Herbison v. Schwaner ( 2019 )

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1 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
2 DANIEL J. HERBISON,
3 Plaintiff/Counterdefendant-Appellant,
4 v. No. A-1-CA-34997
5 MARIE SCHWANER, Personal
6 Representative of the ESTATE of
7 ROBERT MONTGOMERY,
8 Defendant/Counterclaimant-Appellee.
9 APPEAL FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF BERNALILLO COUNTY
10 Nan G. Nash, District Judge
11 Daniel J. Herbison
12 Albuquerque, NM
13 Pro Se Appellant
14 Ryan P. Danoff
15 Albuquerque, NM
16 for Appellee.
17 MEMORANDUM OPINION
18 ZAMORA, Chief Judge.
1 {1} Daniel J. Herbison (Plaintiff) appeals two district court orders, the first
2 enforcing a settlement memorandum and the second awarding Marie Schwaner,
3 personal representative of the Estate of Robert Montgomery (Defendant), attorney
4 fees. On appeal, Plaintiff argues that the settlement memorandum signed by both
5 parties amounted to a preliminary agreement to settle and not an enforceable
6 agreement. Plaintiff also argues that the district court abused its discretion in
7 awarding Defendant attorney fees, pursuant to Rule 1-011 NMRA, without first
8 holding an evidentiary hearing. Last, Plaintiff asserts that the district court erred in
9 allowing Defendant to file a Rule 1-056(F) NMRA affidavit in response to his
10 motion for summary judgment.
11 {2} We conclude that the parties reached a final and enforceable agreement and
12 therefore affirm the district court’s order enforcing their settlement memorandum.
13 We also conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion when it granted
14 Defendant’s motion for attorney fees. Accordingly, we affirm both district court
15 orders.
16 BACKGROUND
17 {3} Immediately following court-ordered mediation, the parties signed a hand-
18 written settlement memorandum prepared by the mediator agreeing to specific
2
1 terms and conditions. 1 The mediator sent a follow-up letter to the parties
2 instructing Defendant’s counsel to prepare the draft of the settlement agreement,
3 the final release, and the order of dismissal. In the letter, he also reminded the
4 parties that the memorandum of settlement provided that they could refer any
5 language disputes to him for resolution, though he did not anticipate any, given the
6 simple terms of the agreement. The parties then began a prolonged exchange of
7 emails in an attempt to facilitate the preparation of the formal settlement
8 agreement, but these efforts failed as the result of a disagreement between the
9 parties over the form of release and a remedy for a breach of the confidentiality
10 provision. Both parties agreed that a breach of confidentiality would be considered
11 a material breach of the agreement, but Plaintiff suggested that the remedy for any
12 breach “shall entitle the non-breaching party, at such party’s election, to cancel this
13 agreement and to recover all consideration given or paid by the nonbreaching
14 party.” Defendant, for her part, favored language providing that “the breaching
15 party could be subject to damages for such disclosure to be determined by a court
16 of law.” The parties could not resolve their differences over the disputed language,
17 a circumstance which prevented performance of their respective obligations under
18 the settlement memorandum. After receiving correspondence from both parties’
19 attorneys, the mediator offered to assist in fashioning appropriate language for
1
In
deference to the confidentiality provision of the settlement
memorandum, we discuss only those provisions necessary to our analysis.
3
1 purposes of resolving the remaining breach of confidentiality remedy issue. The
2 mediator proposed the following language in an attempt to resolve the impasse:
3 All matters discussed at the settlement facilitation conference and
4 terms of the settlement are strictly confidential. Any disclosure of any
5 such matter or of any term of this settlement by any party, including a
6 party’s agent at the direction of the party, is a substantial and material
7 breach by the party of this Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release.
8 In such event, the nonbreaching party may apply to any court with
9 jurisdiction for any and all available remedies, including damages
10 and/or rescission of the Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release.
11 The mediator also expressed his view that the parties created an enforceable
12 contract when they executed the settlement memorandum at the mediation.
13 {4} Defendant eventually filed a motion to enforce settlement asserting that the
14 settlement memorandum was an enforceable settlement agreement. In her motion,
15 Defendant alleged that “[t]he remaining issue between the parties is the form of the
16 release centering mainly around the confidentiality clause in the form of release[,]”
17 and that this amounted to a dispute over language and should have been resolved
18 by the mediator as specified in the court’s order sending the parties to mediation.
19 In response, Plaintiff asserted that the settlement memorandum was an incomplete
20 settlement agreement, and as such was unenforceable.
21 {5} Following a hearing, the district court granted Defendant’s motion to
22 enforce, finding that: both parties had signed the settlement memorandum; the
23 parties had agreed that language disputes would be referred to the mediator; “[t]he
24 parties’ disagreement on the formal settlement agreement and release of claims
4
1 [was] a ‘language dispute;’ ” and ultimately “[t]he parties[’ s]ettlement
2 [m]emorandum is binding and shall be enforced.” Based upon these findings, the
3 district court ordered both parties to sign the formal settlement agreement as
4 modified by the district court within thirty days and to comply with all provisions
5 of the settlement agreement.
6 {6} Defendant also filed a motion for attorney fees and costs. Although
7 Defendant’s motion did not provide a legal basis for an award of attorney fees, her
8 reply brief cited Rule 1-011 as a legal basis for the award, asserting that Plaintiff’s
9 noncompliance with the settlement memorandum constituted frivolous or
10 vexatious litigation. This appeal followed.
11 DISCUSSION
12 The Settlement Memorandum is an Enforceable Contract
13 {7} “All settlement agreements are contracts and therefore are subject to contract
14 law[.]” Herrera v. Herrera, 1999-NMCA-034, ¶ 9, 126 N.M. 705, 974 P.2d 675;
15 see Sitterly v. Matthews, 2000-NMCA-037, ¶ 15, 129 N.M. 134, 2 P.3d 87116 (recognizing that a settlement agreement is interpreted in the same way as any
17 other contract). Thus, the issue before this Court is a question of law—whether the
18 settlement memorandum amounted to the formation of a complete, binding, and
19 enforceable contract. See Garcia v. Middle Rio Grande Conservancy Dist.,
20 1983-NMCA-047, ¶ 22, 99 N.M. 802, 664 P.2d 1000 (“The existence of a contract
5
1 between parties is generally a question of law[.]”), overruled on other grounds by
2 Montoya v. AKAL Sec., Inc., 1992-NMSC-056, 114 N.M. 354, 838 P.2d 971. We
3 review questions of law de novo. See Rivera v. Am. Gen. Fin. Servs., Inc., 2011-
4 NMSC-033, ¶ 27, 150 N.M. 398, 259 P.3d 803 (“Contract interpretation is a matter
5 of law[.]”).
6 {8} The parties do not dispute the fact that they signed the settlement
7 memorandum at the conclusion of their mediation, or the substance of the terms of
8 that settlement memorandum. For a contract to be valid there must be a meeting of
9 the minds between the parties or an objective manifestation of the parties’ mutual
10 agreement. See Trujillo v. Glen Falls Ins. Co., 1975-NMSC-046, ¶ 6, 88 N.M. 279,
11 540 P.2d 209 (holding that in order for a contract to be valid, the agreement must
12 ordinarily be expressed plainly and explicitly enough to show what the parties
13 agreed upon). When one party makes an offer, acceptance of the offer by the other
14 party must be unconditional. See Silva v. Noble, 1973-NMSC-106, ¶ 6, 85 N.M.
15 677, 515 P.2d 1281 (noting that “[i]n order to constitute a binding contract, there
16 must be an unconditional acceptance of the offer made[,] . . . and an intention to be
17 bound” by the agreement (internal quotation marks and citation omitted)).
18 Manifestation of an agreement “may be either written or oral or by actions and
19 conduct or a combination thereof, but regardless of the form or means used, there
20 must be made manifest a definite intention to accept the offer and every part
6
1 thereof and be presently bound thereby without material reservations or
2 conditions.” Id. (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). “An offeree’s
3 acceptance must be clear, positive, and unambiguous[.]” Orcutt v. S & L Paint
4 Contractors, Ltd., 1990-NMCA-036, ¶ 12, 109 N.M. 796, 791 P.2d 71.
5 {9} We recognize, however, that in the context of settlement agreements where
6 negotiations are ongoing and continuous, it can be more difficult to identify with
7 precision the offer, the acceptance and the manifestation of mutual assent. See
8 Restatement (Second) of Contracts, § 22(2) (1981) (“A manifestation of mutual
9 assent may be made even though neither offer nor acceptance can be identified and
10 even though the moment of formation cannot be determined.”). Our appellate
11 courts have held that a party “can be considered bound by a settlement even if
12 certain details are not worked out, if such details are not essential to the proposal or
13 cause a change in the terms or purpose to be accomplished by the settlement.”
14 Jones v. United Minerals Corp., 1979-NMSC-103, ¶ 13, 93 N.M. 706, 604 P.2d
15 1240 (citing Bogle v. Potter, 1963-NMSC-076, ¶ 3 72 N.M. 99, 380 P.2d 839).
16 Thus, acceptance requires agreement between the parties on terms that are essential
17 to the agreement. Otherwise, the contract is unenforceable. See Fratello v. Socorro
18 Elec. Co-op, Inc., 1988-NMSC-058, ¶ 9, 107 N.M. 378, 758 P.2d 792 (holding that
19 there was no settlement agreement when it was not clear the parties agreed on a
20 specific price and date for the delivery of the trucks that were the subject of the
7
1 contract); Silva, 1973-NMSC-106, ¶ 6 (holding that there was no contract where
2 testimony showed the parties could not agree on the size of the car wash that was
3 the subject of the agreement, or the details concerning the method of financing).
4 {10} Here, Plaintiff has taken issue with mere details concerning but one of the
5 terms of the settlement memorandum—its confidentiality provision—and not the
6 essence of the term itself. The parties agreed and have continued to agree on the
7 material terms of the agreement. None of the communications exchanged between
8 the parties subsequent to the signing of the settlement memorandum called into
9 question the parties’ mutual assent to the inclusion of a confidentiality provision or
10 any other material term of the settlement agreement.
11 {11} The material term at issue here was the fact that the agreement was to
12 remain confidential. As we previously noted, our New Mexico Supreme Court has
13 held that an enforceable contract exists where the remaining details are not
14 essential to the enforcement of the contract in factually similar situations. See
15 Bogle v. Potter, 1963-NMSC-076, ¶ 11, 72 N.M. 99, 380 P.2d 839 (holding that a
16 party’s failure to include in its offer the details of carrying out an agreement to
17 accomplish its purpose did not prevent a meeting of the minds); Stites v. Yelverton,
18 1955-NMSC-098, ¶ 31, 60 N.M. 190, 289 P.2d 628 (holding that the essential and
19 material terms of an agreement had been agreed upon despite the lack of agreement
20 on peripheral or “minimal” provisions matters).
8
1 {12} The language proposed by the mediator provided the remedy for any breach
2 of the “substantial and material” confidentiality term of the settlement agreement.
3 See Bogle, 1963-NMSC-076, ¶ 11; KidsKare, P.C. v. Mann, 2015-NMCA-064, ¶
4 20, 350 P.3d 1228 (describing material breach as “the failure to do something that
5 is so fundamental to the contract that the failure to perform that obligation defeats
6 an essential purpose of the contract” (internal quotation marks and citation
7 omitted)). The question of what should happen in the event a party breached the
8 confidentiality provision was a secondary matter that did not affect the formation
9 of the settlement agreement. We therefore conclude that the parties entered into a
10 binding and enforceable contract and, accordingly, affirm the district court’s order
11 enforcing the settlement agreement.
12 Attorney Fees
13 {13} Plaintiff contends that the district court awarded Defendant attorney fees as a
14 sanction, pursuant to Rule 1-011. Plaintiff also argues that Defendant inadequately
15 pled Rule 1-011 sanctions and therefore provided insufficient notice of her request
16 for sanctions; the district court’s findings to support the award were inadequate;
17 and there is nothing in the record to support the award. Defendant contends that the
18 basis of the district court’s award was Plaintiff’s conduct requiring Defendant to
19 file a motion to enforce the settlement memorandum because of vexatious or
20 unnecessary litigation.
9
1 {14} An award of attorney fees is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. N.M. Right
2 to Choose/NARAL v. Johnson, 1999-NMSC-028, ¶ 6, 127 N.M. 654, 986 P.2d 450;
3 Gavin Maloof & Co. v. Sw. Distrib. Co., 1987-NMSC-103, ¶ 9, 106 N.M. 413, 744
4 P.2d 541 (recognizing that “the amount of an award of attorney fees lies within the
5 sound discretion of the [district] court” and that the court can determine a
6 reasonable fee based on the court’s knowledge of the case and the pleading in the
7 file); Hertz v. Hertz, 1983-NMSC-004, ¶ 43, 99 N.M. 320, 657 P.2d 1169 (“It is
8 well[]settled that an award of attorney[] fees on the basis of reasonable
9 compensation is a finding not to be disturbed unless patently erroneous as
10 reflecting an abuse of discretion.” (emphasis, internal quotation marks, and citation
11 omitted)). A discretionary decision based on a misapprehension of the law is an
12 abuse of discretion that must be reviewed de novo. N.M. Right to Choose/NARAL,
13 1999-NMSC-028, ¶ 7. Thus, the question of whether the correct law has been
14 applied and the district court’s application of that law to the facts are reviewed de
15 novo. Id. ¶¶ 7-8. After we determine whether the correct law has been applied, we
16 review a discretionary decision for an abuse of discretion and reverse “only if it
17 [is] contrary to logic and reason.” Id. ¶ 8 (internal quotation marks and citation
18 omitted). “The test is not what we would have done had we heard the fee request,
19 but whether the [district] court’s decision was clearly against the logic and effect of
10
1 the facts and circumstances before the court.” In re Estate of Greig, 1988-NMCA-
2 037, ¶ 22, 107 N.M. 227, 755 P.2d 71.
3 {15} The rule in New Mexico is that attorney fees are proper “only when
4 authorized by statute, court rule, or an agreement expressly providing for their
5 recovery.” Garcia v. Jeantette, 2004-NMCA-004, ¶ 16, 134 N.M. 776, 82 P.3d
6 947. However, this standard remains subject to three exceptions that are narrow in
7 scope: “(1) exceptions arising from a court’s inherent power to sanction the bad
8 faith conduct of litigant and attorneys, (2) exceptions arising from certain exercises
9 of a court’s equitable powers, and (3) exceptions arising simultaneously from
10 judicial and legislative powers.” Clark v. Sims, 2009-NMCA-118, ¶ 21, 147 N.M.
11 252, 219 P.3d 20 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Our courts “may
12 award attorney fees to vindicate [their] judicial authority and compensate the
13 prevailing party for expenses incurred as a result of frivolous or vexatious
14 litigation.” Seipert v. Johnson, 2003-NMCA-119, ¶ 12, 134 N.M. 394, 77 P.3d 29815 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).
16 {16} Based on the district court’s familiarity with the case, including but not
17 limited to the parties’ prolonged and ongoing dispute over the remedy and release
18 language of the settlement agreement; the pleadings filed to enforce the settlement
19 agreement; as well as defense counsel’s itemization of work performed by each
20 attorney, time spent on the work and the total dollar amount of the fees and costs
11
1 provided with the motion for attorney fees, the district court was warranted in
2 determining that Defendant’s counsel was entitled to reasonable attorney fees in
3 the amount of $4,450. See Gavin Maloof & Co., 1987-NMSC-103, ¶ 9. Therefore,
4 we cannot say that the district court abused its discretion in awarding attorney fees.
5 {17} In her motion to enforce settlement and her reply brief supporting that
6 motion, and in addition to other relief, Defendant requested “attorney[] fees and
7 costs and for such other and further relief as the [c]ourt may deem just and proper.”
8 Defendant subsequently filed a motion for attorney fees and costs itemizing the
9 total dollar amount of the fees and costs incurred. It was not until her reply brief
10 that Defendant argued that Plaintiff willfully failed to abide by the terms and
11 conditions of the settlement memorandum and argued that the attorney fees were
12 justified as a sanction, pursuant to Rule 1-011, for unnecessary litigation.
13 {18} Plaintiff’s contention that the district court awarded Defendant attorney fees
14 as a sanction pursuant to Rule 1-011 falls short. The district court order does not
15 identify Rule 1-011 as a basis for the attorney fees award.2 Because Defendant
16 does not otherwise point us to any place in the record that supports her argument
17 that the district court relied, in any way, on Rule 1-011 in awarding attorney fees,
18 we need not address her argument. See Chan v. Montoya, 2011-NMCA-072, ¶ 9,
2
Notably, Plaintiff in his docketing statement conceded that “[i]t [was]
unclear whether or not Rule [1-0]11 is actually at issue in the [district] court’s
order.”
12
1 150 N.M. 44, 256 P.3d 987 (“It is not our practice to rely on assertions of counsel
2 unaccompanied by support in the record. The mere assertions and arguments of
3 counsel are not evidence.” (internal quotation marks and citation omitted)).
4 Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment Was Rendered Moot
5 {19} Plaintiff argues that the district court erred by denying his motion for
6 summary judgment. The record does not reflect a denial of Plaintiff’s motion for
7 summary judgement; rather, the district court determined the motion to be
8 premature and effectively held it in abeyance for further factual development.
9 However, the district court’s subsequent order enforcing the settlement
10 memorandum and agreement rendered the pending motion for summary judgment
11 moot. See Srader v. Verant, 1998-NMSC-025, ¶ 40, 125 N.M. 521, 964 P.2d
12 82 (reviewing court will not determine academic or moot questions).
13 CONCLUSION
14 {20} We conclude that the parties reached a final and enforceable settlement
15 agreement and, therefore, affirm the district court’s order enforcing their settlement
16 memorandum. We also conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion
17 by granting Defendant’s motion for attorney fees. Accordingly, we affirm both
18 district court orders.
19 {21} IT IS SO ORDERED.
20 ___________________________________
13
1 M. MONICA ZAMORA, Chief Judge
2 WE CONCUR:
3 _______________________________
4 LINDA M. VANZI, Judge
5 _______________________________
6 JACQUELINE R. MEDINA, Judge
14