In Re Chez

441 B.R. 724 (2010)

In re Elaine CHEZ, Debtor.

No. 09-30987 (LMW).

United States Bankruptcy Court, D. Connecticut.

December 9, 2010.

Andrea Anderson, Esq., Law Offices of Andrea Anderson, LLC, Waterbury, CT, for the Debtor.

Elaine Chez, Milford, CT, Debtor.

Barbara H. Katz, Esq., New Haven, CT, Chapter 7 Trustee.

MEMORANDUM OF DECISION AND ORDER RE: ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE WHY ATTORNEY'S FEES SHOULD NOT BE DISGORGED AND REQUIRING ATTENDANCE OF THE DEBTOR AND ANDREA ANDERSON, ESQ.

LORRAINE MURPHY WEIL, Chief Judge.

The matter (the "Matter") before the court is that certain Order To Show Cause Why Attorney's Fees Should Not Be Disgorged and Requiring Attendance of the Debtor and Andrea Anderson, Esq. (ECF No. 54, the "OTSC").^[1] The court has jurisdiction over the Matter as a core proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334 and that certain Order dated September 21, 1984 of this District (Daly, C.J.).^[2]

This memorandum constitutes the findings of fact and conclusions of law required by Rule 7052 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (made applicable here by Rule 9014 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure).

I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On or about February 19, 2009, the Debtor retained Attorney Anderson with respect to the future commencement of the Case. (See Resp. Exh. 1 (the "Retainer Agreement").) Pursuant to the Retainer Agreement, the Debtor agreed to pay $ 1,500.00 for professional services (the "Initial Fee") for the commencement of this Case through the first meeting of creditors. She further agreed that additional fees would be required for certain additional services (including schedule amendments to add creditors). (See id.)^[3] On the same day, the Debtor paid $1,800.00 in full satisfaction of the Initial Fee (plus filing fee). (See Resp. Exh. 1.)^[4]

On April 22, 2009, the Case was commenced by the filing (through Attorney Anderson) of a voluntary petition for the Debtor. (See ECF No. 1.) Included with the petition were the Debtor's initial bankruptcy schedules (included in ECF No. 1, the "Initial Schedules"). The Initial Schedules disclosed the following relevant assets: Common Stock (the "Stock") in "Manulife Financial" with a stated value of $0.00; "First Connecticut Credit Union Joint Account w/Mother Just to Pay the Mortgage" (the "Account") with a stated value of $1,518.60; a 1999 Buick Reg [sic] GS/GSE (the "Buick") with a stated value of $3,070.00 and a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant (the "Galant") with a stated value of $2,375.00. (See ECF No. 1 (Initial Schedules).) The Initial Schedules also claimed the following relevant exemptions pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §§ 522(b) and 522(d): the Stock with an exemption under Section 522(d)(5) in the amount of $0.00; the Account with an exemption under Section 522(d)(5) for the entire stated value of the Account;^[5] the Buick with an exemption under Section 522(d)(2) in the stated amount of $3,070.00; and the Galant with an exemption under Section 522(d)(2) in the stated amount of $155.00. (See ECF No. 1 (Initial Schedules).)^[6]

Also filed with the petition was a "Disclosure of Compensation of Attorney for Debtor(s)" (included in ECF No. 1, the "Disclosure") executed and filed by Attorney Andersen pursuant to Rule 2016(b) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure. The Disclosure provided in relevant part as follows:

1. Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 329(a) and Bankruptcy Rule 2016(b), I certify that I am the attorney for the above-named debtor and that compensation paid to me within one year before the filing of the petition in bankruptcy, or agreed to be paid to me, for services rendered or to be rendered on behalf of the debtor(s) in contemplation of or in connection with the bankruptcy case is as follows:

For legal services, I have agreed
to accept                          $ 1,500.00
________
Prior to the filing of this
statement I have received         $ 1,500.00
________
Balance Due                         $     0.00
________

. . .

5. In return for the above-disclosed fee, I have agreed to render legal service for all aspects of the bankruptcy case, including:

a. Analysis of the debtor's financial situation, and rendering advice to the debtor in determining whether to file a petition in bankruptcy;

b. Preparation and filing of any petition, schedules, statement of affairs and plan which may be required;

c. Representation of the debtor at the meeting of creditors and confirmation hearing, and any adjourned hearings thereof;

d. [Other provisions as needed]

Negotiations with secured creditors to reduce to market value; exemption planning; preparation and filing of reaffirmation agreements and applications as needed; preparation and filing of motions pursuant to 11 USC 522(f)(2)(A) for avoidance of liens on household goods.

6. By agreement with the debtor(s), the above-disclosed fee does not include the following service:

Representation of the debtors in any dischargeability actions, judicial lien avoidances, relief from stay actions or any other adversary proceeding.

(ECF No. 1 (Disclosure).) Subsequent to the meeting of creditors held pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 341, on May 28, 2009 the chapter 7 trustee (the "Trustee") filed a "Trustee's Report of Assets." (See ECF No. 12.)

By correspondence dated May 12, 2009, counsel for FIA Card Services, N.A. ("FIA") asserted that a debt incurred by the Debtor in the amount of $8,992.00 for cash advances and/or convenience check charges during the period from December 24, 2008 to February 4, 2009 was nondischargeable pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 523(a). (See Resp. Exh. 2.) FIA demanded either stipulated nondischargeability for the full amount or a one-time cash settlement in the sum of $7,000.00. (See id.) After consultation with the Debtor, Attorney Anderson rejected that proposal both by telephone and in writing. (See id.) Attorney Anderson then entered into discussions with FIA's counsel and, ultimately, no nondischargeability action was brought. (See Trans. at 25-26 (testimony of the Debtor); Trans. at 52 (testimony of Attorney Anderson).) Cf. 11 U.S.C. § 523(c). Attorney Anderson's office also gave the Debtor some assistance with respect to a potential loan modification. (See Trans. at 52 (testimony of Attorney Anderson).)

On July 1, 2009, the Trustee filed a Motion To Compel Turnover of Documents (ECF No. 18, the "First Motion To Compel") asserting that there was $6,108.96 of non-exempt equity with respect to the Stock. (See id.) On July 10, 2009, the Debtor filed amended Schedules B (personal property) and C (exempt property). (See ECF No. 26, the "Amended Schedules"). In relevant part, the Amended Schedules: (a) amended Schedule B by changing the stated value of the Stock from $0.00 to $6,108.96 and (b) amended Schedule C by claiming an exemption under Section 522(d)(5) in the Stock for its full stated value.^[7] On July 15, 2009, the Trustee filed an Objection to Amended Schedule C. (See ECF No. 29, the "Trustee Objection.") The Trustee Objection: (a) challenged the Debtor's exemption of the Stock in its entirety and (b) challenged the Debtor's exemption of the Account as exceeding the permissible exemption by $779.19. (See id.) On July 21, 2009, the Debtor paid Attorney Anderson $226.00 (the "Amendment Fee") with respect to the Amended Schedules. (See Debtor Exh. A (invoice of even date).) Attorney Anderson did not amend or supplement the Disclosure to reflect her receipt of the Amendment Fee.^[8]

At a hearing (the "7/29/09 Hearing") on July 29, 2009, the Trustee marked off (with right of reclaim) the First Motion To Compel. The Trustee advised the court that she had spoken to Attorney Anderson and also had been advised by the Debtor that she was going to turn over the Stock. (See Oral Record of 7/29/2009 Hearing at 11:08:55 et seq. (remarks of the Trustee).) The Trustee Objection also came on for a hearing at the 7/29/09 Hearing. (See ECF No. 31.) Neither Attorney Anderson nor the Debtor appeared at that hearing. The Trustee remarked that she was pressing her objection to the Debtor's exemption of the Stock but said nothing about the Account (which also was the subject of the Trustee Objection). (See Oral Record of 7/29/2009 Hearing, supra.) The resulting order (ECF No. 35, the "Exemption Order") sustained (by default) the Trustee Objection with respect to both the Stock (in its entire amount)^[9] and the Account. Neither Attorney Anderson, the Debtor nor the Trustee sought reconsideration of or relief from the Exemption Order. The Debtor received her discharge on July 31, 2009. (See ECF No. 36.)

On or about May 6, 2010, the Trustee sent Attorney Anderson a demand letter (the "Demand Letter") with respect to turnover of $73 9.31[sic] non-exempt equity in the Account. (See Debtor Exh. B.)^[10] On or about May 24, 2010, the Debtor paid $400.00 (the "First Consultation Fee") for a consultation with James O'Rourke, Esq. (a bankruptcy attorney). (See Debtor Exh. A (proof of payment).) That consultation was with respect to the Demand Letter and a blank stock transfer (stock power) form (the "Blank Stock Transfer") in respect of surrender of the Stock. (See Trans. at 12-13 (testimony of the Debtor).)

On August 18, 2010, the Trustee filed a Motion To Compel Turnover of Non-Exempt Equity. (See ECF No. 49, the "Second Motion To Compel.") The Second Motion To Compel sought turnover from the Debtor of $2,999.29 (in the aggregate) of non-exempt equity with respect to the Account and the Galant. (See id.; cf. ECF No. 35.)^[11] On or about August 25, 2010, the Debtor paid $400.00 (the "Second Consultation Fee") for a consultation with Dennis Morrissey, Esq. (a third bankruptcy attorney). (See Trans. at 14 (testimony of the Debtor); Debtor Exh. A.) That consultation was with respect to the Second Motion To Compel.

The Second Motion To Compel came on for a hearing (the "9/8/2010 Hearing") on September 8, 2010. The Debtor and the Trustee appeared at the 9/8/2010 Hearing; Attorney Anderson did not. At the 9/8/2010 Hearing, the Debtor made certain allegations (the "Debtor Allegations") concerning the inadequacy of Attorney Anderson's representation in the Case. (See Oral Record of 9/8/2010 Hearing at 10:54:57 et seq. (remarks of the Debtor).)^[12] At the conclusion of the 9/8/2010 Hearing, the Trustee withdrew the Second Motion To Compel on the record (not addressing what Attorney Anderson "did or did not say" but, rather, "based upon what I am hearing today"). (Id. at 11:05:20 et seq. (remarks of the Trustee).)^[13] The next day the Trustee filed a Notice of Proposed Abandonment or Disposition of Property and Opportunity for Objections Thereto with respect to the Account and the Galant pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 554. (See ECF No. 55, the "Abandonment Notice.") The Abandonment Notice set an objection deadline of September 30, 2010. In the absence of objection to the Abandonment Notice, the Trustee filed a Trustee's Report of Abandonment (see ECF No. 57) with respect to the Account and Galant on October 4, 2010.

In light of the Debtor Allegations, on September 8, 2010 the court issued the OTSC. (See also Oral Record of 9/8/2010 Hearing at 11:07:02 et seq. (remarks of court).) The OTSC provided in relevant part:

ORDERED that the above-referenced debtor's (the "Debtor") attorney of record, Andrea Anderson, Esq., shall appear at an evidentiary hearing (the "Hearing") on September 29, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. at the United States Bankruptcy Court, Connecticut Financial Center, 157 Church Street, 18th Floor, New Haven, Connecticut, to show cause why she should not be required to disgorge any fees paid (or agreed to be paid) by the Debtor to her with respect to this case; and it is further

ORDERED that the Debtor and Attorney Anderson shall appear at the Hearing.. . . (ECF No. 54.)^[14]

The OTSC ultimately came on for an evidentiary hearing (the "OTSC Hearing") on October 12, 2010. The Debtor and Attorney Anderson both appeared at the OTSC Hearing. At the beginning of the OTSC Hearing, the court directed that relevant portions of the oral record of the 9/8/10 Hearing be played back for Attorney Anderson in order that she might hear the Debtor Allegations. That was done. When asked by the court, "Do you feel able to go forward?" (Trans. at 5:15-16), Attorney Anderson replied, "I feel that I can . . . . I'm not positive that I have all of the information that I need, or the recollection, but I'd like to try," (id.; 17-18, 20-23). Both the Debtor and Attorney Anderson testified and (as noted above) placed documentary evidence into the record at the OTSC Hearing. The Matter now is ripe for the decision set forth here in below.

II. ANALYSIS

A. Standards

1. Section 329

Bankruptcy Code § 329 provides as follows:

(a) Any attorney representing a debtor in a case under this title, or in connection with such a case, whether or not such attorney applies for compensation under this title, shall file with the court a statement of the compensation paid or agreed to be paid, if such payment or agreement was made after one year before the date of the filing of the petition, for services rendered or to be rendered in contemplation of or in connection with the case by such attorney, and the source of such compensation.

(b) If such compensation exceeds the reasonable value of any such services, the court may cancel any such agreement, or order the return of any such payment, to the extent excessive, to—

(1) the estate, if the property transferred—

(A) would have been property of the estate; or . . .

(2) the entity that made such payment.

11 U.S.C.A. § 329 (West 2010). It is ultimately for the court to decide whether or not the compensation is reasonable under Section 329(b). "What constitutes reasonableness is a question of fact to be determined by the particular circumstances of each case. The requested compensation may be reduced if the court finds that the work done was excessive or of poor quality." 3 Alan N. Resnick & Henry J. Sommer, Collier on Bankruptcy ¶ 329.04[1], at 329-14 (16th ed. 2010)("Collier on Bankruptcy"). In determining the reasonableness of a given fee, the court should consider factors including the "competence of the performance" and the "nature of the services." In re Grant, 14 B.R. 567, 569 (Bankr.S.D.N.Y.1981). "Once a question of the reasonableness of counsel's fees is raised by a party in interest bringing a motion, the attorney bears the burden of proving his fee was reasonable." In re Wood, 408 B.R. 841, 848 (Bankr.D.Kan. 2009); see also Snyder v. Dewoskin (In re Mahendra), 131 F.3d 750, 757 (8th Cir. 1997), cert. denied, 523 U.S. 1107, 118 S. Ct. 1678, 140 L. Ed. 2d 815 (1998).^[15]

2. Rule 2016(b)

Rule 2016(b) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure provides as follows:

Disclosure of Compensation Paid or Promised to Attorney for Debtor. Every attorney for a debtor, whether or not the attorney applies for compensation, shall file and transmit to the United States trustee within 14 days after the order for relief, or at another time as the court may direct, the statement required by § 329 of the Code including whether the attorney has shared or agreed to share the compensation with any other entity. The statement shall include the particulars of any such sharing or agreement to share by the attorney, but the details of any agreement for the sharing of the compensation with a member or regular associate of the attorney's law firm shall not be required. A supplemental statement shall be filed and transmitted to the United States trustee within 14 days after any payment or agreement not previously disclosed.

Fed. R. Bankr.P. 2016(b) (emphasis added).

Fee-disclosure directives contained in the Bankruptcy Code and Rules are mandatory and "require ``direct and comprehensive' disclosures." McTyeire v. Hunt (In re McTyeire), 357 B.R. 898 (Bankr.M.D.Ga.2006). See also McMullen v. Schultz, 428 B.R. 4, 13 (D.Mass.2010) ("[F]ull and timely disclosure of the details of a fee arrangement is mandatory." (internal quotation marks omitted)). Compliance with fee disclosure obligations imposed upon a debtor's attorney is particularly necessary to the administration and disposition of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases because those cases involve a voluminous number of relatively small individual cases. Cf. In re Whaley, 282 B.R. 38 (Bankr.M.D.Fla.2002). "The duty of disclosure imposed by Rule 2016(b) is a continuing one. If a debtor's attorney subsequently receives funds, the attorney must make the required disclosure by supplementing any prior disclosure." 9 Collier on Bankruptcy ¶ 2016.17, at 2016-20.

Complete disclosure is mandated under the Bankruptcy Code and Rules and failing to meet those disclosure requirements with total candor can result in severe consequences. "Indeed, it has long been the practice in [the Second Circuit] to deny compensation to counsel who fail to comply with the disclosure provisions . . . ." [Matter of] Futuronics [Corp.], 655 F.2d [463,] 469 [(2d Cir. 1981)]; see also [Matter of] Kero-Sun [Inc.], 58 B.R. [770], 779 [(Bankr.D.Conn.1986)] (finding attorney's violation of disclosure requirements, inter alia, warranted ordering the disgorgement of fees not reported); [Matter of] Prudhomme, 43 F.3d [1000,] 1003 [(5th Cir. 1995)] ("[T]he court's broad discretion in awarding and denying fees paid in connection with bankruptcy proceedings empowers the bankruptcy court to order disgorgement as a sanction to debtor's counsel for nondisclosure."); In re Arlan's Dept. Stores, Inc., 615 F.2d 925, 937-38 (2d Cir.1979) (finding no abuse of discretion in court's order of disgorgement of all fees where counsel failed to divulge all connection with debtor and failed to disclose all fees); cf., Woods v. City Nat'l Bank & Trust Co., 312 U.S. 262, 268, 61 S. Ct. 493, 85 L. Ed. 820 (1941) (using denial of compensation as a tool for strict enforcement of conflict-of-interest rules).

In re Laferriere, 286 B.R. 520, 526-27 (Bankr.D.Vt.2002).

B. Application of Law to Facts

1. Amendment Fee

As noted above, Attorney Anderson collected the Amendment Fee but never amended the Disclosure to reflect that. The policy of full disclosure behind Rule 2016(b) requires that Attorney Anderson disgorge the Amendment Fee to the Debtor. See In re Laferriere, supra.

2. Further Disgorgement

The remaining question is whether Attorney Anderson should be required to disgorge a further $800.00 because the Debtor should not have had to pay either the First Consultation Fee or the Second Consultation Fee. In fairness to Attorney Anderson, determination of the foregoing would require further proceedings because she did not have an adequate opportunity to prepare for the OTSC Hearing. (See Trans. at 5 et passim.)^[16] Determination of the foregoing also would require an answer to the legal question of whether the description of Attorney Anderson's representation in the Disclosure bound her to represent the Debtor (including appearing at relevant hearings)^[17] with respect to her exemption objections notwithstanding the terms and conditions of the Retainer Agreement. Further, determination of the foregoing also would require the court to determine the adequacy of Attorney Anderson's counseling of the Debtor with respect to the Debtor's exemptions. However, the court does not deem further proceedings necessary nor does the court deem it necessary to resolve the foregoing questions to reach a determination here for the reasons which follow.^[18]

As discussed above, Attorney Anderson represented the Debtor with respect to a claim of nondischargeability by a creditor and, in fact, obtained a favorable result for her through negotiation without any litigation. Construing paragraphs 5 and 6 of the Disclosure together, nondischargeability matters even not going to litigation were outside of the scope of the subject representation under the terms of the Disclosure (at least arguably). Accordingly, the court deems it fair to give Attorney Anderson credit for the value of those services against the $800.00 potential disgorgement. Doing "rough justice," the court assigns a value of at least $800.00 to those services. Therefore, the court exercises its discretion and concludes that no further disgorgement by Attorney Anderson would be appropriate here.

III. CONCLUSION

For the reasons set forth above, Attorney Anderson hereby is ordered to disgorge to the Debtor the sum of $226.00 on or before December 17, 2010. Compliance with the foregoing shall be evidenced by an affidavit of Attorney Anderson filed on or before December 23, 2010.

It is SO ORDERED.

NOTES

[1] References herein to the docket of this chapter 7 case (the "Case") appear in the following form: "ECF No. ___." The OTSC was issued pursuant to Rule 2017 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure. The respondent named in the OTSC is the above-referenced debtor's (the "Debtor") chapter 7 counsel, Andrea Anderson, Esq. ("Attorney Anderson"). A transcript of the OTSC Hearing (as that term is hereafter defined) appears in the record as ECF No. 59. References herein to that transcript appear in the following form: "Trans. at ___." The Debtor and Attorney Anderson both introduced documentary evidence into the record at the OTSC Hearing. References herein to that evidence appear in the following forms (respectively): "Debtor Exh. ___" or "Resp. Exh. ___."

[2] That order referred to the "Bankruptcy Judges for this District" inter alia "all proceeding arising under Title 11, U.S.C., or arising in . . . a case under Title 11, U.S.C. . . ."

[3] There was an attachment to the Retainer Agreement which bore the following legend: "The Following Terms, Conditions, and Understandings Are Part Of This Retainer Agreement." (See id.) That attachment provided in relevant part as follows:

FULL DISCLOSURE REQUIRED: . . . . I know that my attorney CANNOT promise me what assets I may keep as this depends upon information not available to my attorney at this time. . . .

ADDITIONAL ATTORNEY FEES: I understand that my attorney has given me as firm a fee quote as is possible at this time. My attorney is quoting me fees needed to process my case through the first meeting of creditors. In most instances this will be the complete fee. There are, however, certain events for which I may need the services of my attorney that will require me to pay additional fees. These events include my needing my attorney to prepare and file Suggestions of Bankruptcy in any other litigation (such as foreclosure lawsuits) that may be filed against me. I also will be charged and agree to pay additional attorney fees if my attorney is needed to assist me in negotiating with any creditors, resisting any objections filed by my creditors, or negotiating reaffirmation agreements or avoiding liens, or attending depositions, meetings, examination or hearings required beyond the first meeting of creditors. I agree to pay my attorney additional fees at the rate of $300.00 per hour for these services. I understand that if I amend my pleadings after my case is filed to add additional creditors, there is a minimum charge of $150.00 plus court costs.

(Resp. Exh. 1.)

[4] Certain additional charges were waived. (See id.)

[5] The foregoing exemption with respect to the Account was claimed notwithstanding that the amount of such claimed exemption exceeded the available Section 522(d)(5) exemption by $779.19.

[6] Section 522(d)(2) permits the exemption of only one motor vehicle up to a value of $3,225. See 11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(2).

[7] The foregoing exemption with respect to the Stock was claimed notwithstanding that the amount of the Section 522(d)(5) exemption already had been exhausted.

[8] It appears that Attorney Anderson agreed to render certain other professional services to the Debtor for the payment of $1,200.00 (which does not appear to have been paid). (See Debtor Exh. B (letter dated July 20, 2009 from Ms. Cavallo to the Debtor).) Those additional services remain undefined and it remains unclear how they would have related to the Case.

[9] However, at the OTSC Hearing, Attorney Anderson testified that the Trustee had agreed to exempt some small portion of the Stock. (See Trans. at 54-55 (testimony of Attorney Anderson).) Her memory may or may not be correct in that regard.

[10] The actual amount in demand appears to have been $779.19. (Cf. ECF No. 29.)

[11] $779.29 [sic] in respect of the Account and $2,200.00 in respect of the Galant. (See ECF No. 49.) As noted above, with respect to the Account, the actual amount in demand appears to have been $779.19. (See ECF No. 29.)

[12] The Debtor Allegations were not made under oath and so are not repeated here.

[13] With regard to statements made by the Debtor at the 9/8/2010 Hearing with respect to the Blank Stock Transfer, the Trustee stated:

I used a stock broker. I did what the stock broker told me. The stock broker told me "do it again please" and that's why she had to do it a second time and when she signed the blank power, she did not date it and that was why I asked for . . . consent to put the date in.

(Id. at 11:05:42 et seq. (remarks of the Trustee).)

[14] The OTSC also had a footnote which read:

At a September 8, 2010 hearing on the record on a motion by the chapter 7 trustee (at which Attorney Anderson did not appear), the Debtor made various allegations concerning the inadequacy of Attorney Anderson's representation in this case. Attorney Anderson will have an opportunity to hear a "play back" of the relevant portion of the oral record of that hearing prior to any substantive proceedings at the Hearing.

[15] The court would reach the same result here even if the burden of proof were reversed.

[16] For example, Attorney Anderson was unclear about the substance and timing of any agreements she may have had with the Trustee with respect to the Debtor's exemptions.

[17] For example, paragraph 6 of the Disclosure did not exclude from the subject representation the matters described hereinabove but, rather, excluded only "adversary proceedings" and other dissimilar matters. (See ECF No. 1 (Disclosure).)

[18] Accordingly, no such determinations are made herein.