Melinda Butler v. Sarah Harter , 152 So. 3d 705 ( 2014 )

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL
FIRST DISTRICT, STATE OF FLORIDA
MELINDA BUTLER, NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO
FILE MOTION FOR REHEARING AND
Petitioner, DISPOSITION THEREOF IF FILED
v. CASE NO. 1D14-1342
SARAH HARTER,
Respondent.
___________________________/
Opinion filed December 2, 2014.
Petition for Writ of Certiorari – Original Jurisdiction.
J. Stephen O'Hara, Jr., Jeffrey J. Humphries, Kathryn N. Slade of O'Hara
Harlvorsen Humphries, PA, Jacksonville, for Petitioner.
James T. Terrell of Terrell Hogan, Jacksonville, and Michael J. Korn of Korn &
Zehmer, P.A., Jacksonville, for Respondent.
WOLF, J.
Petitioner seeks a writ of certiorari and challenges an order compelling
discovery of petitioner’s litigation file. We find the trial court’s rulings that the
petitioner waived attorney-client privilege by filing an affidavit in support of a request
for attorney’s fees, and that a party cannot claim work-product privilege in connection
with a claim for recovery of attorney’s fees, constitute clear departures from the
essential requirements of law which cannot be remedied on appeal. Thus, we grant the
petition for writ of certiorari.
Respondent Sarah Harter filed a complaint against petitioner Melinda Butler
seeking damages stemming from a car accident. Petitioner made a proposal for
settlement for $20,000. The jury returned a verdict awarding respondent $2,046. The
court entered a final judgment against petitioner for $409 after setoff.
Petitioner filed a motion for fees and costs in the circuit court pursuant to her
proposal for settlement as authorized by section 768.79, Florida Statutes. The motion
included invoices itemizing the costs and fees incurred. It also included an affidavit
from one of the attorneys of record stating that the invoices were correct and that the
costs and fees were necessarily incurred. Counsel also filed a second, nearly identical
affidavit attesting to invoices that were attached to an amended motion for fees.
Respondent filed a request for production of the “entire file” of petitioner’s
counsel “pertaining to this case.” Petitioner objected on the basis that portions of the
file were protected by attorney client and work-product privileges. Petitioner filed an
itemized privilege log.
Respondent then filed a motion to compel discovery of the litigation file,
arguing access to the entire file was necessary in order to properly defend the motion
for fees and costs. She alleged at trial that she suffered $50,000 in past medical
expenses and had $100,000 in projected future medical expenses; thus, she argued
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petitioner’s $20,000 offer of settlement was not made in good faith. She stated,
“[c]rucial in the court’s decision-making process will be evidence of the knowledge
considerations of the defense at the time the offer was made.” She further asserted that
the work-product privilege expired because the trial was over. Finally, she argued
attorney-client privilege had been waived by virtue of the affidavit attached to
petitioner’s fee motion.
Petitioner filed a response, arguing respondent had not made a threshold
showing of how the entire litigation file was relevant. She also argued work-product
privilege extended to protect the information discoverable for post-judgment fees
disputes, and the attorney-client privilege was not waived. Finally, she argued
counsel’s affidavit attesting to the bare accounting of hours worked did not waive
attorney-client privilege or work-product privilege. Alternately, even if the affidavit
did waive privilege, she argued that waiver would only extend to the information
contained in the affidavit and would certainly not waive opinion work-product.
The court entered an order granting respondent’s motion to compel. The court
found it needed the litigation file in order to determine whether petitioner’s offer was
made in good faith:
The Court must look at the subjective motivations of the Defendant
at the time the offer was made and determine whether she had the basis in
known or reasonably believed facts to conclude that the offer was
justifiable. In order to determine good faith, the Court has to make
credibility findings. Credibility findings can only be made after an
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opportunity to cross-examine the witness who claims good faith. In such
a case, that will necessitate the use of privileged communications,
assuming proper waiver of the privilege . . . .
The court concluded petitioner waived attorney-client privilege by her attorney’s filing
of the affidavit, which was tantamount to testifying. The court also found a party
cannot claim work-product privilege in connection with a claim for recovery of
attorney fees.
The trial court made no case-specific determinations concerning the need for
overcoming the work-product privilege in this particular case. The trial court also did
not elucidate what about this particular attorney’s fee affidavit constituted a waiver of
the attorney-client privilege.
I. Certiorari
We may review an interlocutory order that is not appealable under
Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.130 by petition for certiorari only
when the petitioner establishes (1) a departure from the essential
requirements of the law, (2) resulting in material injury for the remainder
of the trial (3) that cannot be corrected on postjudgment appeal. We
examine prongs two and three first to determine our certiorari
jurisdiction. “If the jurisdictional prongs . . . are not fulfilled, then the
petition should be dismissed rather than denied.”
DeLoach v. Aird, 989 So. 2d 652, 654 (Fla. 2d DCA 2007) (quoting Parkway Bank v.
Ft. Myers Armature Works, Inc., 989 So. 2d 646, 649 (Fla. 2d DCA 1995) (internal
citations omitted)). It is well established that “[c]ertiorari review ‘is appropriate in
cases that allow discovery of privileged information. This is because once privileged
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information is disclosed, there is no remedy for the destruction of the privilege
available on direct appeal.’” Coates v. Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson, P.A., 940 So. 2d
504, 506 (Fla. 2d DCA 2006) (quoting Estate of Stephens v. Galen Health Care, Inc.,
911 So. 2d 277, 279 (Fla. 2d DCA 2005) (citations omitted)). Therefore, this court
must determine whether the trial court departed from the essential requirements of the
law. DeLoach, 989 So. 2d at 654.
II. Good Faith Determination
Section 768.79(1), Florida Statutes, states a defendant is entitled to fees if she
makes a proposal for settlement, and the judgment obtained by the plaintiff is at least
25% less than that offer:
In any civil action for damages filed in the courts of this state, if a
defendant files an offer of judgment which is not accepted by the plaintiff
within 30 days, the defendant shall be entitled to recover reasonable costs
and attorney’s fees incurred by her or him or on the defendant’s behalf
pursuant to a policy of liability insurance or other contract from the date
of filing of the offer if the judgment is one of no liability or the judgment
obtained by the plaintiff is at least 25 percent less than such offer, and the
court shall set off such costs and attorney’s fees against the award. Where
such costs and attorney’s fees total more than the judgment, the court
shall enter judgment for the defendant against the plaintiff for the amount
of the costs and fees, less the amount of the plaintiff's award. . . .
However, “the court may, in its discretion, determine that an offer was not made in
good faith. In such case, the court may disallow an award of costs and attorney’s fees.”
§ 768.79(7)(a), Fla. Stat.
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Respondent argued in the trial court that to determine whether an offer was
made in good faith, the court must look at the subjective motivation of the petitioner,
which will necessitate the use of privileged communication. Respondent never
explained why the use of privileged communication is necessary in this particular case,
but instead she seems to be arguing that these types of materials are always necessary
for a determination of entitlement to attorney’s fees pursuant to section 768.79.
Respondent provides no authority or explanation to support her argument that
the pleadings and discovery are insufficient to determine whether the offer was made
in good faith. To the contrary, many courts have relied on the pleadings and
information obtained during discovery to determine whether an offer was made in
good faith. See Hall v. Lexington Ins. Co., 895 So. 2d 1161, 1166 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005)
(affirming a finding that an offer was made in good faith, despite the fact the offer was
for one-tenth of the damages claimed, because the offer was made “five years after the
start of litigation and after extensive discovery” during which the defendant received
documentation that the plaintiff misrepresented material facts); Donovan Marine, Inc.
v. Delmonico, 40 So. 3d 69, 71 (Fla. 4th DCA 2010) (“[T]he trial court correctly found
that the proposal was ‘a good faith offer based upon the discovery [and] the posture of
the case at the time the offer was extended . . . .’”); Land & Sea Petroleum, Inc. v.
Bus. Specialists, Inc., 53 So. 3d 348, 354-55 (Fla. 4th DCA 2011) (reversing the trial
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court’s finding of a lack of good faith, despite the fact the offeror had conducted little
discovery, because the unenforceability of the contract was apparent from its face).
Here, the trial court reasoned that the litigation file was necessary because “[c]redibilty
findings can only be made after an opportunity to cross-examine the witness who
claims good faith,” and “that will necessitate the use of privileged communications,
assuming proper waiver of the privilege.” However, as discussed above, whether or not
an offer was made in good faith does not require privileged communications. That
determination is made based on objective criteria. Thus, it seems petitioner is correct
that neither respondent nor the trial court established why the privileged litigation file
was necessary to conduct a good faith review of the offer for settlement.
III. Work-Product Privilege
The work-product privilege is set forth in Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.280,
which states work product is discoverable only upon a showing of undue hardship and
need, although mental impressions or legal opinions are always protected:
(4) Trial Preparation: Materials. Subject to the provisions of subdivision
(b)(5) of this rule, a party may obtain discovery of documents and
tangible things otherwise discoverable under subdivision (b)(1) of this
rule and prepared in anticipation of litigation or for trial by or for another
party or by or for that party's representative, including that party's
attorney, consultant, surety, indemnitor, insurer, or agent, only upon a
showing that the party seeking discovery has need of the materials in the
preparation of the case and is unable without undue hardship to obtain the
substantial equivalent of the materials by other means. In ordering
discovery of the materials when the required showing has been made, the
court shall protect against disclosure of the mental impressions,
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conclusions, opinions, or legal theories of an attorney or other
representative of a party concerning the litigation.
Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.280(b)(4) (emphasis added). Petitioner argues she is entitled to work-
product privilege here under rule 1.280 because (a) work-product privilege extends to
the attorney’s fees stage of litigation; (b) respondent failed to establish need and undue
hardship necessary to overcome that privilege; and (c) the information respondent
seeks is opinion work product, which is always protected. We agree with all three
contentions.
A. Work-Product Privilege and Motions for Attorney’s Fees
It is well-established that “work product retains its qualified immunity after the
original litigation terminates, regardless of whether or not the subsequent litigation is
related.” Alachua Gen. Hosp., Inc. v. Zimmer USA, Inc., 403 So. 2d 1087, 1088 (Fla.
1st DCA 1981). See also HCA Health Servs. of Fla., Inc. v. Hillman, 870 So. 2d 104,
107 (Fla. 2d DCA 2003) (finding “[b]illing records of opposing counsel are to be
treated as privileged work product” in a dispute over attorney’s fees).
Here, in finding work-product privilege did not extend to motions for attorney’s
fees, the trial court cited Martin v. Paunovich, 632 So. 2d 611 (Fla. 5th DCA 1993).
Martin is distinguishable. On motion for rehearing, the Martin court held that “the
work product privilege cannot be invoked by an attorney in connection with an
affirmative claim for recovery of attorney’s fees to avoid a discovery inquiry
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concerning possible apportionment of fees among compensable and noncompensable
claims.” Id. at 613. Although the majority provided no background, the dissent
explained that counsel argued entitlement to the full amount of fees because
apportionment was impossible, but the record clearly indicated that contention was
“absurd.” Id. at 612. During deposition, counsel “refused to testify about the basis for
their fee claim . . . claiming it was ‘work product.’” Id. at 613. When counsel was
asked if he had tried to apportion time on any issues, counsel responded “that’s work
product” and refused to answer. Id. at 613.
Martin is distinguishable because its holding is limited to its facts - an attorney
cannot claim that apportionment was impossible and then try to avoid a discovery
inquiry about the possibility of apportionment by claiming work-product privilege for
the basis of the fee claim. Here, petitioner is not refusing to disclose any information
necessary to support her claim for fees. Any information that respondent needs to meet
the burden of challenging whether the proposal was made in good faith is available
from the record.
B. Need and Undue Hardship
The respondent has failed to demonstrate a “need of the materials in the
preparation of [her] case and that [she] is unable without undue hardship to obtain the
substantial equivalent of the materials by other means,” as required by rule 1.280(b)(4)
in order to obtain work product. The respondent made no attempt in her motion or
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supporting memoranda to establish need or undue hardship. “[W]ell established in
Florida is the principle that the unsworn analysis of a party’s attorney and/or a bare
assertion of need and undue hardship to obtain the substantial equivalent [is]
insufficient to satisfy this showing.” Procter & Gamble Co. v. Swilley, 462 So. 2d
1188, 1194 (Fla. 1st DCA 1985). Further, “the showing of need encompasses a
showing of diligence by the party seeking discovery of another party’s work product.”
Id.
Respondent also failed to show undue hardship. “To determine whether a
moving party will experience undue hardship, courts must balance the moving party’s
burden in obtaining information with the non-moving party’s burden of production.”
Paradise Pines Health Care Assocs., LLC v. Bruce, 27 So. 3d 83, 84 (Fla. 1st DCA
2009) (finding there was need and undue hardship sufficient to compel the discovery
of incident reports because the subject of the report had since died, and it would have
been “difficult, if not impossible” to independently obtain the information contained in
the reports).
Petitioner is also correct that the trial court did not find need or undue hardship.
The court found its credibility determination would “necessitate the use of privileged
communications, assuming proper waiver of privilege,” apparently referring to the
attorney-client privilege. (Emphasis added). However, the court did not find need for
work product. Instead, the court found petitioner could not assert work-product
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privilege in connection with attorney’s fees. As discussed above, that finding was in
error.
C. Opinion work product
Even assuming respondent had demonstrated need and undue hardship, the
information that she seeks concerning the decision-making strategy and opinions
behind petitioner’s proposal for settlement includes “opinion” work product, which is
never discoverable.
Work product can be divided into two categories: “fact” work
product (i.e., factual information which pertains to the client’s case and is
prepared or gathered in connection therewith), and “opinion” work
product (i.e., the attorney's mental impressions, conclusions, opinions, or
theories concerning his client’s case). In re Sealed Case, 676 F.2d 793,
810-11 (D.C.Cir.1982). A clear distinction has been drawn between these
two types of work product with respect to the degree of protection
provided. Western Fuels Association v. Burlington Northern Railroad,
102 F.R.D. 201, 204 (D.Wyo.1984). Generally, fact work product is
subject to discovery upon a showing of “need,” whereas opinion work
product is absolutely, or nearly absolutely, privileged.
State v. Rabin, 495 So. 2d 257, 262 (Fla. 3d DCA 1986). The Rabin court explained
this distinction is recognized by rule 1.280, which states that “the court shall protect
against disclosure of the mental impressions, conclusions, opinions, or legal theories of
an attorney or other representative of a party concerning the litigation.” Fla. R. Civ. P.
1.280(b)(4) (emphasis added); Rabin, 495 So. 2d at n.6. See also 5500 N. Corp. v.
Willis, 729 So. 2d 508, 512 (Fla. 5th DCA 1999) (“An attorney’s mental impressions,
conclusions, opinions or theories concerning the client’s case are opinion work product
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and are absolutely privileged” as recognized by rule 1.280). “[C]onsiderations of need
and undue hardship . . . are not relevant [if] . . . the protected collection of documents
constitutes opinion work product, which is ‘absolutely, or nearly absolutely,
privileged.’” Smith v. Fla. Power & Light Co., 632 So. 2d 696, 699 (Fla. 3d DCA
1994) (quoting Rabin, 495 So. 2d at 262).
The case at hand is analogous to Ford Motor Co. v. Hall-Edwards, 997 So. 2d
1148 (Fla. 3d DCA 2008). In Ford, the Third District granted a petition for writ of
certiorari quashing the order of a trial court that compelled Ford to grant access to a
database created by its attorneys that functioned as a “notebook” containing the
attorneys’ “thoughts, opinions, strategies, mental impressions and advice” regarding
the case. Id. at 1153. The Third District found those documents “fall within the
absolute immunity protecting opinion work product.” Id. at 1154. Here, petitioner
argues that the specific information sought by respondent in her motion, and by the
trial court in its order, was opinion work product, which is protected by absolute
immunity. We agree.
In summation, the trial court departed from the essential requirements of the law
by ordering production of petitioner’s litigation file because work-product privilege
extends to motions for attorney’s fees, respondent failed to prove need or undue
hardship, and the information from the file that respondent sought was opinion work
product, which is absolutely immune from discovery.
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IV. Attorney-Client Privilege
The attorney-client privilege is set forth in section 90.502(2), Florida Statutes,
which states, “[a] client has a privilege to refuse to disclose, and to prevent any other
person from disclosing, the contents of confidential communications when such other
person learned of the communications because they were made in the rendition of legal
services to the client.”
The trial court found petitioner’s attorney-client privilege was waived when her
counsel filed an affidavit stating the invoices attached to the motion for fees were
accurate. The court found that affidavit was tantamount to petitioner’s counsel
testifying. The court cited Official Cargo Transport Co., Inc. v. Certain Interested
Underwriters at Lloyds of London Subscribing to Certificate of Insurance Numbers
M104255.000 & M104256.000, 368 F. Supp. 2d 1314 (S.D. Fla. 2005). That case is
factually distinguishable and not binding on this court.
In Official Cargo, the plaintiff sought to have the defendant produce documents
and letters of communication between the defendant’s attorney and the defendant in
order to prove a lack of good faith in making a settlement offer. Counsel withheld that
documentation, asserting attorney-client privilege. Id. at 1317. However, at a hearing
on the matter, defense counsel failed to invoke the privilege, but instead answered
questions regarding the basis for the offer. Id. at 1318. Counsel then “stated that he
wished to establish a record regarding the basis for the offer and then proceeded to
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establish such a record . . . even reveal[ing] statements communicated to him by the
client.” Id. The federal district court held that counsel waived attorney-client privilege
when he testified regarding the basis for the offer, and he clearly waived the privilege
when he established a record regarding the basis for the offer which included
privileged communication. Id.
The case at hand is clearly distinguishable. Here, counsel’s affidavit did not
discuss or disclose privileged communication between counsel and the client. Instead,
counsel merely attested that the invoices itemizing the costs and fees incurred, which
were attached to the motion for fees, were accurate.
“The hours expended and rate charged by defense counsel is not information
protected by either the attorney-client or work product privilege.” Anderson Columbia
v. Brown, 902 So. 2d 838, 841-42 (Fla. 1st DCA 2005). The invoice was nothing more
than a bare accounting of the hours spent and rate charged, along with broadly worded,
vague descriptions of the work. Therefore, the invoice and affidavit did not disclose
privileged communication and thus did not waive attorney-client privilege.
Further, even if the affidavit constituted waiver, “the attorney-client privilege
would be waived with respect to other unrevealed communications only to the extent
that they are relevant to the communication already disclosed.” E. Air Lines, Inc. v.
Gellert, 431 So. 2d 329, 332 (Fla. 3d DCA 1983). Stated differently, “if attorney-client
privilege is waived regarding a certain matter, the waiver is limited to communications
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on the same matter.” Alliant Ins. Servs., Inc. v. Riemer Ins. Group, 22 So. 3d 779, 781
(Fla. 4th DCA 2009). Further, “[i]f a party seeks to compel the disclosure of
documents that the opposing party claims are protected by attorney-client privilege, the
party claiming the privilege is entitled to an in camera review of the documents by the
trial court prior to disclosure. . . . If the parties disagree as to the scope of the privilege
waiver, a trial court must delineate the scope of the waiver before it may compel
discovery of information.” Id. Therefore, even if privilege had been waived here, that
waiver would have been limited, and petitioner would have been entitled to an in
camera review.
In summation, we find the trial court departed from the essential requirements of
the law in compelling disclosure of the entire litigation file, because that file is
protected by work-product and attorney-client privilege. We, therefore, GRANT the
petition for writ of certiorari and quash the order compelling discovery of the entire
litigation file.
ROWE and OSTERHAUS, JJ., CONCUR.
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