In re: Daniela M. Farina ( 2022 )

FILED
DEC 7 2022
NOT FOR PUBLICATION SUSAN M. SPRAUL, CLERK
U.S. BKCY. APP. PANEL
OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT
UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY APPELLATE PANEL
OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT
In re: BAP No. NC-22-1071-TBF
DANIELA M. FARINA,
Debtor. Bk. No. 22-10021-RLE
DANIELA M. FARINA,
Appellant,
v. MEMORANDUM*
JANINA M. HOSKINS, Chapter 7
Trustee; SAN MATEO CREDIT UNION;
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.; VICTOR
ALAM,
Appellees.
Appeal from the United States Bankruptcy Court
for the Northern District of California
Roger L. Efremsky, Bankruptcy Judge, Presiding
Before: TAYLOR, BRAND, and FARIS, Bankruptcy Judges.
INTRODUCTION
Appellant Daniela M. Farina (“Debtor”) appeals from an order
granting the chapter 7 1 trustee’s motion to approve compromise of
*
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
controversy with creditor, Victor Alam (the “Compromise Motion”).
Approval of the compromise was supported by sufficient evidence, and the
bankruptcy court did not abuse its discretion in granting the Compromise
Motion. Thus, we AFFIRM.
FACTS 2
A. Background of the relationship between Debtor and Mr. Alam
Mr. Alam is a California attorney who had a two-year personal and
business relationship with Debtor. During that time, they formed a joint
venture real estate partnership which purchased two properties in Napa,
California: the Euclid Avenue Property and the First Avenue Property
(collectively, the “Properties”). While they initially agreed to make equal
contributions to purchase the Properties, Mr. Alam became the sole obligor
on the purchase money loans, and he contributed roughly $290,000 while
Debtor contributed only $175,000. Despite these disparities, they took joint
title to the Properties with each holding a 50% interest.
When the relationship ended, litigation began with a fury in multiple
courts. For his part, Mr. Alam filed an action seeking partition, an
accounting, and appointment of a receiver with respect to the Properties.
Once appointed, the receiver found a buyer for the Euclid Avenue Property
but was unable to close the sale because Debtor filed two bankruptcies.
of Bankruptcy Procedure.
2 We exercise our discretion to take judicial notice of documents electronically
filed in the case. See Atwood v. Chase Manhattan Mortg. Co. (In re Atwood), 293 B.R. 227,
233 n.9 (9th Cir. BAP 2003).
2
Promptly after the filing of the second bankruptcy (the case from
which this appeal arises), Mr. Alam obtained an order: (1) granting stay
relief to allow him to prosecute vexatious litigant and domestic violence
related motions in state court; and (2) excusing turnover of the Euclid
Avenue Property, allowing the receiver to complete the pending sale, and
requiring the deposit of sale proceeds with the chapter 7 trustee.3 Debtor’s
appeal from this order was dismissed as untimely, and the Euclid Avenue
Property sale closed.
B. The chapter 7 petition and Debtor’s motion to dismiss
Debtor alleges that her second bankruptcy, a pro per chapter 7 case,
was filed by a third person masquerading as an attorney who prepared the
case initiation documents. She admitted, however, that she retained this
person to file a bankruptcy case for her but claimed that she wanted a
chapter 13 case.
Based on this assertion, she filed an unsuccessful dismissal motion
and argued that the bankruptcy court lacked jurisdiction. Debtor appealed
the denial of the motion but later dismissed the appeal.4
3 Four days later, the superior court designated Debtor as a vexatious litigant in
case no. 20-CV-001250.
4 That ruling denying dismissal based on the facts presented in Debtor’s motion
is now the law of the case and will not be disturbed or revisited by the Panel. See Rebel
Oil Co. v. Atl. Richfield Co., 146 F.3d 1088, 1093 (9th Cir. 1998) (a court is generally
precluded from reconsidering an issue that has already been decided by the same court,
or a higher court in the identical case.)
Debtor argues that the denial order was not final therefore the dismissed appeal
and underlying decision should be ignored. We disagree. In Aspen Skiing Co. v. Cherrett
3
C. The settlement and the Compromise Motion
As of the petition date, Debtor had seven lawsuits against Mr. Alam
in various stages of litigation. Five were unresolved, while two were
resolved in Mr. Alam’s favor. He obtained a substantial fee award in one
case, and Debtor appealed. In the other, his fee request was pending on the
petition date. His proof of claim asserted a claim of “$264,988 plus
unknown amount” based on the awarded and requested fees and costs.
The trustee and Mr. Alam reached a settlement early in the case
which provided as follows:
1. Mr. Alam agreed to release an abstract of judgment he filed
against the Properties.
2. Mr. Alam agreed to waive any ownership or other claim to the
Properties or their proceeds.
(In re Cherrett), 873 F.3d 1060, 1065 (9th Cir. 2017), the Ninth Circuit found that denial of
the creditor’s motion to dismiss the debtor’s chapter 7 case under § 707(b) was final;
“the bankruptcy court’s order resolved the Cherretts’ ability to file a Chapter 7
bankruptcy petition.” See also Ritzen Group, Inc. v. Jackson Masonry, LLC, 140 S.Ct. 582,
587 (2020). While some orders denying a motion to dismiss a chapter 7 may be
interlocutory, we believe the order here – finding jurisdiction to proceed – is akin to
Cherrett and Ritzen and therefore final.
Further, Debtor’s argument that the bankruptcy court had no jurisdiction
because she intended to file chapter 13 instead of chapter 7 is frivolous because, either
way, she clearly intended to submit herself and her property to the jurisdiction of the
bankruptcy court. Counsel conceded at oral argument that she intended to file
bankruptcy when she did.
4
3. Mr. Alam agreed to waive any claim he had against the estate to
allow payment of administrative expenses. If proceeds remained,
however, he retained the right to a claim against them.
4. The trustee agreed to prosecute any necessary lien avoidance
actions relating to disputed liens on the Properties.
5. The trustee agreed to a full release of estate claims against
Mr. Alam, his relatives, and other related parties.
6. The trustee agreed to dismiss all Debtor’s pending litigation
against Mr. Alam and his related parties to the fullest extent
possible.
The trustee filed her Compromise Motion and concurrently sought a
hearing on shortened notice. Debtor filed a 21-page opposition, but the
bankruptcy court granted the request and scheduled the hearing on the
approval of the settlement to be heard concurrently with Debtor’s motions
to dismiss and to convert to chapter 13. The bankruptcy court’s order
shortening time (“OST”) required service on Debtor by email and by mail
to the mailbox address on her petition, shortened the response time to
13 days, but allowed written opposition in advance of the hearing or oral
opposition at the hearing.
Debtor filed a written response to the Compromise Motion (the
“Response”) and a motion for continuance of the hearing (“Motion for
5
Continuance”) three days before the hearing.5 The Response largely
repeated arguments made in opposing the request to shorten time:
1) that the bankruptcy court lacked jurisdiction because a third party
filed her case as a chapter 7 not a chapter 13;
2) that the compromise was not fair, reasonable, or adequate;
3) that the compromise was not supported by appropriate evidence;
and
5
Debtor filed the following pleadings between March 2, 2022 (the day after the
Compromise Motion was filed) and March 14, 2022 (the day of the hearing on the
Compromise Motion):
• an opposition to application for shortened time re Compromise Motion
(Doc. 139) (3/2/22);
• a motion for new hearing date for contempt motion (Doc. 140) (3/2/22);
• a fourth motion to dismiss (Doc. 148) (3/3/22);
• a supplement to motion to dismiss (Doc. 169) (3/7/22);
• a motion for order enforcing automatic stay (Doc. 172) (3/7/22);
• a motion to recuse Judge Efremsky (Doc. 173) (3/7/22);
• an application for shortened notice re motion to dismiss (Doc. 174)
(3/7/22);
• a motion for stay relief to excuse turnover for limited purpose of
determining ownership of First Avenue Property (Doc. 177) (3/8/22);
• an application for shortened notice re stay relief (Doc. 184) (3/8/22);
• a motion for stay pending appeal of further appeals (Doc. 185) (3/8/22);
• a motion to convert the case to chapter 13 (Doc. 190) (3/9/22);
• an “ex-parte application for stay of order of possession and writ of
assistance pending motion to dismiss bankruptcy case” (Doc. 205)
(3/10/22);
• a response to Compromise Motion (Doc. 224) (3/11/22);
• a motion for continuance of Compromise Motion (Doc. 225) (3/11/22);
• a motion for stay pending appeal of recusal motion (Doc. 246) (3/14/22).
In addition, from the petition date through March 14, 2022, Debtor filed seven
notices of appeal to the BAP in this case; and 13 through April 6, 2022, the date of the
hearing on the Compromise Motion.
6
4) that the bankruptcy court violated her due process rights by
hearing the matter on shortened notice, finding service proper,
and failing to provide reasonable accommodations for her alleged
visual disabilities.
More particularly, she argued that she did not receive the
Compromise Motion asserting that the trustee falsified the proof of service
intentionally to “disadvantage” her. The Motion for Continuance repeated
that she has a visual disability and claimed that she did not receive an
additional 1000 pages of documents filed on March 10 and 11.
D. The hearing on the Compromise Motion
At the hearing, Debtor appeared and spoke at length. She largely
focused on her motion to dismiss and withdrew her then-pending request
to convert the case to chapter 13. The bankruptcy court denied her request
for dismissal.
As to the Compromise Motion, she repeated the arguments already
made in writing and alleged her inability to respond. But she never
explained what evidence or argument she intended to muster if allowed
more time.
The bankruptcy court granted the Compromise Motion with one or
two non-substantive modifications, and Debtor timely appealed.
JURISDICTION
The bankruptcy court had jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1334 and
157(b)(2)(A). We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 158.
7
ISSUES
1. Whether Debtor has standing to object to the proposed compromise?
2. Whether the bankruptcy court’s approval of the Compromise Motion
was an abuse of discretion?
3. Whether the bankruptcy court’s approval of the trustee’s application
for order shortening time, refusal to give Debtor additional time to oppose
the motion, and refusal to make special accommodations to Debtor based
on her visual disability was an abuse of discretion?
STANDARDS OF REVIEW
A bankruptcy court’s decision as to whether it has subject matter
jurisdiction is reviewed de novo. Vylene Enters., Inc. v. Naugles, Inc. (In re
Vylene Enters., Inc.), 90 F.3d 1472, 1475 (9th Cir.1996).
Standing is an issue of law which we review de novo. Palmdale Hills
Prop., LLC v. Lehman Com. Paper, Inc. (In re Palmdale Hills Prop., LLC), 654
F.3d 868, 873 (9th Cir. 2011). Whether Debtor satisfies the “person
aggrieved” test is a question of fact that is reviewed for clear error. Id.The standard of review for the approval of a settlement is abuse of
discretion. Martin v. Kane (In re A & C Properties), 784 F.2d 1377, 1380 (9th
Cir. 1986).
As to abuse of discretion: “(1) we review de novo whether the
bankruptcy court ‘identified the correct legal rule to apply to the relief
requested’ and (2) if it did, we consider whether the . . . application of the
legal standard was illogical, implausible, or without support in inferences
8
that may be drawn from the facts in the record.” Spark Factor Design, Inc. v.
Hjelmeset (In re Open Med. Inst., Inc.), 639 B.R. 169, 180 (BAP 9th Cir. 2022),
appeals docketed, No. 22-60017 (9th Cir. June 27, 2022), No. 22-60018 (9th Cir.
June 27, 2022) (quoting United States v. Hinkson, 585 F.3d 1247, 1262 (9th Cir.
2009)). If a court “bases its ruling upon an erroneous view of the law or a
clearly erroneous assessment of the evidence[,]” abuse of discretion exists.
United States v. Levoy (In re Levoy), 182 B.R. 827, 831 (BAP 9th Cir. 1995)
(citation omitted).
DISCUSSION
A. Debtor has standing in this appeal.
“A federal court may exercise jurisdiction over a litigant only when
that litigant meets constitutional and prudential standing requirements.”
Veal v. Am. Home Mortg. Servicing, Inc. (In re Veal), 450 B.R. 897, 906 (9th Cir.
BAP 2011) (citation omitted). “Constitutional standing requires an injury in
fact, which is caused by or fairly traceable to some conduct, and which the
requested relief will likely redress.” Id. (citing Sprint Commc’ns Co., L.P. v.
APCC Servs., Inc., 554 U.S. 269, 273-74 (2008); additional citations omitted).
“The prudential standing doctrine or the ‘person aggrieved test’ provides
that ‘[o]nly those persons who are directly and adversely affected
pecuniarily by an order of the bankruptcy court . . . have standing to
appeal that order.’” Palmdale Hills Prop., 654 F.3d at 874 (quoting Fondiller v.
Robertson (In re Fondiller), 707 F.2d 441, 442 (9th Cir. 1983)). It is Debtor’s
burden to establish standing. Hasso v. Mozsgai (In re La Sierra Fin. Servs.,
9
Inc.), 290 B.R. 718, 726 (9th Cir. BAP 2002) (citing Bennett v. Spear, 520 U.S.
154, 167-68 (1997)).
Debtor erroneously claims standing based on Rule 9019(a) which
required that she receive notice of the motion. That, she reasons,
contemplates her as a “potential objector to a compromise motion,
particularly when the debtor is the party most adversely affected.” We
disagree. Requiring notice does not, by itself, give standing to every person
receiving notice.
The trustee raised the standing issue at the hearing and again in her
opening brief arguing that this is not a surplus estate. But she offered no
facts or evidence to support that statement. In her opening brief she simply
states without support that “[t]he record shows that this is not a surplus
estate.”
The bankruptcy court noted when making its ruling that the issue of
whether this is a solvent estate was still open. On this record, we, like the
bankruptcy court, accept the possibility that a surplus estate exists and,
thus, we cannot determine that Debtor lacks standing in this appeal.6
6
Debtor argues in her Reply Brief that the loss of the Properties is an irreparable
injury that provides standing on appeal. We reject that argument because she “lost” the
property when she voluntarily filed her bankruptcy petition and the real property
interests became property of the estate.
10
B. The bankruptcy court did not abuse its discretion in approving the
Compromise Motion under the A & C Properties factors.
Debtor argues (1) that the compromise was not fair, reasonable or
“adequate”; 2) that it was not supported by appropriate evidence; and 3)
that the bankruptcy court violated her due process rights by hearing the
matter on shortened notice, finding that she had been properly served, and
failing to provide reasonable accommodations for her alleged visual
disabilities. We disagree.
1. The bankruptcy court’s application of the A & C Properties
factors was sufficient to find that the Compromise Motion was
fair, reasonable, and adequate.
Courts analyze the propriety of a settlement agreement under the
rule announced by the Ninth Circuit in A & C Properties. It is based on the
bedrock principal that “[t]he law favors compromise” in order “to allow
the trustee and the creditors to avoid the expenses and burdens associated
with litigating sharply contested and dubious claims.” 784 F.2d at 1380–81.
“[A]s long as the bankruptcy court amply considered the various factors
that determined the reasonableness of the compromise, the court’s decision
must be affirmed.” Id.
In conducting the A & C Properties analysis, the court “determin[es]
the fairness, reasonableness and adequacy of a proposed settlement
agreement” through mandatory consideration of four factors: “(a) The
probability of success in the litigation; (b) the difficulties, if any, to be
encountered in the matter of collection; (c) the complexity of the litigation
11
involved, and the expense, inconvenience and delay necessarily attending
it; (d) the paramount interest of the creditors and a proper deference to
their reasonable views in the premises.” Id. at 1381. In engaging in its
analysis, courts need not conduct a mini trial on the merits, and merely
need to canvass the issues. Open Med. Inst., Inc., 639 B.R. at 180. Further, the
factors need not be treated in a vacuum; rather, they should be considered
as a whole to determine whether the settlement compares favorably with
the expected rewards of litigation. Id.
Therefore, the bankruptcy court can make general findings
supporting the settlement when the record clearly reflects that application
of these factors weighs in favor of the settlement. And the reviewing court
should affirm where the record supports approval of the compromise, even
if the findings are general. Id. at 181. In short, the absence of specific
findings as to each of the A & C Properties factors does not by itself justify
reversal.
2. The bankruptcy court’s findings were adequate.
While the bankruptcy court did not make extensive and hyper-
specific findings on the record, it expressly recognized A & C Properties as
outlining the proper standard and made clear that it applied its factors in
approving the Compromise Motion. Again, its failure to be more specific is
not a basis for reversible error when the record supports its holding. Id. at
181. Here it does.
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Debtor also argues that the trustee’s declaration supporting the
motion was not sufficient evidence to permit the bankruptcy court to make
the required findings and analysis. Again, we disagree.
The evidence establishes that the settlement was within the range of
reasonableness such that it was fair and equitable. Mr. Alam’s waiver of
any claims to the Properties provided the estate with 100% of their net
value rather than only Debtor’s 50% interest. This waiver constituted
significant consideration in exchange for the releases of claims deemed
dubious by the trustee.
Debtor does not address or refute this evidence. She was in a position
to explain why her litigation had merit and achievable value in excess of
Mr. Alam’s contribution of his interest in the Properties, but she offered
nothing. In short, there is no evidence at all opposing that which the trustee
offered.
3. The A & C Properties factors have been met.
a. Probability of success
As described in the Compromise Motion and the trustee’s
accompanying declaration, the trustee reviewed the extensive
documentation provided by Mr. Alam in his motion for relief as well other
pleadings related to the litigation. She formed the opinion that the claims
against Mr. Alam were not meritorious and that the probability of
establishing liability on any such claims was low. She noted that the Santa
Clara Superior Court stated on the record that Debtor was not credible and
13
that “the evidence did not support her claims, especially as to the eye
injury.” The same court found Mr. Alam to be credible and issued him a
five-year restraining order to protect him from Debtor.
We acknowledge that the litigation between the parties exists in
multiple courts, but Debtor’s lack of litigation success to date, and
statements from a state trial court add support to the trustee’s general
conclusions regarding a lack of probable litigation success.
The record contains sufficient evidence to enable the bankruptcy
court to make a finding that the litigation against Mr. Alam had a low
probability of success, especially given Debtor’s failure to provide any
meaningful evidence either in her oppositions or otherwise.7
b. Difficulty in collection
The trustee acknowledged that this factor is not of particular concern.
c. Complexity, expense, inconvenience, and delay in the
litigation involved
It is beyond cavil that pursuing seven pending lawsuits in multiple
courts and two counties with multiple parties, including on appeal, will be
complex and expensive and would significantly delay closing the estate.
Further, the trustee noted that the estate lacked funds to continue the
litigation even if she thought there might be some merit. The record
demonstrates that this factor strongly favors approval of the settlement.
7
We note that Debtor did not appear at any of the nine scheduled meetings of
creditors.
14
d. Paramount interest of the creditors and deference to
their reasonable views
The settlement with Mr. Alam ended significant litigation quickly
and with virtually no cost to the estate. And in turn, the estate received a
50% interest in the Properties without any costs of litigation or risk of
litigation loss. One of the Properties has already brought funds into the
estate.
In short, the record clearly reflects that application of these factors
weighs in favor of the settlement.
We cannot find on this record that the bankruptcy court abused its
discretion in approving this compromise.
C. The bankruptcy court did not violate Debtor’s due process rights
when it approved the Compromise Motion.
Debtor argues that the bankruptcy court violated her due process
rights with respect to the Compromise Motion for a myriad of reasons. We
disagree.
1. The bankruptcy court did not abuse its discretion when it
granted the trustee’s application for order shortening time to
hear the Compromise Motion.
The trustee requested that the bankruptcy court shorten the usual
time to hear the motion under Rule 9019. The basis for the request was that,
as Debtor was the plaintiff, the pending litigation required the trustee’s
immediate attention and substantial effort which was going to cost the
estate dearly in administrative fees and costs.
15
The bankruptcy court granted the request and shortened the notice
period from 21 days as provided by Rule 2002 to 13 days. The order
provided that Debtor, or any other party, could file a written opposition to
the motion at any time prior to the hearing or simply appear and oppose
the motion orally. That, in effect, gave Debtor 13 days in which to fashion
her opposition.
While Debtor claimed she did not get the Compromise Motion itself,
she filed a lengthy written opposition to the application to shorten time
and a further opposition to the Compromise Motion two days before the
hearing. She attended the hearing and was permitted to speak at length.
Given her activity in filing at least 31 separate pleadings in the case up to
the March 14 hearing on the Compromise Motion, including 16 pleadings
in the March 1 to March 14 period, she clearly knew how to find and
review documents and make her views known to the parties and to the
bankruptcy court. We disagree that she was denied due process.
Further, Debtor offered no explanation of what she was unable to do
in those 13 days that she would have been able to do if she had more time
to respond. Debtor explained, with no evidentiary support, that she could
not access emails because of impaired vision and that she had an auxiliary
service that transcribed documents into a format that she could see. She
requested additional time to respond to the Compromise Motion to allow
the auxiliary service to do its job. But she did not offer any evidence of
16
what the additional assistance would accomplish or how she was
prevented from responding without the assistance.
We discern no abuse of discretion in the decision to shorten time.
2. The bankruptcy court did not abuse its discretion when it
determined that Debtor had proper notice of the Compromise
Motion.
Notice has been explained by the Supreme Court in Mullane v. Central
Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339 U.S. 306 (1950): “[a]n elementary and
fundamental requirement of due process in any proceeding which is to be
accorded finality is notice reasonably calculated, under all the
circumstances, to apprise interested parties of the pendency of the action
and afford them an opportunity to present their objections.” Id. at 314(citations omitted). “The notice must be of such nature as reasonably to
convey the required information . . . and it must afford a reasonable time
for those interested to make their appearance.” Id. (citations omitted).
The trustee’s counsel stated that she personally “stuffed the
envelope” and mailed the motion to Debtor at the post office box address
on Debtor’s petition. She also spoke to Debtor for 18 minutes on March 1,
2022 and personally confirmed the mailing address.
In addition, Debtor admits that she had actual knowledge that the
motion had been filed. We cannot agree that she was not apprised of the
pendency of the action and afforded an opportunity to present her
17
objections. The notice reasonably conveyed the required information and
gave her a reasonable time to object.
3. The bankruptcy court did not abuse its discretion when it
denied Debtor’s request for special accommodations.
Debtor requested accommodations based on the Americans with
Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (together “ADA”). The
bankruptcy court denied the request. Debtor’s briefs on appeal, however,
do not discuss the ADA and that issue is waived. See Christian Legal Soc'y v.
Wu, 626 F.3d 483, 487 (9th Cir. 2010).8
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, we AFFIRM.
8
Further, the bankruptcy court denied that request for various reasons which can
be summarized as inapplicability of the ADA to federal court proceedings and a lack of
belief that she had a disability or that it prevented her from meaningfully participating
in the proceedings. We cannot say that the bankruptcy court abused its discretion in
making that ruling.
18