DocketNumber: No. CV–17–243
Citation Numbers: 549 S.W.3d 362
Judges: Hixson
Filed Date: 4/18/2018
Status: Precedential
Modified Date: 1/21/2022
Entergy also included a more extensive affidavit from attorney Tim Matthews, which, unlike the earlier affidavit, distinguished the attorney-led root-cause evaluation of the stator-lift accident from more "routine root-cause investigations ... done by facility personnel regarding relatively minor events." Mr. Matthews also averred that the post-accident root-cause evaluation was not done in the ordinary course of business because counsel, as opposed to other Entergy personnel, chose its "methodologies and investigative techniques." There is no indication that the circuit court reconsidered its discovery order, at Entergy's request or otherwise, in light of the new information in Mr. Matthews's second affidavit.
On appeal, Entergy first contends that the circuit court abused its discretion by relying only on lawyer's argument, rather than evidence, to order disclosure of the root-cause evaluations, which, according to Entergy, is not sufficient. Second, Entergy asserts that Francis had no procedural right to seek production of the root-cause evaluations because he was not a "discovering party" entitled to production. Entergy raises two additional subpoints within this argument, including that Bigge was not entitled to production of the reports *369because Bigge failed to meet and confer with Entergy before filing its motion to compel, as required by Ark. R. Civ. P. 37(a)(2). Entergy further asserts that Francis and Bigge are not entitled, in any event, to production of the second root-cause evaluation because they failed to provide any notice prior to the hearing on February 28, 2017, that they would seek production of that document. Finally, Entergy contends that the circuit court abused its discretion because the root-cause evaluations are work product and Francis has not shown a substantial need that defeats the privilege.
III. Standard of Review
A circuit court has broad discretion in matters pertaining to discovery, and the exercise of that discretion will not be reversed on appeal absent an abuse of discretion that is prejudicial to the appealing party. Gerber Prods. Co. v. CECO Concrete Constr. ,
IV. Discussion
A. The Basis of the Circuit Court's Ruling
Mr. O'Keefe's deposition testimony is at the heart of this issue. During the hearing that was held on February 28, 2017, Francis's counsel read excerpts from the deposition to support his argument that the root-cause evaluations were created in the ordinary course of business, rather than in anticipation of litigation. Entergy now claims that the circuit court erred by allowing Francis to use the deposition in that manner because he did not make the showing required by Ark. R. Civ. P. 32(a)(3)(A)-(E) (2017). Entergy further argues that Francis did not introduce the deposition-or any other exhibit-into evidence; therefore, the circuit court erroneously relied solely on the arguments of counsel when it found that the work-product rule did not apply to the root-cause evaluations. We decline to consider this issue because Entergy failed to preserve it for appellate review.
This court will not consider arguments raised for the first time on appeal. See Parkerson v. Brown ,
B. Francis's and Bigge's Rights to Seek Production of the Reports
Entergy next argues that the circuit court's order should be reversed because Francis did not have standing to compel production of the root-cause evaluations. Specifically, Entergy contends that Francis did not separately propound interrogatories and requests for production to Entergy and was not a "discovering party" who had standing to file-or join-a motion to compel under *370Ark. R. Civ. P. 37(a)(2). Entergy also challenges Bigge's right to compel production of the documents, alleging that Bigge failed to confer with Entergy, as also required by Rule 37(a)(2), before filing its motion to compel on December 18, 2014. Finally, Entergy asserts that the circuit court erred by ordering production of the second root-cause evaluation because Entergy did not have fair notice before the hearing that Francis and Bigge would seek its production.
Entergy's argument about Francis's right to seek production of the root-cause evaluations is well taken. Francis never served Entergy with interrogatories or requests for production formally seeking the root-cause evaluations, and in the absence of making his own requests for discovery from Entergy, he lacked standing to "join" Bigge's motion to compel. See Ark. R. Civ. P. 37(a)(2) (providing that only "the discovering party" may move for an order compelling discovery). Accordingly, we reverse the order of the circuit court to the extent that it orders Entergy to produce the root-cause evaluations to Francis.
Entergy is mistaken, however, that the circuit court's order to produce the documents to Bigge was an abuse of discretion because Bigge failed to confer with Entergy prior to filing its motion to compel. As an initial matter, the argument ignores that this is an appeal from the circuit court's order denying Entergy's motion for an order of protection pursuant to Ark. R. Civ. P. 26(c) (2017), which required Entergy, and not Bigge, to state that it "in good faith conferred or attempted to confer with other affected parties."
Finally, we decline to reach the merits of Entergy's argument that it was denied fair notice that Francis and Bigge were going to request the second root-cause evaluation at the February 28, 2017, hearing. Quite simply, Entergy failed to preserve the argument for appellate review by raising it in the circuit court. See Parkerson ,
C. The Work-Product Privilege
Entergy next contends that the circuit court abused its discretion by finding that the two root-cause evaluations did not qualify for the work-product privilege because they were created in the ordinary course of business. Specifically, Entergy asserts that, while its own policy required the root-cause evaluations, they had a far different character than those it performs in the ordinary course of business. Unlike more routine root-cause evaluations, those at issue here followed a severe accident that was certain to engender litigation; they were performed with the involvement of counsel; and they required a much more complex level of investigation. Entergy therefore contends that the two root-cause evaluations are "opinion work product" that warrant protection from disclosure even upon another party's showing of substantial need.
We hold that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion by finding that work-product protection did not apply to *371the two root-cause evaluations. "The work product doctrine was designed to prevent 'unwarranted inquiries into the files and mental impressions of an attorney.' " Simon v. G.D. Searle & Co. ,
"The mere possibility that litigation may result is not sufficient to trigger the protection of the work-product doctrine."
It is undisputed that Entergy would have performed the root-cause evaluations even in the absence of litigation, as required by its own policy and by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It argues, however, that the reports of those evaluations should nonetheless be protected as work product because the scale of the root-cause evaluations that followed the stator-lift accident were unlike those that are created in the ordinary course of business for more minor events. According to Entergy, the stator-lift root-cause evaluations were larger and more complex, were overseen by counsel, and were conducted when litigation was certain to occur. Entergy therefore argues that the circuit court abused its discretion by ordering it to produce the root-cause evaluations.
We must reject this argument. The party asserting work-product privilege has the burden of proving its application, see Shook ,
V. Conclusion
Because we find that Entergy failed to meet its burden of proving that it created the root-cause evaluations in a form that was different from those it creates in the ordinary course of business, we hold that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion when it ordered Entergy to produce those documents to Bigge. The circuit court's order, therefore, is affirmed as it pertains to Entergy's production of the root-cause evaluations to Bigge. We further hold, however, that the circuit court abused its discretion when it ordered Entergy to produce the root-cause evaluations to Francis, who did not propound discovery seeking those documents. Accordingly, the circuit court's order is reversed to the extent that it orders Entergy to produce the root-cause evaluations to Francis.
Affirmed in part and reversed in part.
Whiteaker, J., agrees.
Hixson, J., concurs.
Entergy now appears to have abandoned its initial claim that the reports are also covered by the attorney-client privilege.
As indicated above, Bigge argued-and the circuit court ruled-that Entergy waived the work-product privilege for the first root-cause evaluation by disclosing its conclusions in its publication, The Navigator. We decline to reach the waiver issue, however, because we find that Entergy has failed to meet its burden of proving that the work-product privilege applies to the root-cause evaluations.