JOHN BARON VS. KARMIN PARALEGAL SERVICES (DC-010281-18, BERGEN COUNTY AND STATEWIDE) ( 2019 )

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court." Although it is posted on the
internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
APPELLATE DIVISION
DOCKET NO. A-1025-18T1
JOHN BARON,
Plaintiff-Respondent,
v.
KARMIN PARALEGAL
SERVICES,
Defendant-Appellant.
_________________________
Submitted October 29, 2019 – Decided November 21, 2019
Before Judges Yannotti, Currier and Firko.
On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law
Division, Bergen County, Docket No. DC-010281-18.
Alan Karmin, appellant pro se.
John Baron, respondent pro se.
PER CURIAM
Defendant Karmin Paralegal Services (defendant) appeals from an order
of the Law Division Special Civil Part dated September 11, 2018, which
awarded plaintiff John Baron $3000 in compensatory damages and $9000 in
punitive damages, for a total judgment of $12,000, and dismissed defendant's
counterclaim following a bench trial. Because plaintiff's complaint did not seek
punitive damages, we affirm in part and reverse in part.
I.
In March 2017, plaintiff entered into a contract with defendant to provide
paralegal services involving a child support dispute with his ex-wife.
Defendant's owner, Alan Karmin (Karmin), advised plaintiff that his ex-wife's
claim was "frivolous" because she could not assert jurisdiction over plaintiff in
New Jersey as the divorce decree was entered in North Carolina. Plaintiff's ex-
wife resided in North Carolina with the parties' minor child prior to moving to
New Jersey. Moreover, Karmin told plaintiff "he ha[d] the expertise [of] an
attorney, but he d[id not] charge attorney fees."
Defendant offered to prepare certain documents, including an answer to
the ex-wife's motion, a cross-motion, discovery requests, a reply to any
opposition, legal research, and correspondence. Plaintiff hired Karmin, and
signed a contract on March 11, 2017, stating in part:
1. I [(Alan Karmin)] agree to serve as a paralegal in
order to prepare and produce documents needed to file
with the court for your matter.
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2. I will serve at all times as an impartial facilitator of
your document preparation. I am a member of the New
Jersey State Bar Association and I am a mediator
trained by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing
Legal Education and on the list of court-appointed
mediators for family and civil cases. My role in this
matter is strictly limited to that of document preparation
and under no circumstances will I, nor am I able to,
represent you in a court of law at any time in this matter.
....
7. You have the right to retain legal counsel to advise
you as to your legal rights and responsibilities.
8. My fee for services rendered for the time spent on
this process is $1500 to be paid prior to the beginning
of the process. This fee is strictly based on the work
contracted for and covers the documents listed in 5 (a)
through (e) and four hours of phone conversations,
email/text messages, research, etc. Should further
issues arise that require work including, but not limited
to, written correspondences, phone conversations,
emails/text messages, research, and/or document
preparation, time will be billed at an hourly rate of $75
per hour and will be billed in a minimum of [one-
quarter] hour increments . . . .
9. The services provided are strictly limited to that of
document preparation. The decisions by the court in
your matter are in no way guaranteed, nor should it be
implied that any decisions by the court are guaranteed
as a result of any documents presented.
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Plaintiff paid defendant an initial retainer of $750 upon signing the
contract, and an additional $750 on May 2, 2017. In return, Karmin prepared
opposition to the motion filed by plaintiff's ex-wife.
Karmin also prepared an appeal for plaintiff that was filed on July 11,
2017, which was unsuccessful. In total, plaintiff paid defendant $1500 for the
appellate services.
Thereafter, plaintiff filed an application in the Family Part on December
27, 2017, prepared by Karmin, relative to child support. Karmin prepared an
opening and closing statement for plaintiff to use, but he neglected to bring them
to the hearing. In March 2018, a Family Part judge ruled against plaintiff and
in favor of his ex-wife. After plaintiff informed Karmin of the adverse outcome,
he responded that plaintiff "erred by not using his prepared opening and
closing." Another appeal prepared by Karmin was unsuccessful.1
In May 2018, plaintiff consulted with several attorneys about his child
support matter. One attorney advised him that Karmin performed "shoddy legal
work" and violated ethical standards. Another attorney reported Karmin to
"Trenton." Plaintiff demanded a full refund from Karmin via email on May 18,
2018. Karmin refused to provide a full refund, but offered a partial refund,
1
Karmin claims plaintiff withdrew the second appeal.
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which plaintiff rejected. On May 23, 2018, plaintiff sent Karmin an email
stating he expected a full reimbursement "by the end of the week" and if it was
not forthcoming, plaintiff would "follow [through]."
Plaintiff also advised Karmin he was "on the radar," which Karmin
interpreted as a threat. In response, Karmin stated he was "consulting" with his
own attorney and stated: "Your repeated emails, making the demand over and
over again, and the statements you are making, are threatening in nature and
nothing short of harassment and a form of blackmail." An acrimonious
exchange of emails between the parties followed.
Karmin reiterated his offer to reimburse plaintiff for the cost of the second
appeal, which plaintiff again turned down. In reply, Karmin sent plaintiff an
email advising their business was done, "and there [was] no reason for any
further contact[,]" otherwise he would "file charges" for "blackmail, extortion,
and harassment." Plaintiff emailed back:
Not all. You took my money and gave me legal advice
and sent out court documents! Once I got legal advice
from you, I realized how I gave my money away to
someone who has no right to practice law and writing
documents representing me. You cost me a losing
appeal and $937 out of my pocket.
Sorry but I have to protect other innocent bystanders
who buy into your B*******!
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See you in court[.]
On June 7, 2018, Karmin filed a police report against plaintiff based upon
"harassing emails." Thereafter, plaintiff filed a complaint with the Committee
on the Unauthorized Practice of Law, which referred the matter to the Union
County Prosecutor's Office. An investigation ensued and charges were filed
against Karmin, who ultimately entered Pre-Trial Intervention, conditioned
upon payment of restitution.
On June 18, 2018, plaintiff filed a complaint against defendant in the
Special Civil Part alleging fraud. In his complaint, he stated:
I am suing KARMIN PARALEGAL (Alan Karmin) for
all monies [and] fees paid to him for misrepresentation.
Mr. Karmin has been processing all my legal
documents and motions in a child support case. I was
contacted by [the] ethics committee who will be
pursuing legal action and [the allegation is defendant]
committed fraud. He has been acting as an attorney for
me without a law degree!
Defendant filed a counterclaim asserting frivolous litigation, harassment,
extortion, defamation of character, tortious interference, and intentional
infliction of emotional distress.
On July 30, 2018, plaintiff emailed Karmin: "You actually filed a report
on me for harassment and blackmail!! Really?? . . . You're the scam artist and
I did warn you. See you in court and bring your checkbook. Na na na na[.]"
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Sometime in August 2018, a "John B.," presumably plaintiff, provided a
review of Karmin's services on Google. The review stated:
[Karmin] pretends he has the expertise as an attorney,
he does not!! He claims he is cheaper [than] an
attorney, well you get what you pay for, bad results.
After using [Karmin] for a legal matter which he
convinced me he could help and save me money that
went bad for me, I had to hire an attorney. I consulted
a few attorneys on my case and they all laughed at me
and said who prepared your shoddy legal work and
documents[?] Fast forward, my attorney worked
everything out for me. I wasted much time and money.
My advice is to stay far away! Hire an attorney with a
law degree who understands the law [better than] some
paralegal who thinks he's an attorney!!! I'm being
totally authentic on my experience. Sometimes you
learn the hard way and hope this helps others to not buy
into his nonsense.
During the bench trial, the trial judge heard opening and closing
statements, questioned each party, and allowed cross-examination. Karmin
testified: "I am very well aware of what [the] unauthorized practice of law is,
and I'm very, very careful not to even walk that line."
The trial judge found plaintiff was "candid with the [c]ourt" and "[d]id not
run away from those vituperative statements that he may have made" relative to
his May 2018 emails. Further, the judge found plaintiff's testimony was
"consistent with the evidence[] that was [adduced] at trial." In his findings, the
judge determined the agreement signed by plaintiff and [Karmin] in March 2017
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"serve[d] as a retainer agreement, a legal retainer agreement, to process
litigation work on behalf of the plaintiff to the defendant." The judge also found:
[W]hile there's some limiting language to try to
distance himself from the practice of law [in the
agreement], that, for all intents and purposes, this is a
retainer agreement to do just that, practice law. And to
prepare [c]ourt documents, which then would be
surreptitiously then filed by the pro se, as his own.
When, in fact, they were prepared under the advice of
counsel, an individual who is not an attorney, Alan
Karmin.
That the defendant gave legal advice, and explained the
legal proceedings to the plaintiff, . . . and that was clear.
....
And, while Karmin Paralegal Serv[ic]es and [] Karmin
[try] to pretend that they're not practicing law, it was
clear that it -- by using the euphemism of [the]
document preparation agreement, that, in fact, that's
what he was doing. And, then, trying to hide behind the
plaintiff, by making the plaintiff look like he's
proceeding pro se.
But, [Karmin's] out giving legal advice, preparing
documents for filing in [c]ourt, preparing appeal
documents, et cetera. As the old statement goes, actions
speak louder [than] words.
The judge also concluded, based on the money orders plaintiff had submitted
into evidence during the bench trial, that plaintiff compensated defendant $3000
for its services.
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The judge further found plaintiff proved that defendant "committed fraud,
[insofar] as he practiced law without a license, charged the plaintiff for those
services, and kept the money." Based on that conclusion, the judge determined
defendant owed plaintiff [$3000]. Additionally, the judge found that because
defendant committed fraud, it would "triple the [$3000] award of compensatory
damages for an award of [$9000], as punitive, on top of the [$3000] in
compensatory, for a total award of $12,000."
In dismissing the counterclaim, the judge stated:
the [c]ourt hear[d] that the plaintiff filed complaints
concerning -- and posting complaints concerning Mr.
Karmin's services. And, as such, he certainly had a
right to do that. There can be no cause of action for
that, he had a, certainly, a -- a perfect right to do that.
And to, also, request his refund of the fees that were
paid to him. And, as such, the [c]ourt finds no merit to
the counterclaim.
This appeal followed.
On appeal, defendant argues: (1) the judge ignored the principle of false
in one, false in all; (2) plaintiff failed to establish the elements of fraud; (3) the
judge ignored pertinent evidence; (4) the judge showed bias and disrespect to
him; (5) the judge abused his discretion; (6) plaintiff engaged in frivolous
litigation; and (7) plaintiff is guilty of harassment, extortion, defamation of
character, tortious interference, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
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II.
Our review of the trial court's determinations following a non-jury trial is
a limited one. Petrozzi v. City of Ocean City, 433 N.J. Super. 290, 316 (App.
Div. 2013) (citing Rova Farms Resort, Inc. v. Inv'rs Ins. Co., 65 N.J. 474, 484
(1974)). We must "give deference to the trial court that heard the witnesses,
sifted the competing evidence, and made reasoned conclusions." Griepenburg
v. Twp. of Ocean, 220 N.J. 239, 254 (2015) (citing Rova Farms Resort, Inc., 65
N.J. at 483-84). Reviewing courts "should 'not disturb the factual findings and
legal conclusions of the trial judge' unless convinced that those findings and
conclusions were 'so manifestly unsupported by or inconsistent with the
competent, relevant and reasonably credible evidence as to offend the interests
of justice.'" Ibid. (quoting Rova Farms Resort, Inc., 65 N.J. at 484). We also
defer to the trial judge's evaluation of witness credibility. Cesare v. Cesare, 154
N.J. 394, 412 (1998). Thus, review on appeal "does not consist of weighing
evidence anew and making independent factual findings; rather, [an appellate
court's] function is to determine whether there is adequate evidence to support
the judgment rendered at trial." Cannuscio v. Claridge Hotel and Casino, 319
N.J. Super. 342, 347 (App. Div. 1999) (citing State v. Johnson, 42 N.J. 146, 158-
59 (1964)).
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However, we owe no deference to the trial court's "interpretation of the
law and the legal consequences that flow from established facts . . . ." Manalapan
Realty, L.P. v. Twp. Comm. of Manalapan, 140 N.J. 366, 378 (1995). We
review such decisions de novo. 30 River Court E. Urban Renewal Co. v.
Capograsso, 383 N.J. Super. 470, 476 (App. Div. 2006) (citing Rova Farms
Resort, Inc., 65 N.J. at 483–84; Manalapan Realty, 140 N.J. at 378).
A. False in One, False in All
Karmin argues plaintiff "lied multiple times" during the trial and the judge
erred in finding plaintiff credible. Specifically, Karmin claims plaintiff was
incredulous by testifying: (1) defendant's website appeared in a Google search
for the word, "attorney"; (2) Karmin advised plaintiff he had to file an appeal
relative to his child support matter; (3) that plaintiff's appeal was "unsuccessful"'
(4) Karmin demanded payment for his services; (5) plaintiff was unhappy with
Karmin's services; (6) plaintiff received a phone call from the Ethics Committee
in Trenton; and (7) Karmin acted on his own. We disagree.
The "falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus" or "false in one, false in all"
doctrine may be invoked by a trial judge when a witness has testified falsely to
a material fact. State v. Fleckenstein, 60 N.J. Super. 399, 408 (App. Div. 1960).
The maxim is not a mandatory rule of evidence, but rather a permissible
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inference. Ibid. (citing State v. Guida, 118 N.J.L. 289, 297 (Sup. Ct. 1937)). Its
application is a matter of the trial judge's discretion and goes to the weight to be
given to the testimony in question. Hargrave v. Stockloss, 127 N.J.L. 262, 266
(E. & A. 1941).
We have carefully considered the record, the briefs, and the contentions
advanced by both parties, in light of applicable law. Here, the findings of the
trial judge are supported by adequate, substantial, and credible evidence, and
there was no abuse of discretion. The false in one, false in all doctrine is not
applicable and there was no error in the judge's determination that plaintiff was
credible.
B. Fraud
Karmin argues he did not commit fraud because the parties' agreement
clearly stated "that the services were strictly document preparation and would
be provided to the [p]laintiff as requested and directed." And, Karmin never
represented he was an attorney. We are unpersuaded by Karmin's arguments.
To prove common law fraud, five elements must be satisfied: "(1) a
material misrepresentation of a presently existing or past fact; (2) knowledge or
belief by the defendant of its falsity; (3) an intention that the other person rely
on it; (4) reasonable reliance thereon by the other person; and (5) resulting
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damages." Gennari v. Weichert Co. Realtors, 148 N.J. 582, 610 (1997).
"Misrepresentation and reliance are the hallmarks of any fraud claim, and a fraud
cause of action fails without them." Banco Popular N. Am. v. Gandi, 184 N.J.
161, 174 (2005).
Here, the trial judge concluded defendant committed fraud by engaging in
the unauthorized practice of law, charging plaintiff for its services, and retaining
plaintiff's payments.
Our Court has recognized that the "practice of law does not lend itself 'to
[a] precise and all-inclusive definition.'" N.J. State Bar Ass'n v. N.J. Mortg.
Assoc., 32 N.J. 430, 437 (1960) (quoting Auerbacher v. Wood, 142 N.J. Eq.,
484, 485 (E. & A. 1948)). The practice of law is not "limited to the conduct of
cases in court but is engaged whenever and wherever legal knowledge, training,
skill and ability are required." Stack v. P.G. Garage, Inc., 7 N.J. 118, 121 (1951).
Defining the practice of law generally requires a case-by-case analysis because
of the broad scope of the field of law. In re Op. No. 24 of Comm. on the Unauth.
Practice of Law, 128 N.J. 114, 122 (1992).
Here, Karmin admittedly prepared legal documents for plaintiff. Our
jurisprudence is clear that the drafting of pleadings and other legal documents
constitutes the practice of law. See Cape May Cty. Bar Ass'n v. Ludlam, 45 N.J.
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121, 124 (1965) (stating the practice of law included the "filling in and
completion of legal forms."). Karmin also provided plaintiff with legal advice
about his child support dispute. The unauthorized practice of law also
encompasses offering legal advice. See In re Estate of Margow, 77 N.J. 316,
328 (1978) (finding unauthorized practice of law when offering legal advice to
testatrix and actively participating in the drafting of a will).
Here, Karmin engaged in the practice of law without the benefit of a
supervising attorney. See RPC 5.3. He misrepresented his ability to practice
law by representing to plaintiff he had "the expertise of an attorney." The judge
aptly found Karmin intended for plaintiff to rely on his advice, to his detriment,
and sustained damages. Based on the credible testimony of plaintiff and the
evidence, the judge properly concluded defendant committed fraud.
C. Bias
Karmin contends that the trial judge's bias against him is evidenced by his
ignoring "all of the lies told" by plaintiff. This argument is devoid of merit, but
we make this observation.
The Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 2, Rule 2.1 provides that "[a] judge
shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the
independence, integrity and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid
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impropriety and the appearance of impropriety." In the present case, the trial
judge heard the parties' testimony and considered the evidence. The court's
remarks during the trial appeared to be "patient, dignified, and courteous" to the
litigants. See Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon Rule 3, 3.5. Neither the judge's
finding with respect to plaintiff's credibility nor his ruling establish a bias
against Karmin or an appearance of bias.
D. Abuse of Discretion – Punitive Damages
Defendant next argues that the trial judge abused his discretion in
awarding punitive damages because the award was "excessive," "outrageous,"
and "had no basis [in] law." Because plaintiff did not specifically pray for
punitive damages in his complaint, we vacate and reverse the award of punitive
damages.
The Punitive Damages Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.9 to -17, provides
guidelines for determining whether punitive damages may be awarded. The
statute provides:
a. Punitive damages may be awarded to the plaintiff
only if the plaintiff proves, by clear and convincing
evidence, that the harm suffered was the result of the
defendant's acts or omissions, and such acts or
omissions were actuated by actual malice or
accompanied by a wanton and willful disregard of
persons who foreseeably might be harmed by those acts
or omissions. This burden of proof may not be satisfied
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by proof of any degree of negligence including gross
negligence.
b. In determining whether punitive damages are to be
awarded, the trier of fact shall consider all relevant
evidence, including but not limited to, the following:
(1) The likelihood, at the relevant time, that serious
harm would arise from the defendant's conduct;
(2) The defendant's awareness of reckless disregard of
the likelihood that the serious harm at issue would arise
from the defendant's conduct;
(3) The conduct of the defendant upon learning that its
initial conduct would likely cause harm; and
(4) The duration of the conduct or any concealment of
it by the defendant.
[N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.12.]
N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.12(c) provides guidelines by which the trier of fact is to
determine the amount of punitive damages to be awarded.
The Act is designed to punish a wrongdoer and deter future such
misconduct. See N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.10. Thus, under the Act, punitive damages
may be awarded if the plaintiff proves that the defendant caused harm and the
harm suffered resulted from defendant's actual malice or wanton and willful
disregard of plaintiff's rights. N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.12(a).
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"An award of punitive damages must be specifically prayed for in the
complaint." N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.11; see also In re Estate of Stockdale, 196 N.J.
275 (2008). Since plaintiff did not seek punitive damages in his complaint, the
trial judge was not authorized to award punitive damages in this matter. We
therefore reverse and vacate the $9000 punitive damage award, leaving plaintiff
with a judgment for compensatory damages in the amount of $3000.
E. Frivolous Litigation
Defendant next contends plaintiff engaged in frivolous litigation because
he was "well aware that [d]efendant is not an attorney" from the agreement
executed in March 2017. We disagree.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:15-59.1(b)(1) and (2), a complaint is frivolous where:
(1) The complaint . . . was commenced, used or
continued in bad faith, solely for the purpose of
harassment, delay or malicious injury; or
(2) The nonprevailing party knew, or should have
known, that the complaint . . . was without any
reasonable basis in law or equity and could not be
supported by a good faith argument for an extension,
modification or reversal of existing law.
In the first email plaintiff sent to Karmin in May 2018, he clearly indicated
he sought reimbursement so he could retain counsel to litigate his family matter.
Plaintiff's intent was to simply get his money back, and he "[did not] want to
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cause problems." When Karmin refused to fully refund the monies, plaintiff
filed his complaint. The cause of action was not frivolous and defendant has not
demonstrated the complaint was filed to harass or maliciously injure defendant.
We conclude that the remaining arguments—to the extent we have not
addressed them—lack sufficient merit to warrant any further discussion in a
written opinion. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).
Thus, we affirm the trial court's decision in awarding $3000 in
compensatory damages to plaintiff, and we vacate and reverse the $9000
punitive damages award.
Affirmed in part, reversed in part.
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