Final Term

9371Question 1:
On December 1, Petroleum, Inc., sent Rachel & Rico (R&R) a letter, via overnight delivery, offering to employ R&R to review Petroleum’s tax situation for the current year for $10,000. In the letter, the company stated that R&R had ten days to accept. On December 5, R&R sent an e-mail message that stated, “The price for the tax analysis seems too low. Would you consider paying $15,000?” Petroleum received the message without responding immediately. The next day, Smith & Taylor, an R&R competitor, offered to conduct the appraisal for $8,000. On learning of this offer, R&R immediately e-mailed Petroleum, agreeing to do the work for $10,000. Petroleum received this message on December 7. Explain why R&R and Petroleum do, or do not, have a contract.

Question 2:
AstroStar, Inc.’s board of directors consists of three members—Eckhart, Dolan, and Macero. At a regular board meeting, the board selects Galiard as president of the corporation. Later, an audit reveals that during his term as president he has openly embezzled $500,000 from AstroStar. The same audit reveals that the board knew when it selected Galiard that he had been previously convicted of embezzlement. Can the corporation hold directors Eckhart, Dolan, and Macero personally liable?