Zahrbock v. Star Brite Inn Motel

#25263-a-DG
2010 S.D. 73IN THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
* * * *
ELESHIA ZAHRBOCK, PEYTON
GERRY and JUSTIN ZAHRBOCK, Plaintiffs,
JONETTE ANSON, Appellant,
v.
STAR BRITE INN MOTEL, Defendant and Appellee.
* * * *
APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF
THE FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
YANKTON COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
* * * *
HONORABLE ARTHUR L. RUSCH
Judge
* * * *
MANUEL J. de CASTRO, JR.
De Castro Law Offices, PLLC
and
NICHOLE CARPER Attorneys for appellant
Sioux Falls, South Dakota Jonette Anson.
DANIEL R. FRITZ
DANA VAN BEEK PALMER of
Lynn, Jackson, Shultz
& Lebrun, P.C. Attorneys for defendant
Sioux Falls, South Dakota and appellee.
* * * *
ARGUED MARCH 22, 2010
OPINION FILED 09/08/10
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GILBERTSON, Chief Justice
[¶1.] Jonette Anson (Anson) failed to file a personal injury claim within the
three-year statute of limitations. The circuit court denied her motion to extend the
statute of limitations under the doctrine of equitable tolling. We affirm.
FACTS
[¶2.] On December 23, 2004, Eleshia Zahrbock, Peyton Gerry, Justin
Zahrbock, and Anson were guests at the Star Brite Inn (Star Brite), a Yankton
motel. The four guests were overcome by carbon monoxide that leaked into their
rooms and suffered varying degrees of harm. Within a few weeks of the accident,
Anson was contacted by Eleshia and Justin Zahrbocks (Zahrbocks) and Gerry about
hiring an attorney to represent them in a suit against Star Brite.
[¶3.] On February 7, 2005, at the Zahrbocks’ suggestion, Anson and
Zahrbocks met with Sioux Falls attorney Chad Swenson. During the meeting,
Swenson discussed a carbon monoxide poisoning expert from Denver that he had
used in similar cases in the past. He also mentioned his prior experience in a
Yankton law firm. Swenson was excited about the prospects of the case and was
willing to take the case immediately. Before leaving Swenson’s office, Anson signed
a retainer agreement with Swenson. Swenson told Anson he would be in touch
after he filed the suit. A few weeks after the initial meeting with Swenson, Anson
received an unsigned copy of a draft of a complaint that included Zahrbocks, Gerry,
and Anson as plaintiffs. Anson believed that Swenson had filed the complaint and
that the lawsuit had been commenced based on her receipt of the unsigned copy of
the complaint.
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[¶4.] As early as March 2005, Anson realized she was having trouble getting
Swenson to return her calls. Anson was instructed by Swenson to send him copies
of all medical bills associated with her injuries, which she did but she did not
receive a confirmation of receipt or updates in reply. On March 14, 2005, Anson
wrote Swenson a letter complaining that she had tried to reach him numerous
times and that it appeared Swenson was not getting her messages. Thereafter,
Anson continued to call at least once a month to get updates and usually spoke with
Swenson’s secretary.
[¶5.] In either April or May of 2005, Swenson spoke briefly with Anson over
the telephone and told her the case was progressing as planned. He told Anson he
was in negotiations with defense counsel. Swenson also advised Anson to continue
with her medical care.
[¶6.] Anson was unable to speak with Swenson again until the fall of 2005,
when she met with Swenson in his Sioux Falls office. Swenson told Anson during a
brief meeting lasting no more than ten to fifteen minutes that the case was
progressing as planned and not to be concerned. He also asked her, in a manner
that suggested to Anson that the case was progressing in her favor, how many
hotels she wanted to own. Swenson advised Anson he would not be retaining the
Denver expert at that time to avoid incurring costs until they were further along in
the case. This was the last time Anson was able to speak personally with Swenson.
[¶7.] Anson continued to call Swenson’s office for updates, but her efforts to
contact him were unsuccessful. She left messages with the office secretary through
the fall of 2006. After that time, she was able to reach only an answering machine.
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In the fall of 2006, Anson was in Sioux Falls and stopped by Swenson’s office in an
effort to reach him. She arrived around 2 p.m. in the afternoon and found the office
door locked. Anson thought Swenson might be in court and did not think anything
was amiss. Anson continued to call and leave messages for Swenson one to two
times per month over the course of the next eleven to twelve months. Finally, in
August of 2007, Anson discovered Swenson’s number had been disconnected. She
immediately called every Chad Swenson in the Sioux Falls telephone directory but
failed to reach Swenson.
[¶8.] Anson’s work took her to Colorado for three months immediately
following her discovery that Swenson’s telephone number had been disconnected.
She planned to make further attempts to reach Swenson or retain another attorney
when she returned to South Dakota. In January 2008, shortly after returning from
Colorado, but before she was able to make any further effort to either locate
Swenson or retain a new attorney, Anson received a letter from Nichole Carper in
her capacity as counsel for Zahrbocks in their suit against Star Brite.
[¶9.] Carper’s letter informed Anson that Swenson had been disbarred.
Anson immediately retained Carper to represent her in the matter. However, the
three-year statute of limitations had expired on Anson’s claim on December 23,
2007. Anson also eventually ascertained that just a few weeks before filing their
suit on December 11, 2007, Zahrbocks had learned from Justin Zahrbock’s sister,
who was an attorney in Sioux Falls, that Swenson had been disbarred and they
were able to secure counsel and file their claim before the statute of limitations
expired. Anson learned from Carper that Swenson had never filed a suit as Anson
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believed he had, and Carper had timely filed a claim in Zahrbocks’ name on
December 11, 2007. Up until that time, Anson was unaware that a statute of
limitations existed and that it had expired without Swenson filing the suit.
[¶10.] Anson eventually also learned from Carper that Swenson was
temporarily suspended from the practice of law by this Court on February 22, 2007,
and was subsequently disbarred on June 14, 2007. In addition, Swenson failed to
notify all clients by mail of his disbarment as required by SDCL 16-19-78.1 Anson
was unable to obtain a copy of her file from Swenson.
[¶11.] On May 22, 2008, Anson moved to file an amended complaint. Star
Brite resisted arguing the statute of limitations in SDCL 15-2-14(3) had expired on
1. The Disciplinary Board of the State Bar and this Court had no reason to
suspect noncompliance because on June 27, 2007, Swenson filed with this
Court an affidavit in which he declared, “In accordance with the Judgment of
Disbarment, I have complied with the provisions and requirements of SDCL
§§ 16-19-78 through 16-19-81.” See Matter of Discipline of Swenson, #24443
(2007). SDCL 16-19-78 requires a disbarred attorney to
promptly notify, or cause to be notified, by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, all clients being represented in
pending matters, other than litigation or administrative
proceedings, of his disbarment or suspension and his consequent
inability to act as an attorney after the effective date of his
disbarment or suspension and shall advise such clients to seek
legal advice of the client’s own choice elsewhere.
Given the chaotic nature of Swenson’s files and financial records as set forth
in his disbarment file, it is understandable that his counsel along with
counsel of the Disciplinary Board who sought to identify and notify Swenson’s
clients of the situation, were not able to identify Anson as one of Swenson’s
clients. The disbarment file indicates that other clients suffered at the hands
of Swenson as the Disciplinary Board’s findings of fact, which were not
challenged by Swenson, claimed a shortfall in Swenson’s trust account of
approximately $225,000. Rather than contest the State Bar’s charges,
(continued . . .)
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December 23, 2007. By leave of court, Carper filed an amended complaint on
December 8, 2008, in an attempt to include Anson as a plaintiff, arguing the
doctrine of equitable tolling should apply to allow the complaint. Star Brite filed a
motion to dismiss the claim as untimely.
[¶12.] After a hearing on the matter, the circuit court issued a memorandum
decision. It found that there were extraordinary circumstances that triggered the
doctrine of equitable tolling. However, it also found that Anson did not exhibit
reasonable and good-faith conduct sufficient to apply the doctrine. The circuit court
entered an order dismissing Anson’s claim as barred by the statute of limitations.
Anson appeals raising one issue:
Despite a finding of extraordinary circumstances, did the trial
court err when it found Anson did not exhibit reasonable and
good-faith conduct sufficient to apply the doctrine of equitable
tolling and permit her claim despite the expiration of the statute
of limitations.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
[¶13.] This Court recently determined its standard of review for equitable
tolling in Dakota Truck Underwriters v. S. D. Subsequent Injury Fund.
We have, however, recognized that in reviewing the application
of the doctrine of equitable estoppel, we are presented with a
fully reviewable mixed question of law and fact. See Crouse v.
Crouse, 1996 S.D. 95, ¶ 14, 552 N.W.2d 413, 417 (equitable
estoppel is reviewed de novo). “Where relevant facts are
undisputed and the district court denied equitable tolling as a
matter of law, we review the district court’s decision de novo.”
Rouse v. Lee, 339 F.3d 238, 247 (4thCir. 2003). We agree and
hold that when the facts are undisputed, as they are here, we
_________________________
(. . . continued)
Swenson resigned as an attorney and this Court entered its Judgment of
Disbarment. In re Swenson, #24443.
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will apply a de novo standard of review to the applicability of
equitable tolling.
2004 S.D. 120, ¶ 16, 689 N.W.2d 196, 201.
ANALYSIS AND DECISION
[¶14.] SDCL 15-2-14(3) provides a three-year statute of limitations for an
action resulting from a personal injury. Generally, strict compliance with a statute
of limitations is required to preserve a claimant’s right to bring an action. Dakota
Truck Underwriters, 2004 S.D. 120, ¶ 17, 680 N.W.2d at 201. “‘[T]he purpose of a
statute of limitations is speedy and fair adjudication of the respective rights of the
parties.’” Peterson v. Holm, 2000 S.D. 27, ¶ 14, 607 N.W.2d 8, 12 (quoting State of
Minn. ex rel. Hove v. Doese, 501 N.W.2d 366, 370 (S.D. 1993)). It further allows
potential defendants “to be ‘freed from the consequences of their actions after a
statutory period of time resulting in peace of mind for the individual, less docket
congestion, fewer administrative problems for the courts, and less work for law
enforcement agencies. Stale claims are eliminated.’” Id.[¶15.] If legally authorized, 2 the harsh effect of a statute of limitations can be
judicially modified in limited circumstances through the application of the
2. Both parties approach this issue as a dispute over the factual application of
equitable tolling. This begs the underlying question of whether equitable
tolling as a legal doctrine is recognized in civil actions in South Dakota. As
shown in Justice Konenkamp’s concurrence in result, a very compelling
argument can be made that equitable tolling cannot be recognized as a legal
doctrine in South Dakota. However, this underlying issue was not raised as
part of this appeal and it is more appropriate for us to wait to decide it until
we have the benefit of full argument and briefing. As such, for purposes of
this appeal, we assume, without deciding, that equitable tolling can apply as
a legal doctrine and proceed to the issue before us – its factual application to
(continued . . .)
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doctrine of equitable tolling. Dakota Truck Underwriters, 2004 S.D. 120, ¶ 18, 689
N.W.2d at 201-02. 3 Equitable tolling permits a plaintiff to bring suit after the
expiration of the statute of limitations when inequitable circumstances have
prevented the plaintiff from timely initiating suit. Id. ¶ 19, 689 N.W.2d at 202
(citing Bailey v. Glover, 21 Wall 342, 88 U.S. 342, 22 L.Ed. 636 (1874); Shempert v.
Harwick Chemical Corp., 151 F.3d 793, 797 (8thCir. 1998)). However, the
application of the doctrine requires the existence of circumstances “truly beyond the
control of the plaintiff.” Id. ¶ 20, 689 N.W.2d at 202 (citing Hill v. John Chezik
Imports, 869 F.2d 1122, 1124 (8thCir. 1989)).
[¶16.] The threshold for consideration of equitable tolling is inequitable
circumstances not caused by the plaintiff that prevent the plaintiff from timely
filing. Seitzinger v. Reading Hosp. and Med. Ctr., 165 F.3d 236, 240 (3rdCir. 1999)
(citing Ellis v. General Motors Acceptance Corp., 160 F.3d 703, 706 (11thCir. 1998);
Naton v. Bank of California, 649 F.2d 691, 696 (9thCir. 1981); Mathews v. Little,
Civ. A. No. 92-CV-1114, 1992 WL 192542, *2 (E.D.Pa. 1992)). Examples from other
jurisdictions that may be appropriate for application of equitable tolling include
_________________________
(. . . continued)
this case. As we affirm based upon the facts, the legal issue of the potential
application of equitable tolling does not become dispositive.
3. Such legal authorization of the doctrine of equitable tolling occurred in
another context in 2007 with the passage of SDCL 16-3-14. It grants to this
Court the authority to suspend “deadlines, time schedules or filing
requirements” in cases of a “judicial emergency” which “infringes upon the
normal functioning of the judicial system.” SDCL 16-3-11. No such judicial
emergency occurred in this case.
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“when a claimant received inadequate notice of her right to file suit, where a motion
for appointment of counsel is pending, or where the court has misled the plaintiff
into believing that she had done everything required of her.” Id. (citing Baldwin
County Welcome Ctr. v. Brown, 466 U.S. 147, 151, 104 S.Ct. 1723, 80 L.Ed.2d 196(1984)). The threshold is also met “when the defendant has actively misled the
plaintiff or when the plaintiff ‘in some extraordinary way’ was prevented from
asserting her rights[.]” Id. We do not suggest that the doctrine may only be applied
under these specific circumstances; however, if it is legally recognized it must be
limited to situations where extraordinary circumstances beyond the plaintiff’s
control have prevented timely filing.
[¶17.] We first acknowledged equitable tolling in Peterson, but held the
doctrine was not satisfied in that case because of imprudent legal practice by the
plaintiff. 2000 S.D. 27, ¶ 18, 607 N.W.2d at 14. In that case, Peterson brought a
medical malpractice suit in federal district court only to have the action dismissed
for lack of diversity jurisdiction. Id. ¶ 4, 607 N.W.2d at 9. Shortly after filing her
suit in federal court, Peterson was made aware she lacked diversity jurisdiction. Id.
She, however, failed to file her state claim for over a year after she became aware of
the lack of jurisdiction and instead waited for the order dismissing her suit from
federal court. Id. ¶ 5. Peterson finally filed her suit in state court after the federal
action was dismissed, which occurred over one year after the applicable statute of
limitations had expired in state court. Id. We adopted the North Dakota Supreme
Court’s three-part rule for possible application of equitable tolling in Peterson: the
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plaintiff is required to show “(a) timely notice, (b) lack of prejudice to the defendant,
and (c) reasonable and good-faith conduct on the part of the plaintiff.” Id. ¶ 16, 607
N.W.2d at 13 (quoting Braaten v. Deere & Co., 569 N.W.2d 563, 564 (N.D. 1997)).
We then held that “imprudent legal practice is not reasonable conduct and would
not invoke equitable tolling.” Id. ¶¶ 16-18, 607 N.W.2d at 13-14.
[¶18.] We next considered equitable tolling in Dakota Truck Underwriters,
2004 S.D. 120, 689 N.W.2d 196, in which we reversed the circuit court after finding
the doctrine of equitable tolling applied to the statute of limitations at issue in that
case. In Dakota Truck Underwriters, we were required to determine whether
equitable tolling applied to untimely Subsequent Injury Fund (SIF) claims filed by
workers’ compensation insurers. Id. ¶ 4, 689 N.W.2d at 198-99. In 1999, the
Legislature eliminated the SIF, but provided a limited time frame in which to file
claims for injuries that occurred prior to July 1, 1999. Id. However, several valid
claims were still pending once the time to file claims expired. Id. Once the claims
were decided by the Department of Labor (DOL), the July 1, 1999, deadline imposed
by the Legislature had expired and no avenue for submitting claims was available.
Id. ¶ 5.
[¶19.] The Legislature subsequently amended the SIF legislation in 2001 to
allow submission of any claims that were not ripe before the July 1, 1999, deadline
and ripened no later than July 1, 2001. Id. ¶ 7, 689 N.W.2d at 199. The
amendment took effect on July 1, 2001. Id. However, the pre-1999 statutory
scheme also contained a ninety-day statute of limitations for all SIF claims. Id. ¶ 3,
689 N.W.2d at 198. Under the pre-1999 statutory scheme, a SIF claim was timely
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only if submitted within ninety days, but not before, a final determination or
settlement by the DOL. Id. The claims in question were submitted to the SIF
beyond the ninety-day time period after settlement, but within ninety days of the
new July 1, 2001, ripening deadline created by the Legislature. Id. ¶ 9, 689 N.W.2d
at 199. The result, according to the plaintiffs, was an “arcane procedural snare,”
which made any claim submitted after the ninety-day statute of limitations
untimely even if submitted within ninety days of the July 1, 2001, effective date for
the new claims period. Id. ¶ 28, 689 N.W.2d at 203.
[¶20.] The circuit court found the insurers’ conduct of waiting to file their
claims until the new legislation was enacted instead of submitting claims within the
pre-1999 legislation’s ninety-day deadline after settlement was unreasonable and
not in good faith. Id. ¶ 26. This Court held that the insurers behaved reasonably
and in good faith because it would have been futile to submit the claims settled
after the July 1, 1999, deadline as there was no funding source or mechanism in
place for payment by the then-defunct SIF. Id. ¶ 29. We held the “arcane
procedural snare” created by the change in legislation equitably tolled the ninety-
day statute of limitations for SIF claims and reversed the circuit court. Id.
[¶21.] In the instant case, the circuit court found Anson’s quandary, while not
“an arcane procedural snare,” was an “extraordinary circumstance” not of her
making and beyond her control. It found that the willful misconduct by her
attorney, Swenson, created the circumstances that caused Anson to miss her filing
deadline and warranted application of equitable tolling if the three-part test was
satisfied. The circuit court then found the first two elements of the three-part test
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for equitable tolling, (1) timely notice, and (2) lack of prejudice to the defendant,
were satisfied.
[¶22.] However, it found the third element, (3) reasonable and good-faith
conduct on the part of the plaintiff in response to the extraordinary circumstances,
was not satisfied. It found Anson’s conduct was not reasonable and in good faith
after the fall of 2005, the last time Anson had personal contact with Swenson. The
circuit court found Anson should have realized within the two years after her last
meeting with Swenson that he was no longer in business. Instead, she elected to
call him repeatedly for two years despite receiving no contact in return. Despite
finding Swenson’s telephone had been disconnected, Anson still did not take an
alternate course of action other than calling all other listings for Chad Swenson in
Sioux Falls. Anson, according to the circuit court, should have taken some other
action such as contacting the State Bar, contacting the clerk of courts, speaking
with another attorney, or calling the Zahrbocks. The circuit court then granted Star
Brite’s motion to dismiss.
Extraordinary circumstance warranting application of equitable tolling 4
4. Star Brite argues in its reply brief that the circuit court erred when it found
Swenson’s conduct amounted to “rare and extraordinary circumstances” to
which equitable tolling applied. Anson counters that Star Brite’s argument is
waived for failure to file notice of appeal per the provision of SDCL 15-26A-
22. However, Star Brite is not raising an additional issue in order to “obtain
review of a judgment or order entered in the same action which may
adversely affect” it. See SDCL 15-26A-22. Rather, Star Brite raises an
argument as to why the circuit court’s ultimate decision, that the doctrine of
equitable tolling did not apply, was correct.
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[¶23.] Star Brite argues on appeal that Swenson’s actions were not a rare and
extraordinary circumstance justifying application of equitable tolling. As support
for its proposition, Star Brite cites Modrowski v. Mote, 322 F.3d 965, 968 (7thCir.
2003), for the proposition that “attorney misconduct, whether labeled negligent,
grossly negligent, or willful, is attributable to the client,” and equitable tolling
should not be allowed in the face of such misconduct. Anson cites to United States
v. Martin, 408 F.3d 1089, 1093 (8thCir. 2005), for the proposition that serious
attorney misconduct may warrant application of equitable tolling. However, we
need not decide this issue given our holding on whether Anson exhibited reasonable
and good-faith conduct as the plaintiff seeking to avail herself of the doctrine of
equitable tolling.
Reasonable and good-faith conduct of the plaintiff
[¶24.] We turn to the question of whether Anson’s conduct in response to
what she claimed were extraordinary circumstances not of her own making was
reasonable and in good faith under the third prong of the equitable tolling test. The
circuit court found Anson did not exhibit reasonable and good-faith conduct after
her last contact with Swenson in the fall of 2005. Within the next two years up
until the time Anson discovered Swenson’s telephone had been disconnected, the
circuit court determined that Anson should have realized that Swenson was no
longer in business and taken action to preserve her claim.
[¶25.] There is little South Dakota case law on the subject of what constitutes
reasonable and good-faith conduct on the part of a plaintiff seeking relief via
equitable tolling. See Dakota Truck Underwriters, 2004 S.D. 120, ¶ 28, 689 N.W.2d
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at 203 (noting three cases in which conduct was examined); Peterson, 2000 S.D. 27,
¶ 18, 607 N.W.2d at 14 (examining conduct in two North Dakota cases). The
majority of the case law from other jurisdictions in this area is in the context of
federal habeas petitions for which the test for equitable tolling is slightly different
because an inmate’s incarceration limits options to obtain other representation and
access to his or her attorney. See Downs v. McNeil, 520 F.3d 1311, 1324 (11th Cir.
2008) (citing Pace v. DiGuglielmo, 544 U.S. 408, 418, 125 S.Ct. 1807, 1814, 161
L.Ed.2d 669 (2005) (holding “a litigant seeking equitable tolling bears the burden of
establishing two elements: (1) that he has been pursuing his rights diligently, and
(2) that some extraordinary circumstance stood in his way”)); Lawrence v. Florida,
549 U.S. 327, 336, 127 S.Ct. 1079, 1085, 166 L.Ed.2d 924 (2007) (same); Arthur v.
Allen, 452 F.3d 1234, 1252 (11thCir. 2006) (holding “equitable tolling ‘may be
applied if the petitioner demonstrates (1) diligence in his efforts to timely file a
habeas petition and (2) extraordinary and unavoidable circumstances’”). The level
of diligence a petitioner must demonstrate to obtain relief under equitable tolling in
a federal habeas proceeding is to make reasonable efforts. Id.[¶26.] As noted by the Eleventh Circuit, “due diligence does not require a
prisoner to undertake repeated exercises in futility or to exhaust every imaginable
option, but rather to make reasonable efforts.” Id. at 1323 (quoting Aron v. United
States, 291 F.3d 708, 712 (11thCir. 2002)). The standard also takes into account the
limitations imposed by “‘the conditions of confinement and the reality of the prison
system.’” Id. Maintaining contact with counsel, repeated and continuous attempts
to follow up with counsel, and providing counsel with materials and suggestions for
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drafting a petition qualifies as diligent and reasonable conduct in the context of a
federal habeas claim. Id. (noting that the habeas petitioner took “prudent,
persistent action to remind his lawyers of imminent deadlines and did his best to
remain informed of the status of his state court proceedings as they related to his
federal limitations period[,]” . . . sent regular letters to counsel, participated in
periodic meetings, and requested confirmation that “motions were being drafted and
filed in a timely manner”). See also Martin, 408 F.3d at 1095 (holding over forty
telephone calls to counsel from petitioner and his wife, petitioner’s wife attending
appointments at counsel’s office, and petitioner sending original documents for use
in drafting was reasonable and diligent conduct by the petitioner in an effort to
timely file habeas petition). We see no reason to expect anything less than the same
diligent and reasonable conduct by a litigant who seeks relief in our state court
system as that demonstrated by incarcerated federal habeas petitioners.
[¶27.] In the instant case, Anson had trouble getting Swenson to contact her
almost immediately following their initial meeting. Anson made repeated and
routine telephone calls to Swenson from March 2005 until August 2007, all of which
resulted in Anson speaking to Swenson’s secretary or answering machine. She was
able to speak with Swenson once on the telephone and to meet with him in person
in the fall of 2005 as a result of her persistent efforts. After the fall of 2005 meeting
with Swenson, Anson continued making telephone calls and either spoke with his
secretary or left a message on the office answering machine, but did not have any
personal contact with Swenson.
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[¶28.] During this time, Anson did not believe there was a problem with
Swenson’s practice other than his continued failure to return telephone calls. While
Anson believed the complaint had been filed due to her receipt of an unsigned copy
of the summons and complaint, she acknowledged she received no other
documentation or court filings from Swenson. Swenson’s assurances that the case
was progressing also helped lull Anson into the belief that her complaint had been
filed.
[¶29.] The circuit court concluded that over the course of September 2005 to
August 2007, Anson should have begun to suspect Swenson was no longer in
business. We agree that Anson should have begun to suspect something was amiss
with Swenson’s practice, but not necessarily that he was no longer in practice.
However, Anson should have at least suspected that her case was not in the hands
of a competent attorney or one who was giving her case the attention it required as
no new information was ever shared with Anson other than Swenson’s 2005 claims
that he was in negotiations with opposing counsel. Swenson’s inability to return
calls, acknowledge the medical bills Anson sent him over the course of the
representation, or provide documentation about the negotiations allegedly being
pursued should have raised serious doubts about Swenson and caused Anson to
make further inquiries with the State Bar or the court listed at the top of the draft
complaint she received in March 2005.
[¶30.] Anson’s conduct up until August 2007 was not entirely fatal to her
request for equitable tolling. However, her conduct in August 2007 after she
discovered the statute of limitations had expired, showed that she behaved in a less
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than reasonable and diligent manner under the totality of the circumstances. First,
Anson failed to take immediate action once she knew Swenson had either moved his
office without notifying her or was no longer in the Sioux Falls area. Waiting three
months before taking any action after learning Swenson was no longer practicing
law in the Sioux Falls area does not satisfy the reasonable and good-faith conduct
standard. Anson should have realized her case had been abandoned by Swenson
and was at risk as a consequence and taken immediate action instead of taking no
action at all. Instead of taking immediate action by either calling the State Bar, the
Zahrbocks, or using a Sioux Falls telephone directory or the internet to locate
another attorney from her work site in Colorado, Anson made the conscious decision
to do nothing until she returned. Anson, unlike a federal habeas prisoner, was not
limited in her ability to make telephone calls or retain new counsel while in
Colorado.
[¶31.] Finally, Anson’s delay in filing a motion to amend the petition to
include her as a plaintiff does not weigh in favor applying the doctrine of equitable
estoppel. Anson’s first motion to the circuit court to amend Zahrbocks’ complaint to
add Anson as a plaintiff was not filed until May 22, 2008. There is no explanation
in the record for this additional delay from January 2008 to May 22, 2008. By this
time, Star Brite was lulled into believing that there was no longer a risk of
additional litigation from Anson for the events of December 23, 2004.
[¶32.] Based on Anson’s conduct from the fall of 2005 until May 22, 2008, her
conduct does not rise to the level necessary for the factual application of the
doctrine of equitable estoppel. Anson relied exclusively on Swenson’s
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representations despite his obvious inability to return telephone calls and keep her
informed. Once she determined that Swenson was no longer representing her
adequately, Anson did not move to protect her rights with the circuit court until
May 22, 2008, almost five months after the statute of limitations had expired.
[¶33.] Affirmed.
[¶34.] ZINTER and SEVERSON, Justices, concur.
[¶35.] KONENKAMP and MEIERHENRY, Justices, concur in result.
KONENKAMP, Justice (concurring in result).
[¶36.] I question whether we are authorized to adopt the equitable tolling
doctrine for civil actions. Equitable tolling is a common law principle having its
genesis in the inherent power of courts to avert grave miscarriages of justice. That
power is as old as our nation. In 1870, the United States Supreme Court traced the
history of court-declared, nonstatutory exceptions to statutes of limitation back to
the Revolutionary War, noting “that the running of a statute of limitation may be
suspended by causes not mentioned in the statute itself.” Braun v. Sauerwein, 10
Wall 218, 77 U.S. 218, 223, 19 L.Ed. 895 (1870).
[¶37.] Yet it is equally well established in both federal and state jurisdictions
that legislatures may preclude equitable tolling by expressing an intention “to
disallow tolling under any circumstances not enumerated in the statute.” Laird v.
Blacker, 828 P.2d 691, 698 (Cal. 1992); see also Battuello v. Battuello, 64
Cal.App.4th 842, 847-48 (1998). Equitable tolling will not apply if it is “inconsistent
with the text of the relevant statute.” United States v. Beggerly, 524 U.S. 38, 48,
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118 S.Ct. 1862, 1868, 141 L.Ed.2d 32 (1998) (citation omitted); see also Lampf, et al.
v. Gilbertson, 501 U.S. 350, 363, 111 S.Ct. 2773, 2782, 115 L.Ed.2d 321 (1991).
Such tolling is also not permissible when it contravenes clear legislative policy. See
Abreu v. Svenhard’s Swedish Bakery, 208 Cal.App.3d 1446, 1456 (1989).
[¶38.] Thus, the question whether equitable tolling is permissible turns not
solely on the inherent power of courts, but on what the Legislature intended when it
enacted the statute of limitations. In South Dakota, the common law is abrogated
when it conflicts with the sovereign power as evidenced by legislative enactments.
SDCL 1-1-23(5); SDCL 1-1-24. Do we have express legislation precluding equitable
tolling in civil actions? Consider SDCL 15-2-1: “Civil actions can only be
commenced within the periods prescribed in this title after the cause of action shall
have accrued except where in special cases a different limitation is prescribed by
statute.” (Emphasis added.) And the applicable statute of limitations within the
same title is SDCL 15-2-14(3): personal injury actions must be “commenced only
within three years after the cause of action shall have accrued[.]” (Emphasis
added.) Whether these two statutes taken together explicitly preclude equitable
tolling remains to be resolved. Neither side briefed this point, and the question has
not been raised in previous cases. In rejecting equitable tolling in a medical
malpractice action, however, we cautioned that courts may fill legislative gaps, but
“should not usurp the legislative function” to rewrite statutes of limitations.
Peterson v. Hohm, 2000 S.D. 27, ¶ 18, 607 N.W.2d 8, 14 (citation omitted).
[¶39.] In opening the door to the judicial extension of statutory deadlines for
bringing civil suits, the circuit court found its primary authority in EEOC and
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federal habeas corpus cases. Statutes governing those decisions have nothing to do
with South Dakota civil actions. Our first resort must be to our own laws, because
if the statutes plainly dictate otherwise, equitable tolling is impermissible. See
Beggerly, 524 U.S. at 48, 118 S.Ct. at 1868, 141 L.Ed.2d 32. Likewise, our decision
in Dakota Truck Underwriters cannot supply any useful authority here. See 2004
S.D. 120, 689 N.W.2d 196. That was not a civil case, but an action to recover under
a special statute for partial reimbursement of certain workers’ compensation
payments. There, we filled a gap in otherwise problematic legislation. Here, the
question remains whether there is any gap to fill.
[¶40.] Accordingly, I would go no further than to say that even if the
equitable tolling doctrine applies to South Dakota civil actions, it would not apply
here for the reasons the Court explains.
[¶41.] MEIERHENRY, Justice, joins this special writing.
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