Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District / Date unavailable
Leesa Wiseman vs. Missouri Department of Corrections
Leesa Wiseman obtained a jury verdict against the Missouri Department of Corrections on claims of retaliation and hostile work environment under the MHRA. The Department appealed, but Wiseman moved to dismiss the appeal as untimely. The appellate court dismissed the appeal, holding that the trial court's original judgment became final by operation of law under Rule 81.05(a)(2) because Rule 74.16, which makes attorney fee claims independent actions, applied to the pending case. The court also remanded for the trial court to determine and award Wiseman reasonable attorney fees for the appeal and to vacate subsequent invalid orders.