Katz v. Katz , 2018 Ohio 3210 ( 2018 )

[Cite as Katz v. Katz, 2018-Ohio-3210.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
LUCAS COUNTY
Nancy D. Katz Court of Appeals No. L-17-1157
Appellee Trial Court No. CI0201602910
v.
Randolph S. Katz, et al. DECISION AND JUDGMENT
Appellants Decided: August 10, 2018
*****
John J. McHugh, III, for appellee.
Marvin A. Robon and Zachary J. Murry, for appellants.
*****
MAYLE, P.J.
{¶ 1} Defendants-appellants, Randolph S. Katz and Max Auto Real Estate LLC,
appeal the June 23, 2017 judgment of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, denying
both their motion to dismiss, or in the alternative, to compel arbitration, and their motion
to strike the jury demand of plaintiff-appellee, Nancy D. Katz. For the reasons that
follow, we reverse, in part, and affirm, in part, the trial court judgment.
I. Background
{¶ 2} Mollie K Ltd. (“Mollie K”) is a limited liability company formed in 2006.
Mollie K’s original members were Fifth Third Bank as Trustee of the Mollie Katz Trust
for the benefit of Arthur Katz under agreement dated September 25, 1972, and Fifth
Third Bank as Trustee of the Mollie Katz Trust for the benefit of Calvin Katz under
agreement dated September 25, 1972. Each owned a 50 percent interest in the company.
On November 17, 2009, the bank transferred 50 percent of its interest to Randolph S.
Katz (“Randolph”) and Susan Katz Kaufman, equally. It transferred the other 50 percent
interest equally to Helane Katz Becker, Marci Katz Unger, and Sheila Katz Rothstein.
{¶ 3} Mollie K’s primary business purpose was the purchase, ownership, and sale
of commercial real estate. Its business relationship with its members was governed by an
operating agreement executed on April 19, 2006. Pursuant to that agreement, Randolph
served as the company’s manager.
{¶ 4} On February 8, 2013, Randolph divorced Nancy D. Katz (“Nancy”), to
whom he had been married since January 23, 1983. As part of their division of assets,
Randolph transferred to Nancy his 25 percent interest in Mollie K. The final judgment
entry of divorce provided that Randolph would guarantee that for a period of ten years,
Nancy would receive distributions from Mollie K “of no less than $100,000.00 per year,
payable in monthly installments of $8,333.00.” This guarantee was “limited to an
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amount not to exceed $1,000,000,” however, it was agreed that if distributions exceeded
$100,000 in any one year, the excess would belong solely to Nancy.
{¶ 5} The judgment entry also explained what would happen “in the event all or a
portion of Mollie K or Mollie K’s assets [were] sold” during the ten-year period. It
provided several examples illustrating how Randolph’s guarantee would be adjusted for
any amounts that remained owing to Nancy:
1. Year number 3, Mollie K is sold in its entirety for $8,000,000.00.
Nancy’s share would be $2,000,000.00. Randy’s guarantee is over.
2. Year number 3, one-half of Mollie K is sold for $4,000,000.00.
Nancy’s share is $1,000,000.00. Randy’s guarantee is over.
3. Year number 3, 1/3 of Mollie K is sold for $2,460,000.00.
Nancy’s share in $660,000.00. Randy’s guarantee is as follows: since two
years have gone by Nancy would have already collected $200,000.00.
Subtract $200,000.00 from the $1,000,000.00 guarantee, which leaves
$800,000.00 remaining on the guarantee. Then subtract from the
$800,000, Nancy’s share of the proceeds of the sale, $660,000. This leaves
a remaining total guarantee of $140,000.00. This amount then should be
divided out over the remaining 7 years. Thus the annual guarantee would
be $20,000.00
4. In regard to the calculations in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 only
$100,000 per year will be credited toward [Randy’s]’s guarantee. If
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[Nancy] receives over $100,000 in any given year the overage will not be
credited toward [Randy]’s guarantee for the 10 year period. All proceeds
from the sale of Mollie K or Mollie K’s assets will be credited toward the
million dollar guarantee.
{¶ 6} Despite having transferred his 25 percent interest to Nancy, Randolph
continued to serve as manager of Mollie K. Approximately three years into the ten-year
period provided in the final judgment entry of divorce, Mollie K sold its real estate
holdings to Max Auto Real Estate LLC (“Max Auto”). Max Auto is a limited liability
company that Randolph formed on August 17, 2015. He serves as its manager.
{¶ 7} After selling Mollie K’s assets to Max Auto, Randolph asked Mollie K
members to vote whether to (1) dissolve the company and disburse its cash—an action
that would require unanimous consent of its members—or (2) invest the company’s cash
and continue to disburse it monthly until its funds were depleted, at which time “the LLC
[would] end, since it [would] no longer have assets.”
{¶ 8} Nancy voted on February 5, 2016 to “disperse [sic] the funds and dissolve
the LLC,” with the caveat that she was “reserving [her] rights as a member[.]” By
unanimous agreement, Mollie K was, in fact, dissolved, and its cash was disbursed.
Nancy’s share was $842,332.40, delivered to her on March 4, 2016. With the March 4,
2016 payment and the monthly disbursements made in 2013 to 2016, Nancy received
distributions from Mollie K totaling $1,151,106. This was in excess of the $1,000,000
guaranteed by Randolph under the final judgment entry of divorce.
4.
{¶ 9} Nevertheless, on May 25, 2016, Nancy filed a complaint against Randolph
and Max Auto in the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, for breach
of fiduciary duty and fraud, alleging that Randolph organized Max Auto to “defeat and
diminish” her income and capital appreciation interests in Mollie K, fraudulently
transferred parcels of real estate from Mollie K to Max Auto at less than fair market value
without securing third-party appraisals, and intentionally excluded her from membership
in Max Auto. She claimed that these transactions were self-interested and performed in
breach of Randolph’s fiduciary duty to her. She accused Randolph of intentional and
fraudulent misrepresentation, bad faith, and malice, and asked that a constructive trust be
imposed over the real estate parcels. Nancy sought damages in excess of $25,000,
punitive damages, and attorney fees.
{¶ 10} Randolph and Max Auto moved to dismiss Nancy’s complaint or, in the
alternative, to stay proceedings and compel arbitration. They argued that Mollie K’s
operating agreement required that disputes arising under the agreement be arbitrated, not
litigated. They claimed that Nancy was a member of the company and bound by the
arbitration provision, notwithstanding the fact that she had never signed the operating
agreement. They maintained that the duties that Nancy alleged were owed to her arose
from Randolph’s position as manager of Mollie K, therefore, the arbitration provision
controlled. Randolph and Max Auto conceded that the claims against Max Auto may not
be subject to the arbitration provision, but they insisted that those claims were ancillary to
the claims against Randolph and did not defeat the arbitrability of the claim.
5.
{¶ 11} Nancy opposed Randolph and Max Auto’s motion. She denied that she
was a “member” of Mollie K, questioned whether Randolph had ever been a member of
the company,1 and emphasized that she never signed anything agreeing to arbitrate
disputes. Nancy maintained that her rights arose under the final judgment entry of
divorce—not from the Mollie K operating agreement—and she insisted that she never
agreed to arbitrate her rights under the divorce decree.
{¶ 12} The trial court concluded that it did not have enough information to rule on
Randolph and Max Auto’s motion to dismiss, and, therefore, held the motion in
abeyance. Specifically, it indicated that additional information was needed regarding the
nature of Nancy’s interest in Mollie K—whether she was an “active member” or whether
she was “seeking to enforce a right gained through her divorce.”
{¶ 13} Discovery proceeded. Nancy amended her complaint to add claims for
breach of the “settlement agreement,” violation of the final judgment entry of divorce,
and misappropriation, and to include a jury demand. Randolph and Max Auto renewed
their motion to dismiss and moved to strike Nancy’s jury demand.
1
Nancy’s claim that Randolph was not a member of Mollie K is based on the fact that the
original assignments executed by Fifth Third in favor of Randolph Katz, Susan Katz
Kaufman, Helane Katz Becker, Marci Katz Ungar, and Sheila Katz Rothstein, refer to
Mollie K Ltd. as “an Ohio limited partnership,” and speak of transferring “partnership
interests.” Randolph’s transfer of his interest in Mollie K was accomplished by a form
entitled “Transfer of Partnership Interest.” Regardless of how these forms were worded,
the documents submitted by Randolph from the Ohio Secretary of State show that Mollie
K Ltd. is a limited liability company. The forms signed by Fifth Third and the form
signed by Randolph successfully accomplished the transfer of interest in Mollie K Ltd.
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{¶ 14} In their renewed motion to dismiss, Randolph and Max Auto argued that
Nancy’s claims were either subject to the arbitration provision of the operating
agreement, or were subject to an enforcement action in the domestic relations division.
They again insisted that Nancy was a member of Mollie K and that Randolph’s
underlying duties to her arose from his position as manager of Mollie K. They also
argued that the domestic relations court had retained continuing jurisdiction to enforce its
judgment, thus the general division lacked subject-matter jurisdiction. Nancy countered
that her interest arose from the divorce decree and characterized herself as a transferee of
Mollie K—not a member. She argued that the domestic relations court reserved
continuing jurisdiction only as to the parties’ qualified domestic relations order
(“QDRO”).
{¶ 15} Randolph and Max Auto also moved to strike Nancy’s jury demand as
untimely under Civ.R. 38(B). Nancy urged that even if her jury demand was untimely—
which she denied—the trial court had discretion under Civ.R. 39(B) to permit a trial by
jury.
{¶ 16} The trial court denied Randolph and Max Auto’s motion to dismiss. It
agreed with Nancy, first, that the domestic relations court retained continuing jurisdiction
only with respect to the parties’ QDRO—not to resolve claims relating to Randolph’s
wrongdoing or self-dealing after the divorce was finalized. It also held that Nancy’s
claims were not subject to arbitration because they “are outside the scope of the
arbitration clause,” “have nothing to do with a purported business relationship with
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Mollie K,” and “could be maintained without any reference to the Operating Agreement.”
Rather, the court determined, the lawsuit “relates to the divorce settlement agreement and
the purchase agreement Mr. Katz entered into with Max Auto.”
{¶ 17} As to the motion to strike the jury demand, the court agreed with Nancy
that under Civ.R. 39(B), it had discretion to allow a trial by jury despite her alleged
failure to make a timely jury demand. The court found that the “parties [had] done
extensive discovery” and neither party “would be prejudiced with nearly two months to
prepare for trial.” It commented that “a greater number of factfinders can more
thoroughly explore the nuances of this case.” Accordingly, it denied Randolph and Max
Auto’s request to strike Nancy’s jury demand.
{¶ 18} Randolph and Max Auto appealed the trial court’s denial of their motion to
dismiss, motion to compel arbitration, and their motion to strike, and assign the following
errors for our review:
Assignment of Error No. 1.
The Trial Court erred in denying Defendants-Appellants’ Motion to
Dismiss, or in the Alternative, Motion to Compel Arbitration and Stay All
Proceedings Pending`` Arbitration (the “Motion to Compel Arbitration”)
because the claims and allegations that Plaintiff-Appellee has asserted
against Defendants-Appellants are covered by, and subject to, a valid and
enforceable arbitration agreement.
8.
Assignment of Error No. 2.
The Trial Court erred in denying Plaintiff’s [sic] Motion to Dismiss
as, even if the arbitration agreement were found to be inapplicable,
Plaintiff’s claims are properly the subject of an enforcement action in the
Lucas County Domestic Relations Court and the General Division of the
Lucas County Court of Common Pleas lacked jurisdiction over the subject
matter of Plaintiff’s claims.
Assignment of Error No. [3].
The Trial Court abused its discretion and committed reversible error
by refusing to strike the jury demand in Plaintiff-Appellee’s Amended
Complaint where the demand was plainly untimely and Plaintiff’s amended
pleading did not raise any new factual issues.
II. Law and Analysis
{¶ 19} In their first assignment of error, Randolph and Max Auto argue that the
trial court erred in denying their motion to compel arbitration. In their second assignment
of error, they argue that the trial court erred in refusing to dismiss the action for lack of
subject-matter jurisdiction. And in their third assignment of error, they claim that the
trial court erred in denying the motion to strike Nancy’s untimely jury demand.
A. Arbitration
{¶ 20} Section 7.1 of the operating agreement of Mollie K Ltd. provides that
“[a]ny controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or breach
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thereof, shall be settled by arbitration * * *.” In their first assignment of error, Randolph
and Max Auto argue that the trial court erred when it held that Nancy’s claims were not
subject to arbitration under this provision of the operating agreement.
{¶ 21} “Ohio courts recognize four principles that guide arbitrability[.]” Entire
Energy & Renewables, LLC v. Duncan, 2013-Ohio-4209, 999 N.E.2d 214, ¶ 17 (10th
Dist.), citing Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati v. Aetna Health, Inc., 108 Ohio St. 3d
185, 2006-Ohio-657, ¶ 10-14, 842 N.E.2d 488. They are:
(1) that arbitration is a matter of contract and a party cannot be
required to so submit to arbitration any dispute which he has not agreed to
so submit; (2) that the question whether a particular claim is arbitrable is
one of law for the court to decide; (3) that when deciding whether the
parties have agreed to submit a particular claim to arbitration, a court may
not rule on the potential merits of the underlying claim; and (4) that when a
contract contains an arbitration provision, there is a presumption of
arbitrability in the sense that [a]n order to arbitrate the particular grievance
should not be denied unless it may be said with positive assurance that the
arbitration clause is not susceptible of an interpretation that covers the
asserted dispute.
{¶ 22} Resolution of Randolph and Max Auto’s first assignment of error requires
us to answer two questions: (1) Do Nancy’s claims arise out of or relate to the operating
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agreement, and (2) Did Nancy agree to be bound by the arbitration provision contained in
that agreement?
A. Nancy’s claims arise out of or relate to the operating agreement.
{¶ 23} The standard of review of a trial court’s decision denying a motion to
compel arbitration depends on the issues raised. Rorick’s Inc. v. Corporex Dev. &
Constr. Mgt., LLC, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2017CA00075, 2017-Ohio-8694, ¶ 23. Where, as
here, the issue is whether a controversy is arbitrable under an arbitration provision of a
contract, that is a question of law to be reviewed de novo. Id., citing Simmons v.
Extendicare Heath Services, Inc., 5th Dist. Delaware No. 15 CAE 12 0095, 2016-Ohio-
4831 ¶ 13.
{¶ 24} In determining whether a cause of action falls within the scope of an
arbitration agreement, many Ohio courts apply the test set forth in Fazio v. Lehman Bros.,
Inc., 340 F.3d 386, 395 (6th Cir.2003). See Academy of Medicine v. Aetna Health, Inc., 108
Ohio St. 3d 185, 2006-Ohio-657, 842 N.E.2d 488, ¶ 30 (approving the use of the Fazio test). In
Fazio, the court held that a proper method of analysis for determining whether an issue is
within the scope of an arbitration agreement “is to ask if an action could be maintained
without reference to the contract or relationship at issue. If it could, it is likely outside the
scope of the arbitration agreement.” Fazio at 395.
{¶ 25} The trial court held that Nancy’s claims could be considered without
reference to the operating agreement. It held that Nancy’s claims “have nothing to do
with a purported business relationship with Mollie K,” and, therefore, fall outside the
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scope of the arbitration provision. As to Nancy’s claims for breach of fiduciary duty,
misappropriation, and fraud, we disagree.
{¶ 26} First, we observe that Nancy claims that Randolph owed a fiduciary duty to
her. “A fiduciary duty is generally defined as a duty, created by an individual’s
undertaking, to act primarily for the benefit of others in connection with the
undertaking.” O’Loughlin v. Ottawa St. Condominium Assn., 6th Dist. Lucas No.
L-16-1128, 2018-Ohio-327, ¶ 32. To the extent that Randolph owed Nancy a fiduciary
duty, that duty arose from his position as manager of Mollie K. He was designated
manager of Mollie K in section 1.6 of the operating agreement. Section 5.1 further
provides that the members “hereby as a matter of contract delegate all authority * * * to
manage the affairs of the Company” to the designated manager. Reference to the
operating agreement is, therefore, necessary.
{¶ 27} Second, the final judgment entry of divorce did not prohibit the sale of
Mollie K’s assets; in fact, the entry contemplated this possibility and illustrated how
Randolph’s million-dollar obligation to Nancy would be affected by any such sale. Thus,
Randolph’s conduct in arranging the sale of Mollie K’s assets presents an issue not of his
obligations under the judgment entry of divorce, but rather of his contractual authority
under the Mollie K operating agreement to facilitate such a sale. In fact, Nancy’s
amended complaint makes clear that the sale of Mollie K’s assets was effected by
Randolph as manager of Mollie K. The starting point for determining the propriety of
Randolph’s conduct, therefore, is the operating agreement itself, which sets forth in
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Article 5 the “Specific Enumerated Authority of the Manager,” and also describes which
acts require member consent. Reference to the operating agreement is, again, required.
{¶ 28} Finally, Nancy alleges in her complaint that Randolph failed to account to
her for her fair share of the value of the parcels sold by Mollie K and that he “confiscated
and misappropriated” her capital appreciation interest. Articles 3 and 4 of the operating
agreement address the capital structure and financial structure of the company, and
specify the priority of distributions upon winding up of the company. Again, the
operating agreement must be referenced in considering her claims.
{¶ 29} The Ohio Supreme Court has recognized that “[a]n arbitration clause that
contains the phrase ‘any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the agreement’
is considered ‘the paradigm of a broad clause.’” Academy of Medicine, 108 Ohio St. 3d
185, 2006-Ohio-657, 842 N.E.2d 488, at ¶ 18, quoting Collins & Aikman Prods. Co. v.
Bldg. Sys. Inc., 58 F.3d 16, 20 (2d Cir.1995). The operating agreement here includes this
broad language. We find that Nancy’s claims for breach of fiduciary duty,
misappropriation, and fraud require reference to the operating agreement and, therefore,
arise out of or relate to that agreement.
B. Nancy is bound by the arbitration provision contained in the agreement.
{¶ 30} Randolph and Max Auto claim that as a member of Mollie K, Nancy is
bound by the arbitration provision contained in the operating agreement. Nancy denies
that she is a member of the company. She insists that she never signed any agreement
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binding her to arbitration and cannot be compelled to forego the right to litigate her
claims in court.
{¶ 31} It is generally true that “a party cannot be compelled to arbitrate any
dispute that he has not agreed to submit to arbitration.” Hussein v. Hafner & Shugarman
Ents., 6th Dist. Wood No. WD-09-020, 2010-Ohio-4205, ¶ 34. There are circumstances,
however, where a non-signatory to a contract may be bound to an arbitration provision in
the agreement. Javorsky v. Javorsky, 2017-Ohio-285, 81 N.E.3d 971, ¶ 11 (8th Dist.).
“[W]hether or not an arbitration provision applies to a nonsignatory involves a question
of law.” JJ Connor Co. v. Reginella Constr. Co., 7th Dist. Mahoning Nos. 13 MA 75, 13
MA 77, 2014-Ohio-3873, ¶ 11.
{¶ 32} The judgment entry of divorce required Randolph “to take all necessary
steps to transfer [to Nancy] ownership of [his] twenty-five percent” interest in Mollie K.
Mollie K’s operating agreement draws a distinction between (1) merely transferring or
assigning a “Membership Interest” to a “Transferee,” and (2) making the “Transferee” a
“Member.” A “Non-Member Transferee” has no rights under the operating agreement
except as to the allocation and distribution of profits, losses “and other such items.” A
“Member,” on the other hand, has greater rights. The agreement provides a mechanism
for admitting a “Transferee” as a “Member”:
The Member who transferred the Membership Interest may make the
Transferee a Member, and make the transferred interest a Membership
Interest, without further action on the part of the Member, only after the
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unanimous consent of the Members, which consent may be withheld for
any or no reason. Such consent must be in writing, and the Transferee must
execute a joinder agreement. In such event, the Transferee will become a
Member and shall be recorded on the books and records of the Company.
{¶ 33} Randolph executed a Transfer of Partnership Interest on February 11, 2013,
transferring his 25 percent interest in the company and confirming that he would have
“no remaining ownership interest.” The same day, the other four members of the
company signed consents to Randolph’s “transfer of interest” to Nancy, and to her
“admittance * * * as a substitute Member in place of Randolph S. Katz.” Significantly, it
is not necessary to obtain the consent of the company’s members for a mere transfer of
interest to a non-member.
{¶ 34} Nancy claims that she did not execute a joinder agreement, therefore, she
did not become a “Member” of Mollie K. But it is well-settled that parties may waive
any term of a written contract by their words or conduct.2 St Paul’s Lutheran Church v.
Brooks, 6th Dist. Huron No. H-07-022, 2008-Ohio-2481, ¶ 25. Here, it is clear and
unequivocal that Mollie K’s members intended to make Nancy a member as evidenced
by the consent forms they executed (consenting to the admittance of Nancy—the
2
In addition, we note that the operating agreement does not contain a no-oral-
modification clause or a provision that expressly requires written waivers of contractual
terms. To the contrary, section 7.5 of the agreement provides that “[f]ailure to enforce
any term or condition or the specific waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement
shall not be deemed a waiver of that term or condition in the future or of any other term
or condition.” (Emphasis added).
15.
transferee—”as a substitute Member in place of Randolph S. Katz”); Nancy considered
herself a member as evidenced by the fact that she referred to herself as a member (“I am
not waiving any of my rights as a member of Mollie K”); and Nancy was treated as a
member as evidenced by the fact that she was permitted—and exercised—voting rights.
We are not persuaded that the failure to execute the joinder agreement prevented her
admission as a member of Mollie K or excused her from being bound by the company’s
operating agreement and its arbitration provision.
{¶ 35} Moreover, as Randolph and Max Auto point out, R.C. 1705.18(B) provides
that “[a] substitute member of a limited liability company or an assignee of a membership
interest in a limited liability company is bound by the operating agreement whether or not
the substitute member or assignee executes the operating agreement.” Thus, under R.C.
1705.18(B), Nancy is bound by the operating agreement, including its arbitration
provision, whether she is a “substitute member” or mere “assignee of a membership
interest.”
{¶ 36} Finally, Ohio courts recognize a number of theories pursuant to which a
non-signatory may be bound by an arbitration agreement. Under the theory of estoppel,
for instance, “a party who knowingly accepts the benefits of an agreement is estopped
from denying a corresponding obligation to arbitrate.” (Citations and quotations
omitted.) Cleveland-Akron-Canton Advertising Coop. v. Physician’s Weight Loss Ctrs.
of Am., 184 Ohio App. 3d 805, 2009-Ohio-5699, 922 N.E.2d 1012, ¶ 15 (8th Dist.). “This
doctrine ‘precludes a party from enjoying rights and benefits under a contract while at the
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same time avoiding its burdens and obligations.’” Id., quoting InterGen N.V. v. Grina,
344 F.3d 134, 145 (1st Cir.2003). Here, Nancy unquestionably benefitted from the
operating agreement insofar as she received distributions from Mollie K and exercised
voting rights. She is therefore estopped from avoiding application of its arbitration
provision.
C. Arbitrable and Non-Arbitrable Claims
{¶ 37} In addition to her claims for breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation, and
fraud, Nancy’s complaint also alleges breach of the parties’ “settlement agreement” and
violation of the final judgment entry of divorce. It also asserts claims against Max Auto,
an entity not bound by Mollie K’s operating agreement. While we have concluded that
Nancy’s claims against Randolph for breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation, and
fraud are subject to arbitration, the same cannot be said for (1) her claims for breach of
the parties’ “settlement agreement” and violation of the final judgment entry of divorce,
and (2) her claims against Max Auto.
{¶ 38} “Where an action involves both arbitrable and non-arbitrable claims, the
entire proceeding must be stayed until the issues subject to arbitration are resolved.”
Garber v. Buckeye Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge of Shelby, L.L.C., 5th Dist. Richland No. 2007-
CA-0121, 2008-Ohio-3533, ¶ 18. Accordingly, the action on Nancy’s non-arbitrable
claims must be stayed pending resolution of her arbitrable claims.
{¶ 39} In sum, we find Randolph and Max Auto’s first assignment of error well-
taken, in part, and not well-taken, in part. We find that the claims against Randolph for
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breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation, and fraud must be submitted to arbitration as
set forth in Mollie K’s operating agreement. And we find that the remainder of the
claims against Randolph and the claims against Max Auto must be stayed pending
resolution of the arbitrable claims.
B. Jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas, General Division
{¶ 40} In their second assignment of error, Randolph and Max Auto argue that the
trial court erred in denying their motion to dismiss for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.
Nancy argues that the court’s order was not final and appealable. We agree. See Vizzo v.
Morris, 5th Dist. Fairfield No. 2011-CA-52, 2012-Ohio-2141, ¶ 42 (holding that trial
court’s decision denying motion to dismiss for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction was not
a final appealable order). We, therefore, find that Randolph and Max Auto’s second
assignment of error is premature and not final and appealable for purposes of this appeal.
C. Jury Demand
{¶ 41} In their third assignment of error, Randolph and Max Auto argue that the
trial court erred in denying their motion to strike Nancy’s jury demand. Nancy argues
that the trial court’s decision cannot presently be reviewed because it is not a final
appealable order. We agree. See Hayes v. Goodson TSI, Inc., 2d Dist. Miami No. 89 CA
34, 1990 Ohio App. LEXIS 1546, *10-11 (Apr. 19, 1990) (“[T]he order of the trial court
denying Appellant’s motion to strike or limit Appellee’s demand for a jury trial is not a
final appealable order and * * * this court lacks jurisdiction to hear the cause.”); Frashuer
v. Travelers Indemn. Co., 49 Ohio App. 2d 1, 2, 358 N.E.2d 886 (9th Dist.1974) (holding
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that order striking jury demand was not a final appealable order); Krichbaum v. Moder,
1980 Ohio App. LEXIS 13892, *1, 1980 WL 354171 (dismissing appeal of order striking
jury demand as not final and appealable). Similarly, we find that Randolph and Max
Auto’s third assignment of error is premature and not final and appealable for purposes of
this appeal.
III. Conclusion
{¶ 42} We conclude that Nancy’s claims against Randolph for breach of fiduciary
duty, misappropriation, and fraud arise out of Mollie K’s operating agreement, and
Nancy is bound by the arbitration provision contained in the agreement. We, therefore,
find Randolph and Max Auto’s first assignment of error well-taken to the extent that they
seek to compel arbitration of those claims. With respect to the remaining claims against
Randolph and the claims against Max Auto, we find that these claims are not arbitrable,
however, the action in the common pleas court with respect to these claims must be
stayed pending arbitration.
{¶ 43} We deny Randolph and Max Auto’s second and third assignments of error
as premature and not final and appealable.
{¶ 44} Accordingly, we reverse, in part, and affirm, in part, the June 23, 2017
judgment of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas. The costs of this appeal are
assessed to Nancy Katz under App.R. 24.
Judgment reversed, in part,
and affirmed, in part.
19.
Katz v. Katz
C.A. No. L-17-1157
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27.
See also 6th Dist.Loc.App.R. 4.
Thomas J. Osowik, J. _______________________________
JUDGE
James D. Jensen, J.
_______________________________
Christine E. Mayle, P.J. JUDGE
CONCUR.
_______________________________
JUDGE
This decision is subject to further editing by the Supreme Court of
Ohio’s Reporter of Decisions. Parties interested in viewing the final reported
version are advised to visit the Ohio Supreme Court’s web site at:
http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/ROD/docs/.
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