Olson v. Synergistic Technologies Business Systems

Judith Olson (plaintiff) had a romantic relationship with Thomas Cameron (defendant) in the 1970s and 1980s and, later, a working relationship with him. Cameron was the founder and sole shareholder of Synergistic Technologies Business Systems, Inc. (Syntech) (defendant). In the company’s early stages, Cameron operated Syntech out of Olson’s or the couple’s jointly owned home. Olson worked in various capacities to support Syntech, performing financial, consulting, and legal services, sometimes without pay. According to Olson, Cameron made promises at various times to give her 50 percent of the stock in Syntech for her contributions to the company. Cameron denied having made any such promises. After terminating Olson’s employment with Syntech in 1995, Cameron sold Syntech to PowerCerv Corporation (defendant) for $2.25 million in cash and $920,000 in PowerCerv stock. Olson sued Cameron, Syntech, and PowerCerv. Among other counts, Olson alleged promissory estoppel, seeking to enforce Cameron’s promises. Olson requested a jury trial on the promissory-estoppel count, which the trial court denied based on its finding that promissory estoppel was equitable in nature and thus a jury trial was not guaranteed under the Minnesota constitution. The court of appeals affirmed. Olson appealed, and the Minnesota Supreme Court agreed to review the issue.