, the denial of its motion to set aside the default, and the trial court's authority due to a venue change motion. The appellate court dismissed the appeal, holding that the denial of the motion to set aside the interlocutory default judgment was not a final appealable judgment, rendering challenges to the underlying default judgment moot. The court remanded the case for the trial court to determine and award Harris reasonable appellate attorneys' fees.

Charles Harris, a former employee, sued the Missouri Department of Corrections for discrimination and retaliation under the MHRA. After a default judgment was entered against the Department, the trial court awarded Harris compensatory and punitive damages, and later attorneys' fees. The Department appealed the attorneys' fee award, arguing the trial court lacked authority due to a venue change motion, erred in entering default, and abused discretion in denying their motion to set aside default. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's award of attorneys' fees, finding Harris remained the prevailing party, and remanded for the trial court to determine and award Harris reasonable appellate attorneys' fees.