Stepka v. McCormack , 2016 Ohio 3103 ( 2016 )

[Cite as Stepka v. McCormack, 2016-Ohio-3103.]
STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF LORAIN )
RONALD W. STEPKA C.A. No. 14CA010611
Appellee
v. APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
ENTERED IN THE
THOMAS A. MCCORMACK COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
COUNTY OF LORAIN, OHIO
Appellant CASE No. 13CV180617
DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY
Dated: May 23, 2016
MOORE, Judge.
{¶1} Defendant, Thomas A. McCormack, appeals from the judgment of the Lorain
County Court of Common Pleas. This Court affirms in part, reverses in part, and remands this
matter for further proceedings consistent with this decision.
I.
{¶2} Ronald and Erin Stepka (“Husband” and “Wife” respectively) were married with
two minor daughters, living in Avon Lake, Ohio. Husband worked as a firefighter. Because of
the flexibility in his work schedule, Husband was the primary caregiver to the parties’ daughters.
Wife was a medical doctor who worked in Cleveland. Wife lost her job, and could not seek
employment in an area in geographic proximity to the family’s marital home due to a non-
compete provision in her contract. She and Husband began looking for employment
opportunities for Wife out-of-state. At some point in the summer of 2010, Husband learned that
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Wife intended to move to Minnesota permanently with the parties’ children. However, he
wished to remain in Ohio with their children.
{¶3} As a result, Husband retained Mr. McCormack, an attorney licensed in Ohio, to
pursue a legal separation action in Lorain County, so that he could retain possession of his
children in Ohio. It is unclear where the children were located at the time that Husband retained
Mr. McCormack. Mr. McCormack filed in the Lorain County Domestic Relations Court a
complaint for legal separation and a motion to order the children returned to Ohio. Mr.
McCormack also moved the court for a restraining order, which, in part, sought to restrain Wife
from permanently taking the children out of the state of Ohio. The trial court immediately
granted a standard restraining order pertaining to harassment, finances, and health insurance, but
the order did not then address Wife’s ability to remove the children from Ohio. Mr. McCormack
was aware of a local rule (“Loc.R. 11”) through which he could obtain an ex parte order
restraining Wife from removing the children from Ohio, but he did not obtain such an order on
Husband’s behalf.
{¶4} Within five days after the filing of his complaint, Husband informed Mr.
McCormack that the children were in Ohio and staying with him. However, later that month,
while the children were under the care of Husband’s sister, Wife and/or Wife’s sister removed
the children from Ohio and relocated them to Minnesota. Later in the proceedings in the Lorain
County Domestic Relations Court, Wife filed a counterclaim for divorce.
{¶5} The children remained in Minnesota during the pendency of the domestic action
in Lorain County. The Lorain County Domestic Relations Court appointed a guardian ad litem,
who visited the children in Minnesota approximately seven months after they had been relocated
there. After the guardian’s investigation, he recommended that the children remain in Minnesota
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with Wife. As part of his reasoning, the guardian cited that the children were comfortable, and
had readjusted, in Minnesota. However, the guardian opined that, if the children had remained in
Ohio during the proceedings, he would not have been surprised if the children would have
expressed opinions regarding their comfort, schooling, and recreational activities in Ohio which
were as favorable as their opinions as to these activities in Minnesota.
{¶6} In June of 2011, Mr. McCormack sought permission from Husband to dismiss his
complaint for legal separation, advising Husband that doing so would provide them with “more
leeway” if the parties did not settle. Husband responded that he granted permission to proceed in
that manner if counsel believed it would improve his case. On June 17, 2011, Mr. McCormack
voluntarily dismissed the complaint for legal separation so that the parties could proceed on
Wife’s counterclaim for divorce. However, the same day that Mr. McCormack dismissed the
complaint, Wife dismissed her counterclaim for divorce. Also, on the same day, Wife prepared
divorce proceedings in Minnesota, and effectuated service on Husband.
{¶7} Thereafter, Mr. McCormack advised Husband that he should retain counsel in
Minnesota, and he advised Husband that he was seeking an ethical opinion pertaining to his
continued representation of Husband. Mr. McCormack did not re-file the complaint in Ohio.
{¶8} Husband retained counsel in Minnesota. Thereafter, Husband and Wife reached a
settlement in the Minnesota divorce action, agreeing upon the division of assets and liabilities,
and agreeing that the parties would have joint custody of their children, with Wife being the
primary residential custodian.
{¶9} On July 3, 2012, Husband filed a complaint for legal malpractice against Mr.
McCormack in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The parties unsuccessfully attempted mediation, after
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which Husband voluntarily dismissed his complaint on June 10, 2013. Husband then refiled his
complaint in Lorain County on June 14, 2013, which is the present case.
{¶10} During the discovery phase of the present litigation, Mr. McCormack sought
disclosure of Husband’s file with his Minnesota counsel. Husband objected on the basis of
attorney-client privilege. Thereafter, Mr. McCormack moved to compel production of the file.
Husband produced materials from his Minnesota counsel’s file that he acknowledged were not
privileged, and Husband moved for a protective order on the basis of attorney-client privilege for
the remaining materials in the file, consisting of communications directly between Husband and
successor counsel. The trial court concluded that these communications were protected by
attorney-client privilege, which was not waived, and to which no exception applied.
Consequently, the court denied Mr. McCormack’s motion and granted Husband a protective
order.
{¶11} Mr. McCormack then filed a motion for summary judgment, in which he included
an argument that no question of fact existed that the statute of limitations barred Husband’s
action. Husband filed a cross-motion for partial summary judgment on the issue of the statute of
limitations. The trial court concluded that no question of fact existed that the action was not
barred by the statute of limitations. Accordingly, the trial court denied Mr. McCormack’s
motion, and granted Husband’s motion, on this issue.
{¶12} The case proceeded to bench trial, and Mr. McCormack moved for a directed
verdict on the issue of damages for mental anguish, arguing that Husband had not provided
evidence sufficient to establish such damages. The trial court granted the motion with respect to
“a claim for the negligent infliction of emotional distress,” but denied the motion with respect to
“a general claim for mental anguish as a part of noneconomic damages[.]” Thereafter, the trial
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court found in favor of Husband. In a journal entry dated June 3, 2014, the trial court awarded
Husband damages in the amount of $450,000, with $150,000 of these damages attributable to
Husband’s noneconomic damages arising from the loss of a greater amount of parenting time of
his children, which the court concluded caused him anguish.
{¶13} Mr. McCormack timely appealed, and he now raises six assignments of error for
our review. We have consolidated certain assignments of error to facilitate our discussion.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY GRANTING [HUSBAND’S] MOTION FOR
PROTECTIVE ORDER AND DENYING [MR.] MCCORMACK’S MOTION
TO COMPEL.
{¶14} In his first assignment of error, Mr. McCormack argues that the trial court erred in
granting Husband’s motion for a protective order, and denying Mr. McCormack’s motion to
compel disclosure of communications between Husband and his Minnesota attorney. We
disagree.
{¶15} “Parties have a right to liberal discovery of information under the Rules of Civil
Procedure.” Ward v. Summa Health Sys., 128 Ohio St.3d 212, 2010-Ohio-6275, ¶ 9. “Discovery
may be obtained through ‘deposition upon oral examination or written questions; written
interrogatories; production of documents, electronically stored information, or things or
permission to enter upon land or other property, for inspection and other purposes; physical and
mental examinations; and requests for admission.’” Id., quoting Civ.R. 26(A).
{¶16} “Ordinarily, a discovery dispute is reviewed under an abuse-of-discretion
standard.” Ward at ¶ 13, citing Tracy v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 58 Ohio St.3d 147,
151-152 (1991). “However, if the discovery issue involves an alleged privilege, as in this case, it
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is a question of law that must be reviewed de novo.” Ward at ¶ 13, citing Med. Mut. of Ohio v.
Schlotterer, 122 Ohio St.3d 181, 2009-Ohio-2496, ¶ 13.
{¶17} “The attorney-client privilege is one of the oldest recognized privileges for
confidential communications.” (Citations omitted.) Buckeye Corrugated, Inc. v. Cincinnati Ins.
Co., 9th Dist. Summit No. 26634, 2013-Ohio-3508, ¶ 8. “The privilege is intended to encourage
full and frank communication between attorneys and their clients and thereby promote broader
public interests in the observance of law and the administration of justice.” (Internal quotations
and citations omitted.) Id. “In Ohio, the attorney-client privilege is governed by statute, R.C.
2317.02(A), and in cases that are not addressed in R.C. 2317.02(A), by common law.” (Citations
omitted.) Id.{¶18} R.C. 2317.02(A), provides, in relevant part:
The following persons shall not testify in certain respects:
(A)(1) An attorney, concerning a communication made to the attorney by a client
in that relation or concerning the attorney’s advice to a client * * *. However, if
the client voluntarily reveals the substance of attorney-client communications in a
nonprivileged context or is deemed by section 2151.421 of the Revised Code to
have waived any testimonial privilege under this division, the attorney may be
compelled to testify on the same subject.
**
(2) An attorney, concerning a communication made to the attorney by a client in
that relationship or the attorney’s advice to a client, except that if the client is an
insurance company, the attorney may be compelled to testify, subject to an in
camera inspection by a court, about communications made by the client to the
attorney or by the attorney to the client that are related to the attorney’s aiding or
furthering an ongoing or future commission of bad faith by the client, if the party
seeking disclosure of the communications has made a prima-facie showing of bad
faith, fraud, or criminal misconduct by the client.
{¶19} “The attorney-client privilege provides that ‘(1) [w]here legal advice of any kind
is sought (2) from a professional legal adviser in his capacity as such, (3) the communications
relating to that purpose, (4) made in confidence (5) by the client, (6) are at his insistence
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permanently protected (7) from disclosure by himself or by the legal adviser, (8) unless the
protection is waived.’” Buckeye Corrugated, Inc. at ¶ 9, quoting State ex rel. Leslie v. Ohio
Hous. Fin. Agency, 105 Ohio St.3d 261, 2005-Ohio-1508, ¶ 21, quoting Reed v. Baxter, 134 F.3d
351, 355-356 (6th Cir.1998). “The attorney-client privilege reaches far beyond a proscription
against testimonial speech. The privilege protects against any dissemination of information
obtained in the confidential relationship.” Buckeye Corrugated, Inc. at ¶ 9, quoting American
Motors Corp. v. Huffstutler, 61 Ohio St.3d 343, 348 (1991). See also Squire, Sanders &
Dempsey, L.L.P. v. Givaudan Flavors Corp., 127 Ohio St.3d 161, 2010-Ohio-4469, ¶ 18 (R.C.
2317.02 applies not just to testimonial privilege, but also to “sought-after communications during
the discovery process.”) (Citation omitted.).
{¶20} Here, Mr. McCormack claimed that Husband waived the attorney-client privilege
between himself and his successor counsel by placing protected information at issue in this case.
Mr. McCormack argues that doing so amounted to an implied waiver of the privilege under the
test enunciated in Hearn v. Rhay, 68 F.R.D. 574 (E.D.Wash.1975) .
{¶21} However, in Jackson v. Greger, 110 Ohio St.3d 488, 490, 2006-Ohio-4968(2006), the Ohio Supreme Court held that “R.C. 2317.02(A) provides the exclusive means by
which privileged communications directly between an attorney and a client can be waived.” Id.at paragraph one of the syllabus; see also Squire at ¶ 44. In doing so, the Jackson Court declined
to apply the implied waiver of the privilege test under Hearn. Jackson at ¶ 13.
{¶22} In his brief, Mr. McCormack maintains that Jackson was limited to the facts of
that case. However, the Court clearly announced in the syllabus that the exclusive means of
waiving the privilege are those set forth in the statute. Jackson at syllabus. Moreover, the
relevant facts of this case are similar to those in Jackson, and Mr. McCormack has not developed
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an argument distinguishing Jackson from the present case. Further, the Ohio Supreme Court has
cited this aspect of the Jackson holding with approval in a subsequent case. Squire at ¶ 44
(“Jackson dealt with the question of whether to recognize the doctrine of implied waiver of the
attorney-client privilege as articulated in Hearn[.] Applying State v. McDermott[,] 72 Ohio
St.3d 570 [(1995)], the court explained that R.C. 2317.02(A) provides the exclusive means by
which privileged communications directly between an attorney and a client can be waived.”)
Therefore, we conclude that the trial court did not err in determining that Husband did not waive
the attorney-client privilege through implied waiver.
{¶23} Mr. McCormack further argues that the self-protection exception to privilege
applies. Although “R.C. 2317.02(A) provides the exclusive means by which privileged
communications directly between an attorney and a client can be waived,” common law
exceptions to the privilege are still recognized. (Emphasis added.) Squire, 2010-Ohio-4469, at ¶
44 (waivers of, and exceptions to, attorney client privilege are distinct matters). “Ohio
recognizes the common-law self-protection exception to the attorney-client privilege, which
permits an attorney to testify concerning attorney-client communications when necessary to
establish a claim for legal fees on behalf of the attorney or to defend against a charge of
malpractice or other wrongdoing in litigation between the attorney and the client.” Id. at
paragraph one of the syllabus.
{¶24} Here, the privilege at issue was that between Husband and his Minnesota attorney.
The Minnesota attorney was not attempting to establish a claim for legal fees or to defend
himself from a charge of malpractice in the instant case. See id. at ¶ 34-35 (explaining the
history of self-protection exception as permitting disclosure of otherwise protected confidences
when necessary to protect an attorney’s “own” rights). Accordingly, we conclude that Squire
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does not encompass the situation applicable here, where the defending attorney seeks disclosure
of a successor attorney’s file. Mr. McCormack has not directed this Court to any case law which
applies the common-law self-protection exception to privilege to the disclosure of a file of an
attorney who is not himself seeking self-protection. See App.R. 16(A)(7). Further, this Court
recently decided that the self-protection exception does not entitle a defending attorney to the
discovery of communications between his former client and successor attorney. Cook v.
Bradley, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 15CA010726, 2015-Ohio-5039, ¶ 12-13.
{¶25} Accordingly, Mr. McCormack’s first assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING [MR.] MCCORMACK’S
MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND GRANTING [HUSBAND’S]
CROSS-MOTION ON STATUTE OF LIMITATION GROUNDS.
{¶26} In his second assignment of error, Mr. McCormack argues that the trial court
erred in granting Husband’s motion for partial summary judgment, and denying Mr.
McCormack’s motion for summary judgment. We disagree.
{¶27} We review an award of summary judgment de novo. Grafton v. Ohio Edison Co.,
77 Ohio St.3d 102, 105 (1996). We apply the same standard as the trial court, viewing the facts
of the case in the light most favorable to the non-moving party and resolving any doubt in favor
of the non-moving party. Viock v. Stowe-Woodward Co., 13 Ohio App.3d 7, 12 (6th Dist.1983).
{¶28} Pursuant to Civ.R. 56(C), summary judgment is proper only if:
No genuine issue as to any material fact remains to be litigated; (2) the moving
party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law; and (3) it appears from the
evidence that reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion, and viewing such
evidence most strongly in favor of the party against whom the motion for
summary judgment is made, that conclusion is adverse to that party.
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Temple v. Wean United, Inc., 50 Ohio St.2d 317, 327 (1977). The party moving for summary
judgment bears the initial burden of informing the trial court of the basis for the motion and
pointing to parts of the record that show the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Dresher
v. Burt, 75 Ohio St.3d 280, 292-93 (1996). “If the moving party fails to satisfy its initial burden,
the motion for summary judgment must be denied.” Id. at 293. If the moving party fulfills this
burden, then the burden shifts to the nonmoving party to prove that a genuine issue of material
fact exists. Id.
{¶29} Here, the parties filed competing motions for summary judgment, in part, on the
issue of whether the statute of limitations barred Husband’s action. A legal malpractice action
must be “commenced within one year after the cause of action accrued[.]” R.C. 2305.11(A).
“The Ohio Supreme Court clarified the determination of the time of accrual of a legal
malpractice action in Zimmie v. Calfee, Halter and Griswold, 43 Ohio St.3d 54 [(1989)].”
Sandor v. Marks, 9th Dist. Summit No. 26951, 2014-Ohio-685, ¶ 9. Therein, the Ohio Supreme
Court determined:
Under R.C. 2305.11(A), an action for legal malpractice accrues and the statute of
limitations begins to run when there is a cognizable event whereby the client
discovers or should have discovered that his injury was related to his attorney’s
act or non-act and the client is put on notice of a need to pursue his possible
remedies against the attorney or when the attorney-client relationship for that
particular transaction or undertaking terminates, whichever occurs later.
Zimmie at syllabus. “In assessing the date of a cognizable event, courts employ an objective
reasonable person standard, rather than a subjective standard.” (Internal quotations and citations
omitted.) Sandor at ¶ 9. “Specifically, it is enough that some noteworthy event, the cognizable
event, has occurred which does or should alert a reasonable person that improper legal work has
taken place.” (Quotation and citations omitted.) Id.11
{¶30} “In determining when the attorney-client relationship is terminated, the court must
point to an affirmative act by either the attorney or the client that signals the end of the
relationship.” (Emphasis added.) Mobberly v. Hendricks, 98 Ohio App.3d 839, 843 (9th
Dist.1994), citing Mastran v. Marks, 9th Dist. Summit No. 14270, 1990 WL 34845 (Mar. 28,
1990).
{¶31} Here, the parties do not appear to dispute the relevant facts, but appear to dispute
the application of the law to the facts. Mr. McCormack maintains that the dismissal of the legal
separation action and Wife’s dismissal of her counterclaim for divorce on June 17, 2011 were
cognizable events and that the dismissal of the Lorain County Domestic Relations Court action
also terminated the attorney-client relationship. Accordingly, he argues that this date
commenced the running of the statute of limitations. Because there is no dispute of fact that
Husband filed his action in Cuyahoga County more than one year after that date: July 3, 2012,1
Mr. McCormack argues that the statute of limitations barred the action.
{¶32} Assuming without deciding that the dismissal of the Lorain County Domestic
Relations Court action was a “cognizable event” for purposes of the statute of limitations, we
cannot discern in what way such an event signaled the end of the attorney-client relationship.
Mr. McCormack did not dispute that he continued to engage in communications with Husband
concerning the Minnesota divorce action and the potential refiling of Lorain County Domestic
Relations action after its dismissal. The summary judgment evidence established that Mr.
McCormack sent emails to Husband indicating that there were options available to refile in
1
Neither party disputes that the date of filing of the present complaint relates back to the
date of filing of the complaint in Cuyahoga County. See R.C. 2305.19.
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Lorain County, and transfer the case back to Ohio. In an email dated July 1, 2011, Mr.
McCormack advised Husband that he was “consulting the Bar Association regarding [his] ethical
position in continuing representation[.]” In an email dated July 11, 2011, in response to an email
that Husband had sent Mr. McCormack, asking if a parenting affidavit that he dropped off at Mr.
McCormack’s office had been filed in Lorain, Mr. McCormack advised Mr. Stepka that he was
“standing back * * * pending the opinion on the ethical question” and instructed Husband to “let
[him] know what [Husband] intended[ed] to do in the Minnesota case[, which had a] great
bearing on what can be done with regard to any proceedings here.” In addition, Mr. McCormack
stated in his deposition that, after Wife’s dismissal of her counterclaim, he “was not retained for
anything else, but we were still trying, meaning as of this date [(seemingly in reference to August
4, 2011)], to get local counsel involved to determine whether anything could be done.”
Accordingly, it appears from the summary judgment materials that, as Mr. McCormack
acknowledged at trial, he “was trying to move forward to correct a mistake that was made” after
dismissal of the action. This Court has held that an alleged malpractice action did not accrue for
purposes of the statute of limitations when counsel continued to assist the client “to mitigate the
damages caused by that alleged malpractice.” Sevin v. Thompson, Hine & Flory, 9th Dist.
Summit Nos. 17349, 17483, 1996 WL 285374, *6 (May 29, 1996); Ruf v. Belfance, 9th Dist.
Summit No. 26297, 2013-Ohio-160, ¶ 20 (“[T]olling in a legal malpractice context is germane
where a cognizable event has occurred and the attorney-client relationship continues so that the
attorney has an opportunity to correct the error and perhaps avoid a legal malpractice claim.”).
Mr. McCormack continued to attempt to resolve the issues caused by dismissal of the Lorain
County Domestic Relations action at least past July 3, 2011, as evidenced by his emails Husband
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submitted in support of his motion for partial summary judgment. As a result, Husband’s July 3,
2012 filing was timely.
{¶33} Accordingly, the trial court did not err in denying Mr. McCormack’s motion for
summary judgment, and granting Husband’s motion for summary judgment, on the issue of the
statute of limitations.
{¶34} Next, in his merit brief, Mr. McCormack argues that the trial court erred in failing
to grant his motion for summary judgment on the basis that Husband’s claim was barred by the
doctrine of judicial estoppel. Judicial estoppel prohibits a party from raising an argument that is
“inconsistent with one successfully and unequivocally asserted by the same party earlier.”
(Quotations, citations, and emphasis omitted.) State v. Dembie, 9th Dist. Lorain No.
14CA010527, 2015-Ohio-2888, ¶ 15. However, in Mr. McCormack’s merit brief, he fails to
fully develop this argument by explaining in what way Husband’s settlement of the Minnesota
case involved a position inconsistent with his position that he would have fared better had his
children remained, and his case proceeded, in Ohio. We decline to develop on argument on his
behalf. See Cardone v. Cardone, 9th Dist. Summit No. 18349, 1998 WL 224934, *8 (May 6,
1998) (“If an argument exists that can support this assignment of error, it is not this [C]ourt’s
duty to root it out.”).
{¶35} Therefore, Mr. McCormack’s second assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III
THE TRIAL COURT’S VERDICT AND DECISION SHOULD BE REVERSED
BECAUSE THE DAMAGES ALLEGEDLY SUSTAINED BY [HUSBAND]
WERE NOT PROXIMATELY CAUSED BY AN ACT OR OM[I]SSION OF
[MR.] MCCORMACK AND ARE ENTIRELY SPECULATIVE.
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ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR IV
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY FINDING THAT [HUSBAND] WOULD
HAVE BEEN AWARDED PERMANENT CUSTODY HAD THE MATTER
PROCEEDED IN OHIO.
{¶36} In his third and fourth assignments of error, Mr. McCormack argues that the trial
court erred in determining that Mr. Stepka’s damages were proximately caused by Mr.
McCormack’s negligence.
{¶37} “[T]o establish a cause of action for legal malpractice based on negligent
representation, a plaintiff must show (1) that the attorney owed a duty or obligation to the
plaintiff, (2) that there was a breach of that duty or obligation and that the attorney failed to
conform to the standard required by law, and (3) that there is a causal connection between the
conduct complained of and the resulting damage or loss.” Vahila v. Hall, 77 Ohio St.3d 421,
427, 1997-Ohio-259.
{¶38} Here, the trial court identified two instances where Mr. McCormack breached the
standard of care owed to Husband: (1) failing to re-file the complaint in Ohio and challenge the
jurisdiction in Minnesota, and (2) not securing an ex parte order restraining Wife from removing
the parties’ children from Ohio in accordance with the local rules. The trial court determined
that, as a “proximate result” of these breaches, Husband was damaged by Wife taking the
children to Minnesota and by the case not proceeding in Ohio. If the case had proceeded in
Ohio, and the ex parte restraining order obtained, the trial court determined that it was probable
that Husband would have (1) received permanent custody of his daughters, (2) received two
years of spousal support in the total amount of $158,000, (3) received a social security set off
against his pension, resulting in a benefit of $80,000, (4) received $40,000 more with respect to
the equitable division of marital assets, and (5) incurred only $4,500 in fees to Mr. McCormack,
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instead of $27,000 in attorney fees paid to his Minnesota counsel. Mr. McCormack argues that
Husband failed to establish that his actions proximately caused these damages because his own
failure to contest jurisdiction caused his damages and because these damages were speculative.
We will separately review these issues.
Intervening Cause
{¶39} “Briefly stated, the proximate cause of an event is that which in a natural and
continuous sequence, unbroken by any new, independent cause, produces that event and without
which that event would not have occurred.” Natl. City Mtge. Co. v. Gingo Appraisal Servs., Inc.,
9th Dist. Summit No. 24123, 2008-Ohio-4074, ¶ 7, quoting Aiken v. Indus. Comm., 143 Ohio St.
113, 117 (1944).
{¶40} Here, Mr. McCormack does not appear to dispute the premise that, but for Mr.
McCormack’s dismissal of the legal separation case in Lorain County, the case would not have
proceeded in Minnesota. However, Mr. McCormack essentially maintains that Husband’s failure
to contest Minnesota’s jurisdiction over him caused his damages.
{¶41} From this argument, it appears that Mr. McCormack maintains that Husband’s
failure to contest jurisdiction in Minnesota severed the causation between Mr. McCormack’s
actions and the outcome of the case.
{¶42} An intervening action occurring between the negligent act and injury may sever
causation:
The causal connection of the first act of negligence is broken and superseded by
the second, only if the intervening negligent act is both new and independent.
The term “independent” means the absence of any connection or relationship of
cause and effect between the original and subsequent act of negligence. The term
“new” means that the second act of negligence could not reasonably have been
foreseen. Thus, the key determination [of] [w]hether an intervening act breaks the
causal connection between negligence and injury depends upon whether that
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intervening cause was reasonably foreseeable by the one who was guilty of the
negligence.
(Internal quotations, citations, and emphasis omitted.) Leibreich v. A.J. Refrig., Inc., 67 Ohio
St.3d 266, 269-70, 1993-Ohio-12; see also Natl. City Mtge. Co., 2008-Ohio-4074, at ¶ 7.
{¶43} Here, we cannot say that the trial court erred in determining that the divorce
proceeding in Minnesota to its conclusion was the proximate result, i.e. “the natural and
continuous sequence, unbroken by any new, independent cause * * * which * * * would not have
occurred” but for Mr. McCormack’s dismissal of Husband’s Ohio case. (Emphasis added.)
Natl. City Mtge. Co. at ¶ 7. Mr. McCormack makes no argument that the divorce proceeding in
Minnesota until its resolution was not a reasonably foreseeable result of dismissing the Lorain
County domestic action, and failing to refile the action and contest jurisdiction. See Leibreich at
270 (“key determination [of] [w]hether an intervening act breaks the causal connection between
negligence and injury depends upon whether that intervening cause was reasonably foreseeable
by the one who was guilty of the negligence”) (Internal quotations and citation omitted.).
Accordingly, to the extent that Mr. McCormack argues that his actions were not the proximate
cause of the purported economic damages because Husband failed to contest jurisdiction in
Minnesota, Mr. McCormack’s third assignment of error is overruled.
Speculative Damages
{¶44} Further, Mr. McCormack argues that the existence of Husband’s damages was
speculative because the trial court improperly relied on Husband’s expert’s predictions as to how
the assigned domestic relations judge in Lorain County would have ruled in the divorce case, and
predictions render the existence of damages speculative. 2
2
Mr. McCormack also repeatedly references that Husband’s expert did not testify as to
Minnesota law, and he also maintains that the trial court ignored testimony from his expert as to
17
{¶45} “Damages must be shown with certainty, and not left to conjecture and
speculation.” Franjesh v. Berg, 9th Dist. Summit No. 17534, 1996 WL 556899, *5 (Oct. 2,
1996), citing Pietz v. Toledo Trust Co., 63 Ohio App.3d 17, 22 (6th Dist.1989). “[I]t is the
uncertainty of the existence of damages, not uncertainty as to the amount, which precludes
recovery.” (Emphasis sic.) Franjesh at *5, citing Bemmes v. Public Emp. Retirement Bd., 102
Ohio App.3d 782, 789 (12th Dist.1995).
{¶46} In making his argument that the existence of Husband’s damages was speculative,
Mr. McCormack relies heavily on this Court’s decision in Franjesh. In that case, Ms. Franjesh
had retained an attorney to assist her in the termination of her marriage. Id. at *1. The attorney
hired a certified pension evaluation expert to value Mr. Franjesh’s pension. Id. After Ms.
Franjesh learned what the expert believed to be her share of the value, she signed a separation
agreement and filed for dissolution of her marriage. Id. As part of the division of the parties’
property, Mr. Franjesh retained all of his rights to his pension. “Some time after the
dissolution, [Ms. Franjesh] compared the valuation of her ex-husband’s pension to that of a
recently divorced friend with supposedly similar public service pension entitlement and found
there was a ‘vast discrepancy.’” Id.
{¶47} Thereafter, Ms. Franjesh filed a complaint against her attorney for legal
malpractice, claiming that her attorney’s failure to properly value her interest in the pension
“resulted in an inequitable division of property.” Id. The attorney moved for summary
judgment, which the trial court granted, partially on the basis that her damages were too
speculative as a matter of law. Id. at *2. Ms. Franjesh appealed to this Court. We concluded
Minnesota law. However, Mr. McCormack does not clearly indicate to this Court the import of
expert testimony as to Minnesota law in the analysis. We decline to develop an argument on his
behalf. See App.R. 16(A)(7).
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that Ms. Franjesh had not provided any evidence that she would have, or was entitled to receive,
an increased share of her ex-husband’s pension, and her expert’s affidavit opining that she
should have received a higher share was not supported by the law. Id. at *4-7.
{¶48} Unlike Franjesh, here, Husband’s expert provided testimony as to the amount he
would have likely received under Ohio law if his case had proceeded in Lorain County based
upon his experience in that court, and he cited Ohio laws which supported many of these
conclusions. Accordingly, to the extent that Mr. McCormack challenges the judgment as a
whole as being comprised of speculative damages, his third assignment of error is overruled.
{¶49} Mr. McCormack next argues, specifically as to spousal support, that the damages
apportioned to the loss of spousal support were speculative. In its findings of fact and
conclusions of law, the trial court indicated that, based upon the testimony adduced at the
hearing, the domestic relations court judge in Lorain County “operated by a ‘rule of thumb’”
process, “[d]espite statutory law and case law[.]” The testimony regarding this “rule of thumb”
process pertained to the award of spousal support. Husband’s expert testified that he was
familiar with and had practiced before the trial court judge to whom his case had been assigned
in Ohio, Judge Basinski. The following exchange then occurred:
[Husband’s counsel]: And how does Judge Basinski handle [spousal support]?
[Husband’s expert]: Theoretically, all the judges handle it under [R.C.] 3105.18,
which sets forth about 13 statutory factors: duration of the marriage; age of the
parties; disparity of income; the other statutory factors.
As a practical matter, most of them use what I call a rule of thumb. It’s not a rule
of formula. It’s a rule of thumb. A[n]d that is, for every five years of marriage,
they would allow for one year of spousal support. And the other thing that they
do, Judge Basinski does specifically, is he equalizes the income.
Some of the other judges here use a program called FIN plan. That takes in
consideration some of the tax effects of, you know, social security and other taxes
that the payor, the recipient of spousal support would not have. So they make an
adjustment for the taxes.
19
Judge Basinski takes the gross numbers. You know, if somebody is making two
hundred and somebody is making a hundred and then that’s three, and each side
would end up with 150. So whoever is going to pay is going to pay 50,000, and
the other side is going to receive 50,000. That would multiple (sic.) by the
number of years of marriage divided by five. And in this case, Mr. Stepka, in my
opinion, would have received two years of spousal support of approximately
$80,000 – I think actually 79 – but 156 to 160 thousand dollars that he would
have received that he did not receive in Minnesota.
{¶50} During cross-examination, Husband’s expert acknowledged that the five to one
ratio and equalization of income were not required under Ohio law; however, he maintained:
* * *. My opinion is based upon appearing before Judge Basinski on numerous
occasions and knowing that he follows that rule of thumb almost without
variance, despite any arguments; and that when you’re in front of Judge Basinski,
you pretty much know it’s one year of support for every five years of marriage,
and its equalization of income based upon gross dollars. That’s why they call the
B rule, Judge Basinski’s rule.
{¶51} With respect to spousal support, this Court has held that “[a] trial court has wide
latitude when awarding spousal support, and, thus, such an award will not be reversed absent an
abuse of discretion.” Walters v. Walters, 9th Dist. Medina No. 12CA0017-M, 2013-Ohio-636, ¶
12, citing Sigman v. Sigman, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 11CA0012, 2012-Ohio-5433, ¶ 11.
“However, a trial court’s broad discretion in regard to spousal support must be guided by the
factors set forth in R.C. 3105.18(C)(1).” Walters at ¶ 12, quoting Sigman at ¶ 11. Because a
court must consider the factors in R.C. 3105.18(C)(1), spousal support cannot properly be
determined through strict adherence to a mathematical formula. See Organ v. Organ, 9th Dist.
Summit No. 26904, 2014-Ohio-3474, ¶ 15. Nonetheless, equalization of the parties’ income for
a certain time, arrived at through such a formula, may be appropriate if it is also appropriate in
consideration of the statutory factors. See Organ at ¶ 16 (“Upon review of the record, we
conclude that, even though the court used the FIN Plan analysis as a tool to calculate an even
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division of Husband’s earnings, its underlying spousal support decision was based on the factors
outlined in Section 3105.18(C), not a mathematical formula.”).
{¶52} Here, Husband’s expert’s opinion as to the likely spousal support award was
based upon on a particular judge using only a mathematical formula to calculate what Husband
would have received for spousal support had the case remained in Lorain County. The trial court
appears to have adopted that calculation and reasoning in its journal entry. However, there is no
indication that the court considered whether it was more probable than not that spousal support
in this amount was consistent with the statutory factors. See id. at ¶ 15. We make no
determination as to whether such an amount would likely have been reasonable in this case;
however, we cannot agree that calculation of damages can be based upon evidence that the
domestic court would have disregarded the law in favor of strict adherence to a “rule of
thumb[.]”
{¶53} Accordingly, to the extent Mr. McCormack argues that the trial court erred in
calculating damages by basing its calculations on a particular judge’s tendencies irrespective of
whether those tendencies comported with Ohio law, his third assignment of error is sustained.
We make no determination as to whether the evidence supported a conclusion that spousal
support would likely have been awarded in accordance with Ohio law, and, on remand, the trial
court is instructed to consider this issue.
{¶54} In Mr. McCormack’s fourth assignment of error, he argues that damages based
upon the loss of custody of his children were speculative. The trial court concluded that
Husband’s loss of parenting time arose from Mr. McCormack’s failure to obtain an ex parte
restraining order preventing Wife from removing the children from Ohio prior to Wife relocating
the children in Minnesota. There is no dispute that the Loc.R. 11 provides that a party may seek
21
an ex parte order following certain guidelines in emergency situations. Here, the testimony of
the guardian ad litem and Husband’s expert indicates that, had Mr. McCormack followed these
guidelines and sought such an order to prevent Wife from taking the children to Minnesota, it
would likely have been granted. Based upon this testimony, we conclude that the trial court did
not err in determining that the trial court would have granted an ex parte order restraining Wife
from removing the children.
{¶55} Next, R.C. 3109.04 requires a trial court to determine custody based upon the best
interests of the children. Here, the Lorain County Court appointed a guardian ad litem to assist it
in its best interest determination. One of the critical factors in his determination revolved around
the children having been located in Minnesota for many months prior to his interview. The
guardian noted that he was unsure what his position would have been had the children remained
in Ohio. Husband’s expert indicated that the guardian ad litem would likely have recommended
that the best interests of the children would be served by remaining in a geographic location to
which they had been adjusted. Accordingly, because both parents were otherwise suitable, the
expert indicated that, had the children remained in Ohio, there “probably would have [been] a
different outcome with respect to custody.” Therefore, given the testimony adduced at trial, we
cannot say that the trial court’s conclusion that Husband likely would have received greater
parenting time in Ohio was merely speculative.
{¶56} Accordingly, Mr. McCormack’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR V
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY DENYING [MR.] MCCORMACK’S
MOTION FOR DIRECTED VERDICT SEEKING TO DISMISS [HUSBAND’S]
“CLAIM” FOR MENTAL ANGUISH.
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ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR VI
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN AWARDING A MONETARY VALUE FOR
MENTAL ANGUISH.
{¶57} In his fifth assignment of error, Mr. McCormack argues that the trial court erred
in denying his motion for a directed verdict on Husband’s claim for mental anguish. In his sixth
assignment of error, Mr. McCormack argues that the trial court erred to the extent that it awarded
damages for mental anguish as part of the legal malpractice claim.
{¶58} At the conclusion of Husband’s case-in-chief, Mr. McCormack moved for a
directed verdict on Husband’s claim for compensatory damages for emotional distress.
“Although [Mr. McCormack] moved for a directed verdict in the court below, this Court has held
that ‘[a] motion for directed verdict, made at the close of a plaintiff’s case in a bench trial, will
be deemed to be a motion for involuntary dismissal under Civ.R. 41(B)(2)[.]’” Kowalski v.
Smith, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 09CA0059, 2010-Ohio-3662, ¶ 9, quoting Alh Properties, P.L.L. v.
Procare Automotive Serv. Solutions, L.L.C., 9th Dist. Summit No. 20991, 2002-Ohio-4246, ¶ 8.
See also Nelson Jewellery Arts Co., Ltd. v. Fein Designs Co., Ltd., L.L.C., 9th Dist. Summit No.
22738, 2006-Ohio-2276, ¶ 5. “Thus, this Court will construe [Mr. McCormack’s] motion as one
for dismissal under Civ.R. 41(B)(2).” See Kowalski at ¶ 9. “In ruling on an involuntary
dismissal under Civ.R. 41(B)(2), ‘the court weighs the evidence, resolves any conflicts, and may
render judgment in favor of the defendant if the plaintiff has shown no right to relief.’” Lopez v.
Thomas, 9th Dist. Summit No. 27115, 2014-Ohio-2513, ¶ 17, quoting Alh Properties, P.L.L. at ¶
9. “The trial court’s conclusions will not be set aside unless they are erroneous as a matter of
law or against the manifest weight of the evidence.” Alh at ¶ 10.
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{¶59} Here, in making his motion below, Mr. McCormack’s counsel argued to the court
that “no damages for mental anguish may be recovered against an attorney absent sufficient
evidence of wrongful intentional or willful conduct.”
{¶60} In response, Husband maintained, in part, that, due to Mr. McCormack’s
negligence, what he lost was “not only a financial claim, but a claim that [Husband] lost the
ability to be with his children. However you couch it, it is the inability to be with his children
that is a substantial component of this claim, and that is a loss that was directly attributable to
Mr. McCormack’s both substandard legal services as well as our claim of willful misconduct.”
{¶61} In addressing Mr. McCormack’s motion, the trial court ruled as follows:
[I]t is the Court’s opinion that with respect to a legal malpractice case, when there
is a claim for the negligent infliction of emotional distress, proof is required in the
form of wrongful, intentional, willful conduct and that the damages be severe and
debilitating. And so to the extent that incorporates [Mr. McCormack’s] motion
for a directed verdict, it’s granted.
However, the Court believes that a general claim for mental anguish as a part of
noneconomic damages proceeds and stays alive in this case, and so the Court will
consider that to the extent that it is supported by the evidence.
{¶62} In the trial court’s order, on the issue of loss of parenting time of his daughters,
the trial court determined:
As a proximate result of [Mr. McCormack’s] negligence, [Husband] suffered a
severe limitation of the time that he can spend with his daughters now and into the
future, resulting in a permanent interruption of his relationship with his children
and causing him to suffer the anguish that logically flows to any parent who was a
primary caregiver and who had forged a close and loving bond with his children.
The value of that loss is One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars $150,000.00.
{¶63} In his brief, Mr. McCormack argues that the trial court should have dismissed the
claim for “mental anguish” because Mr. Stepka failed to plead such a claim in his complaint and
never amended his complaint to include such a claim. However, that was not the basis of his
objection below. See Brunke v. Ohio State Home Servs., Inc., 9th Dist. Lorain No. 13CA010500,
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2015-Ohio-2087, ¶ 47 (“It is axiomatic that a litigant who fails to raise an argument in the trial
court forfeits his right to raise that issue on appeal.”) (Citations omitted.). In his objection
below, Mr. McCormack argued that damages for emotional distress had not been proven because
there was no evidence of willful and wanton conduct on his part, and there was no evidence that
Husband suffered severe and debilitating emotional distress. Nonetheless, our reading of the
transcript indicates that the trial court granted Mr. McCormack’s motion to the extent that
Husband sought a separate claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress with respect to
emotional distress caused by his attorney’s conduct. Further, although the trial court references
Husband’s “anguish” in awarding him the $150,000, the trial court’s decision references this
amount as the value of the “loss” attributable to the loss of companionship. Mr. McCormack has
not raised an argument, either below or on appeal, that the trial court was incorrect in concluding
that such damages could be recovered as representing a portion of the non-economic value of the
loss of companionship. See id. at ¶ 47, and App.R. 16(A)(7). Consequently, we do not take a
position on that issue as it is not squarely before us.
{¶64} Accordingly, Mr. McCormack’s fifth and sixth assignments of error are
overruled.
III.
{¶65} Mr. McCormack’s first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth assignments of error are
overruled. Mr. McCormack’s third assignment of error is sustained in part and overruled in part.
The judgment of the trial court is affirmed in part, reversed in part, and this cause is remanded
for further proceedings consistent with this decision.
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Judgment affirmed in part,
reversed in part,
and cause remanded.
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 equally to both parties.
CARLA MOORE
FOR THE COURT
WHITMORE, J.
CONCURS.
CARR, P. J.
CONCURRING.
{¶66} I concur with the majority’s resolution of the first assignment of error based
solely on this Court’s precedent in Cook v. Bradley, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 15CA010726, 2015-
Ohio-5039. I concur in the remainder of the majority’s opinion.
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APPEARANCES:
MONICA A. SANSALONE, COLLEEN A. MOUNTCASTLE, and JAMIE A. PRICE,
Attorneys at Law, for Appellant.
WILLIAM HAWAL and WILLIAM B. EADIE, Attorneys at Law, for Appellee.
MARGARET E. STANARD, Attorney at Law, for Appellee.