Preston Hollow Capital LLC v. Nuveen LLC

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
PRESTON HOLLOW CAPITAL LLC, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
v. )
)
NUVEEN LLC, NUVEEN ) C.A. No. N19C-10-107-MMJ [CCLD]
INVESTMENTS, INC., and NUVEEN )
ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC, )
)
Defendants. )
Submitted: September 24, 2020
Decided: December 15, 2020
On Plaintiff Preston Hollow Capital LLC’s Motion for Partial Summary
Judgement
GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART
OPINION
R. Scott Thompson, Esq. (Argued), David H. Wollmuth, Esq., Michael C. Ledley,
Esq., Sean P. McGonigle, Esq., Nicole C. Rende, Esq., Wollmuth, Maher &
Deutsch LLP, New York, New York, R. Judson Scaggs, Jr., Esq., Elizabeth A.
Mullin, Esq., Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP, Wilmington, Delaware,
Attorneys for Plaintiff Preston Hollow Capital LLC.
Leonard A. Gail, Esq. (Argued), Alejandra Contreras Macias, Esq., Massey & Gail
LLP, Chicago, Illinois, Jonathan S. Massey, Esq. (Argued), Jeremy Mallory, Esq.,
Massey & Gail LLP, Washington, DC, Peter J. Walsh, Jr., Esq., Jennifer C.
Wasson, Esq., David A. Seal, Esq., Robert J. Kumor, Esq., Potter, Anderson &
Corroon LLP, Wilmington, Delaware, Attorneys for Defendants Nuveen LLC,
Nuveen Investments, Inc., and Nuveen Asset Management LLC.
JOHNSTON, J.
1
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL CONTEXT
Parties
This is a defamation action based on statements made by one business
competitor about another. Plaintiff Preston Hollow Capital LLC (“Preston Hollow”)
is a Delaware limited liability company that operates nationally. 1 Defendants
Nuveen LLC and Nuveen Asset Management LLC are Delaware limited liability
companies that operate globally. 2 Defendant Nuveen Investments, Inc. is a
Delaware corporation that operates globally as well (collectively, “Nuveen”).3
The Municipal Bond Market
Preston Hollow and Nuveen are both institutional investors involved in the
high-yield municipal bond market. Preston Hollow currently has approximately
$2.1 billion in assets and $1.3 billion in equity capital. 4 Nuveen has approximately
$150 billion in assets.5
Municipal bonds are classified as either “investment-grade” or “high yield”
depending on the default risk and return rate. 6 Bonds can be issued as: (1) public
offerings, which are open to all investors; (2) limited public offerings, which are
1
Preston Hollow Capital LLC v. Nuveen LLC, et.al., 2020 WL 1814756, *2 (Del. Ch.) (“Nuveen
I”).
2
Id.3
Id.4
Id.5
Id.6
Id. at 5-6.
2
open to a select group of investors who meet established standards; or (3) private
placements, which are non-publicized offers made directly to an individual investor. 7
A “100% placement” transaction occurs when a single investor purchases the
entirety of a bond’s issuance. 8
Municipal bond issuances generally involve an issuer, a broker-dealer, and an
investor.9 The nature of this business requires investors to have close relationships
with broker-dealers in order to receive the most competitive opportunities. Preston
Hollow and Nuveen work closely with a number of broker-dealers.10 These
relationships are vital to their continued success and participation in the municipal
bond market.
Communications Between Nuveen and Broker-Dealers
During late 2018 and early 2019, three Nuveen employees, John Miller, Karen
Davern, and Steven Hlavin, spoke with various broker-dealers about Preston
Hollow.11 Audio tapes exist for the conversations between: (1) Hlavin and Deutsche
Bank on December 20, 2018; (2) Miller and Deutsche Bank on December 21, 2018;
and (3) Miller and Goldman Sachs (“Goldman”) on December 21, 2018.12 Three
7
Id. at 6-7.
8
Id. at 7.
9
Id. at 6.
10
Id. at 8.
11
Defendant’s Answering Brief in Opposition to Plaintiff’s Partial Summary Judgment Motion
(“AB”), at 6.
12
Id. at 6-7.
3
particular sets of conversations are at issue in this motion.13 Where necessary, the
contents of all conversations Nuveen had regarding Preston Hollow are referred to
collectively as “Nuveen’s Statements.”14
Recorded Conversations Between Nuveen and Deutsche Bank
During two recorded calls made on December 20, 2018, Hlavin told Deutsche
Bank that “Preston Hollow was ‘demonstrating predatory lending practices’ toward
borrowers and would ‘take the [borrowers] into bankruptcy.’”15 Hlavin additionally
told Deutsche Bank that “he possessed ‘direct evidence’” that Preston Hollow “lied
to issuers.”16 The next day, Miller called Deutsche Bank and stated in another
recorded conversation that “Preston Hollow conducted unethical business practices,
or ‘dirty deals.’”17 Miller “labeled Preston Hollow’s lending practices as
‘predatory’” and claimed that Preston Hollow “‘rushed’ broker-dealers through
deals without allowing for proper evaluation.” 18 The contents of these conversations
will be referred to collectively as the “Statements Made to Deutsche Bank.”
Recorded Conversations Between Nuveen and Goldman
13
Preston Hollow and Nuveen have grouped these statements together in their briefs. However,
the Court finds that it is necessary to break up Nuveen’s conversations with the broker-dealers
based on whether the calls were recorded or not and who the listener was.
14
The statements from all conversations were grouped together cumulatively as “the Adjudicated
Statements” in Preston Hollow’s briefs and “the Alleged Statements” in Nuveen’s briefs.
Regardless of the label, each grouping is substantively the same.
15
Nuveen I, at *6.
16
Id.
17
Id.
18
Id.
4
During a recorded phone call on December 21, 2018, “Miller told Goldman
that Preston Hollow lied to issuers.”19 Miller additionally told Goldman that: (1)
“issuers fell for Preston Hollow’s ‘predatory practices’ after hearing its ‘predatory
sales pitch’”; (2) “issuers are being told things that are not true”; (3) “Preston Hollow
would ‘rush the issuer into’ unfair or suspect transactions”; and (4) “he had ‘a lot of
evidence’ to support the allegations.”20 As part of his “evidence,” Miller stated that
“multiple states’ attorneys general had contacted Preston Hollow over ‘unethical
practices,’ sent it ‘nastygrams,’ and told it ‘[d]on’t come into my town again.’”21
The contents of this conversation will be referred to as the “Statements Made to
Goldman.”
Unrecorded Conversations
In addition to the recorded conversations, Nuveen discussed Preston Hollow
in a series of conversations which were not recorded. Between December 2018 and
February 2019, Nuveen employees discussed Preston Hollow in unrecorded
conversations with JPMorgan Chase & Co., Mesirow Financial, Stifel Nicolaus, and
Wells Fargo. 22 Nuveen additionally discussed Preston Hollow with KeyBanc
19
Id. at *8.
20
Id.
21
Id.
22
Id. at *5.
5
Capital Markets in April 2018.23 The contents of these various conversations will
be referred to collectively as the “Statements Made in Unrecorded Conversations.”
Preston Hollow Responds to Nuveen’s Statements
On January 15, 2019, Preston Hollow wrote a letter to Nuveen demanding that
it “cease and desist from what [Preston Hollow] characterize[d] as unlawful and
tortious communication” and “undertake other steps to prevent asserted harms.”24
Nuveen responded by sending letters to the legal departments of several broker-
dealers, which stated in part:
Nuveen does not and will not seek any arrangement or
commitment from your firm concerning the counterparties it does
business with. We fully acknowledge your firm is free to conduct
its trading business in a manner and with firms and counterparties
of your choosing… With respect to [Preston Hollow] specifically,
and for the avoidance of doubt, Nuveen seeks no agreement or
commitment from your firm regarding [Preston Hollow]… of
course, Nuveen reserves the right to conduct its trading business
with firms within its lawful discretion and to hold and express its
views and judgments in pursuing its investment advisory and
trading activities.25
Procedural History
Following the issuance of Nuveen’s letter, Preston Hollow filed suit against
Nuveen in the Court of Chancery on February 28, 2019. 26 Preston Hollow asserted
23
Id.
24
AB at 7.
25
AB at 8.
26
Nuveen I, at *11.
6
claims for: (1) tortious interference with contract; (2) tortious interference with
prospective business relations; (3) violation of New York’s Donnelly Act; and (4)
defamation. 27 Preston Hollow additionally sought preliminary and permanent
injunctions to prevent Nuveen from further discussing Preston Hollow with any
broker-dealers.28
The Court of Chancery denied preliminary injunctive relief on March, 14,
2019.29 The Court of Chancery dismissed Preston Hollow’s claim for tortious
interference with contract on May 14, 2019. 30 Preston Hollow’s defamation claim
was dismissed on July 11, 2019, with leave to transfer the claim to this Court.31
Preston Hollow re-filed its defamation claim in this Court on October 11, 2019.32
On November 5, 2019, this Superior Court action was stayed while the
litigation continued in the Court of Chancery. The parties went to trial for the
tortious interference of prospective business relations and Donnelly Act claims on
July 29-30, 2019.33 Vice Chancellor Glasscock issued his opinion on April 9,
2020.34
27
Id.
28
Id.
29
Id.
30
Id. at *12.
31
AB at 9.
32
Id. at 9-10.
33
Nuveen I, at *12.
34
Id.
7
After the conclusion of the Court of Chancery action, Preston Hollow filed
the present Motion for Summary Judgment on June 29, 2020. 35 The Court heard
oral argument on September 17, 2020. Counsel for Preston Hollow and Nuveen
submitted post-argument letters on September 24, 2020.36
Chancery Decision in Nuveen I
After the parties lodged 37 depositions, submitted 832 joint exhibits, and
presented witnesses over two days of trial, the Court of Chancery: (1) declined to
rule on the Donnelly Act claim; (2) held that Nuveen committed tortious interference
with Preston Hollow’s prospective business relations; and (3) held that Preston
Hollow was not entitled to a permanent injunction.37
The Court of Chancery found “that Nuveen used threats and lies in a
successful attempt to damage [Preston Hollow] in its business relationships.”38
When analyzing the tortious interference claim, the Court of Chancery first found
that Preston Hollow had a reasonable probability of business opportunity because it
either already had a formalized relationship with each broker-dealer or it had
transactions in the works.39 Second, the Court of Chancery found that Nuveen
intentionally interfered with Preston Hollow’s business opportunities through
35
Trans. ID 65731736.
36
Trans. ID 659663167 and 65962666.
37
Nuveen I, at *22.
38
Id. at *1.
39
Id. at *13.
8
economic pressure.40 Vice Chancellor Glasscock stated that there was a “common
theme” where “Nuveen called broker-dealers and told them to stop doing business
with Preston Hollow or face consequences—including . . . losing their business with
Nuveen.”41 Third, Nuveen’s interference proximately caused Preston Hollow harm
by causing it to lose business with Goldman, JPMorgan, KeyBanc, Mesirow, Stifel,
and Wells Fargo.42 The Court of Chancery did not find causation for Deutsche Bank
or Morgan because neither broker-dealer reduced its business with Preston Hollow
after speaking with Nuveen. 43 Finally, the Court of Chancery found that Preston
Hollow demonstrated it was harmed by Nuveen’s actions because broker-dealers
quit working with Preston Hollow altogether, reduced the number of deals with
Preston Hollow, and refused to conduct 100% placements with Preston Hollow
without letting Nuveen review the deals first.44 Therefore, Preston Hollow had met
the elements for its claim.
The Court of Chancery pointed out that tortious interference with prospective
business relations is “unusual” because “its application, even if [the] elements are
met, is circumscribed by consideration of competing rights. Thus, the elements of
the tort must be considered in light of a defendant’s privilege to compete in a lawful
40
Id. at *14-15.
41
Id. at *14.
42
Id. at *15.
43
Id. at *16.
44
Id. at *17.
9
manner.”45 However, the privilege to compete does not apply where a defendant’s
actions are “wrongful.” 46 In this context, “wrongful” action includes
misrepresentations and economic pressure. 47
With respect to the Statements Made to Goldman, the Court of Chancery
found:
Nuveen told Goldman that Preston Hollow lied to its issuers, and
it promised it had evidence to support this allegation when it had
only rumors from the trading desk. This amounts to a reckless
indifference to the truth. Similarly, allegations that Preston
Hollow’s “unethical practices” had “caught the attention of the
states’ attorney[s] general[]” who sent “nastygrams,” was a
misrepresentation of the “evidence” Miller actually possessed: a
single letter from a single city attorney. Miller’s testimony that
this lie was “a little bit of a shortcut” does not keep it from
constituting a knowing misrepresentation intended to interfere
with Preston Hollow’s business.48
With respect to the economic pressure applied by Nuveen, the Court of
Chancery found:
[C]ommunications with each of the individual broker-dealers may
evince limited—that is, non-tortious—economic pressure; the
choice to refrain from business with a third-party who conducts
business with a competitor. The facts revealed in litigation,
however, show that as Preston Hollow was becoming a contender
in the high-yield municipal bond market, Nuveen, the self-styled
“largest high-yield [municipal] fund in the world,” sought an
industry-wide agreement not to conduct business with Preston
Hollow. Although part of Nuveen’s motive was its interest in
45
Id. at *12.
46
Id. at *17.
47
Id.
48
Id. at *17.
10
“seeing all the deals,” its behavior shows that its object was also
an attack directed at Preston Hollow’s ability to operate. The
evidence demonstrated an aggressive and widely dispersed
campaign to use almost any pressure necessary to cut off a
competitor from its chief source of business as well as its
financing. I find that Nuveen was not simply attempting to
achieve a competitive edge; it meant to use the leverage resulting
from its size in the market to destroy Preston Hollow. 49
The misrepresentations and economic pressure amounted to “wrongful”
conduct.50 Thus, the Court of Chancery held that Nuveen remained liable for its
tortious interference with prospective business relations. 51
SUMMARY JUDGEMENT STANDARD
Summary judgment is granted only if the moving party establishes that there
are no genuine issues of material fact in dispute and judgment may be granted as a
matter of law.52 All facts are viewed in a light most favorable to the non-moving
party.53 Summary judgment may not be granted if the record indicates that a material
fact is in dispute, or if there is a need to clarify the application of law to the specific
circumstances.54 When the facts permit a reasonable person to draw only one
inference, the question becomes one for decision as a matter of law. 55 If the non-
49
Id. at *19.
50
Id. at *17-19.
51
Id. at *19.
52
Super. Ct. Civ. R. 56(c).
53
Burkhart v. Davies, 602 A.2d 56, 58–59 (Del. 1991).
54
Super. Ct. Civ. R. 56(c).
55
Wooten v. Kiger, 226 A.2d 238, 239 (Del. 1967).
11
moving party bears the burden of proof at trial, yet “fails to make a showing
sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party’s case,” then
summary judgment may be granted against that party. 56
ANALYSIS
Preston Hollow’s Contentions
Preston Hollow moves for partial summary judgment on defamation liability
for Nuveen’s Statements. Preston Hollow contends that the factual findings made
by the Court of Chancery in its decision are binding on this case through the
application of either collateral estoppel or law of the case. Preston Hollow further
contends that the Court of Chancery’s findings should be used to meet the first three
elements of defamation, specifically, that Nuveen made and published defamatory
statements concerning Preston Hollow. Finally, Preston Hollow urges the Court to
find that the fourth element of its defamation claim—that the third-parties
understood the communication to be defamatory—is met because Nuveen’s
Statements constitute defamation per se.
Nuveen’s Contentions
Nuveen argues in response that neither collateral estoppel nor law of the case
are applicable here. Further, even if one of those doctrines applied, Preston Hollow
56
Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322 (1986).
12
still would not be entitled to partial summary judgment. Nuveen insists that law of
the case does not apply here because that doctrine concerns only legal findings, not
factual findings. As the Court of Chancery’s findings at issue here are factual, and
not purely legal, they are not the law of the case. Further, Nuveen maintains that
collateral estoppel should not apply because: (1) the Court of Chancery’s judgement
rested on two independent bases, therefore neither basis is preclusive; (2) the factual
findings were not necessary or essential to the result; and (3) factual findings made
by a judge cannot be binding on a subsequent jury. Finally, even if the findings
related to Nuveen’s Statements are binding on this case, there are remaining factual
disputes which prevent the entry of summary judgment, including how the third-
parties understood Nuveen’s Statements and whether Preston Hollow is a limited
purpose public figure.
Law of the Case
Law of the case is a judicially-created doctrine which prevents parties from
relitigating issues that have been decided at a prior point. “The law of the case
doctrine, like the stare decisis doctrine, is founded on the principle of stability and
respect for court processes and precedent.” 57 “Once a matter has been addressed in
a procedurally proper way by a court, it is generally held to be the law of that case
57
Gannett Co. v. Kanaga, 750 A.2d 1174, 1181 (Del. 2000).
13
and will not be disturbed by that court unless a compelling reason to do so appears.” 58
For law of the case to apply, the case must be “one continuous action within the
same court system.”59
A point of contention in the post-argument letters submitted by the parties is
whether law of the case applies only to legal determinations or whether it applies to
both legal and factual determinations. Preston Hollow cited a number of cases that
held factual findings are subject to law of the case.60 Nuveen cited a number of cases
that held the doctrine applies only to legal findings. 61
Application of the law of the case doctrine is not dependent upon whether the
same judge presides throughout all proceedings. As a general matter, a successor
judge will adhere to the prior rulings of other judges who have acted in the same
case. This is necessary to “prevent the harassing of the court with matters which
have been once heard and decided.” Such deference is “founded upon additional
considerations of courtesy and comity.” 62
This case was transferred by the Court of Chancery to the Superior Court
pursuant to 10 Del. C. § 1902. Although the docket numbers and judicial officers
58
Zirn v. VLI Corp., 1994 WL 548938, at *2 (Del. Ch.).
59
Carlyle Inv. Mgmt. L.L.C. v. Moonmouth Co., 2015 WL 5278913, at *8 (Del. Ch.).
60
See Ins. Corp. of America v. Barker, 628 A.2d 38, 40 (Del. 1993); Williams Cos., Inc. v.
Energy Transfer LP, 2020 WL 3581095, at *1 n.3 (Del. Ch.); Kleinberg v. Aharon, 2017 WL
4444216, *1 (Del. Ch.).
61
See Advanced Litigation, LLC v. Herzka, 2006 WL 2338044, at *5 (Del. Ch.); Izquierdo v.
Sills, 2004 WL 2290811, at *4 n.28 (Del. Ch.).
62
Frank v. Carol, 457 A.2d 715, 719 (Del. 1983) (citing 132 A.L.R. 14, 15 (1941)).
14
are different, such a transfer does not create an entirely new action. For purposes of
law of the case, the prior rulings of the Court of Chancery are treated as if they were
made by a Superior Court judge.
The Court finds that there is no meaningful distinction between factual
findings and legal conclusions when applying law of the case. Particularly when a
judicial officer acts as both factfinder and presiding judge, there is no reason to give
greater deference to legal determinations than to factual findings.
It is clear that Vice Chancellor Glasscock carefully and fully considered the
issues presented to him. This Court holds that appropriate deference must be given
to decisions made by the Court of Chancery. The law of the case doctrine applies to
the Chancery Court’s factual determinations. This Court further finds that the Vice
Chancellor did not have wholly separate and distinct bases for his conclusions.
Rather, the findings were considered in combination and were necessary to prior
decisions.
However, applying law of the case to the Court of Chancery’s prior rulings is
not the same as this Court finding that those evidentiary conclusions are defamation.
Whether or not the established evidence proves defamation is a matter left to the
Superior Court. This Court must determine the legal impact and consequences of
conduct found by the Court of Chancery to be a “lie” or “wrongful” or “unethical.”
15
Collateral Estoppel
“Pursuant to the doctrine of collateral estoppel, if a court has decided an issue
of fact necessary to its final judgment, that decision precludes relitigation of the issue
in a suit on a different cause of action involving a party to the first case.”63 “The test
for applying the collateral estoppel doctrine requires that (1) a question of fact
essential to the judgment (2) be litigated and (3) determined (4) by a valid and final
judgment.”64 Even where a party meets the elements for collateral estoppel, its
preclusive effect will not be applied if “its application causes an injustice to the
precluded party.” 65 Courts retain the discretion to not apply collateral estoppel if
doing so would be unfair to the precluded party.66
Preston Hollow asks this Court to find that collateral estoppel applies to all of
the statements made by Nuveen. However, the statements cannot be grouped
together entirely and must be addressed separately.
Collateral Estoppel Does Not Apply to Statements Made to Deutsche Bank
Preston Hollow only seeks to apply collateral estoppel to one statement made
by Nuveen to Deutsche Bank. Preston Hollow argues that Nuveen should be
“estopped from disputing either the existence, falsity, or malicious nature of”
63
M.G. Bancorporation, Inc. v. Le Beau, 737 A.2d 513, 520 (Del. 1999), as modified on denial
of reargument (May 27, 1999) (quoting Messick v. Star Enterprise, 655 A.2d 1209, 1211 (Del.
1995)).
64
Id.65
Ingram v. 1101 Stone Assocs., LLC, 2004 WL 691770, at *8 (Del. Super.).
66
Chrysler Corp. v. New Castle Cty., 464 A.2d 75, 81-84 (Del. Super. 1983).
16
Hlavin’s statement to Deutsche Bank that he had “direct evidence” that Preston
Hollow “lied to borrowers.”67 Preston Hollow contends that Hlavin’s statement is
“materially identical to statements to Goldman deemed by Vice Chancellor
Glasscock to be fraudulent.”68
This statement to Deutsche Bank was not part of Vice Chancellor Glasscock’s
analysis. The full extent of the Court of Chancery’s discussion of this statement is
one sentence from the facts section: “In a second call with Deutsche later that day,
Hlavin claimed he possessed ‘direct evidence’ of Preston Hollow’s lies, though it is
apparent from his testimony that he based this statement on what he overheard at
Nuveen’s trading desk.”69 Even if this could be properly characterized as a
“finding,” it is not the sort of finding that is meant to be covered by collateral
estoppel. Because the Court of Chancery determined that Nuveen had not tortiously
interfered with Preston Hollow’s relationship with Deutsche Bank, Hlavin’s
statement was not included in the discussion of Nuveen’s “wrongful” conduct. It is
apparent from the opinion that Hlavin’s statement was not necessary or essential to
the Court of Chancery’s final judgment. Therefore, the portion of Preston Hollow’s
motion requesting that collateral estoppel be applied to the Statements Made to
Deutsche Bank must be denied.
67
Plaintiff’s Opening Brief in Support of its Motion for Summary Judgment (“OB”), at 25.
68
Id. at 26.
69
Nuveen I, at *6.
17
Collateral Estoppel Does Not Apply to Statements Made in Unrecorded
Conversations
Nuveen discussed Preston Hollow with: (1) JPMorgan around December 20,
2018; (2) Wells Fargo in January 2019; (3) Keybank in April 2018; (4) Stifel in
October 2018; and (5) Mesirow around December 2018. 70 The Court of Chancery
found that “the meetings and phone calls that went unrecorded were cut from the
same cloth [as the recorded conversations] and demonstrate a specific intent to
disrupt the relationships between broker-dealers and Preston Hollow.”71 While Vice
Chancellor Glasscock considered the contents of these unrecorded conversations
when finding that Nuveen committed tortious interference, there was no in-depth
analysis of individual statements. 72
Preston Hollow asks this Court to find Nuveen is “estopped from disputing
either the existence, falsity, or malicious nature” of the statements made in the
unrecorded conversations. 73 However, Preston Hollow has failed to point to any
specific statement. The Court simply will not bar Nuveen from litigating the
“existence, falsity, or malicious nature” of statements if it does not know what the
precise statements are. As defamation relies on specific statements, it would be
fundamentally unfair to Nuveen to bar them from disputing that any statements were
70
Nuveen I, at *15.
71
Id.
72
Id., generally.
73
OB at 26.
18
made during the unrecorded conversations. Whether or not Preston Hollow could
meet the elements of collateral estoppel for the Statements Made in Unrecorded
Conversations, the Court will not apply collateral estoppel offensively because its
application would cause an injustice to Nuveen. Therefore, the portion of Preston
Hollow’s motion requesting that collateral estoppel be applied to the Statements
Made in Unrecorded Conversations must be denied.
Collateral Estoppel Applies to Statements Made to Goldman
The only substantive statements that the Court of Chancery analyzed in-depth
were the statements made by Miller to Goldman. When determining whether
Nuveen’s conduct was “wrongful,” such that it would negate Nuveen’s privilege to
complete in a lawful manner, Vice Chancellor Glasscock considered whether the
statements were misrepresentations.74 A misrepresentation is improper if it is
fraudulent.75 Fraudulent intent is shown where a misrepresentation is “made either
knowingly, intentionally, or with reckless indifference to the truth.”76 The Court of
Chancery found that the statements made by Nuveen were wrongful
misrepresentations because: (1) Miller’s statement that Preston Hollow lied to
issuers, when all he had as evidence was a rumor from the trading desk, was made
with reckless indifference to the truth; and (2) Miller’s statement that Preston
74
Nuveen I at *17.
75
Id.
76
Id. (internal citation omitted).
19
Hollow’s “unethical practices” had “caught the attention of the states’ attorneys
general” who sent “nastygrams” was a knowing misrepresentation. 77
Nuveen first argues that the elements of collateral estoppel are not met
because Vice Chancellor Glasscock’s factual findings about the Statements Made to
Goldman were not necessary or essential to the judgement. Nuveen next argues that
even the elements of collateral estoppel are met, it cannot be applied because nonjury
factual findings are not binding on a subsequent jury factfinder. The Court will
address each argument separately.
A. Essential to Judgment
Almost all of the elements for collateral estoppel are undisputed. Findings
related to the Statements Made to Goldman were questions of fact, litigated and
determined by the Court of Chancery. As the time for appeal has passed, Vice
Chancellor Glasscock’s opinion is a valid and final judgment. Nuveen’s argument
against applying collateral estoppel rests on the final element—whether the findings
were necessary and essential to the Court of Chancery’s judgment.
Nuveen argues that “the fact that the ultimate judgment was the denial of
[Preston Hollow]’s petition demonstrates that the subsidiary findings [about the
statements to Goldman] were not necessary for the judgment.”78 However, the Court
77
Id.
78
AB at 13.
20
of Chancery’s judgment was not limited to the denial of Preston Hollow’s petition
for injunctive relief. The Court of Chancery’s final judgment had three parts: (1) a
holding that Nuveen committed tortious interference with Preston Hollow’s
prospective business relations; (2) a refusal to address the alleged violation of New
York State’s Donnelly Act; and (3) a holding that Preston Hollow was not entitled
to a permanent injunction because it failed to prove that Nuveen was continuing to
contact broker-dealers about it.79 This Court finds that the Statements Made to
Goldman, and the related findings, were necessary for the first part of the Court of
Chancery’s judgment—determining whether Nuveen committed tortious
interference with prospect business relations.
Nuveen next argues that the findings—that Nuveen made
misrepresentations—are not preclusive. Nuveen contends that the Court of
Chancery had two separate and distinct bases for concluding that Nuveen committed
tortious interference—that Nuveen made misrepresentations and that it applied
improper economic pressure. 80 Nuveen cites the Restatement (Second) of
Judgments which states that “[i]f a judgment of a court of first instance is based on
determinations of two issues, either of which standing independently would be
sufficient to support the result, the judgment is not conclusive with respect to either
79
Nuveen I, at *22.
80
AB at 14-19.
21
issue standing alone.”81 Therefore, Nuveen argues, since the Court of Chancery
could have found tortious inference based on its misrepresentations or its economic
pressure, standing alone, neither issue is preclusive.
This Court finds that there is nothing in the opinion to suggest that the Vice
Chancellor viewed Nuveen’s misrepresentations and economic pressure
independently. Rather, the related findings were considered in combination. The
Court of Chancery took all of Nuveen’s actions and viewed them cumulatively when
considering whether Nuveen committed tortious interference with prospective
business relations. While the Court of Chancery did analyze both issues separately
when determining whether Nuveen’s tortious actions were “wrongful,” 82 it is
important to note that this discussion was part of a seven factor balancing test. The
balancing test required the Court of Chancery to view different factors of Nuveen’s
actions cumulatively to determine whether they were “wrongful.”
The Court finds that Nuveen’s misrepresentations were necessary and
essential to the Court of Chancery’s judgment. Therefore, Preston Hollow has met
all the elements of collateral estoppel with regard to the Statements Made to
Goldman.
81
§ 27, cmt. i.
82
Nuveen I, at *17-19.
22
B. Nonjury Factual Findings
Having found that the Statements Made to Goldman meet the elements for
collateral estoppel, the Court must turn to Nuveen’s second argument. Nuveen
posits that the Court of Chancery’s factual findings are not subject to collateral
estoppel because of the nature of the Court of Chancery proceeding. Nuveen argues
that nonjury factual findings are not binding on a subsequent jury factfinder.
Therefore, the Vice Chancellor’s findings cannot be given deference in this Superior
Court action, which will be before a jury.83 This is especially true, Nuveen states, in
a defamation claim because “‘longstanding public policy’ recognizes that ‘[c]harges
of slander are peculiarly adapted to and require trial by jury’”84 which “is why courts
‘historically have reserved determinations of falsity and malice for the collective
wisdom of a jury rather than cast a judge as the sole arbiter of defamation.’”85
The Court recognizes the unique policy considerations which surround a
defamation claim and agrees that defamation findings ideally are left to a jury.
However, the preference for findings to be made by a jury does not necessarily mean
that factual findings made by a judge cannot ever be binding on a subsequent jury.
83
AB at 22-25.
84
Id. at 23 (quoting Organovo Holdings, Inc. v. Dimitrov, 162 A.3d 102, 125 (Del. Ch. 2017)).
85
Id. (quoting Perlman v. Vox Media, Inc., 2019 WL 2647520, at *5 & n.50 (Del. Ch.)).
23
U.S. Supreme Court Precedent Supports Collateral Estoppel
In Parklane Hosiery Co., et. al. v. Shore,86 the United States Supreme Court
was faced with “the question whether a party who has had issues of fact adjudicated
adversely to it in an equitable action may be collaterally estopped from relitigating
the same issues before a jury in a subsequent legal action brought against it by a new
party.”87 Stockholders had brought a class action suit against Parklane, as well as
13 of its officers and its directors, after the corporation issued a materially false and
misleading proxy statement.88 Before the stockholders’ lawsuit went to trial, the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) brought its own suit against the same
defendants in a Federal District Court, alleging that the proxy statement was
materially false and misleading. 89 The SEC sought injunctive relief, which was
granted following a determination that the statement was materially false and
misleading as alleged. 90
Following the resolution of the SEC’s case, the stockholders filed a motion
for summary judgment arguing that Parklane was collaterally estopped from
relitigating issues which had been resolved against it in the SEC case. 91 The District
Court denied the motion on the grounds that applying collateral estoppel would
86
439 U.S. 322 (1979).
87
Id. at 324.
88
Id.89
Id. at 324.
90
Id. at 324-25.
91
Id. at 325.
24
deprive Parklane of its Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial. 92 The Court of
Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed the decision, stating that “the Seventh
Amendment preserves the right to jury trial only with respect to issues of fact, [and]
once those issues have been fully and fairly adjudicated in a prior proceeding,
nothing remains for trial, either with or without a jury.” 93 Parklane appealed and the
Supreme Court granted certiorari. 94
In its analysis, the Supreme Court looked to the history of the right to a jury
and how that right has been addressed in case law. First, the Supreme Court stated
that “the thrust of the [Seventh] Amendment was to preserve the right to jury trial as
it existed in 1791” and “[a]t common law, a litigant was not entitled to have a jury
determine issues that had been previously adjudicated by a chancellor in equity.”95
The Supreme Court then discussed Beacon Theatres, Inc. v. Westover.96 The Court
found that “[i]t is . . .clear that the Court in the Beacon Theatres case thought that if
an issue common to both legal and equitable claims was first determined by a judge,
relitigation of the issue before a jury might be foreclosed by res judicata or collateral
estoppel.”97 Finally, the Supreme Court cited Katchen v. Landy,98 which
92
Id.93
Id. (citing Shore v. Parklane Hosiery, Inc., 565 F.2d 815, 819 (2nd Cir. 1977)).
94
Id.95
Id. at 333 (internal citations omitted).
96
359 U.S. 500 (1959).
97
Parklane, 439 U.S. at 334.
98
382 U.S. 323 (1966).
25
“recognized that an equitable determination can have collateral-estoppel effect in a
subsequent legal action and that this estoppel does not violate the Seventh
Amendment.”99 Despite Parklane’s arguments to the contrary, the Supreme Court
ultimately held that the factual findings from the equitable SEC action were subject
to collateral estoppel in the stockholders’ legal action. 100
Delaware Precedent Supports Collateral Estoppel
Delaware courts echo the holding of Parklane and have found that factual
findings made by the Court of Chancery are binding in subsequent Superior Court
actions.101 In Stephenson v. Capano Development, Inc., the Delaware Supreme
Court addressed how collateral estoppel applied to a fraud claim.102 Stephenson
purchased a townhouse from Capano Development.103 When there was an issue with
the sale—numerous people had paid deposits for the same townhouse as
Stephenson—Stephenson sued Capano for specific performance in the Court of
Chancery. 104 Two days before trial was set to begin, Stephenson amended her
complaint to add a claim for violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and
99
Parklane, 439 U.S. at 335.
100
Id. at 337.
101
See Stephenson v. Capano Dev., Inc., 462 A.2d 1069, 1075 (Del. 1983) (giving collateral
estoppel effect to factual findings made by the Court of Chancery in a subsequent Superior Court
action); Arch Ins. Co. v. Murdock, 2017 WL 1129110, at *8 (Del. Super.) (same).
102
462 A.2d at 1069.
103
Id. at 1072.
104
Id.26
Consumer Fraud Act. 105 Because this amendment was untimely, the Court of
Chancery declined to address the violation claims but noted that this refusal should
not be construed as any finding on the merits of Stephenson’s claims. 106 The Court
of Chancery did, however, find that Stephenson had an option contract to purchase
the townhouse and entered a decree of specific performance against Capano. 107
Following the Court of Chancery’s decision, Stephenson filed an action before
this Court raising the same claims for violation of the Acts. 108 This Court concluded
that the factual findings made by the Court of Chancery were to be given collateral
estoppel effect in the subsequent action but that the judgment would not be subject
to res judicata because the Court of Chancery did not reach the merits of the fraud
claims. 109 This Court entered judgment for Capano and Stephenson appealed. 110
Upon review, the Delaware Supreme Court agreed that the factual findings
made by the Court of Chancery were entitled to collateral estoppel. 111 Since Capano
was “collaterally estopped from denying that it misrepresented the circumstances
[related to the sale of the townhouse],” the Supreme Court found Stephenson had
shown that Capano violated the Consumer Fraud Act.112
105
Id.106
Id.107
Id.108
Id.109
Id.110
Id.111
Id. at 1073.
112
Id. at 1075.
27
The Restatement Supports Collateral Estoppel
As a final source of guidance, the Court looks to the Restatement (Second) of
Judgments. Delaware courts often have turned to the Restatement. 113 Nuveen and
Preston Hollow both rely on this source.114 The Restatement provides that “[t]he
determination of an issue by a judge in a proceeding conducted without a jury is
conclusive in a subsequent action whether or not there would have been a right to a
jury in that subsequent action if collateral estoppel did not apply.”115 Under the
Restatement, the findings made by the Vice Chancellor, without a jury, are
conclusive in this subsequent action even though Nuveen has demanded a jury trial.
The Court holds that nonjury factual findings may be binding on a subsequent
jury factfinder. The Court of Chancery’s findings that are entitled to collateral
estoppel treatment are binding on this Court and any jury factfinder.
Applying Collateral Estoppel is Not Unfair
The Court finds that applying collateral estoppel to the Statements Made to
Goldman would not be unfair to Nuveen. 116 Unlike with the Statements Made in
Unrecorded Conversations, Nuveen is well aware of the substance of the statements
113
See Stephenson, 462 A.2d at 1073 (citing § 27 cmt. e); Pagliara v. Fed. Nat'l Mortg. Ass'n,
2017 WL 2352150, at *3 (Del. Ch.) (citing § 27); Riley v. Hershey, 1988 WL 40015, at *2 (Del.
Super.) (same); Danner v. Hertz Corp., 1985 WL 552292, at *2 (Del. Super.) (same); Pritchett v.
Heym, 1988 WL 47307, at *1 (Del. Super.) (same).
114
OB at 28-29; AB at 13, 15-16, 22.
115
§ 27 cmt. d (emphasis added).
116
See Chrysler, 464 A.2d at 81-84.
28
made by Miller to Goldman. These statements were recorded and adequately
addressed by the Court of Chancery. Nuveen had an opportunity to fully litigate the
“existence, falsity, and malicious nature” of the Statements Made to Goldman, and
it did so vigorously. Therefore, Nuveen is not unfairly impacted by applying
collateral estoppel to this narrowly tailored set of statements.
The Court finds that the statements made by Miller to Goldman shall be given
collateral estoppel effect in this action. Nuveen is estopped from relitigating the
“existence, falsity, and malicious nature” of either of these statements: (1) that
Preston Hollow lied to its issuers and that Nuveen had evidence of such lies; and (2)
that Preston Hollow’s “unethical practices” had “caught the attention of the states’
attorneys general” who sent “nastygrams.” Therefore, the portion of Preston
Hollow’s motion requesting that collateral estoppel be applied to the Statements
Made to Goldman must be granted.
Defamation
In order to succeed on a claim for defamation, a plaintiff must show that: “(1)
the defendant made a defamatory statement; (2) concerning the plaintiff; (3) the
statement was published; and (4) a third party would understand the character of the
communication as defamatory.”117 The defendant’s defamatory statements must
117
Doe v. Cahill, 884 A.2d 451, 463 (Del. 2005).
29
cause the “plaintiff’s standing in the community [to be] grievously fractured.” 118
Where the plaintiff is a corporation, it must additionally “show that the defamatory
statements tend to prejudice the corporation in its business or to deter others from
dealing with it.”119 Finally, where the plaintiff is a limited purpose public figure, it
must show that the defamatory statement is false and that the defendant made the
statement with actual malice.120
While the Court of Chancery’s findings related to the Statements Made to
Goldman will be given deference in this action, it does not follow that this Court
must necessarily find Nuveen liable for defamation at this stage. The Court of
Chancery’s findings are certainly relevant to Preston Hollow’s defamation claim,
but are not sufficient to impose liability. It is left to the Superior Court to determine
the legal impact of Nuveen’s conduct.
The Court of Chancery’s findings show that Preston Hollow meets the first
three elements of the defamation claim. Nuveen I decided that Nuveen made
damaging statements concerning Preston Hollow and that the statements were
published when Nuveen communicated them to Goldman. Preston Hollow argues
that the final element—that Goldman understood the statements as defamatory—is
118
Q-Tone Broad., Co. v. Musicradio of Maryland, Inc., 1994 WL 555391, at *4 (Del. Super.)
(citation and quotation omitted).
119
Id.120
Doe, 884 A.2d at 463.
30
met by the Court of Chancery’s finding that Nuveen committed tortious interference
with Preston Hollow’s prospective business relations.
However, this finding is not the legal equivalent of a third-party understanding
for the purposes of this motion. The Court of Chancery did not directly address how
the statements were understood by Goldman. The Court of Chancery did not
specifically consider how the statements were understood and thus could not have
made any subsequent findings. Third-party understanding is a separate and distinct
element of defamation which Preston Hollow must prove and Nuveen must be
permitted to challenge. Therefore, the Court finds that a genuine issue of material
fact exists precluding a ruling of defamation liability as a matter of law.
There are a number of additional factual disputes that make summary
judgement inappropriate. One question is whether Preston Hollow suffered any
reputational loss. “A communication is defamatory ‘if it tends to so harm the
reputation of another as to lower him in the estimation of the community or to deter
third persons from associating or dealing with him.’”121 Nuveen states that discovery
is necessary to “elicit evidence on…whether [Preston Hollow’s] already poor
reputation in the municipal bond market meant that [Nuveen’s Statements] could not
121
Agar v. Judy, 151 A.3d 456, 470 (Del. Ch. 2017) (quoting Spence v. Funk, 396 A.2d 967, 969
(Del. 1978)).
31
have defamed it.”122 Preston Hollow does not address this argument in its briefs but
alleges in its complaint that Nuveen’s Statements caused irreparable harm. 123
Another dispute is whether Nuveen’s Statements constitute defamation per se.
“The general rule is that oral defamation is not actionable without special
damages.”124 However, statements which “malign one in a trade, business or
profession” are a “category of defamation, commonly called slander per se, which
[is] actionable without proof of special damages.”125 Preston Hollow posits that
Nuveen’s Statements are defamation per se because they “malign[ed] [Preston
Hollow] in a trade, business, or profession.”126 Nuveen argues that “the evidence
from the Chancery trial shows that [Nuveen’s Statements] did not prejudice [Preston
Hollow] in its business or deter others from dealing with it”127 and thus Preston
Hollow must show special damages. Nuveen further states that whether a given
statement qualifies as defamation per se is a question of fact that must be proven by
Preston Hollow, not merely alleged.128
A further dispute is whether Preston Hollow is a limited purpose public figure.
Where a plaintiff suing based on defamation is a limited purpose public figure, the
122
AB at 3.
123
Compl. ¶ 85.
124
Spence, 396 A.2d at 970-71.
125
Id.126
Compl. ¶ 92; OB at 22.
127
AB at 32-33.
128
Id.32
plaintiff has a higher burden of proof. In addition to proving the standard elements
of a defamation claim, the plaintiff must show that the statement at issue is false and
that the defendant made the statement with actual malice. 129 Nuveen contends that
Preston Hollow is a limited purpose public figure because it has “‘thrust [itself]’ to
the forefront of a debate over trading practices in municipal bonds, with important
implications for taxpayers and the public at large.” 130 Preston Hollow argues in
response that the press coverage related to this case is not enough to transform it into
a limited purpose public figure because “asserting one’s legal rights against
defamation and tortious interference by an aggressor who happens to be well-known
is hardly thrusting oneself into a public controversy.” 131
The Court need not, and indeed cannot, resolve these disputes now. For the
purpose of determining whether Preston Hollow is entitled to summary judgment, it
is enough that these disputes simply exist. Therefore, the portion of Preston
Hollow’s motion seeking a ruling of defamation liability must be denied.
CONCLUSION
The doctrines of law of the case and collateral estoppel are both rooted in the
same policy considerations of fairness, judicial efficiency, and respect for the
129
Doe, 884 A.2d at 463.
130
AB at 34 (quoting Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc., 418 U.S. 323, 345 (1974)).
131
Plaintiff’s Reply Brief in Support of its Motion for Summary Judgment at 22.
33
considered decisions of the judiciary. Functionally, both doctrines prevent
relitigation of issues by parties.
The Court finds that there is no meaningful distinction between factual
findings and legal conclusions when applying the law of the case. The law of the
case doctrine applies to the Chancery Court’s factual determinations. This Court
further finds that the Vice Chancellor did not have wholly separate and distinct bases
for his conclusions. Rather, the findings were considered in combination and were
necessary to prior decisions.
However, applying law of the case to the Court of Chancery’s prior rulings is
not the same as this Court finding that those evidentiary conclusions are defamation.
Whether or not the established evidence proves defamation is a matter left to the
Superior Court. This Court must determine the legal impact and consequences of
conduct found by the Court of Chancery to be a “lie” or “wrongful” or “unethical.”
THEREFORE, the law of the case doctrine applies as set forth herein.
The Court finds that collateral estoppel does not apply equally to all of the
statements made by Nuveen. The first set of statements, those made by Nuveen to
Deutsche Bank, were not necessary and essential to the Court of Chancery’s final
judgment. The statements made in the unrecorded conversations have not been
sufficiently identified and thus cannot be given deference. The final set of
statements, those made to Goldman, are entitled to collateral estoppel because they
34
were necessary and essential to the Court of Chancery’s decision. THEREFORE,
Preston Hollow’s motion requesting collateral estoppel is hereby DENIED as to the
Statements Made to Deutsche Bank and the Statements Made in Unrecorded
Conversations; and GRANTED as to the Statements Made to Goldman.
While the Court of Chancery’s findings apply to a portion of Preston Hollow’s
defamation claim, the Court finds that genuine issues of material fact exist: first,
how the statements made by Nuveen were understood by Goldman; second, whether
Preston Hollow suffered any reputational loss; third, whether the statements made
by Nuveen constitute defamation per se; and fourth, whether Preston Hollow is a
limited purpose public figure. These issues preclude a holding of defamation
liability as a matter of law. THEREFORE, Preston Hollow’s motion requesting a
finding of defamation liability is hereby DENIED.
Nuveen is barred from relitigating: (1) the existence of the Statements Made
to Goldman; (2) the falsity of those statements; and (3) the fact that those statements
were made with either knowledge of their falsity or reckless indifference to the truth.
THEREFORE, Preston Hollow’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is
hereby GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN PART.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
/s/ Mary M. Johnston
The Honorable Mary M. Johnston
35