In re: Debbie Reid O'Gorman ( 2022 )


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  •                                                                                    FILED
    DEC 21 2022
    NOT FOR PUBLICATION
    SUSAN M. SPRAUL, CLERK
    U.S. BKCY. APP. PANEL
    UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY APPELLATE PANEL                                OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT
    OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT
    In re:                                              BAP No. NC-22-1062-BFT
    DEBBIE REID O'GORMAN,
    Debtor.                               Bk. No. 21-10374
    THE LOVERING TUBBS TRUST; CLC                       Adv. No. 21-01009
    COMPLIANCE, INC., TRUSTEE;
    PACIFIC EQUITIES, LLC,
    Appellants,
    v.                                                  MEMORANDUM∗
    TIMOTHY W. HOFFMAN, Chapter 7
    Trustee,
    Appellee.
    Appeal from the United States Bankruptcy Court
    for the Northern District of California
    Roger L. Efremsky, Bankruptcy Judge, Presiding
    Before: BRAND, FARIS, and TAYLOR, Bankruptcy Judges.
    INTRODUCTION
    Appellants, The Lovering Tubbs Trust ("LT Trust"), CLC Compliance,
    Inc., ("CLC"), and Pacific Equities, LLC ("Pacific") (collectively, "Appellants"),
    appeal an order granting summary judgment to the chapter 7 1 trustee,
    ∗  This disposition is not appropriate for publication. Although it may be cited for
    whatever persuasive value it may have, see Fed. R. App. P. 32.1, it has no precedential
    value, see 9th Cir. BAP Rule 8024-1.
    1 Unless specified otherwise, all chapter and section references are to the Bankruptcy
    Code, 
    11 U.S.C. §§ 101-1532
    , all "Rule" references are to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy
    1
    Timothy W. Hoffman ("Trustee"), on his claim against Appellants under
    § 548(a)(1)(A) as transferees of an actual fraudulent transfer, and the judgment
    avoiding the transfer and recovering the property. Trustee alleged, and the
    bankruptcy court determined, that debtor Debbie Reid O'Gorman transferred
    real property to Appellants with the actual intent to hinder, delay, or defraud
    a creditor. Appellants also argue that the bankruptcy court should have
    granted their request for time to continue discovery. Seeing no reversible
    error by the bankruptcy court, we AFFIRM.
    FACTS
    A.    Prepetition events
    O'Gorman was the owner of a home on about 30 acres in Calistoga,
    California ("Property"). In 2010, she gave Grant Reynolds a second deed of
    trust against the Property as security for a loan.
    In 2019, O'Gorman was in default on her mortgage with the senior
    lienholder on the Property. Protecting his junior interest, Reynolds cured
    O'Gorman's default with the senior lienholder. In early 2020, Reynolds
    initiated a nonjudicial foreclosure on his deed of trust.
    In July 2020, attorney William Utnehmer contacted O'Gorman and
    offered to assist her with the foreclosure. O'Gorman agreed and entered into
    an attorney-client relationship with Utnehmer and his firm, Sonoma Law
    Center. According to their Retainer Agreement, Utnehmer promised to
    provide O'Gorman legal services "for the research, strategic advisory and
    Procedure, and all "Civil Rule" references are to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
    2
    representation related to foreclosure proceedings, bankruptcy, bridge
    financing, repositioning, marketing and/or sale of [the Property]."
    As the nonjudicial foreclosure progressed, Utnehmer told O'Gorman
    that she could save the Property by transferring it into an "irrevocable land
    trust," making herself a 20% beneficiary and another entity as an 80%
    beneficiary. To accomplish the transfer, Utnehmer created Pacific, the LT
    Trust, and CLC. Utnehmer holds an interest in both Pacific and CLC. Pacific
    was a real estate investment group created to arrange for funding and
    development of the Property, the LT Trust was the land trust, and CLC served
    as trustee of the LT Trust. The LT Trust beneficiaries were the O'Gorman
    Family Trust (20% beneficial interest) and Pacific (80% beneficial interest).
    O'Gorman signed a grant deed transferring the Property to the LT Trust. She
    did not receive any money in exchange for the transfer, and no transfer tax
    was paid. No notice of the transfer was provided to the senior lienholder or to
    Reynolds. O'Gorman occupied the Property after the transfer and was still
    living there on the petition date.
    In a document dated June 30, 2021, and signed by Utnehmer and
    O'Gorman ("June Letter"), Utnehmer described how he had "successfully
    structured a work-out" for the Property by transferring it to the LT Trust and
    how Pacific had arranged for its clean-up, renovation, and remediation of
    building code violations. However, explained Utnehmer, these improvement
    efforts were frustrated by the COVID-19 pandemic, tenants refusing to vacate,
    and his business partner's unstable mental condition and failure to fund his
    3
    share of the project. Thus, Utnehmer recommended that the Property be
    immediately marketed while his law firm maintained a legal defense to
    postpone the foreclosure to accommodate a sale.
    O'Gorman terminated her relationship with Utnehmer in August 2021.
    B.     Postpetition events
    After a failed pro se chapter 13 case, O'Gorman, with the assistance of
    counsel, filed a chapter 7 case on August 19, 2021.
    Trustee filed an adversary complaint against Appellants, seeking to
    avoid and recover what he alleged was O'Gorman's fraudulent transfer of the
    Property to Appellants under § 548(a)(1)(A). Appellants, represented by
    Utnehmer's law firm, filed an answer denying Trustee's allegations.
    Five weeks after Appellants filed their answer and before the parties
    had engaged in discovery, Trustee moved for summary judgment ("MSJ"). He
    argued that the transfer of the Property to the LT Trust was an intentionally
    fraudulent transfer designed to hinder and delay (if not defraud) Reynolds in
    his efforts to foreclose on his deed of trust. To establish O'Gorman's requisite
    intent, Trustee argued that at least six of the eleven enumerated "badges of
    fraud" under 
    Cal. Civ. Code § 3439.04
    (b)(1)-(11)2 were met: (a) the transfer
    2
    Trustee relied on the common law badges of fraud codified in 
    Cal. Civ. Code § 3439.04
    (b)(1)-(11) to establish O'Gorman's intent under § 548(a)(1)(A). The eleven
    enumerated badges of fraud in California are whether: (1) the transfer or obligation was to
    an insider; (2) the debtor retained possession or control of the property transferred after the
    transfer; (3) the transfer or obligation was disclosed or concealed; (4) before the transfer
    was made or obligation was incurred, the debtor had been sued or threatened with suit; (5)
    the transfer was of substantially all the debtor's assets; (6) the debtor absconded; (7) the
    debtor removed or concealed assets; (8) the value of the consideration received by the
    4
    was to an insider – the LT Trust – in which O'Gorman held a 20% beneficial
    interest; (b) O'Gorman remained in control of the Property after the transfer to
    the LT Trust; (c) at the time of the transfer, Reynolds had been pursuing a
    foreclosure on his deed of trust and the transfer was admittedly designed to
    thwart that effort; (d) the transfer was a transfer of substantially all of
    O'Gorman's assets; (e) by transferring the Property to the LT Trust, O'Gorman
    removed the Property from the reach of her creditors; and (f) the LT Trust
    paid no consideration in exchange for the transfer of the Property to it.
    In support of the MSJ, Trustee provided a declaration from O'Gorman.
    She admitted that she understood the transfer would prevent or delay
    Reynolds from foreclosing on his deed of trust and that this was her only
    reason for following Utnehmer's advice. O'Gorman said that Utnehmer told
    her that he would devise a plan to improve the Property so that it could be
    sold at a higher price. O'Gorman said she relied on his legal advice at the time
    because she was desperate to save her home. O'Gorman now believed that the
    scheme of creating the LT Trust, Pacific, and CLC and transferring the
    debtor was reasonably equivalent to the value of the asset transferred or the amount of the
    obligation incurred; (9) the debtor was insolvent or became insolvent shortly after the
    transfer was made or the obligation was incurred; (10) the transfer occurred shortly before
    or shortly after a substantial debt was incurred; and (11) the debtor transferred the
    essential assets of the business to a lienor that transferred the assets to an insider of the
    debtor. 
    Cal. Civ. Code § 3439.04
    (b)(1)-(11).
    Although § 548(a)(1)(A) is a matter of federal law, it was not error for the
    bankruptcy court to consider the California badges of fraud for determining whether
    Trustee had established O'Gorman's actual intent. See Brown v. Third Nat'l Bank (In re
    Sherman), 
    67 F.3d 1348
    , 1354 (8th Cir. 1995) (discussing application of Missouri's codified
    badges of fraud to § 548(a)(1)).
    5
    Property to the LT Trust was an attempt by Utnehmer to defraud her.
    O'Gorman said the Property was worth at least $2.5 million when she
    transferred it to the LT Trust and that it comprised substantially all of her
    assets. Contrary to what Utnehmer said in the June Letter, implying that some
    form of consideration was exchanged, O'Gorman said she did not receive any
    funds for clean-up, development, or sale of the Property. She was also not
    aware of any third party who received funds for those reasons. O'Gorman
    said that she should have read the June Letter more carefully before she
    signed it and regretted signing it at all.
    Appellants filed a late opposition to the MSJ, arguing that it should be
    denied because it was premature and Trustee had not demonstrated the
    absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Appellants argued that the parties
    had not yet engaged in any discovery, including conducting a Civil Rule 26(f)
    conference. Appellants requested time to continue discovery under Civil Rule
    56(d)3 so they could obtain and present facts essential to their opposition.
    Appellants further argued that Trustee had not provided sufficient evidence
    that the transfer was done with actual intent to hinder, delay, or defraud
    Reynolds, who they argued Trustee had not shown was a legitimate creditor.
    Thus, genuine issues of material fact were in dispute and precluded summary
    3
    Civil Rule 56(d) provides: When Facts Are Unavailable to the Nonmovant. If a
    nonmovant shows by affidavit or declaration that, for specified reasons, it cannot present
    facts essential to justify its opposition, the court may:
    (1) defer considering the motion or deny it;
    (2) allow time to obtain affidavits or declarations or to take discovery; or
    (3) issue any other appropriate order.
    6
    judgment.
    In reply to Appellants' discovery arguments, Trustee argued that
    Appellants had failed to demonstrate that they were entitled to a continuance
    under Civil Rule 56(d). As architect of the transfer, argued Trustee, Utnehmer
    was in possession of more facts than O'Gorman and did not need discovery to
    formulate an opposition to the MSJ. Further, he argued, Appellants had failed
    to submit an affidavit or declaration in support of a continuance. In fact,
    Appellants failed to even articulate in their opposing brief what facts they
    needed or hoped to elicit if they had more time for discovery.
    In addition, Trustee argued that Appellants had failed to establish the
    existence of a triable issue of material fact. Appellants did not support their
    opposition with a declaration (or any other evidence) contradicting any of the
    specifically averred facts in the MSJ. Simply put, Appellants' opposition was
    not supported by any admissible evidence as required by Civil Rule 56(c)(1)
    and failed to show that Trustee was not entitled to judgment as a matter of
    law.
    After a hearing, the bankruptcy court granted the MSJ and denied
    Appellants' request for time to conduct discovery. The court concluded that
    Appellants had failed to establish the existence of a triable issue of material
    fact with any admissible controverting evidence, or to comply with Civil Rule
    56(d)'s requirement of an affidavit or declaration for a continuance. This
    timely appeal followed.
    ////
    7
    JURISDICTION
    The bankruptcy court had jurisdiction under 
    28 U.S.C. §§ 1334
     and
    157(b)(2)(A) and (O). We have jurisdiction under 
    28 U.S.C. § 158
    .
    ISSUES
    1.    Did the bankruptcy court err when it granted summary judgment in
    favor of Trustee?
    2.    Did the bankruptcy court abuse its discretion when it denied
    Appellants' request for time to allow discovery prior to ruling on the MSJ?
    STANDARDS OF REVIEW
    We review the appeal of a summary judgment ruling de novo.
    Stadtmueller v. Sarkisian (In re Medina), 
    619 B.R. 236
    , 240 (9th Cir. BAP 2020),
    aff'd, No. 20-60045, 
    2021 WL 3214757
     (9th Cir. July 29, 2021). Under de novo
    review, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving
    party to determine whether the moving party was entitled to judgment as a
    matter of law because no genuinely disputed issues of material fact needed to
    be tried. Wolkowitz v. Beverly (In re Beverly), 
    374 B.R. 221
    , 230 (9th Cir. BAP
    2007), aff'd in part, dismissed in part, 
    551 F.3d 1092
     (9th Cir. 2008). "When the
    material facts are not in dispute, our only function is to determine whether the
    bankruptcy court correctly applied the law." Patow v. Marshack (In re Patow),
    
    632 B.R. 195
    , 202 (9th Cir. BAP 2021) (citation omitted), aff'd, No. 21-60051,
    
    2022 WL 2256325
     (9th Cir. June 23, 2022).
    We review the denial of a Civil Rule 56(d) motion seeking more time to
    conduct discovery for an abuse of discretion. Kurtin v. Ehrenberg (In re Elieff),
    8
    
    637 B.R. 612
    , 621 (9th Cir. BAP 2022) (citing Atay v. Cnty. of Maui, 
    842 F.3d 688
    ,
    698 (9th Cir. 2016)). The bankruptcy court abuses its discretion if it applies the
    wrong legal standard, misapplies the correct legal standard, or makes factual
    findings that are illogical, implausible, or without support in the record.
    United States v. Hinkson, 
    585 F.3d 1247
    , 1261-62 (9th Cir. 2009) (en banc).
    DISCUSSION
    A.    Summary judgment standard
    Civil Rule 56(a), applicable here by Rule 7056, provides that summary
    judgment is appropriate when "there is no genuine dispute as to any material
    fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." A dispute over
    material facts is genuine where a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the
    nonmoving party based on the evidence presented. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby,
    Inc., 
    477 U.S. 242
    , 248 (1986).
    Once the movant has come forward with uncontroverted facts entitling
    it to relief, the burden shifts to the nonmovant to establish that there is a
    specific and genuine issue of material fact to warrant a trial. See Celotex Corp.
    v. Catrett, 
    477 U.S. 317
    , 332 n.3 (1986). The nonmovant "may not rely on
    denials in the pleadings but must produce specific evidence, through
    affidavits or admissible discovery materials, to show that the dispute exists."
    Barboza v. New Form, Inc. (In re Barboza), 
    545 F.3d 702
    , 707 (9th Cir. 2008)
    (citation omitted). Conjecture, surmise or "metaphysical doubt" by the
    nonmovant of the movant's assertions will not defeat a summary judgment
    motion. See Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 
    475 U.S. 574
    , 586
    9
    (1986). The nonmovant's evidence must be probative. Gertsch v. Johnson &
    Johnson, Fin. Corp. (In re Gertsch), 
    237 B.R. 160
    , 165 (9th Cir. BAP 1999) (even in
    cases where intent is at issue, summary judgment may be appropriate if the
    nonmovant "rests merely upon conclusory allegations, improbable inferences,
    and unsupported speculation") (citation omitted).
    In deciding whether material factual issues exist, the court must resolve
    all ambiguities and draw all reasonable inferences against the moving party.
    Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., 
    475 U.S. at 587
    . However, the court is required to
    do so only in circumstances where a fact specifically averred by the moving
    party is contradicted by specific evidence submitted in opposition to the
    motion. Lujan v. Nat'l Wildlife Fed'n, 
    497 U.S. 871
    , 888 (1990). If a motion for
    summary judgment is properly supported and the nonmovant does not set
    forth specific facts showing a genuine issue for trial, summary judgment must
    be entered. Civil Rule 56(a); Rule 7056.
    B.    The bankruptcy court did not err in granting the MSJ.
    Section 548 allows a trustee to avoid any transfer of an interest of the
    debtor in property if the debtor made such transfer with actual intent to
    hinder, delay or defraud any creditor. § 548(a)(1)(A). To prevail in an action
    under § 548(a)(1)(A), the trustee must prove that (1) the property transferred
    was property of the debtor, (2) there was a transfer, (3) the transfer occurred
    within two years prior to bankruptcy, and (4) the transfer was made with the
    actual intent to hinder, delay, or defraud the debtor's creditors. Argyle Online,
    LLC v. Nielson (In re GGW Brands, LLC), 
    504 B.R. 577
    , 607 (Bankr. C.D. Cal.
    10
    2013). Because the statute is stated in the disjunctive, an actual fraudulent
    transfer occurs when the debtor makes a transfer with the actual intent either
    to hinder or to delay or to defraud creditors. Leslie v. Mihranian (In re
    Mihranian), BAP No. CC-16-1381-KuFTa, 
    2017 WL 2775044
    , at *7 (9th Cir. BAP
    June 26, 2017) (citing § 548(a)(1)(A); 
    Cal. Civ. Code § 3439.04
    ; In re Beverly, 
    374 B.R. at 232
    ). Actual intent can be found on the basis of circumstantial evidence
    since direct proof will rarely be available. Hayes v. Palm Seedlings Partners (In
    re Agric. Rsch. & Tech. Grp., Inc.), 
    916 F.2d 528
    , 534 (9th Cir. 1990).
    In support of the MSJ, Trustee set forth uncontroverted evidence that
    (1) the Property belonged to O'Gorman, (2) she transferred it to the LT Trust,
    (3) the transfer occurred within two years of the petition date, and (4) she
    transferred the Property with the actual intent to prevent or delay Reynolds
    from foreclosing on his deed of trust. Appellants opposed the MSJ. Other than
    denying that the transfer was fraudulent and making conclusory statements
    that there were material fact disputes precluding summary judgment,
    Appellants did not present an affidavit or any other admissible evidence
    specifically averring any of the facts about the transfer or O'Gorman's intent.
    The bankruptcy court found that the MSJ established the necessary
    elements for an actual fraudulent transfer under § 548(a)(1)(A) and that
    Appellants had failed to create any triable issue of material fact. Appellants
    argue that the bankruptcy court erred by granting Trustee summary
    judgment on the sole basis that they did not file a responsive affidavit. In
    other words, Appellants contend it was summary judgment by default. But
    11
    the bankruptcy court did not grant summary judgment solely on that basis.
    Rather, it reviewed Trustee's evidence and determined that he had
    demonstrated the absence of a genuine dispute as to O'Gorman's actual intent
    so that the burden shifted to Appellants, and Appellants had failed to present
    any admissible evidence to create a genuine dispute on that issue. We agree
    with that determination. Trustee presented admissible evidence to support
    every element of his § 548(a)(1)(A) claim; Appellants presented nothing to
    create a genuine issue of material fact as to any of those elements.
    Appellants argue that they were not required to provide a responsive
    affidavit because their opposition established that O'Gorman's "conclusory
    and inconsistent" declaration was insufficient to establish fraudulent intent.
    To the extent Appellants now attempt to manufacture a material question of
    fact by asserting inconsistencies as to O'Gorman's intent or whether
    consideration was given for the transfer, that effort fails. Apart from
    identifying two paragraphs in Trustee's brief with which Appellants took
    issue, the opposition said nothing about any purported conclusory or
    inconsistent statements made by O'Gorman. The thrust of their argument was
    that the MSJ was premature. In any case, the disputed paragraphs in Trustee's
    brief were not evidence; the evidence was presented by O'Gorman's
    declaration. Appellants' late attempt to point out alleged inconsistencies as to
    O'Gorman's intent with other facts known to them at the time begs the
    question why did they not present these alleged facts in a declaration from
    Utnehmer.
    12
    Appellants next argue that the "badges of fraud" did not overcome the
    direct evidence in the June Letter that O'Gorman lacked fraudulent intent
    because she transferred the Property for a legitimate business purpose. The
    implication from this argument is that an actual intent to defraud is required.
    This is not correct. It is sufficient that O'Gorman intended to hinder or delay
    Reynolds in his efforts to foreclose. While the June Letter established that the
    plan was to sell the Property for more than would be received in a foreclosure,
    it also provided for the transfer of the Property for no consideration and
    without notice to creditors, which are two of the badges of fraud relied upon
    by Trustee and the court.
    Next, Appellants argue that Trustee offered insufficient evidence that
    Reynolds was or could have been harmed by the transfer. In other words,
    Appellants contend that harm is a necessary element for a § 548(a)(1)(A)
    claim. Appellants never raised this argument before the bankruptcy court. In
    any case, they are wrong. "Actual damages" or "actual harm" is not an element
    of an actual fraudulent transfer claim. See In re Medina, 619 B.R. at 240, 244
    n.11 (holding that "actual damages" or "actual harm" is not an element of an
    actual fraudulent transfer claim under 
    Cal. Civ. Code § 3439.04
    (a)(1) and
    noting that courts construing nearly identical § 548(a)(1)(A) have reached the
    same conclusion, citing In re Sherman, 67 F.3d at 1355 n.6 ("The [transferees]
    also argue that the transfers cannot be avoided as fraudulent because no
    creditor was harmed. However, the bankruptcy court correctly noted that
    under § 548(a)(1), actual harm is not required; the trustee must show only that
    13
    the debtor acted with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud creditors.")).
    While summary judgment is rarely granted on a § 548(a)(1)(A) claim
    because the element of intent often requires a factual determination,
    Appellants failed to show the existence of a genuine dispute as to O'Gorman's
    actual intent; thus, summary judgment was appropriate in this case.
    C.    The bankruptcy court did not abuse its discretion in denying
    Appellants' unsupported request for time to continue discovery.
    To justify a continuance of summary judgment under Civil Rule 56(d),
    applicable here by Rule 7056, the movant must: (1) set forth in affidavit form
    the specific facts it hopes to elicit through further discovery; (2) show that the
    facts sought exist; and (3) show that the sought-after facts are essential to
    oppose summary judgment. Family Home & Fin. Ctr. v. Fed. Home Loan Mortg.
    Corp., 
    525 F.3d 822
    , 827 (9th Cir. 2008). The movant "must identify by
    affidavit the specific facts that further discovery would reveal, and explain
    why those facts would preclude summary judgment." Tatum v. City and Cnty.
    of S.F., 
    441 F.3d 1090
    , 1100 (9th Cir. 2006) (emphasis added); Cont'l Mar. of S.F.,
    Inc. v. Pac. Coast Metal Trades Dist. Council, Metal Trades Dep't, AFL-CIO, 
    817 F.2d 1391
    , 1395 (9th Cir. 1987) (party seeking continuance has the burden to
    show what specific facts it hopes to discover that will raise an issue of
    material fact).
    The bankruptcy court denied Appellants' request for time to continue
    discovery under Civil Rule 56(d), noting the absence of an affidavit or
    declaration from Utnehmer stating what material facts Appellants hoped to
    discover and how those facts would preclude summary judgment. The
    14
    bankruptcy court rejected their argument that it was too early to grant
    summary judgment because no discovery had been done. Appellants argue
    that, despite their admitted failure to file an affidavit in support of their
    request under Civil Rule 56(d), the bankruptcy court erred as a matter of law
    by granting summary judgment so early in the case and prior to conducting
    discovery. We disagree.
    Civil Rule 56(b) permits a party to move for summary judgment at any
    time until 30 days after the close of all discovery, unless a local rule or court
    order sets a different time, which was not the case here. The rule does not
    distinguish between a party that has nearly finished discovery and one that
    has not yet begun, and nothing in the rule suggests that summary judgment
    cannot be granted unless discovery has commenced.
    Nonetheless, controlling case law provides that when a summary
    judgment motion is filed early in the case, before a party has had any realistic
    opportunity to pursue discovery, the court should grant a Civil Rule 56(d)
    motion "fairly freely." Burlington N. Santa Fe R.R. Co. v. Assiniboine & Sioux
    Tribes of Fort Peck Rsrv., 
    323 F.3d 767
    , 773 (9th Cir. 2003) (summary judgment
    motion filed less than one month after suit was filed); Program Eng'g, Inc. v.
    Triangle Publ'ns, Inc., 
    634 F.2d 1188
    , 1193 (9th Cir. 1986) ("Generally where a
    party has had no previous opportunity to develop evidence and the evidence
    is crucial to material issues in the case, discovery should be allowed before the
    trial court rules on a motion for summary judgment.").
    Despite this general rule, however, a request for a continuance must still
    15
    comply with Civil Rule 56(d), which requires the filing of an affidavit. See
    Bryant v. Ford Motor Co., 
    886 F.2d 1526
    , 1534 (9th Cir. 1989) (lack of a formal
    request for a continuance is relevant to the question whether the court abused
    its discretion by ruling on the motion when it did); Brae Transp., Inc. v. Coopers
    & Lybrand, 
    790 F.2d 1439
    , 1443 (9th Cir. 1986) ("Failure to comply with the
    requirements of Rule 56(f) is a proper ground for denying discovery and
    proceeding to summary judgment.") (applying former Civil Rule 56(f), now
    56(d)). Appellants argue that their brief opposing summary judgment
    sufficiently identified disputed material facts and therefore served as the
    functional equivalent of an affidavit. We reject this. "References in
    memoranda and declarations to a need for discovery do not qualify as
    motions under Rule 56(f). Rule 56(f) requires affidavits setting forth the
    particular facts expected from the movant's discovery." Brae Transp., Inc., 
    790 F.2d at 1443
     (applying former Civil Rule 56(f)).
    Even if we accepted Appellants' opposing brief as a substitute for an
    affidavit, which diminishes the value of an affidavit by permitting an
    attorney's unsworn argument to replace it, Appellants failed to identify the
    specific facts they hoped to elicit through further discovery, that these facts
    existed, and that these sought-after facts were essential to oppose summary
    judgment. Appellants' conclusory statements that discovery would yield
    essential, but unspecified, facts fell far short of complying with the rule.
    Making this case more egregious is that Utnehmer, the architect of the
    transfer, was in possession of enough facts to formulate an affidavit to oppose
    16
    the MSJ without any discovery and he failed to do so.
    Accordingly, the bankruptcy court did not abuse its discretion in
    denying Appellants' request for a continuance under Civil Rule 56(d).
    CONCLUSION
    For the reasons stated above, we AFFIRM.
    17