Goodman v. Darden

This is an appeal from an order that respondent John Goodman need not take part in arbitration proceedings arising out of a contract which he had signed as president of a corporation "in formation." Goodman had arranged with Darden, Doman & Stafford Associates (DDS), a general partnership, to renovate a Tacoma apartment building purchased by DDS. During the negotiations Goodman decided to incorporate and so informed DDS. The contract was ultimately executed between DDS and "Building Design and Development Inc. (In formation), John A. Goodman, President." Work was to be completed by October 15, 1979; at that time it was not finished and was of allegedly poor quality. The corporate articles were filed on November 1, 1979, after the contract was in default.