Las Palmas Medical Center v. Robert Moore, M.D. and Debora Moore, M.D.

COURT OF APPEALS
EIGHTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
EL PASO, TEXAS
§
LAS PALMAS MEDICAL CENTER, No. 08-09-00226-CV
§
Appellant, Appeal from
§
v. County Court at Law No. 3
§
ROBERT MOORE, M.D. and of El Paso County, Texas
DEBORA MOORE, M.C., §
(TC # 2008-3573)
Appellees. §
OPINION
Las Palmas Medical Center appeals an order denying its motion to confirm an arbitration
award, vacating the arbitration award, and ordering a new arbitration proceeding. For the reasons
that follow, we reverse and render judgment confirming the arbitration award.
FACTUAL SUMMARY
Las Palmas Medical Center is a hospital operating in El Paso. Faced with a shortage of
urologists in El Paso in 2004, Las Palmas recruited Robert Moore, M.D. and Debora Moore, M.D.,
to relocate from Houston to El Paso. The terms of the recruiting agreement required that both
doctors obtain and maintain full medical privileges at Las Palmas, maintain medical staff
membership in good standing, and engage in the private practice of medicine as urologists in the
community for forty-eight months. The recruiting agreements guaranteed each doctor income for
two years and provided that Las Palmas would advance the difference between the guaranteed
monthly income and the gross receipts of their practice. Las Palmas agreed to forgive 1/24 of the
advances for every month the doctors remained in full-time practice in El Paso after the end of the
guarantee period. At the end of the guarantee period, each doctor was obligated to pay to Las Palmas
the sum of the advances less the amounts forgiven under the terms of the agreement. The recruiting
agreements permitted Las Palmas to audit the doctors’ books and records to assure compliance. The
parties agreed to arbitrate any disputes arising out of or related to the recruiting agreements.
In December 2006, Las Palmas requested accounts receivable and monthly aging reports by
January 15, 2007. The Moores did not provide the information and on February 21, Las Palmas
informed them that an audit would be conducted by an independent firm. The parties disagree about
the degree of the Moores’ cooperation after this point. Las Palmas contends that an audit scheduled
for March 12 had to be postponed and rescheduled because documents requested by the CPA firm
were not provided. On June 18, Las Palmas’ attorney Monte James of Jackson Walker L.L.P. sent
a letter demanding that the Moores comply with the recruiting agreement provision requiring them
to give Las Palmas access to the financial books and records. The letter advised that if they failed
to comply, Las Palmas would institute legal action. The Moores advise us that they did not refuse
to submit to an audit and complain that Las Palmas did not show up on at least two occasions when
it was scheduled to appear at the Moores’ office for an audit. The Moores also claim that they relied
on their office manager, their CPA, and tax attorney Michael Graham to compile the financial
information and submit it to Las Palmas.
In October 2007, Las Palmas initiated an arbitration proceeding alleging the Moores had
failed to provide requested documents and submit to an audit. The arbitration administrator, the
American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA), provided attorneys James and Graham with a list
of ten potential arbitrators and their respective curricula vitae. The letter asked the parties to rank
the individuals, with number one being the most preferred arbitrator, and gave them the opportunity
to strike one individual. The individual with the lowest sum would be named as the arbitrator. The
parties submitted their rankings to the AHLA and Penny Hobbs was appointed. On November 12,
2007, Hobbs emailed the following letter to James, Graham, Marian Wu,1 and Phil T. Dearth:2
I have been appointed arbitrator in the above-referenced matter. I do not believe my
participation as the arbitrator would be directly adverse to any interest described in
Rule 3.02 of the AHLA Code of Ethics for Arbitrator. Nor do I believe that any
disclosure is required under Rule 3.02. However, in the spirit of full disclosure, I
advise you that I have represented clients in matters in which Jackson Walker L.L.P.
represented clients both adverse to and aligned with my clients. As a result, I am
familiar with both Mr. James and Ms. Wu. I do not believe that my familiarity with
these lawyers would affect my ability to perform as an arbitrator in this matter.
However, in light of this disclosure, if either party objects to my serving as an
arbitrator, I would appreciate your notifying me by November 15, 2007, so that I may
timely advise AHLA whether I will accept the appointment.
When Hobbs learned that Dearth was no longer associated with Wood, Dearth & Day, she sent the
letter to T. Barrett Wood, who had taken over the case when Dearth left the firm. No objections
were made to Hobbs serving as arbitrator and she accepted the appointment.
On November 29, 2007, Hobbs ordered the Moores to provide Las Palmas with certain
documents by December 14, 2007, and ordered that the audit be completed by January 18, 2008
absent agreement of the parties. When the Moores did not produce the documents as ordered, the
audit was rescheduled for January 21, 2008 and it was completed on or around that date. Following
receipt of the audit report, Las Palmas amended its arbitration petition to seek recovery of the
advances paid to Dr. Debora Moore on the ground she had not worked full-time. It was around this
time that Antonio Silva became lead counsel for the Moores.
On July 31, 2008, eleven days before the final arbitration hearing, Silva sent an email to
Hobbs objecting to her appointment because she had listed James as a reference on her curriculum
1
W u is also employed by Jackson W alker and is James’ co-counsel.
2
At the time, Dearth was a member of Wood Dearth & Day and he represented the Moores in the arbitration.
vitae. Silva found the resume in one of Dearth’s files as he was preparing for the arbitration. James
pointed out in a responsive email that the Moores and their two prior attorneys had received Hobbs’
CV before she was selected. Hobbs responded by email:
Mr. Silva, Mr. James has already provided you with a copy of the letter I sent
on November 12, 2007 to the attorneys representing the Respondents at the time,
advising them of my familiarity with Mr. James, Ms. Wu and the law firm of Jackson
Walker L.L.P. Mr. Dearth had left the firm by the time I sent the letter, and
Mr. Graham advised me the [sic] Mr. T. Barrett Wood had taken over the case. I
forwarded the letter to Mr. Wood. No one objected to my accepting the appointment.
After carefully considering the Respondents’ request and Claimant’s response
in accordance with the American Health Lawyers Association Code of Ethics for
Arbitrators 3.02b,3 I have determined not to withdraw because the reason for the
challenge is not substantial, I believe I can act and decide the case impartially and
fairly, and my withdrawal at this time would cause undue delay and expense to the
claimant.
During the final arbitration hearing in August 2008, the Moores alleged for the first time that
Graham did not have authority to represent them in the arbitration. Debora Moore testified that she
was unaware of the arbitration proceedings until she received a bill from T. Barrett Wood, who she
believed had been retained by Graham. Moore knew Graham was assisting with the audit. She
called Graham and asked him what right he had to move past the audit. It was not until Graham
turned over the file that she learned he had purported to represent them in the arbitration. The
Moores then hired Silva to represent them in the arbitration proceeding.
Hobbs issued a written decision on September 12, 2008, finding:
• The Moores breached the recruiting agreement by failing to allow an audit of their books
and records;
• Dr. Debora Moore breached the recruiting agreement because she failed to engage in the
3
Rule 3.02b(ii) provides: “If the arbitrator, after carefully considering the matter, determines that the reason
for the challenge is not substantial, that the arbitrator can nevertheless act and decide the case impartially and fairly, and
that the withdrawal of the arbitrator would cause undue delay or expense to another party or would be contrary to the
ends of justice, the arbitrator may continue to serve as an arbitrator.”
private practice of medicine as a urologist on a full-time permanent basis;
• Las Palmas breached the recruiting agreements by placing both physicians on call without
a weekend off for seven weekends during the term of the recruiting agreements;
• The Moores failed to prove that Las Palmas breached the recruiting agreements by failing
to forgive part of the debt owed by them;
• The Moores failed to prove their claim that Las Palmas breached the recruiting agreements
by treating them as one doctor in the assignment of operating rooms; and
• The Moores failed to prove that Las Palmas was unjustly enriched by placing them on call
for six weekends.
The arbitrator awarded Las Palmas damages: (1) against both doctors in the amount of $23,000 for
their failure to allow an audit, and (2) against Dr. Debora Moore in the amount of $915,775 for her
failure to work full-time as a urologist. The arbitrator also awarded Las Palmas attorneys’ fees in
the amount of $139,104. These awards were partially offset by: (1) $438.73 awarded to Dr. Debora
Moore for Las Palmas’ failure to timely pay her sign-on bonus and advance net collectible revenue;
(2) $6,300 awarded to the Moores for Las Palmas’ failure to provide them with one weekend a
month off call; and (3) $15,818 in attorney’s fees for the prosecution of the Moores’ counterclaims.
The net amount of the award to Las Palmas is $1,055,322.27 together with 5 percent post-judgment
interest.
On September 15, 2008, Las Palmas filed a petition to confirm the arbitration award and
enter judgment. The Moores filed an answer raising the following affirmative defenses to
confirmation: (1) the award was obtained by corruption, fraud, or other undue means; (2)
Appellees’ rights were prejudiced by the evident partiality of the arbitrator; (3) the arbitrator took
on the role of an advocate which constituted willful behavior and/or misconduct; (4) the arbitrator
refused to hear material evidence by limiting the testimony of an expert witness; (5) the arbitrator
was biased; and (6) the arbitrator failed to strictly construe ambiguities in the recruiting agreements
against Las Palmas. They also filed a counter-petition to have the award vacated on the following
grounds: (1) the award was obtained by corruption, fraud, or other undue means; (2) the Moores’
rights were prejudiced by the evident partiality of the arbitrator; (3) the arbitrator took on the role
of an advocate which constitutes willful behavior and/or misconduct; and (4) the arbitrator refused
to hear material evidence by limiting the testimony of an expert witness. At the hearing, the parties
introduced the transcript of the arbitration hearing, the evidence from the arbitration proceeding, and
the post-arbitration deposition of Arbitrator Hobbs, but did not present any live testimony. The trial
court subsequently entered an order denying Las Palmas’ motion to confirm, vacating the arbitration
award, and directing that the arbitration be reheard by an arbitrator chosen by the parties.
JURISDICTION
The Moores first challenge our jurisdiction of the appeal because the trial court directed a
rehearing. Section 171.098(a) provides:
(a) A party may appeal a judgment or decree entered under this chapter or an order:
(1) denying an application to compel arbitration made under
Section 171.021;
(2) granting an application to stay arbitration made under
Section 171.023;
(3) confirming or denying confirmation of an award;
(4) modifying or correcting an award; or
(5) vacating an award without directing a rehearing.
TEX .CIV .PRAC.&REM .CODE ANN . § 171.098(a)(Vernon 2005). In support of their argument, they
direct us to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans v. Brock, 251 S.W.3d 621, 627-28 (Tex.App.--Houston
[1st Dist.] 2007, no pet.) and Prudential Securities, Inc. v. Vondergoltz, 14 S.W.3d 329, 330-31
(Tex.App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 2000, no pet.). The Supreme Court has just recently disapproved
of these decisions and held that a district court judgment which denies confirmation of an arbitration
award, vacates the award, and directs a rehearing is appealable. East Texas Salt Water Disposal
Company v. Werline, 307 S.W.3d 267 (Tex. 2010). Accordingly, we deny the request to dismiss the
appeal for want of jurisdiction.
VACATUR OF THE ARBITRATION AWARD
Las Palmas presents two issues in its challenge to the trial court’s order. First, it argues that
the court erred in finding that the Moores did not waive their right to challenge the arbitration award.
Second, it contends that the Moores failed to establish any of the statutory grounds for vacating an
arbitration award.
Texas law clearly favors arbitration. East Texas Salt Water Disposal, 307 S.W.3d at 271.
An arbitration award is given the same effect as a judgment of last resort and all reasonable
presumptions are indulged in favor of the award and none against it. CVN Group, Inc. v. Delgado,
95 S.W.3d 234, 238 (Tex. 2002). An arbitration award is conclusive on the parties as to all matters
of fact and law because the award has the effect of a judgment of a court of last resort. Xtria L.L.C.
v. International Insurance Alliance Inc., 286 S.W.3d 583, 591 (Tex.App.--Texarkana 2009, pet.
denied); Pheng Investments, Inc. v. Rodriguez, 196 S.W.3d 322, 328 (Tex.App.--Fort Worth 2006,
no pet.)(op. on reh’g). Consequently, judicial review of an arbitration award is extraordinarily
narrow. East Texas Salt Water Disposal, 307 S.W.3d at 271; Cooper v. Bushong, 10 S.W.3d 20, 24
(Tex.App.--Austin 1999, pet. denied).
The Texas General Arbitration Act4 provides for both expeditious and limited review. A trial
court reviews an application under the TGAA in the same manner and with the same notice as a
motion in a civil case. TEX .CIV .PRAC.&REM .CODE ANN . § 171.093. Section 171.093 is similar to
4
T EX .C IV .P RAC .&R EM .C O D E A N N . §§ 171.001-171.098 (Vernon 2005)(TGAA).
Section 6 of the Federal Arbitration Act5 and has the same policy--to expedite judicial treatment of
matters pertaining to arbitration. Crossmark, Inc. v. Hazar, 124 S.W.3d 422, 430 (Tex.App.--Dallas
2004, pet. denied), citing World Brilliance Corp. v. Bethlehem Steel Co., 342 F.2d 362, 365-66 (2nd
Cir. 1965). Under the TGAA, the reviewing court is authorized to confirm, vacate, or modify an
arbitration award, but the matters which can be reviewed are quite limited. TEX .CIV .PRAC.&REM .
CODE ANN . §§ 171.082, 171.086(b)(6), 171.087, 171.088. Judicial review is limited because it adds
expense and delay, thereby diminishing the benefits of arbitration as an efficient, economical system
for resolving disputes. See CVN Group, Inc., 95 S.W.3d at 238; Crossmark, 124 S.W.3d at 429.
Section 171.087 of the TGAA requires that an arbitration award be confirmed on the
application of a party unless grounds are offered for vacating, modifying, or correcting the award
under Sections 171.088 or 171.091. TEX .CIV .PRAC.&REM .CODE ANN . § 171.087. Pursuant to
Section 171.088, a court may vacate an arbitration award in only four circumstances: (1) the award
was obtained by fraud, corruption, or other undue means; (2) the rights of a party was prejudiced by
evident partiality, corruption, or willful misconduct by the arbitrator; (3) the arbitrator exceeded its
power, refused to postpone the hearing on good cause shown, or refused to hear evidence material
to the controversy; or (4) there was no agreement to arbitrate, the issue was not adversely determined
in a proceeding under Subchapter B, and the party did not participate in the arbitration hearing
without raising the objection. TEX .CIV .PRAC.&REM .CODE ANN . § 171.088(a). The statutory
grounds for vacatur reflect severe departures from an otherwise proper arbitration process and are
of a completely different character than ordinary legal error. Quinn v. Nafta Traders, Inc., 257
5
9 U.S.C. § 6 (“Any application to the court hereunder shall be made and heard in the manner provided by law
for the making and hearing of motions, except as otherwise herein expressly provided.”).
S.W.3d 795, 798 (Tex.App.--Dallas 2008, pet. granted). Indeed, a reviewing court is not authorized
to set aside an arbitration award for a mere mistake of fact or law. Crossmark, 124 S.W.3d at 429;
Cooper, 10 S.W.3d at 24; Anzilotti v. Gene D. Liggin, Inc., 899 S.W.2d 264, 266 (Tex.App.--
Houston [14th Dist.] 1995, no writ).
The Moores based their petition to vacate on multiple grounds under Section 171.088 and
the trial court did not specify the ground or grounds on which it based its decision. Therefore, we
must review all of the grounds to determine if any one of them supports the trial court’s decision.
Standard of Review
The parties disagree as to the correct appellate standard of review. Las Palmas suggests that
we should review the trial court’s ruling de novo because the operative facts are undisputed and a
legal question exists as to whether the Moores established any grounds to vacate the award. The
Moores advocate a legal sufficiency standard because the trial court conducted an evidentiary hearing
on the competing petitions to confirm and vacate the arbitration award.
Intermediate appellate courts in Texas have utilized different standards of review for
vacation, modification, or confirmation of an arbitration award. Without citing any authority, the
San Antonio Court of Appeals has employed an abuse of discretion standard of review. Koch v.
Koch, 27 S.W.3d 93, 95 (Tex.App.--San Antonio 2000, no pet.). The Austin Court of Appeals has
applied traditional sufficiency-of-the-evidence review to an order vacating an arbitration award based
on evident partiality where the trial court had conducted a bench trial on the issue. Kendall Builders,
Inc. v. Chesson, 149 S.W.3d 796, 802-03 (Tex.App.--Austin 2004, pet. denied). In some cases, one
or both of the parties filed summary judgment motions and the appellate courts employed the
applicable summary judgment standard of review. See Mariner Financial Group, Inc. v. Bossley,
79 S.W.3d 30, 34 (Tex. 2002); Roehrs v. FSI Holdings, Inc., 246 S.W.3d 796, 804 (Tex.App.--Dallas
2008, pet. denied); Crossmark, 124 S.W.3d at 430.
In rejecting the argument in Werline that the standard of review is abuse of discretion, the
Texarkana Court of Appeals noted that numerous cases utilized a de novo review for vacation,
modification, or confirmation of an arbitration award. Werline v. East Texas Salt Water Disposal
Company, 209 S.W.3d 888, 897 (Tex.App.--Texarkana 2006), affirmed by East Texas Salt Water
Disposal Company v. Werline, 307 S.W.3d 267 (Tex. 2010); see e.g., In re Chestnut Energy
Partners, Inc., 300 S.W.3d 386, 397 (Tex.App.--Dallas 2009, pet. denied); Hisaw & Associates
General Contractors, Inc. v. Cornerstone Concrete Sys., Inc., 115 S.W.3d 16, 18 (Tex.App.--Fort
Worth 2003, pet. denied); Tanox, Inc. v. Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P., 105 S.W.3d
244, 250 (Tex.App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. denied); Thomas James Associates, Inc. v.
Owens, 1 S.W.3d 315, 320 (Tex.App.--Dallas 1999, no pet.); International Bank of Commerce-
Brownsville v. International Energy Development Corp., 981 S.W.2d 38, 43 (Tex.App.--Corpus
Christi 1998, pet. denied). And as noted by Las Palmas, appellate courts have engaged in de novo
review even where the issue involved an allegation of evident partiality or misconduct by the
arbitrator. See Thomas James Associates, Inc. v. Owens, 1 S.W.3d 315, 320 (Tex.App.--Dallas 1999,
no pet.); Peacock v. Wave Tec Pools, Inc., 107 S.W.3d 631, 639 (Tex.App.--Waco 2003, no pet.).
The Moores counter that de novo review is inapplicable to a trial court finding of arbitrator
bias, partiality, or misconduct rendered after an evidentiary hearing because fact questions exist. The
“evident partiality” analysis is necessarily fact-intensive. Mariner Financial Group, Inc. v. Bossley,
79 S.W.3d 30, 34 (Tex. 2002). Citing Kendall Builders v. Chesson, the Moores reason that we may
only review the sufficiency of the evidence to support the trial court’s finding because an appellate
court must defer to the factfinder’s determinations of fact.
We turn first to the United States Supreme Court’s decision in First Options of Chicago, Inc.
v. Kaplan, 514 U.S. 938, 947, 115 S. Ct. 1920, 1926, 131 L. Ed. 2d 985 (1995). The opinion is
instructive although the court was addressing the standard of review to be applied by an appellate
court reviewing a federal district court’s decision confirming an arbitration award under the FAA.
In First Options, the Supreme Court rejected application of an abuse of discretion standard to an
order confirming an arbitration award under the FAA. Id. It cited with approval the following
standard utilized at the time by the majority of the circuits: the reviewing court accepts findings of
fact that are not “clearly erroneous” but decides questions of law de novo. Id. (noting that the Third
Circuit sometimes referred to this as de novo review). Federal courts have applied the First Options
standard to orders confirming or vacating arbitration awards. See e.g., Local 97, International Bhd.
of Elec. Workers v. Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., 196 F.3d 117, 124 (2d Cir. 1999); Long John
Silver’s Restaurants, Inc. v. Cole, 514 F.3d 345, 349 (4th Cir. 2008); Bridas S.A.P.I.C. v.
Government of Turkmenistan, 345 F.3d 347, 364 (5th Cir. 2003); Electronic Data Systems
Corporation v. Donelson, 473 F.3d 684, 688-89 (6th Cir. 2007); Hasbro, Inc. v. Catalyst USA, Inc.,
367 F.3d 689, 692 (7th Cir. 2004); McGrann v. First Albany Corporation, 424 F.3d 743, 748 (8th
Cir. 2005); U.S. Life Ins. Co. v. Superior Nat. Ins. Co., 591 F.3d 1167, 1172 (9th Cir. 2010); Youngs
v. American Nutrition, Inc., 537 F.3d 1135, 1141 (10th Cir. 2008);Gianelli Money Purchase Plan
and Trust v. ADM Investor Services, Inc., 146 F.3d 1309, 1310-11 (11th Cir. 1998).
In true de novo appellate review, the appellate court exercises its own judgment and
redetermines each issue of fact and law, giving no deference to the trial court’s decisions. See
Harris v. Archer, 134 S.W.3d 411, 437 (Tex.App.--Amarillo 2004, pet. denied), citing Quick v. City
of Austin, 7 S.W.3d 109, 116 (Tex. 1998). The standard of review approved by the United States
Supreme Court is not true de novo, but is comparable to the standard by which Texas appellate
courts review factual findings for legal and factual sufficiency, and review legal conclusions de novo.
See Harris, 134 S.W.3d at 436, citing BMC Software Belgium, N.V. v. Marchand, 83 S.W.3d 789,
794 (Tex. 2002)(adopting latter standard of review for review of decision denying a special
appearance where trial court enters findings of fact and conclusions of law).6
We agree with the Werline court that abuse of discretion is not the proper standard. Legal
issues must be reviewed de novo. But when a trial court undertakes to resolve fact disputes in the
context of a claim of evident partiality or misconduct, the trial court’s fact findings must be reviewed
for legal and factual sufficiency while its legal conclusions will be reviewed de novo. Consequently,
the standard of review we will employ depends on whether the trial court resolved any factual issues.
In the trial court, the parties introduced the record of the arbitration, including the exhibits
and a transcription of the arbitration hearing. Las Palmas also introduced Hobbs’ post-arbitration
deposition regarding the participation of Graham and Wood in pretrial telephonic conferences as
counsel for the Moores. Hobbs’ testimony is relevant only to Las Palmas’s waiver defense.
Attorneys for both sides presented argument but the Moores characterize it as unsworn testimony
and rely on Silva’s “testimony” on appeal. Over Las Palmas’ hearsay objection, Silva opined that
the arbitrator was biased against the Moores based on events which occurred during the arbitration
hearing.
Normally, an attorney’s statements must be under oath to be considered evidence. Banda v.
Garcia, 955 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. 1997). The party opponent can waive the oath requirement by
failing to object when the opponent knows or should know that an objection is necessary. Id. In
Banda, the Supreme Court held that an attorney’s unsworn statements regarding the existence and
6
Harris is not an arbitration case and does not cite First Option, but the court of appeals discussed the same
standard of review in the context of appellate review of a claim that exemplary damages are constitutionally excessive.
Harris, 134 S.W .3d at 436-37, citing State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Campbell, 538 U.S. 408, 416, 123 S. Ct. 1513,
1519-20, 155 L. Ed. 2d 585 (2003) and Cooper Indus., Inc. v. Leatherman Tool Group, Inc., 532 U.S. 424, 435-37, 121
S. Ct. 1678, 1685-86, 149 L. Ed. 2d 674 (2001).
terms of an oral settlement agreement constituted evidence because the opponent did not object. The
court found it significant that the attorney referred to her statements as testimony in her capacity as
an officer of the court and she clearly placed opposing counsel on notice that she was attempting to
prove the existence and terms of the oral agreement. Id. The court found that the opposing party
waived any objection to the unsworn testimony such that it constituted some evidence of the
settlement agreement. Id.
Las Palmas’ hearsay objection does not preserve any complaint about Silva’s unsworn
testimony. See TEX .R.APP .P. 33.1(a). Even so, we question whether an attorney’s opinion about
matters appearing in the record would fall within the parameters of Banda. The attorneys here
discussed the evidence from the arbitration hearing while arguing their respective positions. The
Moores have not cited any authority which would support treating counsel’s argument as evidence.
We conclude that it was not.
We agree with Las Palmas that the operative facts pertaining to Hobbs’ alleged evident
partiality and misconduct are undisputed and are found in the record of the arbitration hearing.
Consequently, the trial court made no factual determinations which would be entitled to deference.
The only issue before us is whether the trial court made the correct legal conclusion on these facts.
That is a question of law which we review de novo.
Corruption, Fraud, or Other Undue Means
We first consider whether the Moores established any of the statutory grounds for vacating
an arbitration award. If not, it will be unnecessary to address the affirmative defenses.
The Moores alleged that the arbitration award should be vacated pursuant to Section
171.088(a)(1) because it was obtained by corruption, fraud, or other undue means. To establish this
ground, they complained in the trial court that Hobbs failed to disclose that James was a reference
on her resume.
To vacate an arbitration award because of fraud, the movant must establish: (1) fraud by
clear and convincing evidence; (2) the fraud must not have been discoverable upon the exercise of
due diligence prior to or during the arbitration; and (3) the person seeking to vacate the award must
demonstrate that the fraud materially related to an issue in the arbitration. Henry v. Halliburton
Energy Services, Inc., 100 S.W.3d 505, 510 (Tex.App.--Dallas 2003, pet. denied). The elements of
fraud are: (1) a material misrepresentation was made; (2) the representation was false; (3) when the
representation was made, the speaker knew it was false or made the statement recklessly without any
knowledge of the truth; (4) the speaker made the representation with the intent that the other party
should act on it; (5) the party acted in reliance on the representation; and (6) the party thereby
suffered injury. In re FirstMerit Bank, 52 S.W.3d 749, 758 (Tex. 2001); Formosa Plastics
Corporation USA v. Presidio Engineers & Contractors, Inc., 960 S.W.2d 41, 47 (Tex. 1998).
Fraud by nondisclosure is a subcategory of fraud because, where a party has a duty to
disclose, the non-disclosure may be as misleading as a positive misrepresentation of facts.
Schlumberger Technology Corp. v. Swanson, 959 S.W.2d 171, 181 (Tex. 1997). Pursuant to
Rule 3.02 of the AHLA ADR Service’s Code of Ethics, an arbitrator has the following duty:
a. An arbitrator shall refrain from accepting employment or continuing as an
arbitrator in any dispute if the arbitrator reasonably believes or perceives that the
arbitrator’s participation as an arbitrator would be directly adverse to any interest of
the arbitrator, an affiliate of the arbitrator or a person with whom the arbitrator has
a client or other substantial relationship. The arbitrator must also disclose to the
parties any other interest of the arbitrator, an affiliate of the arbitrator or a person
with whom the arbitrator has a client or other substantial relationship which may
materially limit the arbitrator’s ability to perform the arbitrator’s responsibilities as
the arbitrator. This disclosure requirement continues throughout the arbitration
process and shall include any pertinent information known or made available to the
arbitrator regarding the prior use by either party of the arbitrator or dispute resolver
from the American Health Lawyers Association Alternative Dispute Resolution
Service. After appropriate disclosure of an interest other than a directly adverse
interest, the arbitrator may serve if all parties consent.
Additionally, Rule 2.05 of the AHLA rules of Procedure for Arbitration requires an arbitrator to
disclose “any circumstance likely to affect impartiality, including a bias or a financial or personal
interest in the result of the arbitration or a past or present relationship with a party or a party’s
counsel or other authorized representative in accordance with the Code of Ethics for Arbitrators.”
The undisputed evidence established that Hobbs disclosed to Graham and Wood her
professional relationship with James, Wu, and the Jackson Walker law firm. She gave them an
opportunity to object to her appointment. When she did not receive an objection, Hobbs accepted
the appointment. Eleven days before the arbitration hearing, Silva sent Hobbs an email objecting
because she had failed to disclose to him or to the Moores that James was listed as a reference on
her resume. Hobbs responded that she had disclosed the relationship to the Moores’ former attorneys
and they had not objected. The Moores did not raise the issue again until the arbitration hearing
when they testified that Graham had exceeded his authority by purporting to represent them in the
arbitration and by retaining Wood to represent them. During final argument, Silva maintained that
Graham did not have authority to select Hobbs as the arbitrator, but he did not request that Hobbs
withdraw.
The Moores have failed to establish by clear and convincing evidence that the alleged fraud
by nondisclosure was not discoverable prior to or during the arbitration. To the contrary, the record
shows that they discovered the information prior to the final arbitration hearing. Hobbs considered
their request that she withdraw, but she denied it pursuant to Rule 3.02b(ii) because she found that
the reason for the challenge was not substantial, she believed she could act and decide the case
impartially and fairly, and her withdrawal would cause undue delay and expense to Las Palmas.
The Texas Arbitration Act does not define “undue means” and we have found only one case
discussing the meaning of the phrase under the TAA. In IPCO, Inc. v. A.B. Chance Co., 65 S.W.3d
252 (Tex.App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 2001, pet. denied), the arbitrator engaged in an ex parte
communication with IPCO’s counsel after the arbitration hearing but before issuance of the
arbitration award. After the arbitrator announced the award, IPCO argued that the award should be
vacated because it had been procured by “undue means” as a result of improper conduct by the
arbitrator. IPCO asserted the arbitrator had used information learned during the ex parte
communication against IPCO. The court of appeals observed it had found no Texas cases which
defined what conduct by an arbitrator falls into the category of “other undue means,” as that term
is used in Section 171.088. Id. at 257-58. It is unclear from the opinion, but it appears IPCO also
argued that the ex parte communication constituted the type of misconduct which would support
vacating an arbitration award under the common law. To constitute “misconduct” justifying vacation
of an arbitration award under Texas common law, an act must so affect the rights of a party as to
deprive it of a fair hearing. Id. at 258. The court of appeals rejected IPCO’s argument because
“misconduct” does not include receiving ex parte affidavit testimony, but refers only to acts evincing
unfairness or contrary to all the principles of a just proceeding. Id., citing Mullinax, Wells, Baab &
Cloutman, P.C. v. Sage, 692 S.W.2d 533, 536 (Tex.App.--Dallas 1985, writ ref'd n.r.e.).
Because the Federal Arbitration Act uses almost identical language7 as Section 171.088(a)(1),
it is helpful to look to cases considering the issue under the FAA. A mere mistake of law of law is
insufficient to vacate an arbitration award on the basis of “undue means.” LeFoumba v. Legend
Classic Homes, Ltd., No. 14-08-00243-CV, 2009 WL 3109875, at *2 (Tex.App.--Houston [14th
7
9 U.S.C.A. § 10(a)(1)(W est 2009)(providing for vacation of arbitration award where the award was procured
by corruption, fraud, or undue means).
Dist.] 2009, no pet.)(not designated for publication); Jamison & Harris v. National Loan Investors,
939 S.W.2d 735, 737 (Tex.App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 1997, writ denied). Instead, a party who
seeks to vacate an award allegedly procured by “undue means” must show immoral, illegal, or
bad-faith conduct. LeFoumba, 2009 WL 3109875 at *2; In re Arbitration Between Trans Chemical
Ltd. and China National Machinery Import & Export. Corp., 978 F. Supp. 266, 304 (S.D.Tex. 1997),
citing A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. v. McCollough, 967 F.2d 1401, 1403-04 (9th Cir. 1992). The
record does not contain any evidence which would support a conclusion that the arbitrator acted
immorally, illegally, or in bad faith.
The Texas Arbitration Act likewise does not define corruption as it is used in Section
171.088(a)(1). Corruption is defined as “the state of being corrupt; a perversion of integrity; bribery”
and corrupt is defined as “guilty of dishonest practices, as bribery; lacking integrity; crooked: a
corrupt judge.” WEBSTER’S NEW UNIVERSAL UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY 454, 455 (2003). There
were no factual allegations made nor evidence presented to support vacating the award based on
corruption. For all of these reasons, the trial court erred by impliedly vacating the arbitration award
pursuant to Section 171.088(a)(1).
Evident Partiality by Non-Disclosure
The Moores also alleged that the arbitration award should be vacated pursuant to Section
171.088(a)(2)(A) because their rights were prejudiced by the evident partiality of Arbitrator Hobbs.
In the motion to vacate, they alleged that Hobbs failed to disclose that James was listed as a reference
on her resume and failed to disclose her “close personal relationship” with him. On appeal, they
argue more broadly that Hobbs failed to disclose the nature and full extent of her relationship with
Las Palmas’ counsel.
Under the Texas Arbitration Act, an arbitration award must be vacated if a party’s rights
were prejudiced by evident partiality by a neutral arbitrator. TEX .CIV .PRAC.&REM .CODE ANN .
§ 171.088(a)(2)(A). A neutral arbitrator selected by the parties exhibits evident partiality if the
arbitrator does not disclose facts which might, to an objective observer, create a reasonable
impression of the arbitrator’s partiality. Burlington Northern Railroad Co. v. TUCO Inc., 960
S.W.2d 629, 636-37 (Tex. 1997). This evident partiality is established from the nondisclosure itself,
regardless of whether the nondisclosed information necessarily establishes partiality or bias. Id. at
636. A potential arbitrator’s required disclosures are not limited to direct financial or business
relationships. Id. at 637. Under the TUCO standard, “parties should have access to all information
that might reasonably affect the potential arbitrator’s impartiality” but a neutral arbitrator is not
required to disclose relationships or connections that are trivial. Id. at 637.
The Moores fault Hobbs for not disclosing “whether Mr. James has been asked to serve as
a reference after being listed on her resume; whether he has in fact served as such a reference; what
information he provided in response to inquiries based on that listing; whether and to what extent
she obtained any income as a result of his actions as a reference; how she has been compensated for
that work; and the extent to which she anticipates or hopes that she may receive income in the future
by listing Mr. James as a reference.” They also argue that “[t]he fact that Mr. James is listed as a
reference on the arbitrator’s resume creates a substantial reason to believe that she either benefitted
financially from listing him as a reference, or hopes to do so in the future.” The Moores had the
burden to prove evident partiality yet they presented no evidence in the trial court establishing the
existence of any of these facts. In fact, they did not even make these allegations in the trial court.8
8
The Moores based their entire argument in the trial court on Hobbs’ failure to disclose that she had listed
James as a reference on her CV. They alleged that Hobbs must have a close personal relationship with James. It is
undisputed that AHLA, as part of the arbitrator selection process, provided counsel for both sides with the CV of each
potential arbitrator--including Hobbs--prior to the selection of an arbitrator.
In the absence of any evidence, we cannot conclude that Hobbs is evidently partial due to a failure
to disclose.
The Moores acknowledge that Hobbs’ November 12 letter stated she had represented clients
in matters in which Jackson Walker represented clients adverse to and aligned with her clients and
that she is therefore familiar with Las Palmas’ counsel. But the doctors insist that Hobbs should
have disclosed what those cases were; the nature of the cases; whether she was co-counsel with
James and Wu; when the representation occurred, whether the representation was in the past or
continued at the time of her letter; whether she was paid by the same client that paid James and Wu;
the extent to which either she or Las Palmas’ attorneys had any financial interest in the litigation
creating a financial interest in the services performed by the other; whether she referred the clients
in those cases to James or Wu, whether they referred the clients to her; or whether referral fees were
exchanged between them. Again, the Moores have not presented any evidence regarding these
matters. Hobbs disclosed her professional relationship and familiarity with Las Palmas’ attorneys.
If they had any additional questions about the relationship, they could have asked Hobbs before
accepting her, or they could have objected to her appointment when they were given the opportunity
to do so. The Moores also complain that Hobbs denied their motion to withdraw without an
evidentiary hearing and deprived them of the opportunity to discover additional facts about the
relationship. But they did not request a hearing on the motion nor did they object when Hobbs
denied the motion without a hearing. Nothing prevented them from investigating the nature of the
relationship or presenting evidence in the trial court in support of their motion to vacate on this
ground. For all of these reasons, the trial court erred by impliedly finding that Hobbs exhibited
evident partiality by failing to fully disclose her relationship with counsel opposite.
Actual Bias at the Arbitration Hearing
The Moores also sought to vacate the award on the ground that Hobbs exhibited actual bias
at the arbitration hearing. They allege that Hobbs was hostile to them and their attorney throughout
the hearing, she gave Las Palmas’ counsel wide latitude while restricting their attorney, she cross-
examined them, and her rulings on evidentiary matters were unbalanced.
Las Palmas replies that evident partiality under Section 171.088(a)(2)(A) is limited to non-
disclosure and does not include actual bias. Federal courts reviewing claims of evident partiality
under Section 10(a)(2) of the FAA9 hold that a party can establish evident partiality by demonstrating
that the arbitrator displayed actual bias at the arbitration proceeding. See Weber v. Merrill Lynch
Pierce Fenner and Smith, Inc., 455 F. Supp. 2d 545, 549 (N.D. Tex. 2006), citing Scott v. Prudential
Secs., Inc., 141 F.3d 1007, 1016 (11th Cir. 1998) and Woods v. Saturn Distrib. Corp., 78 F.3d 424,
427 (9th Cir. 1996). Given the similarity between Section 10(a)(2) of the FAA and Section
171.088(a)(2)(A) of the TGAA, we conclude that evident partiality can be established through a
showing of actual bias.
The Texas Supreme Court has not provided guidance as to the standard to be applied when
reviewing a claim of evident partiality based on actual bias during the arbitration proceedings. The
Moores urge that we adopt the “reasonable impression of partiality” standard utilized by the
Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Babcock & Wilcox Co. v. PMAC, Ltd., 863 S.W.2d 225, 233-34
(Tex.App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 1993, writ denied). There, Babcock & Wilcox alleged evident
partiality based on the arbitrator’s conduct during arbitration where an independent appraiser offered
future services to both parties and PMAC indicated it would consider the offer. The court of appeals
stated that a party seeking to vacate an award on the basis of evident partiality under Section 10 of
9
Section 10(a)(2) authorizes a court to vacate an arbitration award where there was evident partiality or
corruption in the arbitrators. 9 U.S.C.A. § 10(a)(2).
the FAA must prove the existence of facts which would establish a reasonable impression of the
arbitrator’s partiality to one party. Id. The majority of federal courts have rejected “appearance of
bias” as the relevant standard when actual bias is alleged. See, e.g., Schmitz v. Zilveti, 20 F.3d 1043,
1047 (9th Cir. 1994)(holding that in actual bias case, as opposed to non-disclosure case, court must
find actual bias); Kaplan v. First Options of Chicago, Inc., 19 F.3d 1503, 1523 n.30 (3d Cir.1994),
aff’d, 514 U.S. 938, 115 S. Ct. 1920, 131 L. Ed. 2d 985 (1995); Peoples Sec. Life Ins. Co. v.
Monumental Life Ins. Co., 991 F.2d 141, 146 (4th Cir. 1993); Apperson v. Fleet Carrier Corp., 879
F.2d 1344, 1358 (6th Cir. 1989), cert. denied, 495 U.S. 947, 110 S. Ct. 2206, 109 L. Ed. 2d 533
(1990); Morelite Constr. Corp. v. New York City District Council Carpenters Benefit Funds, 748
F.2d 79, 82-84 (2d Cir. 1984); International Produce, Inc. v. A/S Rosshavet, 638 F.2d 548, 551 (2d
Cir.), cert. denied, 451 U.S. 1017, 101 S. Ct. 3006, 69 L. Ed. 2d 389 (1981). The reviewing court
instead decides this question using an objective standard to determine whether the movant has shown
actual bias. Weber, 455 F. Supp. 2d at 550. The parties asserting actual bias have the burden of proof.
Id. (characterizing the burden of proof as onerous). They must establish that a reasonable person
would have to conclude that the arbitrator was partial to one party, and they must do so by producing
specific facts. Id., citing Morelite Construction Corporation v. N.Y. City District Council
Carpenters Benefit Funds, 748 F.2d 79, 84 (2d Cir. 1984). We conclude that the objective standard
is better suited for determining claims of actual bias.
We have reviewed the entire record of the arbitration hearing and find no evidence from
which a reasonable person would have to conclude that Hobbs was partial to Las Palmas. At the risk
of stating the obvious, the issues were hotly contested by the parties. Rather than treating the Moores
with hostility, the record of the arbitration hearing reflects that Hobbs treated the parties and their
attorneys fairly and with respect throughout the proceedings, even when the witnesses and the
attorneys tried her patience. She ruled on the issues and objections put before her, sometimes ruling
in favor of Las Palmas and sometimes in favor of the Moores. She awarded a directed verdict on
one of the Moores’ counterclaims and awarded them over $20,000 plus attorney’s fees. The Moores
particularly complain that Hobbs cross-examined them and acted as an advocate for Las Palmas.
Hobbs did ask them a number of questions during the hearing, but we are unaware of any authority
prohibiting an arbitrator from asking questions. Hobbs apparently felt it was necessary to address
the Moores’ claims that Graham was not authorized to represent them in the arbitration, a claim
which had not previously been urged. Because the arbitration record does not support a claim of
actual bias, the trial court erred by impliedly vacating the arbitration award on this ground.
Misconduct
The Moores also sought to have the arbitration award vacated on the ground that Hobbs’
conduct at the arbitration hearing amounted to misconduct. See TEX .CIV .PRAC.&REM .CODE ANN .
§ 171.088(a)(2)(C). An arbitration award can be vacated based on misconduct only if the conduct
so affects the rights of the party that it may be said to deprive him of a fair hearing. GJR
Management Holdings, L.P. v. Jack Raus, Ltd., 126 S.W.3d 257, 263 (Tex.App.--San Antonio 2003,
pet. denied); Mullinax, Wells, Baab, & Cloutman, P.C. v. Sage, 692 S.W.2d 533, 536 (Tex.App.--
Dallas 1985, writ ref’d n.r.e.). Only in extreme cases will a court vacate an award because of
misconduct. GJR Management, 126 S.W.3d at 263. The record of the arbitration hearing does not
reflect that the arbitrator committed the type of misconduct which would warrant vacating the
arbitration award. The trial court erred by impliedly vacating the arbitration award on this ground.
Refusal to Hear Material Evidence
The Moores also requested that the trial court vacate the arbitration hearing on the ground
that Hobbs refused to hear material evidence by limiting the testimony of their expert witness, Robert
Torres. See TEX .CIV .PRAC.&REM .CODE ANN . § 171.088(a)(3)(C). To vacate an arbitration award
based on evidentiary error, the error must be one that is not simply an error of law but which so
affects the rights of a party that it may be said he was deprived of a fair hearing. Babcock & Wilcox,
863 S.W.2d at 234, citing Forsythe International, S.A. v. Gibbs Oil Company of Texas, 915 F.2d
1017, 1023 (5th Cir. 1990). The Moores’ designation of Torres, a certified public accountant,
indicated he would provide an opinion regarding the audit report. Las Palmas deposed Torres less
than two weeks before the arbitration hearing began and Torres indicated he would base his opinion
only on the audit report and supporting data. During the arbitration hearing, Torres testified he had
spoken with local physicians about the types of contracts they had with Hospital Corporation of
America, with which Las Palmas is affiliated. After determining that Torres had spoken with these
individuals since the deposition, Las Palmas objected to the testimony. Torres testified on voir dire
that he could limit his opinion to what he knew at the time of the deposition. He proceeded to offer
his opinion about the audit report.
The record does not reflect the substance of the testimony Torres would have offered if Las
Palmas’ objection had not been sustained. Consequently, the Moores have not shown that the
limitation, even if erroneous, deprived them of a fair hearing. This ground does not support the trial
court’s order vacating the arbitration award.
Arbitrator’s Construction of the Agreements
Finally, the Moores sought to have the arbitration award vacated on the ground that Hobbs
failed to strictly construe ambiguities in the recruiting agreements against Las Palmas. The grounds
for vacating an arbitration award are narrow and do not authorize the trial court to vacate an
arbitration award based on a mistake of fact or law in the application of substantive law. See Pheng,
196 S.W.3d at 328; J.J. Gregory Gourmet Services, Inc. v. Antone’s Import Co., 927 S.W.2d 31, 33
(Tex.App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 1995, no writ); Anzilotti v. Gene D. Liggin, Inc., 899 S.W.2d 264,
266 (Tex.App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 1995, no writ). The trial court erred by impliedly vacating the
arbitration award on this ground.
Because none of the grounds alleged by the Moores has merit, the trial court was required
to confirm the arbitration award. See TEX .CIV .PRAC.&REM .CODE ANN . § 171.087. We sustain Issue
Two, reverse the trial court’s order, and render judgment confirming the arbitration award. Our
resolution of Issue Two makes it unnecessary to consider Issue One.
October 6, 2010
ANN CRAWFORD McCLURE, Justice
Before Chew, C.J., McClure, J., and Bramblett, Judge
Bramblett, Judge, sitting by assignment