First Bank of Lincoln v. Land Title of Nez Perce County

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF IDAHO
Docket No. 46000
FIRST BANK OF LINCOLN, a Montana )
bank corporation, )
)
Plaintiff-Appellant, Boise, May 2019 Term
)
v. )
) Opinion Filed: November 18, 2019
LAND TITLE OF NEZ PERCE COUNTY, )
INC., an Idaho corporation, ) Karel A. Lehrman, Clerk
)
Defendant-Respondent. )
Appeal from the District Court of the Second Judicial District, State of Idaho, Nez
Perce County. Jeff M. Brudie, District Judge.
District court grant of summary judgment, affirmed.
Paine Hamblen, LLP, Spokane, WA, for appellant. Gregory S. Johnson argued.
Givens Pursley, LLP, Boise, for respondent. Thomas E. Dvorak argued.
_____________________________
BURDICK, Chief Justice.
In an appeal arising out of Nez Perce County, First Bank of Lincoln (First Bank)
challenges the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Land Title of Nez Perce
County Incorporated (Land Title). In 2011, First Bank loaned Donald Tuschoff (Tuschoff)
$440,000 to purchase the Hotel Lincoln in Lincoln, Montana. The loan was secured by a deed of
trust against the hotel. As additional collateral, Tuschoff assigned First Bank his interest in a note
and deed of trust on a bowling alley in Washington. Later, following a sale of the bowling alley,
Land Title distributed the proceeds to Tuschoff and other interested parties rather than First
Bank.
First Bank did not learn of the bowling alley sale until it completed its annual loan review
of Tuschoff’s hotel loan. Subsequently, Tuschoff defaulted on the hotel loan. First Bank held a
non-judicial foreclosure sale of the hotel and placed a full-credit bid of the approximately
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$425,000 owed to it by Tuschoff. First Bank was able to later sell the hotel for approximately
$190,000. First Bank then initiated several lawsuits against various parties in Washington,
Montana, and Idaho, seeking to recover the “deficiency” between what it was owed and for what
it sold the hotel. Relevant here is First Bank’s suit against Land Title in Idaho. The district court,
applying Montana law, granted summary judgment in favor of Land Title. The court determined
that First Bank’s full credit bid extinguished Tuschoff’s debt, and once that debt was
extinguished, the assignment of Tuschoff’s interest in the bowling alley as collateral for that debt
was also extinguished. We affirm.
I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
In July 1994, Tuschoff purchased a bowling alley located in Asotin County, Washington
from Rex and Helen Humphrey (the Humphreys). Tuschoff’s purchase of the bowling alley was
financed with a note secured by a deed of trust (Tuschoff/Humphrey deed of trust). In October
1998, Tuschoff sold the bowling alley to an investor group, Schwab, and financed this sale with
another note secured by a deed of trust (Schwab/Tuschoff deed of trust). The second note was
delivered to a company which was later purchased by Land Title.
In January 2011, Tuschoff obtained a $440,000 loan from First Bank to purchase the
Hotel Lincoln, located in Lincoln, Montana. This loan was secured by a deed of trust against the
hotel as well as an assignment of Tuschoff’s interest in the bowling alley note and deed of trust.
In June 2013, Schwab sold the bowling alley to Banana Belt Gaming, LLC (Banana
Belt), and executed a $1,100,000 note payable to Tuschoff in monthly installments. As part of
the sale, Schwab also executed a deed of trust listing Tuschoff as the beneficiary. Tuschoff
subsequently placed the note and deed of trust in escrow with Land Title.
First American Title Company (First American) handled the closing of the
Schwab/Banana Belt sale. An employee of First American obtained a title commitment from
Land Title which listed the Tuschoff/Humphrey deed of trust, the Schwab/Tuschoff deed of trust,
and the assignment to First Bank. Prior to closing, the employee at First American contacted
Land Title requesting a payoff quote and confirmation that the quoted amount would pay off
both deeds of trust. Land Title confirmed that both deeds of trust would be paid, and First
American sent Land Title a check for the quoted payoff amount. Subsequently, Land Title
distributed the money to the Humphreys and Tuschoff, but not First Bank.
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Some time later, First Bank discovered the bowling alley had been sold and the proceeds
had been distributed to the Humphreys and Tuschoff. In April 2014, First Bank brought suit in
Washington against Tuschoff and Banana Belt seeking a declaratory judgment as to its interest in
the bowling alley (the Washington litigation). Subsequently, Tuschoff defaulted on the Hotel
Lincoln loan.
In June 2014, First Bank had the Hotel Lincoln appraised at a value of $210,000. On
August 24, 2014, First Bank held a non-judicial foreclosure sale of the Hotel Lincoln. First Bank
was the only bidder and bid the entire amount due on Tuschoff’s underlying note, $425,748.50.
First Bank later sold the Hotel Lincoln for approximately $193,000.
Meanwhile, in the Washington litigation, the trial court granted summary judgment in
favor of Banana Belt, holding that Banana Belt’s payment of the Schwab/Tuschoff deed of trust
extinguished First Bank’s interest. In April 2016, the Washington Court of Appeals reversed the
trial court’s ruling. First Bank of Lincoln v. Tuschoff, 375 P.3d 687, 693 (Wash. Ct. App. 2016).
It held that Banana Belt purchased the bowling alley subject to First Bank’s assignment and that
the Hotel Lincoln note created a separate obligation against the bowling alley. Id. However, the
Washington Court of Appeals remanded the case and directed Banana Belt to file suit in
Montana so that a Montana court could determine if First Bank was owed a deficiency judgment.
Id. Banana Belt did not re-file in Montana following the Washington Court of Appeals’ decision.
Instead, Banana Belt entered into a stipulated resolution with First Bank wherein both parties
dismissed their claims against each other and First Bank gave up the right to restore its interest in
the bowling alley.
In November 2016, First Bank filed the current lawsuit against Land Title alleging
negligence and breach of contract. It sought recovery of the $170,000 balance on the loan to
Tuschoff, plus interest. Ruling on cross motions for summary judgment, the district court
determined that Montana law applied. The district court concluded that, under Montana law, a
successful credit bid on a property in foreclosure is credited to the overall outstanding debt of a
debtor. Thus, the district court held that when First Bank bid the full amount owed by Tuschoff
on the Hotel Lincoln ($425,748.50), it extinguished all of Tuschoff’s debt. Accordingly, the
district court held that there was no longer any outstanding debt between Tuschoff and First
Bank, and therefore no damages to recover for any alleged negligence or breach of contract on
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the part of Land Title for its failure to direct the quoted payoff amount to First Bank. The court
stated:
First Bank’s claims against Land Title relate solely to its interest in the
bowling alley property. At the acceptance of the First Bank’s full credit bid, First
Bank no longer held an interest in the bowling alley property. There remains no
genuine issue of material fact regarding First Bank’s claims against Land Title.
Therefore, Land Title’s motion for summary judgment is granted.
First Bank timely appeals.
II. ISSUES ON APPEAL
1. Does Montana’s anti-deficiency statute apply in this case?
2. Even if section 71-1-317 is inapplicable, does First Bank’s negligence claim against Land
Title have merit?
3. Is either party entitled to attorney’s fees on appeal?
III. STANDARD OF REVIEW
“When reviewing a grant of summary judgment, this Court employs the same standard as
the district court.” Idaho Youth Ranch, Inc. v. Ada Cty. Bd. of Equalization, 157 Idaho 180, 182,
335 P.3d 25, 27 (2014). Summary judgment is appropriate “if the movant shows that there is no
genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of
law.” I.R.C.P. 56(a). “Where the parties have filed cross-motions for summary judgment relying
on the same facts, issues and theories, the parties effectively stipulate that there is no genuine
issue of material fact that would preclude the district court from entering summary judgment.”
Intermountain Forest Mgmt., Inc. v. Louisiana Pac. Corp., 136 Idaho 233, 235, 31 P.3d 921, 923
(2001) (citing Davis v. Peacock, 133 Idaho 637, 640, 991 P.2d 362, 365 (1999)). “Where, as
here, the parties have filed cross motions for summary judgment, the standard of review does not
change.” McFarland v. Liberty Ins. Corp., 164 Idaho 611, 614, 434 P.3d 215, 218 (2019).
IV. ANALYSIS
A. In the absence of controlling precedent to the contrary, we apply the plain language of
Montana Code section 71-1-317 and determine that no deficiency action is permitted
against Tuschoff which means that there are no damages associated with Land Title’s
alleged negligence or breach of contract.
The primary issue is whether Montana’s anti-deficiency statute is applicable in this case.
If so, then under that statute’s plain language First Bank is barred from pursuing a deficiency
judgment against Land Title.
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As an initial matter, the district court determined, and the parties agree, that Montana law
applies to this issue. We find no reason to decline to apply Montana law to this issue. Not only is
the Hotel Lincoln located in Montana, the documents governing the underlying debt each contain
choice-of-law clauses which select Montana law to govern the debt. Montana has enacted the
Small Tract Financing Act (MSTFA) which permits the use of trust indentures, as opposed to
mortgages, for real property estates not larger than 40 acres. Mont. Code Ann. § 71-1-302.
Pursuant to the MSTFA, “instead of mortgages, trust indentures (sometimes called ‘deeds of
trust’ or ‘trust deeds’) are authorized.” First State Bank of Forsyth v. Chunkapura, 734 P.2d
1203, 1205 (Mont. 1987). The trust indentures “have the effect of transferring the title of the
borrower to a private trustee to be held by the trustee to secure the performance of the obligation
by the borrower.” Id. As part of that provision, “[a] power of sale is by the law granted to the
trustee to be exercised after a breach of the obligation for which the trust transfer is security.” Id.
(citing Mont. Code Ann. § 71-1-304(2)). The MSTFA provides for the “method whereby a
trustee may foreclose a trust indenture by advertisement and sale.” Id. (citing Mont. Code Ann. §
71-1-313). A trust indenture may also be foreclosed “at the option of the beneficiary (lender) by
judicial procedure as provided by law for the foreclosure of mortgages on real property.” Id.
Relevant to this appeal is the MSTFA’s anti-deficiency provision. Montana Code section
71-1-317 is titled “Deficiency judgment not allowed” and reads as follows:
When a trust indenture executed in conformity with this part is foreclosed by
advertisement and sale, other or further action, suit, or proceedings may not be
taken or judgment entered for any deficiency against the grantor or the grantor’s
surety, guarantor, or successor in interest, if any, on the note, bond, or other
obligation secured by the trust indenture or against any other person obligated on
the note, bond, or other obligation.
In this case, the parties agree that the trust indenture securing the Hotel Lincoln was foreclosed
by a trustee’s advertisement and sale, thus appearing to be subject to section 71-1-317. However,
First Bank contends the Montana Supreme Court has limited section 71-1-317 to apply only to
deeds of trust used as security for the financing of occupied, single-family residential properties,
as opposed to commercial properties. Land Title, however, contends that Montana law is unclear
on the issue and urges that this Court apply the plain meaning of the statute, which would
disallow the possibility of any deficiency judgment.
The parties’ disagreement stems from the Montana Supreme Court’s decision in First
State Bank of Forsyth v. Chunkapura, 734 P.2d 1203, 1205 (Mont. 1987). There, a lender
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contended that if it chose to foreclose judicially as opposed to a non-judicial foreclosure, the
lender was entitled to seek a deficiency judgment notwithstanding the anti-deficiency language
in section 71-1-317. Id. at 1206. In contrast, the debtors contended that because the debt was
financed under the MSTFA, no deficiency was possible regardless of a trustee’s sale or judicial
foreclosure. Id. The Montana Supreme Court stated “[i]t is certain that when a trustee conducts a
foreclosure sale, a deficiency judgment is not allowed . . . .” Id. at 1205 (citing Mont. Code Ann.
§ 71-1-317). The Chunkapura court went on to initially hold that, “a deficiency judgment may
not be allowed when trust indentures are executed in conformity with the Act, and are foreclosed
by advertisement and sale, whether through the trustee or by judicial proceedings . . . .” Id. at
1208. It continued; “[T]o allow a deficiency judgment would be inconsistent with the provisions
of the [MSTFA] . . . .” Id.
However, on rehearing, the Montana Supreme Court narrowed its original decision which
has led to the disagreement in the present case. First, the Chunkapura court stated that the
rationale behind its original decision was the “quid pro quo” reasoning behind the MSTFA
wherein lenders give up their right to a deficiency judgment and borrowers give up the right to
possession and redemption after the sale. Id. at 1210. The court stated, “[s]uch quid pro quo does
not apply to loans made in commercial settings, nor to trust deeds secured by residential or other
property which are only part of larger, more complex loans for commercial or agricultural
purposes.” Id. It went on to say its decision in Chunkapura “is to be considered as precedent only
for trust deeds related to occupied, single family residential property.” Id. at 1211. It then stated:
[T]he effect of this opinion shall be prospective only except to the Chunkapuras
and that deficiency judgments in judicial foreclosures under trust deeds which
have been entered and docketed prior to the date of our opinion, and which relate
to occupied, single family residential property are hereby held to be valid and
legal; and that deficiency judgments under such proceedings for like property
entered and docketed after the date of our opinion (March 10, 1987) are invalid
and of no effect.
Id. at 1211 (emphasis added).
Thus, it is clear after Chunkapura that deeds of trust executed to secure commercial loans
are not exempt from deficiency judgments following judicial foreclosure. See id. However, it is
not clear whether the Chunkapura holding applies when a property is sold pursuant to a
non-judicial foreclosure as opposed to a judicial foreclosure. Indeed, the facts in Chunkapura
were those of a judicial foreclosure. Id. at 1206. And on rehearing, as noted, the Chunkapura
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court stated, “the effect of this opinion shall be prospective only except to the Chunkapuras and
that deficiency judgments in judicial foreclosures . . . .” Id. at 1211 (emphasis added). Thus, the
parties disagree about whether a deficiency judgment can exist on a commercial loan following a
non-judicial foreclosure.
In cases following Chunkapura, its holding has been upheld to the extent that deficiency
judgments are not allowed on deeds of trust used to secure financing for occupied, single-family
residential homes. See First Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass’n of Missoula v. Anderson, 777 P.2d 1281,
1283 (Mont. 1989) (upholding Chunkapura in a case involving a judicial foreclosure to the
extent that deficiency judgments are not allowed on occupied, single-family residential homes);
Trustees of Washington-Idaho-Montana-Carpenters-Employers Ret. Tr. Fund v. Galleria P’ship,
780 P.2d 608, 613 (Mont. 1989) (stating in a judicial foreclosure case that it “will limit the
preclusion of deficiency judgments on deeds of trust used as security instruments in accordance
with Chunkapura. That, of course, excludes the [appellants], who without question, executed
instruments relating to a commercial loan.”). However, the Montana Supreme Court has not
addressed deficiency judgments in the context of a commercial loan foreclosed through a non-
judicial process.
While neither the Washington courts nor the Montana Supreme Court have addressed the
issue, a district court in Montana, in another one of First Bank’s lawsuits against Tuschoff,
recognized that a deficiency judgment may exist. Denying Parks’s motion for summary
judgment, the Montana district court stated that because the trust indenture was for a commercial
property, rather than a single-family residence, a deficiency amount could be allowed. Although
never analyzing the language of its own statute, nor Montana case law, the court then stated that
whether the full credit bid or the fair market value was determinative of a deficiency was a
genuine issue of material fact, and thus summary judgment was denied.
In the absence of controlling precedent, this Court applies the plain language of section
71-1-317. Both Montana and Idaho law are clear that when a statute’s plain “language is clear
and unambiguous, no further interpretation is necessary.” Lucas Ranch, Inc. v. Montana Dep’t of
Revenue, 347 P.3d 1249, 1253 (Mont. 2015); accord State v. Owens, 158 Idaho 1, 3, 343 P.3d
30, 32 (2015) (“Statutory interpretation begins with the statute’s plain language.”). As noted
above, section 71-1-317 reads as follows:
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When a trust indenture executed in conformity with this part is foreclosed
by advertisement and sale, other or further action, suit, or proceedings may not be
taken or judgment entered for any deficiency against the grantor or the grantor’s
surety, guarantor, or successor in interest, if any, on the note, bond, or other
obligation secured by the trust indenture or against any other person obligated on
the note, bond, or other obligation.
Mont. Code Ann. § 71-1-317.
Here, there is no dispute that the trust indenture, the deed of trust on the Hotel Lincoln,
was foreclosed non-judicially because it was “foreclosed by advertisement and sale.” See id.
Thus, pursuant to the plain language of 71-1-317, no further action may be taken against
Tuschoff. If no deficiency can exist against Tuschoff, then First Bank subsequently has no action
against Land Title because its action against Land Title exists solely based on the deficiency it
claims against Tuschoff. While the Montana Supreme Court has indicated the anti-deficiency
statute is not applicable in commercial transactions, as was the case here, those cases have all
addressed judicial as opposed to non-judicial foreclosures. Indeed, the original Chunkapura
opinion clearly stated “[i]t is certain that when a trustee conducts a foreclosure sale, a deficiency
judgment is not allowed . . . .” 734 P.2d at 1205 (citing Mont. Code Ann. 71-1-317). Thus,
because there is no controlling precedent to the contrary, no deficiency action exists against
Tuschoff and subsequently Land Title under the plain language of section 71-1-317.
B. Even if section 71-1-317 was inapplicable, summary judgment was appropriate because
First Bank’s negligence claim against Land Title is without merit.
As outlined above, this case is resolved by the application of the plain language of
Montana Code section 71-1-317. However, both parties urge this Court to consider the merit of
First Bank’s negligence claim. Although our holding rests on our analysis of Montana Code
section 71-1-317, we address the quality of this claim, which was raised below, under Idaho law.
While First Bank argues its negligence claim under Idaho law, Land Title argues alternatively
under Idaho law and Washington law. This mirrors how the parties advanced the issues below.
We apply the “most significant relationship test” to determine the choice of law for tort
actions, considering: (a) the place where the injury occurred; (b) the place where the conduct
causing the injury occurred; (c) the domicile, residence, nationality, place of incorporation and
place of business of the parties; and (d) the place where the relationship, if any, between the
parties is centered. Grover v. Isom, 137 Idaho 770, 773, 53 P.3d 821, 824 (2002) (citing Seubert
Excavators, Inc. v. Anderson Logging Co., 126 Idaho 648, 651, 889 P.2d 82, 85 (1995)); see also
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Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 145 (1971). “Of these contacts, the most important
in guiding this Court’s past decisions in tort cases has been the place where the injury occurred.”
Grover, 137 Idaho at 773, 53 P.3d at 824. Once these contacts are considered, they are evaluated
under the policy concerns outlined in section 6 of the Restatement. Restatement (Second) of
Conflict of Laws § 6 (1971).
Below, the parties disputed factor (a) “the place where the injury occurred,” and factor
(d) “the place where the relationship, if any, between the parties is centered.” First Bank agreed
with Land Title that factor (b) and (c) support applying Idaho law because the conduct occurred
in Idaho and involves an Idaho escrow agency. However, for factor (a), First Bank argued that
the injury occurred in Land Title’s Lewiston offices, contending that this was the location where
it failed to distribute funds. First Bank also argued that the relationship between the parties was
centered in Idaho because Land Title was “holding funds in Lewiston, that were to be distributed
to First Bank in Montana.”
Considering all the factors, we apply Idaho law. While First Bank’s alleged injury is
arguably felt in Montana—and this would lean towards applying Montana law—this Court’s
general rule about the location of the injury is better adapted for circumstances where the injury
can be easily pinpointed and the jurisdiction has a greater interest in providing a system of
recourse. Here, another way to describe the alleged injury is that the funds were paid to Tuschoff
instead of First Bank. Thus, First Bank’s injury could also be characterized as a nonoccurrence—
i.e. the failure to receive funds. If a nonoccurrence can be located, this one would be in Lewiston
at Land Title’s offices. Regardless, factors (a) and (b), analytically speaking, both allegedly
occurred in Lewiston when Land Title did not distribute funds to First Bank. This tips in favor of
Idaho law. Factor (c) does not help the resolution of this issue because First Bank is incorporated
in Idaho and Land Title is incorporated in Montana. Lastly, factor (d) tips, slightly, in favor of
Idaho. The relationship between the parties is not really “centered” anywhere. Rather, First Bank
is asserting that it is a party to an escrow agreement which was executed and carried out in
Idaho.
Given this, the scales are tipped in favor of applying Idaho law. Considering the
principles that guide the choice-of-laws analysis, we find no compelling reason to apply the law
of another jurisdiction. Determining that a negligence action against an escrow agency is
governed by the law of the state of the escrow agency does not clearly impact the needs of the
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interstate system in an adverse manner. Idaho has a policy in favor of regulating the professional
agencies within its border and has enacted laws to that effect. While other states have an interest
in seeing that their denizens have recourse for injuries, they also have interest in regulating how
professional agencies operate within their borders. Applying Idaho law to a negligence claim
against an Idaho escrow company protects justified expectations. The certainty, predictability,
and uniformity of results are also maintained because both companies and clients understand the
applicable law. Thus, applying Idaho law aids in the determination and application of the law.
In Idaho, negligence consists of four elements: “(1) a duty, recognized by law, requiring
the defendant to conform to a certain standard of conduct; (2) a breach of that duty; (3) a causal
connection between the defendant’s conduct and the resulting injury; and (4) actual loss or
damage. Johnson v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 164 Idaho 53, 56, 423 P.3d 1005, 1008 (2018) (citing
Shea v. Kevic Corp., 156 Idaho 540, 548, 328 P.3d 520, 528 (2014)).
“No liability exists under the law of torts unless the person from whom relief is sought
owed a duty to the allegedly injured party.” Baccus v. Ameripride Services, Inc., 145 Idaho 346,
349, 179 P.3d 309, 312 (2008) (citation omitted). “Ordinarily, there is no affirmative duty to act,
assist, or protect someone else.” Id. at 350, 179 P.3d at 313 (citation omitted). There are two
exceptions to this rule: a special relationship or an assumed duty based on an undertaking. Id.
First Bank alleges both that it had a special relationship with Land Title through
Tuschoff’s assignment and that Land Title undertook the duty to handle the escrow account.
However, “this Court has [also] adhered to a general rule prohibiting the recovery of
purely economic losses in all negligence actions.” Duffin v. Idaho Crop Improvement Ass’n, 126
Idaho 1002, 1007, 895 P.2d 1195, 1200 (1994) (citing Tusch Enters. v. Coffin, 113 Idaho 37, 41,
740 P.2d 1022, 1026 (1987)). There are only three exceptions to this rule: when the economic
loss is “parasitic to an injury to person or property”; where “unique circumstances require a
different allocation of the risk”’ or “in cases involving a ‘special relationship’ between the
parties.” Id. at 1007–08, 895 P.2d at 1200–01.
The term “special relationship,” . . . refers to those situations where
the relationship between the parties is such that it would be
equitable to impose such a duty. In other words, there is an
extremely limited group of cases where the law of negligence
extends its protections to a party’s economic interest.
Id. at 1008, 895 P.2d at 1201.
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Here, the loss is purely economic. When the bowling alley was sold to Banana Belt and
Land Title received the funds to pay off the Schwab/Tuschoff note, Land Title disbursed the
funds directly to Tuschoff rather than disbursing the funds to First Bank. And First Bank initiated
this litigation to recover that financial loss. The loss is not connected to an injury to a person or
property. There are no unique or compelling circumstances requiring a different allocation of the
risk, nor is there a special relationship between the parties. Land Title was holding the note and
deed of trust in escrow for Tuschoff. Although Tuschoff later assigned his interest in the note
and deed to First Bank, First Bank and Land Title did not themselves have any relationship. Land
Title’s holding of the escrow account was a contractual relationship between Land Title and
Tuschoff. Without any evidence of an agreement extending that contractual relationship to
assignees (which does not appear in the record), or any case requiring such an extension, the
contractual relationship does not extend to First Bank.
Thus, we conclude that First Bank’s economic loss is not recoverable in tort. First Bank’s
arguments on this point are without merit.
C. Neither party is entitled to attorney’s fees on appeal.
Both parties seek attorney’s fees on appeal.
First Bank cites to Idaho Code sections 12-121, 12-120(3), Idaho Appellate Rule 40, and
the “when justice so requires” standard articulated in Hoffer v. Shappard, 160 Idaho 868, 883,
380 P.3d 681, 696 (2016). In Hoffer, this Court decided that Idaho Rule of Civil Procedure
54(e)(1), which interpreted Idaho Code section 12-121 to allow attorney fees in civil cases
“brought, pursued or defended frivolously, unreasonably, or without foundation,” was no longer
applicable. 160 Idaho at 882–83, 380 P.3d at 695–96. The Court looked instead to an uncodified
section of Idaho law which declared that “prevailing parties in civil litigation have the right to be
made whole for attorney fees they have incurred ‘when justice so requires.’” Id. at 883, 380 P.3d
at 676 (quoting 1987 Idaho Sess. Laws 555). In response to Hoffer, the Idaho Legislature
amended Idaho Code section 12-121 to provide, “[i]n any civil action, the judge may award
reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party or parties when the judge finds that the case was
brought, pursued or defended frivolously, unreasonably, or without foundation.” I.C. § 12-121;
2017 Idaho Sess. Laws 75–76. Therefore, First Bank’s reliance on the “when justice so requires”
standard was inappropriate. In any event, First Bank is not the prevailing party on appeal, and
therefore is not entitled to attorney fees on appeal.
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Land Title also cites to Idaho Code sections 12-121, 12-120(3), Idaho Appellate Rule 40
in support of its request for fees.
Pursuant to section 12-121, this Court, in any civil action, may award reasonable attorney
fees to the prevailing party. I.C. § 12-121; Doe v. Doe (2016-7), 161 Idaho 67, 79, 383 P.3d
1237, 1249 (2016). “This Court has held that attorney fees can be awarded on appeal under Idaho
Code section 12-121 ‘only if the appeal was brought or defended frivolously, unreasonably, or
without foundation.’” Id. (citation omitted). However, “[f]ees will generally not be awarded for
arguments that are based on a good faith legal argument.” Easterling v. Kendall, 159 Idaho 902,
918, 367 P.3d 1214, 1230 (2016). Here, given the uncertain state of Montana law on deficiency
actions, we cannot say that First Bank’s appeal is not based on a good faith legal argument. We
decline to award fees under section 12-121.
A more difficult question is posed by whether Land Title is entitled to attorney’s fees
under section 12-120(3), which provides:
In any civil action to recover on an open account, account stated, note,
bill, negotiable instrument, guaranty, or contract relating to the purchase or sale of
goods, wares, merchandise, or services and in any commercial transaction unless
otherwise provided by law, the prevailing party shall be allowed a reasonable
attorney’s fee to be set by the court, to be taxed and collected as costs.
I.C. 12-120(3). “Under this statute, when a commercial transaction comprises the gravamen of a
lawsuit, the prevailing party shall be awarded attorney fees.” Kugler v. Nelson, 160 Idaho 408,
416, 374 P.3d 571, 579 (2016) (citation omitted). “All transactions other than those for personal
or household purposes are considered commercial transactions.” Id. (quoting Carrillo v. Boise
Tire Co., Inc., 152 Idaho 741, 755, 274 P.3d 1256, 1270 (2012)). “In order for a transaction to be
commercial, each party to the transaction must enter the transaction for a commercial purpose.”
Id. “The commercial transaction must be integral to the claim and constitute a basis on which the
party is attempting to recover.” Id. (quoting Am. Bank v. BRN Dev., Inc., 159 Idaho 201, 208,
358 P.3d 762, 769 (2015)). Section 12-120(3) “compels an award of attorney fees to the
prevailing party to recover on a commercial transaction.” Troupis v. Summer, 148 Idaho 77, 81,
218 P.3d 1138, 1142 (2009).
Here, both parties requested fees pursuant to section 12-120(3). Thus, both parties appear
to agree that the gravamen of this lawsuit was a commercial transaction. However, this
agreement does not automatically justify an award under the statute. “A prevailing party may
rely on I.C. § 12–120(3) if pled by another party for recovery of attorney fees if it is warranted
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under the statute.” Great Plains Equip., Inc. v. Nw. Pipeline Corp., 136 Idaho 466, 471, 36 P.3d
218, 223 (2001) (emphasis added). A prevailing party may be awarded attorney’s fees under
section 12-120(3) in circumstances where a contract or commercial transaction was only alleged
by the opposing party, but never actually existed. See Intermountain Real Properties, LLC v.
Draw, LLC, 155 Idaho 313, 320, 311 P.3d 734, 741 (2013) (“[W]hen a plaintiff alleges a
commercial contract exists and the defendant successfully defends by showing that the
commercial contract never existed, the court awards the defendant attorney fees.”); Garner v.
Povey, 151 Idaho 462, 469, 259 P.3d 608, 615 (2011) (noting that a party may “recover under the
commercial transaction prong of I.C. § 12–120(3) where the opposing party has alleged a
commercial transaction as the basis of his claim” regardless of whether a commercial event
occurred). However, the alleged contract or commercial transaction must still have been between
the parties. See Printcraft Press, Inc. v. Sunnyside Park Utilities, Inc., 153 Idaho 440, 461, 283
P.3d 757, 778 (2012) (observing that “only the parties to the commercial transaction are entitled
to attorney fees under I.C. § 12–120(3).”). This inquiry is conducted on a claim-by-claim basis.
See Sims v. Jacobson, 157 Idaho 980, 342 P.3d 907, 912 (2015) (“When various statutory and
common law claims are separable, a court should bifurcate the claims and award fees pursuant to
§ 12–120(3) only on the commercial transaction.”) (quoting Willie v. Bd. of Trs., 138 Idaho 131,
136, 59 P.3d 302, 307 (2002)).
In this case, First Bank alleged both a contract claim based on a third-party-beneficiary
rationale and a negligence claim. Under both theories, First Bank alleges that Land Title was
required through its agreement with another party to disburse funds to First Bank as the holder of
the note in question. Under its complaint, First Bank alleges that it was a third-party beneficiary
to the escrow agreement between Land Title, the Tuschoffs, and the Schwabs, and therefore
entitled to damages as the result of Land Title’s failure to meet its obligations to disburse funds
payable under Tuschoff’s note, which First Bank now holds due to an assignment by Tuschoff.
Under the negligence theory, First Bank contends that Land Title had a duty to determine the
status of Tuschoff’s note. Had Land Title determined that obligation, it would have disbursed
funds to First Bank as the holder of the note. As a consequence, even if First Bank had prevailed
on either of these theories, the commercial transaction or contract was not between First Bank
and Land Title. Thus, attorney’s fees cannot be awarded under section 12-120(3) for either
claim.
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While both parties advance section 12-120(3) on appeal, we elect to briefly address
whether Idaho law is the appropriate authority for attorney’s fees in this case. Unlike
jurisdictional rules, courts are not required to raise conflict-of-law issues sua sponte. See, e.g.,
Porter Casino Resort, Inc. v. Georgia Gaming Inv., LLC, No. 18-CV-2231-SHM-DKV, 2018
WL 4558999, at *3 (W.D. Tenn. Sept. 21, 2018) (declining to raise a conflict-of-law issue sua
sponte); GBJ Corp. v. E. Ohio Paving Co., 139 F.3d 1080, 1085 (6th Cir. 1998) (finding courts
need not analyze choice of law questions sua sponte). However, given that this case required
dépeçage, we find it prudent to conduct an analysis here.
First, we determine that section 12-120(3) is a substantive law subject to a choice-of-law
analysis. This Court has characterized statutes that mandate attorney’s fees as substantive law.
See Griggs v. Nash, 116 Idaho 228, 235, 775 P.2d 120, 127 (1989). Since section 12-120(3) is a
mandatory fee award, it follows that it is a substantive statute. Id. This Court has also endorsed
language that likened section 12-120(3) to a contractual provision, reasoning that the statute acts
like a term inserted into every commercial transaction. Id. (“The automatic nature of an award
under I.C. § 12–120 makes it, in effect, an adjunct to the underlying commercial agreement
between the parties.”) (quoting DeWils Interiors, Inc. v. Dines, 106 Idaho 288, 293, 678 P.2d 80,
85 (1984)).
Given the contractual nature of section 12-120(3), we again apply the “most significant
relation test” to consider: “(a) the place of contracting, (b) the place of negotiation of the
contract, (c) the place of performance, (d) the location of the subject matter of the contract, and
(e) the domicil, residence, nationality, place of incorporation and place of business of the
parties.” Restatement (Second) of Conflicts of Laws § 188 (1971). “[B]ecause parties to a
contract are likely to give advance thought to the legal consequences of their actions, the policies
of protecting justified expectations and increasing the predictability and uniformity of result take
on greater importance in contracts cases.” Seubert Excavators, Inc. v. Anderson Logging Co.,
126 Idaho 648, 652, 889 P.2d 82, 86 (1995)
As alleged, First Bank claimed it was a third party beneficiary to the escrow agreement
between First American and Land Title because it was the holder of the collateral assignment.
Conceptually, an assignment is a transfer of rights or property from one person to another. 6
Am.Jur.2d Assignment § 1 (1999); see also Black’s Law Dictionary (11th ed. 2019) (defining
“assignment” as “[t]he transfer of rights or property.”). Under this formulation, the underlying
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contract or “commercial transaction” is the escrow agreement. First Bank’s claims all revolve
around Land Title’s performance of that agreement.
Applying the factors to the escrow agreement supports applying section 12-120(3) in this
case. The agreement was signed in Idaho. While the record does not disclose where the
negotiations for the escrow agreement occurred, it’s likely that since that all the parties were
from the Lewiston/Clarkston area, the negotiations occurred in Washington or Idaho. First Bank
alleges that the disbursement should have crossed state lines to Montana. The subject matter of
the contract was the Note, which was held in escrow in Lewiston. The two parties to the escrow
agreement were the Tuschoffs (OR & WA) and the Schwabs (ID & WA). As alleged by First
Bank, the agreement became between First Bank (MT) and Schwabs (ID & WA) with the
assignment.
Considering these factors, no jurisdiction clearly has the most significant relationship
with the contract. However, we have stated that resolution of conflict of laws issues are aided by
remembering that the
choice-of-law process involves not the mechanical jurisdiction-selecting rules of
the first restatement but rather a realistic inquiry into the relationship of various
laws to the particular issue to be decided. The contacts of the transactions and of
the parties with various jurisdictions are weighed only as they are significant for
the purposes of the laws involved.
Rungee v. Allied Van Lines, Inc., 92 Idaho 718, 723, 449 P.2d 378, 383 (1968). When this Court
explained that section 12-120(3) was a substantive statute, we quoted with approval the Court of
Appeals’ description of the policy of the statute:
The parties are abjured by the statute to evaluate carefully the merits of their
claims or defenses in the commercial dispute. When deciding whether to litigate,
each party must weigh the potential benefits of prevailing against the potential
costs of losing. There is a direct relationship between a party’s decision to litigate
a commercial dispute and the benefits or costs which flow from that decision.
Griggs v. Nash, 116 Idaho 228, 235, 775 P.2d 120, 127 (1989) (quoting DeWils Interiors, Inc. v.
Dines, 106 Idaho 288, 293, 678 P.2d 80, 85 (1984)). When Land Title was selected as the escrow
agent, the original parties did so understanding that Idaho law would apply to the agreement.
Given this, when First Bank decided to sue based on the escrow agreement, it was “abjured by
the statute to evaluate carefully the merits of their claims or defenses . . . .” Id. To be sure, other
jurisdictions have interests in this case. But it is reasonable to impute the Idaho Legislature’s
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policy choice to First Bank’s decision to file suit in an Idaho court alleging that an Idaho escrow
agreement was breached, or executed negligently, in Idaho.
V. CONCLUSION
The district court’s judgment is affirmed. Costs to Land Title.
Justices BRODY, BEVAN, STEGNER, and MOELLER CONCUR.
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