In re Guardianship of Bakhtiar , 2021 Ohio 2163 ( 2021 )

[Cite as In re Guardianship of Bakhtiar, 2021-Ohio-2163.]
STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF LORAIN )
IN RE: GUARDIANSHIP OF FOUROUGH C.A. No. 20CA011676
BAKHTIAR
APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
ENTERED IN THE
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
COUNTY OF LORAIN, OHIO
CASE No. 2013 GI 00040
DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY
Dated: June 28, 2021
SUTTON, Judge.
{¶1} Appellant, Dariush Saghafi, one of Fourough Bakhtiar’s sons, appeals the judgment
of the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division. For the reasons that follow, this
Court affirms.
I.
Relevant Background
{¶2} The present appeal arises from this Court’s May 7, 2018 remand of In re
Guardianship of Bakhtiar, 9th Dist. Lorain Nos. 16CA011036, 16CA011038, 2018-Ohio-1764,
relating to the reasonableness of attorney fees and costs awarded to: (1) the Guardianship of
Fourough Bakhtiar, for Attorney Zachary Simonoff’s guardian and attorney fees and costs; (2)
Fourough Bakhtiar, for Attorney Stephen Wolf’s attorney fees and costs; and (3) Jaleh Presutto,
Fourough Bakhtiar’s daughter, for Attorney Neil Spike’s attorney fees and costs. This award of
2
attorneys fees stems from the frivolous conduct of Mr. Saghafi. This Court, in Bakhtiar at ¶ 24,
affirmed the trial court’s determination that Mr. Saghafi engaged in frivolous conduct, stating:
[A]s a review of the record shows that [Mr.] Saghafi has continued to file pleadings
in this matter with no evidentiary basis, we cannot say that the probate court abused
its discretion when it determined that [Mr.] Saghafi’s actions were frivolous and
that “[t]his litigation has only served to inflate costs and drain assets of the ward
and others.” [Attorney] Simonoff testified that [Mr.] Saghafi’s repetitive motions
have interfered with his duties to the ward and caused him to make repeated
responses to motions and appeals, thus, requiring him to hire an attorney to
represent him. He further stated that that amount of money spent defending the
motions and appeals “is bleeding the guardianship dry.”
Further, this Court determined the trial court did not abuse its discretion in finding Mr. Saghafi
partook in the unauthorized practice of law by filing a brief in opposition to Ms. Presutto’s motion
to complete renovations or, in the alternative, to restore home to its prior condition, where he had
no personal interest in the outcome of that particular motion. Id. at ¶ 44.
{¶3} Additionally, this Court remanded the issue of whether the requested attorneys fees
and costs, awarded due to Mr. Saghafi’s frivolous conduct, are reasonable, stating:
Although the probate court noted that it “undertook an independent review of the
billing statements submitted in this case * * * and awards reasonable fees, attorney
fees, and other expenses * * *,” the probate court did not state its basis for
determining that the fees were reasonable. * * * Following the hearing in this
matter, the probate court allowed the parties to submit attorney fee statements for
the fees incurred as a result of [Mr.] Saghafi’s conduct. Although [Attorney]
Simonoff, on behalf of the guardianship, [Ms.] Presutto, and [Attorney] Wolf,
representing [Fourough] Bakhtiar, all filed statements requesting attorney fees with
an attached invoice summarizing the work performed and associated hours, none
of the statements addressed the reasonableness of the fee or the reasonableness of
the time spent.
Id. at ¶ 30. In response, the trial court held a second evidentiary hearing on attorneys fees to
address the sole issue of reasonableness.
3
The July 25, 2019 Evidentiary Hearing
{¶4} At the July 25, 2019 evidentiary hearing, Attorney James N. Taylor testified as an
expert on behalf of the Guardianship, Fourough Bakhtiar and Ms. Presutto. Specifically, Attorney
Taylor testified he does probate work in Lorain, Cuyahoga, Erie, Medina and Huron Counties,
focusing “85 to 90 percent” of his work in Lorain County. Attorney Taylor was contacted by
Attorney Simonoff to “look at the reasonableness of his fees regarding the sanction issues that
were outstanding in this case.” Attorney Taylor further testified he: (1) reviewed the forty-two-
page docket, “paying specific attention to the period of time in 2016 when the issues came up
regarding sanctions for frivolous conduct[;]” (2) analyzed everything; (3) discussed the billing
statements with Attorney Simonoff; (4) reviewed the December 23, 2016 Judgment Entry; (5)
reviewed Attorney Wolf’s billing statements; (6) reviewed Attorney Spike’s billing statements;
and (7) reviewed the various motions for attorney fees. Attorney Taylor spent approximately six
hours of time performing this review.
{¶5} Attorney Taylor explained that, while Attorneys Wolf and Spike segregated their
billing to reflect specific time spent on the frivolous filings by Mr. Saghafi, Attorney Simonoff
submitted a comprehensive billing summary reflecting all of his billable time. As such, Attorney
Taylor reviewed each of Attorney Simonoff’s billing entries, between the dates of May 16, 2016
and August 8, 2016, for those relating to frivolous conduct and Civ.R. 11 sanctions. In so doing,
Attorney Taylor “went through and thought what is the normal course. What is reasonable in the
practice. What is the standard rate. Would these things be charged to prepare for that hearing.”
Upon completion of his review of Attorney Simonoff’s billing statements, Attorney Taylor marked
down “about five or six” hours of the “daily charges,” concluding as follows:
I found that 91.4 hours at $200 an hour to be reasonable, justifiable expenses, and
I would have no problem saying to the court that those fees I would expect the court
4
could authorize, if it should so desire, for fees relating to the conduct of [Mr.
Saghafi.]
Further, Attorney Taylor opined:
In Lorain County, based on [Attorney Simonoff’s] experience, what I’ve seen
charged by various attorneys at different stages in their career, I find $200 to be
very reasonable and in accordance with the standards of this court.
Attorney Taylor also concluded Attorney Simonoff’s costs in the amount of $990.50 “seemed
reasonable.”
{¶6} As to Attorney Wolf’s billing statements, Attorney Taylor testified he had the
opportunity to review them and found 19.7 hours at $200 an hour to be “fair, within the standards
of the Lorain County Probate practice for reasonable hourly charges and fees.” Further, in review
of Attorney Spike’s billing statements, Attorney Taylor found 55.4 hours at $200 and 14.1 hours
at $250 an hour “reasonable.” Attorney Taylor indicated it was his understanding that the
difference in hourly rate was due to “[c]ourtroom work as a trial lawyer.” Moreover, Attorney
Taylor did not object to an “increased hourly rate” in this regard.
{¶7} During cross-examination, Attorney Taylor further reduced Attorney Simonoff’s
total fee amount from 91.4 to 89.4 hours, and also reduced Attorney Spike’s total fee amount from
69.5 to 68.9 hours, based upon billing entries relating to the unauthorized practice of law. With
these two additional reductions, Attorney Taylor concluded that Attorney Simonoff’s 89.4 hours,
Attorney Wolf’s 19.7 hours, and Attorney Spike’s 68.9 hours were reasonable in this matter.
The August 10, 2020 Judgment Entry
{¶8} In its August 10, 2020 Judgment Entry, the trial court indicated Attorney Taylor
was engaged as an expert in this matter as to the reasonableness of the requested attorneys’ fees,
and further detailed Attorney Taylor’s thorough review of the Simonoff, Wolf and Spike billing
5
statements and the extensive court record. The trial court also “undertook an independent review”
of the billing statements submitted in this case, and further explained:
[t]aking into account Attorney Taylor’s experience and review of this matter, the
[c]ourt finds his testimony to be very persuasive on the issue of the reasonableness
of the hours spent by the attorneys, the reasonableness of the hourly rates and the
reasonableness of the total amount of attorney fees and costs incurred with respect
to [Mr.] Saghafi’s frivolous conduct.
Ultimately, the trial court awarded attorneys fees and costs for the frivolous conduct of Mr. Saghafi
as follows: (1) the Guardianship of Fourough Bakhtiar was awarded the sum of $17,880.00 for
Attorney Simonoff’s attorney and guardian fees, for 89.4 hours of work at $200.00 per hour, plus
$990.50 in costs, totaling $18,870.50; (2) Fourough Bakhtiar, for Attorney Wolf’s attorney fees,
was awarded the sum of $3,940.00, for 19.7 hours of work at $200.00 per hour; and (3) Ms.
Presutto, for Attorney Spike’s attorney fees, was awarded the sum of $14,485.00 for 54.8 hours of
work at $200.00 per hour and 14.1 hours of work at $250.00 per hour, plus $6.00 in costs, totaling
$14,491.00.
{¶9} It is from this Judgment Entry Mr. Saghafi appeals, raising a single assignment of
error.
II.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR
THE PROBATE COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY APPROVING A
REQUEST FOR AN AWARD OF ATTORNEY FEES WITHOUT THE
REQUISITE QUALIFIED LEGAL EXPERT TESTIMONY TO SUPPORT
SUCH AN AWARD.
{¶10} In his Brief, Mr. Saghafi argues Attorney Taylor was not properly qualified as an
expert witness at the July 25, 2019 evidentiary hearing and, as such, his testimony should have
been stricken from the record. We note Mr. Saghafi, in his argument against Attorney Taylor’s
qualifications as an expert witness, incorrectly references Evid.R. 701, regarding lay witness
6
testimony, instead of Evid.R. 702, regarding expert testimony. Further, Mr. Saghafi contends that,
without testimony from Attorneys Simonoff, Wolf and Spike regarding their own bills, the trial
court had insufficient evidence to determine the reasonableness of the fees. We disagree.
Legal Analysis
{¶11} “‘It is well settled that where a court is empowered to award attorney fees by statute,
the amount of such fees is within the sound discretion of the trial court. Unless the amount of fees
determined is so high or so low as to shock the conscience, an appellate court will not interfere.’”
Fleischer v. George, 9th Dist. Medina No. 09CA0057-M, 2010-Ohio-3941, ¶ 30, quoting Bittner
v. Tri–County Toyota, Inc., 58 Ohio St.3d 143, 146 (1991). “This is true because the trial judge
has presumably presided over the entire course of litigation, is familiar with the work performed
by the attorneys, and is in a better position than the court of appeals to evaluate the value of the
attorneys’ services.” Id. “Thus, an award of attorney’s fees will not be reversed absent an abuse
of discretion.” Id. An abuse of discretion “implies that the court's attitude is unreasonable,
arbitrary, or unconscionable.” Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219 (1983).
{¶12} Further, the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct set forth the following factors that
the trial court should apply in determining whether attorney's fees are reasonable:
(1) the time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved,
and the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly; (2) the likelihood, if
apparent to the client, that the acceptance of the particular employment will
preclude other employment by the lawyer; (3) the fee customarily charged in the
locality for similar legal services; (4) the amount involved and the results obtained;
(5) the time limitations imposed by the client or by the circumstances; (6) the nature
and length of the professional relationship with the client; (7) the experience,
reputation, and ability of the lawyer or lawyers performing the services; (8) whether
the fee is fixed or contingent.
7
Jefferson v. Creveling, 9th Dist. Summit No. 24206, 2009-Ohio-1214, ¶ 33, quoting Grine v.
Sylvania School Bd. Of Edn., 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-06-1314, 2008-Ohio-1562 at ¶ 65, quoting
Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5.
{¶13} In the present matter, pursuant to R.C. 2323.51(B)(1), the trial court awarded
attorneys fees to the Guardianship of Fourough Bakhtiar, Fourough Bakhtiar, and Ms. Presutto.
R.C. 2323.51(B)(1) states, in relevant part:
any party adversely affected by frivolous conduct may file a motion for an award
of court costs, reasonable attorney’s fees, and other reasonable expenses incurred
in connection with the civil action or appeal. The court may assess and make an
award to any party to the civil action or appeal who was adversely affected by
frivolous conduct[.]
In awarding these fees, the trial court determined “the burden of reasonableness [had] been proven”
based upon the expert testimony of Attorney Taylor and the court’s own independent review of
the attorneys’ submitted billing statements.
{¶14} Evid.R. 702 allows a witness to testify as an expert if all the following apply:
(A) The witness’ testimony either relates to matters beyond the knowledge or
experience possessed by lay persons or dispels a misconception common among
lay persons;
(B) The witness is qualified as an expert by specialized knowledge, skill,
experience, training, or education regarding the subject matter of the testimony;
(C) The witness' testimony is based on reliable scientific, technical, or other
specialized information.
Importantly, “[t]o qualify as an expert, the witness need not be the best witness on the subject.”
Scott v. Yates, 71 Ohio St.3d 219, 221 (1994), citing Alexander v. Mt. Carmel Med. Ctr., 56 Ohio
St.2d 155, 159 (1978). “Qualifications which may satisfy the requirements of Evid.R. 702 are
multitudinous.” State v. Mack, 73 Ohio St.3d 502, 511 (1995). As such, “[t]he qualification of an
expert is a matter for determination by the court on the facts, and rulings with respect to such
8
matters will ordinarily not be reversed unless there is a clear showing that the court abused its
discretion.” (Internal citation omitted.) Id.{¶15} Although Mr. Saghafi contends Attorney Taylor was not qualified as an expert
witness, the record clearly indicates otherwise. As previously stated, Attorney Taylor testified he
is a practicing attorney in Lorain, Cuyahoga, Erie, Medina and Huron Counties, and focuses “85
to 90 percent” of his practice in Lorain County on probate law. Attorney Taylor has practiced law
in Lorain County since 1983. Further, relating to this matter, Attorney Taylor testified he was
contacted to review the billing statements of Attorneys Simonoff, Wolf and Spike to determine the
reasonableness of the requested attorneys fees. The transcript from the July 25, 2019 Evidentiary
Hearing shows that Attorney Taylor reviewed the segregated billing statements of Attorneys Wolf
and Spike. Based upon Attorney Taylor’s experience as a probate attorney in Lorain County, he
determined $3,940.00, for 19.7 hours of work at $200.00 per hour, and $14,491.00, for 54.8 hours
of work at $200.00 per hour and 14.1 hours of work at $250.00 per hour, plus $6.00 in costs, to be
reasonable. Moreover, the transcript reveals Attorney Taylor reviewed Attorney Simonoff’s
comprehensive billing statements. Based upon Attorney Taylor’s review of the extensive forty-
two-page record in this case and conversations with Attorney Simonoff, in conjunction with
Attorney Taylor’s experience as a probate attorney in Lorain County, he determined $18,870.50,
for 89.4 hours of work at $200.00 per hour, plus $990.50 in costs, to be reasonable. Additionally,
Attorney Taylor testified he “realized the total complexity” of this case after reviewing the record.
{¶16} The trial court presided over the July 25, 2019 Evidentiary Hearing wherein
Attorney Taylor testified as an expert witness as to the reasonableness of the attorneys’ fees, and
the trial court also performed an independent review of the submitted billing statements. Indeed,
due to its handling of the Guardianship of Fourough Bakhtiar from its inception, the trial court had
9
full knowledge of the record, along with the nature of ongoing complexities and challenges facing
both the attorneys and litigants over the course of eight years. Thus, taking into account Attorney
Taylor’s expert testimony regarding the reasonableness of the hours and hourly rate, and the trial
court’s own independent analysis of the billing statements, the trial court concluded “[t]he burden
of reasonableness of the attorney fees has been proven in this case.”
{¶17} Further, to the extent Mr. Saghafi argues the trial court failed to qualify Attorney
Taylor through a proffer by Attorney Eric Zagrans, the trial court acknowledged Attorney Taylor
as an expert in its August 10, 2020 Judgment Entry. The trial court, in “[t]aking into account
Attorney Taylor’s experience and review of this matter,” found Attorney Taylor’s testimony “very
persuasive” regarding the reasonableness of the attorneys fees and costs. Through both direct and
cross-examination, Attorney Taylor’s qualifications were thoroughly discussed and challenged in
open court. Mr. Saghafi had ample opportunity to object to Attorney Taylor’s qualifications, as
well as the manner in which Attorney Taylor was presented to the trial court for purposes of
qualification as an expert, at any point during the August 10, 2020 evidentiary hearing. However,
Mr. Saghafi failed to object, in any regard, about Attorney Taylor’s status as an expert. (“It is well
settled that the failure to timely object to a possible error results in a forfeiture of the issue for
purposes of appeal.” Marsico v. Skrzypek, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 13CA010410, 2014-Ohio-5185, ¶
6, citing Goldfuss v. Davidson, 79 Ohio St.3d 116, 121 (1997)). As such, any possible error
regarding the procedural mechanism of qualifying Attorney Taylor as an expert, does not
constitute reversible error.
{¶18} Based upon the record before us, this Court finds the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in qualifying Attorney Taylor as an expert regarding the reasonableness of the attorneys
10
fees, and awarding the requested attorneys fees and costs, with minor deductions, to the
Guardianship of Fourough Bakhtiar, Fourough Bakhtiar, and Ms. Presutto.
III.
{¶19} For the reasons stated above, Mr. Saghafi’s sole assignment of error is overruled.
The Judgment of the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division, is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common
Pleas, County of Lorain, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy of
this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of
judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the period
for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is instructed to
mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the mailing in the
docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
Costs taxed to Appellant.
BETTY SUTTON
FOR THE COURT
HENSAL, P. J.
TEODOSIO, J.
CONCUR.
11
APPEARANCES:
CHARLES V. LONGO and GREGORY B. GIPSON, Attorneys at Law, for Appellant.
ERIC ZAGRANS, Attorney at Law, for Appellee.
STEPHEN WOLF, Attorney at Law, for Appellee.
NEIL SPIKE, Attorney at Law, for Appellee.