Haslund v. Simon Property Group, Inc.

378 F.3d 653 (7th Cir. 2004)

Facts

D decided to form a subsidiary, 'clixnmortar.com,' to create Internet-related services ancillary to its mall business. P was approached to work for the new company but wanted a substantial raise and equity in the new venture. P made clear that unless she was given equity, she wouldn't sign on with the new company. P was not only offered the salary increase that she requested but also one percent of clixnmortar's equity. The deal was confirmed in a letter to P from D's director of human resources that under the caption 'Annual Salary' recited '$ 175,000 plus 1% equity in clixnmortar.com, structure to be determined.' P started at the new job, but no stock was issued to her. P kept badgering D for the stock to no avail, and 10 months after starting work she was fired, having denounced D's boss in an email to a firm that was in the process of acquiring an interest in clixnmortar. The start-up was a failure and eventually dissolved. P sued for breach of contract and was awarded $537,634.41 in damages.