Opinion
No. CIV. S-10-0779 KJM No. CIV. S-10-0780 KJM No. CIV. S-12-142 KJM
09-17-2014
COTCHETT, PITRE & McCARTHY and SPILLER • McPROUD, Appellants, v. CHARLES W. SILLER, Appellee. COTCHETT, PITRE & McCARTHY and SPILLER • McPROUD, Appellants, v. CWS ENTERPRISES, INC., a California Corporation, Appellee. In re CWS Enterprises, Inc., Debtor, Spiller • McProud Appellants, v. CWS Enterprises, Inc., et al., Appellee. And consolidated appeals and cross-appeals.
ORDER
This case stems from debtor Charles Siller's failure to pay his attorneys following their success in securing the dissolution of a family farming company and recovery of a judgment valued at $30.5 million in cash and real property. The pending motions for reconsideration and the appeals arise from the bankruptcy court's resolution of Spiller • McProud's claim for pre-petition legal fees stemming from the dissolution litigation, which had been reduced to a state court judgment following arbitration. At the heart of these proceedings is statutory language found at Title 11 U.S.C. § 502(b)(4), which provides that after hearing, a bankruptcy judge shall allow a claim "except to the extent that . . . if such claim is for services of an insider or attorney of the debtor, such claim exceeds the reasonable value of such services." Section 502(b)(4).
As an initial matter, the court considers the Trustee's and Siller's motions for reconsideration of this court's order granting leave to appeal, and DENIES those motions.
On March 1, 2013, the court heard argument on the cross appeals of a judgment entered by the bankruptcy court following a bench trial on the merits of the Trustee's objection to Spiller • McProud's ("Spiller") claim under section 502(b)(4). Both Spiller and the Trustee have appealed the bankruptcy judge's ruling. At hearing, Bradley Benbrook appeared for the Trustee, David Flemmer; Andrea Porter appeared for the debtor; and Walter Dahl and Steven Spiller appeared for Spiller • McProud.
In the order below, the court resolves the cross appeals and the pending substantive motions for reconsideration. It DENIES the Trustee's and Siller's motions for reconsideration of this court's order of May 10, 2012, which determined that a state arbitration award, reduced to judgment, was entitled to preclusive effect. The court thus reverses the bankruptcy court's order of January 3, 2012. The court affirms the bankruptcy court's December 2011 order to the extent it found Spiller's and CPM's request for their fees at the conclusion of the dissolution action was not misconduct; the court thus DENIES the Trustee's appeal. I. Background
Charles Siller and CWS filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy petitions in this district in April 2009. In re CWS Enterprises, Inc., No. 09-26849-C-11 (CWS Docket), ECF No. 1; In re Charles W. Siller, No. 09-26167-C-11 (Siller Docket), ECF No. 1. On Schedule D in each action, appellees listed Spiller • McProud's judgment liens in the amounts of $2,582,621.00 and $11,965,608.95, respectively. CWS Docket, ECF No. 20; Siller Docket, ECF No. 26. David Flemmer was appointed Trustee in the CWS case on June 23, 2009. Siller is debtor-in-possession in his case.
The court takes judicial notice of the records of the bankruptcy court in these cases.
On June 8, 2009, Spiller and Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy (CPM) filed a joint creditors' claim in the total amount of $12,126,302.80, with $11,690,704.32 listed as principal and $435,598.48 in interest as of April 10, 2009. Excerpt of Record (EOR) 363-377.
On February 2, 2010, Spiller filed a motion for summary judgment in the bankruptcy actions, seeking an order dismissing appellees' objection to its claim or, in the alternative, to allow the claim as a final, non-contestable judgment.
On February 10, 2010, debtor filed an opposition to the Cotchett/Spiller motion for summary adjudication or to allow the claim, as well as a counter-motion for partial summary judgment. CWS Docket, ECF No. 312; Siller Docket, ECF No. 199.
On February 24, 2010, the CWS Trustee filed an opposition/objection to the Cotchett/Spiller motion. CWS Docket, ECF No. 334.
On March 22, 2010, the bankruptcy judge denied the Cotchett/Spiller claimants' motions and granted debtor's cross-motion. CWS Docket, ECF No. 355; Siller Docket, ECF No. 212. The written order was issued on April 9, 2010. Siller Docket, ECF Nos. 226-227; CWS Docket, ECF Nos. 408-409.
Spiller and CPM appealed to this court, but while the appeal was pending, CPM reached a settlement with debtor and the Trustee and the appeal was dismissed as to CPM. District Court Dockets, Civ. No. 10-779, ECF No. 20 & Civ. No. 10-780, ECF No. 28.
In addition, while the appeal was pending, the bankruptcy court held a bench trial on the merits of the Trustee's objection to Spiller's claim and concluded that the reasonable value of the services Spiller provided to debtor was $440,250. 12/19/11 Reporter's Transcript (RT) at 52. Spiller appeals, arguing that this determination is at odds with this court's resolution of the appeal from the summary judgment proceedings. The Trustee and debtor appeal, arguing that the reasonable value of Spiller's services is actually nothing.
On May 10, 2012, this court reversed the bankruptcy judge's resolution of the motion for summary judgment. Dist. Ct. Dkts. 10-779, 10-780, ECF Nos. 33, 42.
The Trustee and Siller seek reconsideration of this order. In addition, both Spiller on one hand and the Trustee and Siller on the other challenge the bankruptcy judge's resolution of the adversary proceeding below. II. Motion For Reconsideration of Leave to Appeal
Spiller did not file a separate response to the motion for reconsideration, but rather addressed the order in its brief on appeal from the bankruptcy court's judgment after trial.
A. Standard of Review
A party may file a motion for rehearing, specifying the points of fact or law it believes the court overlooked. FED. R. BANKR. P. 8015; see FED. R. APP. P. 40(a)(2). "'Whether or not to grant reconsideration is committed to the sound discretion of the court.'" In re Fowler, 394 F.3d 1208, 1214 (9th Cir. 2005) (quoting Navajo Nation v. Norris, 331 F.3d 1041, 1046 (9th Cir. 2003)). "A motion for rehearing is not a means by which to reargue a party's case or assert new grounds for relief." Corwin v. Gorilla Co., LLC (In re Gorilla Co. LLC), Nos. CV-10-01029-PHX-DGC, AP-09-00266-RJH, BK-09-02898-RJH, BK-09-02901-CGC, BK-09- 02903-GBN, BK-09-02905-CGC, 2011 WL 2357825, at *1 (D. Ariz. June 14, 2011) (internal citations & quotation marks omitted).
B. Analysis
The Trustee and Siller argue that this court should dismiss the appeal from the summary judgment proceedings as improvidently granted because the appeal did not advance the policies of avoiding wasted litigation and materially advancing the ultimate termination of litigation. Dist. Ct. Dkt. 10-780, ECF No. 45 at 12 & ECF 47.
Consideration of an interlocutory appeal is appropriate when refusal to hear the appeal would result in wasted litigation and expense, the appeal involves a controlling question of law which is not firmly settled and the appeal would advance the ultimate termination of the litigation. Linda Vista Cinemas LLC v. Bank of Ariz. (In re Linda Vista Cinemas, LLC), Nos. CV 10-786-TUC-CKJ, BK 4:10-14551-JMM, 2011 WL 1743312, at *2 (D. Ariz. 2011) (citing, inter alia, Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors v. Credit Lyonnaise Bank (In re NSB Film Corp.), 167 B.R. 176, 180 (BAP 9th Cir 1994)). A court may dismiss an appeal as improvidently granted when these goals may no longer be served. Van Meter v. Barr, 976 F.2d 1 (D.C. Cir. 1992). That said, while "the fact that the litigation may later take a twist or turn that demotes the 'controlling' question's significance . . . would permit us to dismiss the appeal as having been improvidently granted. . . . But it would not require us to do so . . . ." Johnson v. Burken, 930 F.2d 1202, 1205 (7th Cir. 1991) (recognizing that appellate jurisdiction is determined by the facts that exist when the appeal is filed). Given the pendency of the appeal before this court, it is not clear why Spiller did not seek a stay of the bankruptcy trial on this claim, to further the goal of avoiding wasted litigation. Even so, the court declines to find leave to appeal to have been improvidently granted, as the question presented was not settled. See Belice v. Belice (In re Belice), 461 B.R. 564, 572 (BAP 9th Cir. 2011) (stating that judicial economy will be served by an interlocutory appeal on an unsettled question).
The court DENIES the motions for reconsideration. III. Cross Appeals
A. Standard of Review
A district court may "affirm, modify, or reverse a bankruptcy judge's judgment, order, or decree or remand with instructions for further proceedings." FED. R. BANKR. P. 8013. The court reviews "'the bankruptcy court's findings of fact under the clearly erroneous standard[,] . . . its conclusions of law de novo,'" Clinton v. Acequia, Inc. (In re Acequia, Inc.), 787 F.2d 1352, 1357 (9th Cir. 1986) (quoting Ragsdale v. Haller, 780 F.2d 794, 795 (9th Cir. 1986)), and "[m]ixed questions of law and fact . . . de novo." Beaupied v. Chang (In re Chang), 163 F.3d 1138, 1140 (9th Cir. 1998). Rulings regarding issue preclusion are mixed questions of law and fact, in which legal issues predominate. Khaligh v. Hadaegh (In re Khaligh), 338 B.R. 817, 823 (9th Cir. B.A.P. 2006).
"'A finding is "clearly erroneous" when although there is evidence to support it, the reviewing court on the entire evidence is left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed.'" Anderson v. City of Bessemer, 470 U.S. 564, 573 (1985) (quoting United States v. U.S. Gypsum Co., 333 U.S. 364, 395 (1948)); see also Savage v. Greene (In re Greene), 583 F.3d 614, 618 (9th Cir. 2009).
This court may affirm on any ground supported by the record. Thrifty Oil Co. v. Bank of Am. Nat'l Trust & Sav. Ass'n, 322 F.3d 1039, 1046 (9th Cir. 2003).
B. The Bankruptcy Trial on the Merits
The earlier appeals were decided on the record of the cross-motions for summary judgment. The court relied on some of the same documentary evidence during the trial on the adversary proceedings, but heard testimony as well.
The fee dispute between Spiller and the debtor arose from debtor's long-standing attempts to dissolve Siller Brothers, which owned forest and agricultural property throughout Northern California. 12/19 RT at 22, 32. In making its findings, the bankruptcy court observed that the attempted dissolution process started in the mid-1990s. Initially Attorney Freidberg represented debtor but during the course of the litigation, debtor hired Attorneys Dennis Hauser and Randy Thomas. 1/3 RT at 41; Excerpt of Record (EOR) at 46. None of these attorneys were successful in their litigation on debtor's behalf. 1/3 RT at 41. Indeed, when debtor retained CPM, debtor was not only pursuing the dissolution action against Siller Brothers, but was dealing with Freidberg's claim for fees, ranging from $1.2 to $4 million, and a claim from Attorneys Hauser and Thomas for $2 million in fees. 12/19 RT at 92-93. Even the Trustee's expert witness agreed that CPM had taken on a mess. 12/19 RT at 142.
Debtor's agreement with CPM provided, among other things, that debtor was retaining CPM "in litigation involving SILLER BROTHERS, a California general partnership; SILLER BROTHERS, INC., a California Corporation; ANDREW SILLER; NEAL SILLER; or any of their affiliates or subsidiaries and the Freidberg LAW CORPORATION." EOR at 58. The agreement memorialized debtor's "desire to finalize all litigation and bring peace to [him] . . . " and his belief that "if the legal malpractice case is resolved with Freidberg, then the dissolution can be obtained free of a lien from the Freidberg Law Corporation." EOR at 61. Debtor further sought "to engage the services of the ATTORNEYS to resolve any monies due Thomas or Hauser." EOR at 62. The agreement described debtor's litigation, including a malpractice action against Freidberg's firm, and an acknowledgment that there were judgments against debtor, totaling almost $10 million. EOR at 61. It continued:
Recognizing the services to be rendered, CLIENT is willing to pay a percentage of anything he receives by way of settlement, judgment or distribution out of the litigation or any subsequent bankruptcy proceeding. He is without funds to pay hourly fees and cannot otherwise bring or conclude the litigation. CLIENT has reviewed the above litigation with his personal attorney, WILLIAMSON . . . .EOR at 62 (emphasis in original). The agreement provided that
the contingent fee in this matter will be based upon what sum, either in cash, notes, personal property, real property, or any combination, [debtor] is to receive from the Corporation by way of settlement, verdict or distribution-after deducting what he owes to the Corporation, partnership, and Andrew and Neal Siller, any Freidberg liens or attorney liens from Thomas or Hauser. Hence, any sum that he is left with after deducting what he owes (estimatedEOR at 62-63 (emphasis in original). Thereafter debtor acknowledged that he agreed "to the sum of 28% of the net amounts, either cash, notes, personal property, real property, or a combination thereof, recovered by settlement, compromise, or trial of the corporate dissolution action . . . and the malpractice action . . . ." EOR at 64; 12/19 RT at 91. Should a settlement or verdict involve the distribution of assets other than cash, CPM's percentage fee would be based on the fair market value of the assets. EOR at 65. In addition, the agreement provided that "[a]ssociate counsel may be employed at the discretion and expense of the ATTORNEYS, but the fees of associate counsel shall not be an additional expense to the CLIENT and shall be deducted from the fees paid to [CPM]." EOR at 66; 12/19 RT at 79. Finally, the agreement provided "that the law firm may retain fees and costs out of the amounts collected by settlement or judgment." EOR at 67.
at $10 million in judgments) and the stated attorney liens and before any taxes—he will pay the agreed upon percentage set forth below to ATTORNEYS.
Before Spiller became involved with debtor's litigation, Terrance Keeley served as co-counsel with CPM in the dissolution case and signed debtor's agreement with CPM. 12/19 RT at 101-102; EOR at 71. Keeley was to receive thirty percent of CPM's contingency fee. 12/19 RT at 102-103. He later withdrew from the case and did not claim any fees. 12/19 RT at 103.
Spiller met debtor because debtor was a percipient witness in another of Spiller's cases. After that initial meeting, he represented debtor in an unrelated matter on a contingency basis. 12/19 RT at 21. During this earlier representation, debtor wished to discuss the pending litigation to dissolve Siller Brothers, but Spiller was reluctant to do so, aware that CPM represented debtor in that effort. 12/19 RT at 22, 63.
Debtor hired Spiller in May 2004. 12/19 RT at 24. Spiller incorporated debtor's agreement with CPM and drafted a separate agreement with debtor, which included a contingency fee of eight percent on top of CPM's fee. Spiller reviewed it with debtor and with the person who accompanied debtor. 12/19 RT at 26; EOR at 15.
In his agreement with debtor, Spiller said, "You have asked me and my law firm to provide assistance and advice to you concerning your current lawsuit against Siller Brothers, Inc., in the Sutter County Superior Court for dissolution of the corporation." EOR at 14. He described his role "as your general counsel to communicate to the Cotchett Law Firm your ideas, suggestions and requests concerning trial strategy, trial preparation (including selection of experts) and conduct of the trial itself." 12/19 RT at 70; EOR at 14. Spiller also described his role "not as [an] additional trial attorney[], but to assist, advise and discuss these legal matters personally with [debtor] and as an interface with the attorneys at the Cotchett law firm." EOR at 14. He noted debtor's concern that CPM "does not appear to be pursuing the August 28, 1959 Buy/Sell stock purchase agreement," which debtor believed gave him and his brother Neil the right to purchase shares owned by their now deceased brother Andy "for a small fraction of what they are worth." EOR at 14. The agreement further said that debtor had discussed paying Spiller "a contingency fee of $3,000,000.00 out of the proceeds that you would receive from the litigation," but ultimately that Spiller and his firm "agree to assist you as I have describe[d] in this agreement for a contingency fee of eight percent (8%) of the 'Net Amounts' recovered by settlement, compromise or trial under the same definition you have agreed with the Cotchett firm . . . ." EOR at 15. Spiller knew the case "had many moving parts, particularly when we brought the buy/sell issue" and that it would be both interesting and risky. 12/19 RT at 50.
In June 2004, Spiller wrote a letter for debtor's signature, introducing Spiller to CPM. 12/19 RT at 74. In it debtor says he has retained Spiller to counsel him in his personal affairs and to assist him to understand fully the Siller Brothers dissolution litigation. 12/19 RT at 73; EOR at 74. He continued that "my retaining of Mr. Spiller should not interfere in the slightest with your representation of me. You and your firm are my trial attorneys." EOR at 74 (emphasis in original). He asked the attorneys from CPM to meet with Spiller "so that [Spiller] can become acquainted with you and determine how we can best assist you to prepare for trial." EOR at 74.
In October 2004, debtor signed an amendment to the representation agreement, which did not increase the contingent fee. 12/19 RT at 29-30.
Spiller initially was not sure how CPM would react to debtor's retaining him, but was pleasantly surprised when he was welcomed. 12/19 RT at 77. He ultimately did not restrict himself simply to advising and acting as an interface, but actively participated in trial. 12/19 RT at 77-78. Spiller and CPM did not discuss whether Spiller's fee should be paid out of CPM's 28 percent and Spiller did not sign an association of counsel. 12/19 RT at 79.
Among the tasks debtor wished Spiller to undertake was to convince CPM to pursue a buy/sell action against Neal Siller. Spiller had doubts that the buy/sell action would be successful. 12/19 RT at 72. In conjunction with CPM, he ultimately brought an unsuccessful action based on the theory that Andy Siller's death and the buy/sell agreement gave debtor and his brother Neal the right to purchase Andy's shares of Siller Brothers for a small fraction of their value. EOR at 4. Spiller's billing records do not reflect how much time he spent on the buy/sell action, apart from the unsuccessful four day trial on the action, which overlapped with the dissolution case to some extent. 12/19 RT at 86, 88. In connection with the buy/sell litigation, Spiller helped debtor look for financing to purchase the shares in anticipation of success on the litigation. 12/19 RT at 87-88.
Spiller's billing records did not separate his time by the different cases for debtor. 12/19 RT at 83.
Spiller also worked on debtor's ultimately unsuccessful malpractice action against prior counsel Freidberg. 12/19 RT at 90.
Finally, Spiller worked with CPM on the Siller Brothers dissolution, which resulted in the superior court's determination that debtor's interest in Siller Brothers was in excess of $45 million. 12/19 RT at 31. After the trial court ruling on summary judgment and before the trial on the involuntary dissolution, however, Siller Brothers elected to buy debtor out, so the case proceeded on appraisals only. 12/19 RT at 84.
Spiller participated in the appraisal proceedings, along with Frank Pitre and Ara Jabagchourian. 12/19 RT at 31. One of Spiller's roles was to present testimony regarding the value of Siller Brothers' timber property and forest stands, which his witness valued at $84 million dollars. 12/19 RT at 32-33. The trial judge accepted this valuation, rejecting Siller Brothers' estimated value of $39 million. 12/19 RT at 32-33. Siller Brothers listed the timber valuation as one issue in its cross-appeal from the judgment, believing that all the timber property should be valued as a single business rather than parcel by parcel. 12/19 RT at 113.
Spiller also worked out a Section 355 spin-off for reorganization of Siller Brothers, based on Internal Revenue Code section 355, as a way of avoiding tax liability for debtor; although Siller Brothers opposed this approach at first, it was eventually adopted during settlement. 12/19 RT at 33, 35-36.
Siller Brothers appealed the trial court's valuation; debtor cross-appealed on the failure to accept a 355 spin-off, among other things. 12/19 RT at 37. The case was never briefed, but rather went directly to settlement and was resolved in May 2007. 12/19 RT at 37. The settlement was ready to be finalized in June or July 2007; it took into account a $10 million judgment Siller Brothers had against debtor. 12/19 RT at 38. The settlement awarded debtor $30.5 million, which was deposited into an escrow account, subject to this judgment and another creditor's judgment, as well as liens from Thomas and Hauser, Freidberg and the Franchise Tax Board. 12/19 RT at 38-39, 41.
Pitre, Spiller, debtor and debtor's accountant discussed the disbursements to be made out of escrow to make sure debtor would have enough money for his agricultural properties until they started to produce more income. 12/19 RT at 40; EOR at 81. All agreed the disbursement would be sufficient for debtor's needs. 12/19 RT at 40; EOR at 81. When debtor later said he needed more cash for his business, CPM and Spiller orally agreed to accept reduced fees from escrow, with deeds of trust on debtor's property securing the rest. EOR at 81. Ultimately Siller refused to sign an escrow instruction directing the bank to disburse attorneys' fees to CPM and Spiller. 12/19 RT at 39. CPM and Spiller withdrew as counsel because debtor reneged on his agreement to pay them out of the escrow. 12/19 RT at 100; EOR at 75-82.
At the time CPM and Spiller withdrew, there was a summary judgment motion pending in the Thomas-Hauser case, set to be heard in July or August 2007, and an appeal pending in the Freidberg case. 12/19 RT at 42; EOR at 77. According to Spiller, the resolution of the Thomas, Hauser and Freidberg cases was not a prerequisite to its being paid: the money was due when debtor received value. 12/19 RT at 92. As noted below, the Trustee's expert disputes this characterization. See page 13 infra.
Spiller calculated that he spent 1760 hours on all aspects of representing debtor, though in answers to interrogatories, he said that the total number of compiled hours the lawyers and paralegals at his firm spent on debtor's cases was 1761. 12/19 RT at 47, 53. Although Spiller kept time records, he did not write down all his time for a variety of reasons. 12/19 RT at 48. Debtor required "a lot of hand-holding": he would show up, often with other people, and request an explanation of certain things or that certain things be pursued. 12/19 RT at 48-49. During the three years he was involved, he spent perhaps a third of his time on debtor's case. 12/19 RT at 51. His average hourly rate at that time was $225 to $250 an hour. 12/19 RT at 55.
Martin Dodd has represented Siller Brothers while at his current firm, Futterman, Dupree, Dodd, Croley, Maier, and also with a prior firm. 12/19 RT at 105-106. In 2004, the superior court decided a summary judgment motion in debtor's 2001 dissolution action and shortly after that Siller Brothers exercised its rights under the Corporation Code to avoid a dissolution by buying debtor's shares. 12/19 RT at 106-107. Accordingly, the only issue remaining was the value of debtor's interest. 12/19 RT at 107-108. In the seven years his firm represented Siller Brothers in the dissolution action, its total hourly fees were approximately $1.2 million, with half incurred before the summary judgment ruling and half after the ruling. 12/19 RT at 108. In the course of his representation of Siller Brothers, the idea of using Internal Revenue Code Section 355 to create an entity through which debtor could receive his interest first arose in 1995. 12/19 RT at 109. At that point, Dodd met with Freidberg and debtor and proposed they structure a tax free reorganization; thereafter the subject came up repeatedly as they attempted to resolve the case. 12/19 RT at 109. Siller Brothers opposed this in the latest corporate dissolution litigation because the superior court judge did not have the authority under the statute to order the creation of a § 355 organization. 12/19 RT 110. In addition, Siller Brothers advocated that the value of debtor's 40 percent share be reduced by a hypothetical capital gain because that is the method the appraisers advocated. 12/19 RT at 110-111.
Attorney James Wagstaffe, qualified as an expert on attorneys' fees, was asked to provide his opinion on the reasonable value of Spiller's services. He examined CPM's contingency agreement as well, to the extent it was relevant to evaluating Spiller's claim. 12/19 RT at 122. Wagstaffe reviewed a number of documents, including Spiller's billing records, which he described as vague and ultimately of no assistance in evaluating the reasonable value of Spiller's services. 12/19 RT at 125-126. He also reviewed the letters of May 24 and June 2, 2004 between Spiller and the debtor, and the October amendment to the retainer agreement. 12/19 RT at 127.
In Wagstaffe's opinion, Spiller was performing the work of associate counsel for the most part. 12/19 RT at 129. For example, Spiller conducted some depositions and attended others, all things CPM was competent to do and which fell within their agreement with debtor. 12/19 RT at 129-130. In Wagstaffe's opinion, a general counsel does not go to depositions and does not try the case, but rather provides "a translation, if you will, when you need it or if there is something you think your counsel is not searching for." 12/19 RT at 131-132. Approximately five percent of Spiller's time was spent talking to debtor, which is at the heart of his role as general counsel. 12/19 RT at 132.
Wagstaffe also believed that CPM had contracted to undertake the additional buy/sell litigation. Wagstaffe concluded that CPM had "agreed to do the corporate dissolution, the Freidberg malpractice, the resolution of the liens with Freidberg and Thomas & Hauser and the buy/sell agreement . . . ." 12/19 RT at 130. Wagstaffe interpreted debtor's agreement with CPM to mean that debtor did not owe any fees until disputes with Freidberg, Hauser and Thomas were resolved and liquidation of the Siller Brothers litigation had occurred. 12/19 RT at 128. As Wagstaffe explained, because the fees were to be calculated "minus" what was owed to prior counsel, the fees for CPM and Spiller could not be calculated until the amount of fees for prior counsel were ultimately resolved. 12/19 RT at 128, 136. Accordingly, when CPM sought payment from the escrow fund resulting from the Siller Brothers' litigation, general counsel's role would be to question whether CPM earned its money. 12/19 RT at 133. For example, at the escrow, debtor's sister told him not to sign the part about the fees and so debtor crossed out the instruction. At that point, Spiller should have listened to his client and perhaps taken some action giving debtor leverage. In addition, he should have considered CPM's fee agreement and determined whether CPM was entitled to fees as part of escrow or at some other time. 12/19 RT at 136. However, the emails between Pitre and Spiller were more concerned about their own fees, which caused Wagstaffe to question whether Spiller was fulfilling general counsel role. 12/19 RT at 136. He further castigated Spiller for withdrawing and for not remonstrating with CPM for withdrawing while the Freidberg, Hauser and Thomas liens were still pending, because these were substantial liens. 12/19 RT at 137. Moreover, if CPM and Spiller received their fees from escrow before the resolution of prior counsels' suits, there was "a risk of them [sic] losing incentive to actually go after these numbers and reduce them further." 12/19 RT at 137.
Wagstaffe also believed that to the extent Spiller acted as associate counsel, his services were duplicative and so not reasonable. Although a client may hire more lawyers than he needs, the role of the bankruptcy court under section 502(b)(4) is to determine whether the duplication was reasonable. Here, Spiller did not appear to be pushing CPM to do certain things, though there were things that should have been done if he were in fact acting as general counsel. 12/19 RT at 134.
In Wagstaffe's view, the proper method to compute Spiller's fees under section 502(b)(4) is to use the lodestar method. 12/19 RT at 138. He found $250 an hour to be reasonable, but then considered the number of hours worked, the risk, the efficiency, the description of the services provided (because inadequate records might lead to one not getting paid), and duplication of services. 12/19 RT at 138-139. He also looked at how much the other side billed. 12/19 RT at 138. In determining whether the contingency fee was reasonable under section 502(b)(4), he also considered that there had been multiple prior lawyers and that the case was undesirable. 12/19 RT at 149. Even so, he concluded that Spiller is not entitled to any fees. 12/19 RT at 139.
Wagstaffe explained that first, Spiller's agreement did not call for him to participate in trial, but he did; because he did, he had an argument for recovering his fees from CPM's 28 percent. 12/19 RT at 139. Second, because CPM acknowledged it was going to pursue the buy/sell action, Spiller's role was minimal; once he convinced CPM to handle this action, his role should have ceased. 12/19 RT at 140. If, however, the October letter is interpreted as expanding Spiller's role to litigating the buy/sell, then he is entitled to approximately 200 hours for his participation. 12/19 RT at 140. Ultimately, in Wagstaffe's opinion, Spiller did not act as general counsel when it counted, which meant he was not entitled to any compensation. 12/19 RT at 141.
ii. The Bankruptcy Court's Findings and Conclusions
The bankruptcy court reviewed the evidence developed at trial, noting that Spiller "was a full-fledged member of the trial team" in a trial that "resulted in a judgment in excess of $4.5 million." 1/3 RT at 38; ECF No. 16. While the judgment was on appeal, it was compromised in a section 355 spin-off, whereby the money and property were distributed to a newly created entity known as CWS Enterprises, Incorporated, wholly owned by debtor. 1/3 RT at 38-39. The total value of the assets spun-off to CWS was $20,5000,000 in real property and $10 million in cash. Id. Debtor was facing claims for attorneys' fees in excess of the $10 million in cash; the claims were resolved against him in arbitration. Id.
The bankruptcy judge noted
in the midst of that representation by Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, Mr. Spiller, Steven Spiller of the Spiller-McProud firm, who had been representing Mr. Siller in other matters, was asked by Mr. Siller to work with him in the Siller Brothers dissolution litigation. Mr. Siller was interested in a number of things, including an old buy/sell agreement from back in the late 1950s, 1959, and was interested in having a theory pursued there. And he wanted Mr. Spiller to work as a general interface between him and the Cotchett Pitre McCarthy firm. [¶] And I would note that Mr. Siller does not have a substantial formal education, but he has been a litigant in many matters through the years. And I've seen him on more than one occasion in this court. So I have no difficulty believing that he has an inherent distrust of lawyers. So he might have been concerned in wanting to have somebody whom he trusted as a, to act as an interface, looking at the work lawyers are doing in prosecuting an action that was very important to him. That's been my experience of Mr. Siller, both in this case and in other cases, that he would be the kind of person would want that. He also would be the kind of person that most lawyers would describe as a difficult client.Id. at 41-42.
The judge explained that in a previous order, he determined that the question of reasonable fees under section 502(b)(4) was a federal question and so "it was entirely possible that something could be reasonable as a matter of California law but not reasonable as a matter of federal law." Id. at 47. He found Spiller's hourly rate of $250 an hour to be reasonable and then turned to a determination of "the reasonable number of hours expended." Id. at 50. He continued:
I'm largely persuaded by Mr. Wagstaffe's analysis, but with an important difference, there's not much question that Mr. Spiller participated as a full-fledged member of the trial team. And a good part of that, if not all of it, should come out of the Cotchett Pitre and McCarthy fee.Id. at 51-52.
But also in this case, there's been a large amount of water over the dam in terms of a compromise of that fee and the history of the case. While Mr. Wagstaffe presented a powerful analysis, and one that's sufficiently powerful that I might get reversed from deviating from it, I'm persuaded that the reasonable fee under the lodestar analysis again, factoring in such matters as Mr. Siller being a difficult client, and the work that Mr. Spiller did, is to accept the $250 per hour rate, and apply it to the full 1,761 hours, which yields a reasonable fee of $440,250.
There are good arguments for why I'm incorrect about — why I'm being overly generous about doing that, given paragraph 4(g) of the Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy agreement. But the reality is that that agreement, that analysis would work in the most just manner if Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy had received their full share of the contingency fee. And, in fact, they compromised for considerably less that the amount of their claim.
So therefore I conclude the objection to the claim should be sustained, or is sustained, to the extent the fee exceeds $440,250.
C. Analysis of Spiller's Appeal
Spiller argues that the trial is essentially a nullity because the bankruptcy judge determined the reasonable value of its services without considering the arbitrator's award. Debtor and the Trustee argue that the reasonable value of Spiller's services was nothing, that Spiller misconstrues the scope of this court's May 10, 2012 order; moreover, that order was incorrectly decided and should not have controlling force.
In the order of May 10, 2012, the court generally approved Spiller's argument that the state arbitration, reduced to judgment, was entitled to preclusive effect in the bankruptcy proceedings, reversing the bankruptcy court's determination that the question of the reasonableness of the fees had not been necessarily decided nor actually litigated in the arbitration proceedings. The court determined that the standards the arbitrator used in evaluating whether the contingency fees sought were unconscionable were essentially the same a bankruptcy court employs in determining the reasonableness of the fees under section 502(b)(4). Dist. Ct. CWS Docket, ECF No. 42 at 21-26.
The Trustee argues this determination was incorrect because the similarity between the factors used to evaluate unconscionability and those used to determine reasonableness does not satisfy the requirement that the issues be identical for issue preclusion to apply. He says settled law requires that state and federal standards are different for purposes of preclusion.
Neither the Trustee nor the debtor dispute that collateral estoppel or issue preclusion applies in bankruptcy proceedings. As the Supreme Court has recognized, "[i]f, in the course of adjudicating a state-law question, a state court should determine factual issues using standards identical to those of [Bankruptcy Act] §17 [regarding dischargeability], then collateral estoppel, in the absence of countervailing statutory policy, would bar relitigation of those issues in the bankruptcy court." Brown v. Felsen, 442 U.S. 127, 139 n.10 (1979). The Ninth Circuit has said that "the doctrines of preclusion play an important part in dischargeability proceedings by preventing the relitigation of factual and legal issues already determined by other courts." Sasson v. Sokoloff (In re Sasson), 424 F.3d 864, 873 (9th Cir. 2005); see also Emmerson v. Regis (In re Emmerson), Bankr. No. EC-10-1159-MoDh, 2011 WL 3299852, at *6 (9th Cir. BAP Mar. 25, 2011) (finding state court's award of punitive damages, even absent specific findings of malice or oppression or fraud, may be entitled to preclusive effect in a nondischargeability action).
There are five basic requirements for collateral estoppel in California: the issue sought to be precluded must be identical to that previously decided, the issue must have been actually litigated and necessarily decided, the decision must be final and on the merits, and the party against whom preclusion is sought must be the same or in privity. Lucido v. Superior Court, 51 Cal. 3d 335, 341 (1990). In addition, a court must consider "the public policies underlying the doctrine before concluding that collateral estoppel should be applied in a particular setting." Id. at 342-43. Some of the policies underlying the doctrine are "'preservation of the integrity of the judicial system, promotion of judicial economy, and protection of litigants from harassment by vexatious litigation.'" Baldwin v. Kilpatrick (In re Baldwin), 249 F.3d 912, 919-20 (9th Cir. 2001) (quoting Lucido, 51 Cal. 3d at 343).
For collateral estoppel purposes in California,
an issue was actually litigated in a prior proceeding if it was properly raised, submitted for determination, and determined in that proceeding. In considering whether these criteria have been met, courts look carefully at the entire record from the prior proceeding. . . . The 'identical issue' requirement addresses whether 'identical factual allegations' are at stake in the two proceedings, not whether the ultimate issues or dispositions are the same.Hernandez v. City of Pomona, 46 Cal. 4th 501, 514 (2009) (internal citation & quotation omitted); see also Genesis VJ, Inc. v. Nguyen (In re Nguyen), BAP No. CC-11-1379-LaPaMK, 2012 WL 603680, at *6 (BAP 9th Cir. Feb. 17, 2012); Flores v. Transamerica HomeFirst, Inc., 93 Cal. App. 4th 846, 852 (2001) ("the legal matter raised in the second proceeding must involve the same set of events or documents and the same bundle of legal principles that contributed to the rendering of the first judgment"). "It is not an easy rule to apply, for the term 'issue' in this connection is difficult to define . . . ." Clark v. Lesher, 46 Cal.2d 874, 880 (1956); Burdette v. Carrier Corp., 158 Cal. App. 4th 1668, 1689 (2008) ("Determining the issue foreclosed by the prior judgment is one of the most difficult problems in applying the rule of issue preclusion."). "For purposes of issue preclusion . . . an 'issue' includes any legal theory or factual matter which could have been asserted in support of or opposition to the issue that was litigated." Border Bus. Park, Inc. v. City of San Diego, 142 Cal. App. 4th 1538, 1565-66 (2006).
California courts consider a number of factors when evaluating the identity of issues for issue preclusion purposes:
"Is there a substantial overlap between the evidence or argument to be advanced in the second proceeding and that advanced in the first? Does the new evidence and argument involve application of the same rule of law as that involved in the prior proceeding? Could pretrial preparation and discovery relating to the matter presented in the first action reasonably be expected to have embraced the matter sought to be presented in the second? How closely related are the claims involved in the two proceedings?"Happy Nails & Spa of Fashion Valley, L.P. v. Su, 217 Cal. App. 4th 1459, 1469 (2013) (quoting Burdette, 158 Cal. App. 4th at 1689).
In Hernandez, supra, the California Supreme Court considered whether an issue decided under federal law would have preclusive effect in a state-law claim. In that case, the family of a man killed by police officers brought a civil rights action in federal court, alleging the officers had not exercised reasonable care in using deadly force. 46 Cal. 4th at 512. After a federal jury rejected their claim, the family brought a state negligence action, alleging the officers had not used reasonable care in shooting the decedent as he fled from the police. Id. at 513. The California Supreme Court upheld the lower court's determination that the state negligence action was barred by collateral estoppel. Id. at 517-18. It compared the formulation for reasonableness under federal and state law, both of which required an examination of the totality of the circumstances, and concluded the federal jury had decided the identical issue presented by the state-law negligence claim. Id. at 516.
In this case, the claims involved in the arbitration and the claims allowance process in bankruptcy are certainly closely related, with a substantial overlap in the evidence and the parties' arguments. The Trustee argues, however, that the issues, which are distinct from the claims, cannot be identical because a different rule of law applied in the arbitration. California courts recognize that when the previous decision stems from a different factual and legal foundation than the current issue, collateral estoppel does not apply. United States Golf Assn. v. Arroyo Software Corp., 69 Cal. App. 4th 607, 617 (1999). The Trustee relies on Wimsatt v. Beverly Hills Weight Loss Clinics Intl., Inc., 32 Cal. App. 4th 1511 (1995). In Wimsatt, the state appellate court considered whether a federal district court order concerning the validity of a forum selection clause was entitled to preclusive effect in a state action challenging the same clause. The state court examined the basis of the federal decision, concluding that the federal judge had decided only whether the plaintiffs had the right to sue in federal court in California, not whether the forum selection clause was valid and enforceable in California. Id. at 1517. It examined the underpinning of the federal determination, observing federal courts apply federal procedural rules in evaluating forum selection clauses and concluding that the prior federal decision had resolved the case as a matter of federal procedural law only. Id. at 1519. The state court of appeal concluded that the federal court had not decided that plaintiffs had no right to sue in state court: "[b]y starting with federal procedural law, he could by definition never reach the question of the 'validity' of the forum selection clause under the substantive law of California." Id. at 1520. Wimsatt thus provides little guidance here, for both the arbitrator and the bankruptcy judge applied substantive law in reaching their decisions.
The Trustee also argues that in the state arbitration proceedings, Spiller's only burden was to prove the enforceability of his fee agreement and so the arbitrator's decision was limited to that question only, whereas under section 502(b)(4), Spiller's burden is to show the reasonable value of his services to the debtor. See 11 U.S.C. § 502(b)(4). The Trustee argues that only in the bankruptcy context does Spiller bear the burden of proving the value of his services.
Whether Spiller's only burden during the arbitration was to show he had an enforceable contract, as the Trustee argues, debtor specifically attacked Spiller's 8% contingency fee as unconscionable. See Marin Storage & Trucking, Inc. v. Benco, 89 Cal. App. 4th 1042, 1049 (2001) ("The doctrine of unconscionability is a defense to the enforcement of a contract or a term thereof."); CAL. CIV. CODE § 1670.5. Moreover, "[n]o fee agreement 'is valid and enforceable without regard to considerations of good conscience, fair dealing . . . and the eventual effect on the cost to the client.'" Bird, Marella, Boxer & Wolpert v. Superior Court, 106 Cal. App. 4th 419, 431 (2003) (quoting Altschul v. Sayble, 83 Cal. App. 3d 153, 162 (1978)); see also CAL. RULES PROF. CONDUCT 4-200(A). "As a matter of professional responsibility, California lawyers are entitled to charge clients no more than a reasonable fee for legal services." Cazares v. Saenz, 208 Cal. App. 3d 279, 287 (1989).
Case law says that unconscionability is determined "with reference to the time when the contract was made and cannot be resolved by hindsight." Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison v. Telex Corp., 602 F.2d 866, 875 (9th Cir. 1979) (interpreting California law); CAL. RULES PROF. CONDUCT 4-200(B) ("Unconscionability of a fee shall be determined on the basis of all the facts and circumstances existing at the time the agreement is entered into except where the parties contemplate that the fee will be affected by later events."). Despite this statement, the factors listed in Rule 4-200(B), such as the amount of the fee in proportion to the value of the services, and the amount involved and the results obtained, call for consideration of counsel's work on a particular case. Indeed, the arbitrator rejected the debtor's claim that Spiller "provided no value to Respondent Siller in the case. The evidence presented demonstrates just the opposite. The testimony was clear that Spiller after his retention was involved with every aspect of the litigation along with Pitre's office. Respondents' bald assertion that Spiller did no work to benefit Respondents has no evidentiary basis. Based on the evidence and legal authority, Spiller is entitled to his 8% contingency." Arbitration Order at 22.
Although the arbitrator did not specifically discuss every factor he considered, under California law, a challenge to a fee as unconscionable requires an examination of (1) the amount of the fee in proportion to the value of the services performed; (2) the relative sophistication of the lawyer and the client; (3) the novelty and difficulty of the questions in the litigation and the level of skill necessary to present the client's position; (4) the likelihood that the lawyer's acceptance of the contract will preclude other employment; (5) the amount involved and the results obtained; (6) any time limitations imposed; (7) the nature and length of the professional relationship; (8) the lawyer's experience and reputation; (9) whether the fee is fixed or contingent; (10) the time and labor involved; and (11) the client's informed consent. Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy v. Universal Paragon Corp., 187 Cal. App. 4th 1405, 1418-19 (2010); see generally Happy Nails, 217 Cal. App. 4th at 1471 (concluding administrative law judge had applied multi-factor test even though he did "not explicitly state the issues to be decided"); Murphy v. Murphy, 164 Cal. App. 4th 376, 400 (2008) (a court's failure to make findings "does not establish that the issues in the two proceedings were not identical").
The Trustee argues the arbitrator did not decide whether the contingency fee was reasonable. He cites to a passage in which the arbitrator rejected debtor's argument that he should apply the factors in Fergus v. Songer, 150 Cal. App. 4th 552 (2007), and concluded the nine factors regarding reasonable attorney's fees outlined in the charge to the jury in Fergus were inapplicable. Civ. No. 10-779 & 10-780, Excerpt of Record (EOR) at 243 (Award at 22). Despite the arbitrator's rejection of the Fergus factors, he also specifically rejected debtor's argument that the contingency fee contract was unconscionable:
Respondents attack Spiller's contingency fee of 8% as "unconscionable". Respondents fail to cite any case that directly or indirectly holds such a position. The law is quite the contrary. (See Ketchum v. Moses (2001) 24 Cal. 4th 1122, 1132 (holding a contingent fee contract may properly provide for a greater compensation than would otherwise be reasonable); Rader v.Civ. Nos. 10-779 & 10-780 EOR at 242 (Award at 21). As noted in the court's May 10, 2012 order, such a determination required a consideration of the factors mirroring those informing the federal bankruptcy reasonableness determination. See Civ. Nos. 10-779, 10-780, ECF Nos. 33, 42 at 21-22.
Thrasher (1962) 57 Cal. 2d 244, 253; Estate of Guerin (1961) 194 Cal.App.2d 566, 575 (holding a 50% contingency fee conscionable).
In determining whether an insider's fees are reasonable under section 502(b)(4), a bankruptcy court should consider "the same reasonableness standard set forth in section 330." Margulies Law Firm, APLC v. Placide (In re Placide), 459 B.R. 64, 73 (BAP 9th Cir. 2011). Those factors include "(1) The amount of work done; (2) the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved; (3) the skill requisite to perform the legal services properly; (4) the results accomplished; (5) whether the fee is fixed or contingent; (6) the amount involved in connection with the services rendered; (7) the length of time consumed; (8) the experience, reputation, and ability of the attorneys; (9) the size of the estate; and (10) the opposition met." In re Nelson, 206 B.R. 869, 882 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio 1997); see CRG Partners Group, L.L.C. v. Neary (In re Pilgrim's Pride), 690 F.3d 650, 654 (5th Cir. 2012) (recognizing that list of factors in § 330 is not exclusive because the statute directs the court to consider "all relevant factors;" then listing twelve relevant factors); Heritage Organization, LLC v. Canada (In re Heritage Organization), Bankr. No. 04-35574-BJH-11, 2006 WL 6508182, at *8 (N.D. Tex. Jan. 6, 2006) ("In analyzing the reasonableness of a claim for services under § 502(b)(4), a court should consider the totality of the circumstances involved at the time that the services were rendered."). Although the factors are phrased somewhat differently, the inquiries are the same, whether under California's evaluation of the unconscionability of a fee and its general reasonableness, or the general reasonableness of fees under bankruptcy law. See In Re SNTL Corp., 571 F.3d 826, 845 n.20 (9th Cir. 2009) (recognizing that California's attorney's fee doctrine "impose[s] requirements in the nature of reasonableness" and comparing the requirements to the Bankruptcy Code's reasonableness limitations).
The Trustee claims incorrectly that Nelson applied Ohio law on attorney's fees. The court in Nelson derived ten factors from Sixth Circuit cases, saying the factors "may be considered as guidelines in determining the amount of attorney's fees to be awarded under 11 U.S.C. § 330", In re Nelson, 206 B.R. at 882; it found the factors also applicable to the similar determination under section 502(b)(4). Earlier in its order, the Nelson court had referenced the eight factors under Ohio law. Id. at 879. To the extent this court's prior order mentioned the eight factors, it referred to the wrong portion of the Nelson opinion. Moreover, although the parties do not discuss the concept of value, it appears to be folded into the reasonableness inquiry: "Value" within the meaning of section 502(b)(4) "is synonymous with the concept of 'market value' or 'price' such that an attorney is entitled to fees up to the reasonable market value of his services." Food Mgmt. Grp, LLC v. Pu (In re Food Mgmt Grp.), Bankr. Nos. 04-22880 (ASH), 2008 WL 2788738, at *5 (S.D.N.Y. July 16, 2008).
The Trustee argues that even if the arbitrator determined that Spiller's fees were reasonable under state law, numerous cases recognize that reasonableness under section 504(b)(4) is a federal question. See, e.g., In re Segovia, 387 B.R. 773, 779 (Bankr. N.D. Cal. 2008) (question whether fees are reasonable for the purposes of § 504(b)(2) is a question of federal law). In none of the Trustee's cases, however, had the fees been reduced to judgment and so these cases do not necessarily answer the question presented in this case.
The Trustee also relies on Bitters v. Networks Electronics (In re Networks Electronic Corp), 195 B.R. 92, 96 (BAP 9th Cir. 1996) and Kohn v. Leavitt-Berner Tanning Corp, 157 B.R. 523 (Bankr. N.D.N.Y. 1993). In In re Networks Electronics, the bankruptcy appellate panel considered the relationship between a state court judgment and the cap on claims stemming from the breach of an employment contract contained in 11 U.S.C. § 502(b)(7):
once the bankruptcy court determined that the state court judgment resulted from the breach of an employment contract, that claim was subject to the application of an exception to allowance provided in the Bankruptcy Code. . . . Disallowance of the claim under §502(b)(7) is a matter of federal law, for it involves the extent to which Congress has exercised its constitutional power to establish "uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States." U.S. Const., art. I, § 8, cl. 4. To the extent that Bitters argues that state law should prevail over the Bankruptcy Code, such is not the case under the Supremacy Clause, U.S. Const. art. vI, § 2. Federal law preempts a state law or order which "stands as an obstacle to the accomplishment and execution of the full purpose and objectives of Congress."195 B.R. at 97.
In Kohn, the bankruptcy court considered the cap on claims stemming from the breach of a lease agreement contained in 11 U.S.C. § 502(b)(6):
Section 502(b) requires the bankruptcy court to undertake a two-part analysis. First the court must "determine the amount of [a creditor's] claim as of the date of the filing of the petition . . ." In such as the one at bar, this means accepting as non-reviewable the amount of the claim as determined by the state court. This figure then forms the basis for the second part of the analysis, wherein the court determines how much of the claim should be allowed. Applying the principles of equity inherent in the code, the court looks behind the judgment to ascertain the relationship between the parties. When the parties stand as lessor and lessee, as in the case at bar, § 502(b)(6) applies. This subsection applies a formula to which the previously determined judgment figure is applied, resulting in a second figure - the allowable portion of the original judgment. This second figure represents Congress' view of what is equitable between a lessor and lessee in bankruptcy.157 B.R. at 527 (footnote omitted); see also Saddleback Valley Cmty. Church v. El Toro Materials Co., Inc. (In re El Toro Materials Co., Inc.), 504 F.3d 978, 980 (9th Cir 2007) (stating the cap in § 502(b)(6) was "'designed to compensate the landlord his loss while not permitting a claim so large (based on a long-term lease) as to prevent other general unsecured creditors from recovering a dividend from the estate'") (quoting S. Rep. No. 95-989 at 63).
Even assuming without deciding that the analysis required by 11 U.S.C. sections 502(b)(6) and (b)(7) applies to a section 502(b)(4) question, see Network Electronics, 195 B.R. at 100 (saying that the 502(b)(7) "cannot readily be analogized to 502(b)(6)"), the Network Electronics and Kohn cases do not require a contrary result in this case. The cap in section 502(b)(4) is that of reasonableness. In Landsing Diversified Properties-II v. First Nat'l Bank and Trust Co. (In re Western Real Estate Fund, Inc.), the Tenth Circuit recognized that section 502(b)(4) "places an outside 'reasonable value' limitation on [the creditor's claim] for breach of his fee contract . . . ." 922 F. 2d 592, 597 (10th Cir. 1991). It is the cap of reasonable value that serves to protect other creditors from excessive attorneys' fees, in the same way the caps in sections 502(b)(6) and (b)(7) protect other creditors from a too generous or even cozy fee arrangement between landlord and tenants and employers and employee. See In re Food Mgmt. Grp. 2008 WL 2788738 at *5 (limiting fees to reasonable value "prevent[s] the debtor from defrauding its creditors by agreeing to pay its attorney excessive fees"). The Trustee has not cited anything suggesting that a bankruptcy judge is empowered to do anything but determine reasonable value in applying the federal standard. See Raleigh v. Illinois Dep't of Revenue, 530 U.S. 15, 24-25 (2000) (recognizing that "the validity of a claim is generally a function of the underlying substantive law. Bankruptcy courts are not authorized in the name of equity to make wholesale substitution of underlying law controlling the validity of creditors' entitlements, but are limited to what the Bankruptcy Code itself provides.").
To the extent the Trustee relies on the bankruptcy court's policies and practices as a reason for avoiding preclusion in this case, such reliance is unavailing. As the Ninth Circuit has noted, "[w]here, as here, the state court was fully capable of adjudicating the issue subsequently presented to the bankruptcy court, we conclude that the public's confidence in the state judicial system would be undermined should the bankruptcy court relitigate the question . . . ." In re Baldwin, 249 F.3d at 920. Here, the arbitrator determined that Spiller's fees were not unconscionable applying a test equivalent to the federal reasonableness test. The arbitrator's resolution of the fee dispute, reduced to judgment in state court, controls the resolution of Spiller's claim against the debtor's estate.
The court declines to find its order of May 10, 2012, was incorrectly decided.
Spiller then argues there is no need for further proceedings in the bankruptcy court because the approved plan of reorganization contemplates that the results of any appeal will be factored into the reorganization plan. Civ. No. 12-142 docket, ECF No. 11 at 10.
In the Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization, filed in the bankruptcy proceedings on April 16, 2012, that court recognized that Spiller's claim was disputed and the subject of appeal and allowed Spiller to "continue such appeals and to liquidate the Class 2.6 b Claim pursuant to those appeals and any potential remand." CWS Docket, ECF No. 1059 at 4 ¶ 2.6 b. It further provides that the Reorganized CWS Enterprises will pay Spiller $440,250 plus interest, but makes provision for the payment or of other sums or refund of sums paid, depending on the outcome of the appeals. Id.
This court's order of May 10, 2012 determined that the bankruptcy court had erred in denying Spiller's motion for summary judgment which sought a ruling that the entire amount of the claim as established by the state court judgment should be allowed under § 502(b)(4). Accordingly, as that order established the allowable amount of the claim, there is no need for further proceedings in the bankruptcy court. Under the Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization, Spiller is entitled to his share of the amount of the joint claim he originally filed with CPM.
D. Trustee's Cross-Appeal
The Trustee argues that the bankruptcy judge erred in rejecting Wagstaffe's opinion that Spiller was entitled to no compensation and instead determining Spiller should receive his hourly wage for the 1760 hours he spent on debtor's affairs. The Trustee argues that Wagstaffe's testimony shows that only $72,000 of the all the time Spiller reported as spending on debtor's litigation were incurred within the scope of Spiller's agreement to serve as debtor's general counsel and that even those fees were not reasonable, in that Spiller failed to fulfill his general counsel responsibilities when he "sid[ed] with Cotchett" in an effort to ensure that the fees were paid before the Freidberg and Thomas-Hauser claims were resolved. Spiller has argued only that the bankruptcy court's judgment violates this court's order of May 10; as he has not otherwise challenged the court's determination of his entitlement to fees, any such argument is waived. Wake v. Sedona Inst. (In re Sedona Inst.), 220 B.R. 74, 76 (9th Cir.1998) (noting an issue not briefed is deemed waived).
The Trustee argues, in essence, that Spiller's services cannot be deemed reasonable as a matter of law because they were outside the scope of the contract. He cites to In re Molten Metal Technology, Inc., 289 B.R. 505, 515 n.24 (Bankr. D. Mass 2003), which rejected a firm's application for fees under § 330 on the ground that some of the services were rendered after the debtor in possession, whom it represented, had been replaced by a trustee and thus were outside the scope of employment, and also that some were taken in opposition to the interests of the estate. Similarly, in Roberts, Sheridan & Kotel, P.C. v. Bergen Brunswig Drug Co. (In re Mednet, MPC Corp.), 251 B.R. 103, 108 (9th Cir. BAP 2000), the court said a bankruptcy judge should consider, among other factors, whether services were authorized in determining the reasonable fee under § 330.
In this case, the bankruptcy judge appeared to accept Wagstaffe's characterization of Spiller's contract with the debtor, without providing an explicit interpretation. This court does not interpret the contract as Wagstaffe did, and it finds the bankruptcy court did not err in rejecting Wagstaffe's opinion that Spiller should receive no compensation.
In California, the goal of contract interpretation is to give effect to the parties' intention as it existed when the contract was executed. Foster-Gardner, Inc. v. Nat'l Union Fir Ins. Co, 18 Cal. 4th 857, 868 (1998); Cal. Civ. Code § 1636. In so doing, the "whole of a contract is to be taken together, so as to give effect to every part, if reasonably practical, each clause helping to interpret the other." Cal. Civ. Code § 1641. A contract for attorney's fees is strictly construed against the attorney. Alderman v. Hamilton, 205 Cal. App. 3d 1033, 1037 (1988).
In his contract with the debtor, Spiller agreed he would "assist, advise and discuss these legal matters personally with you and as an interface with the attorneys at the Cotchett law firm." EOR at 14 (emphasis added). He also specified that Siller had consulted him in connection with the Siller Brothers dissolution action. EOR at 14. The somewhat infelicitous language of the contract thus contemplates that Spiller would "assist" with the debtor's legal matters as well as acting as an interface with CPM. In a separate sentence ("[i]n addition, I would act as your general counsel to communicate to the Cotchett law firm . . . ."), Spiller outlined additional duties. Id. To avoid rendering the second sentence surplusage, the first sentence, giving Spiller the dual role of assistant and advisor, should be read as establishing duties separate from those as general counsel. See Berg v. MTC Elec. Tech., 61 Cal. App. 4th 349, 361 (1998) ("[T]he normal application of the principle of contract interpretation that calls for avoiding constructions which create surplusage of one clause in a contract so as to render another clause in the same contract surplus."). The bankruptcy judge could rely on provisions allowing Spiller to assist as a basis of finding that his actions were within the scope of his employment and that his work on the valuation of Spiller Brothers' timber lands, as well as his other work, met the § 502(b)(4) reasonableness standard.
The Trustee also argues that Spiller's abandonment of his client at the time CPM sought its fees reduces the value of his services to nothing. The Ninth Circuit has said that a court may consider a lawyer's misconduct in setting fees, recognizing that misconduct might reduce a fee to "'zero' at least 'when the violation is one that pervades the whole relationship.'" Rodriguez v. Disner, 688 F.3d 645, 654 (9th Cir. 2012) (quoting United States ex. rel. Virani v. Jerry M. Lewis Truck Parts & Equip. Inc., 89 F.3d 574, 579 (9th Cir. 1996)).
In this case, the contract does not require Spiller to act as general counsel for all matters, but as general counsel to communicate debtor's ideas concerning the litigation to CPM. EOR at 14. The bankruptcy judge could rely on this provision of the contract as well to find that Spiller's failure to intercede regarding fees at the end of the Siller Brothers litigation was not a violation, or if it was, that it did not pervade the whole relationship.
Moreover, to the extent Wagstaffe's opinion is based on his belief that the contingency had not occurred until all the matters were resolved, the bankruptcy judge could have rejected this conclusion. Whatever CPM's contract provided concerning the resolution of the other outstanding matters with Siller's prior lawyers, Spiller's contract limited his role to providing "assistance and advice to you concerning your current lawsuit against Siller Brothers, Inc., in the Sutter County Superior Court for dissolution of the corporation." EOR at 14. It also specified that Spiller agreed to represent the debtor "for a contingency fee of eight percent (8%) of the 'Net Amounts' recovered by settlement, compromise or trial under the same definition you have agreed with the Cotchett firm . . . . [Y]ou and I agree to incorporate the terms and conditions of the Cotchett fee agreement into this agreement except that the legal services that I have agreed to provide are as described in this letter agreement." EOR at 15. As noted, Spiller described the legal services he undertook as relating to the Siller Brothers dissolution, not the various claims advanced by and against debtor's former lawyers. The bankruptcy court could thus have disagreed with Wagstaffe and concluded that the contingency requiring debtor to pay Spiller had occurred at that conclusion of the Siller Brothers litigation.
The arbitrator reached a similar conclusion: Respondents also contend that Spiller's fee is unconscionable because the Freidberg professional negligence action was lost. The problem with this argument is that Spiller is not seeking fees from the Freidberg professional negligence action. Rather, Spiller seeks to recover from the recovery in the dissolution matter. Civ. Nos. 10-779 & 10-780, EOR at 243 (Award at 22).
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The bankruptcy judge could have found, and implicitly did find, that Spiller's and CPM's request for their fee at the conclusion of the dissolution action was not misconduct. That decision was not in error. The Trustee's motion is denied.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that:
1. The motions for rehearing and vacatur filed by Siller and the Trustee in Civ. No. 10-780, ECF Nos. 44 and 48, are denied;
2. In light of the order of May 10, 2012 in Civ. Nos. 10-779 and 10-780, the bankruptcy court's order of January 3, 2012 is reversed; and
3. Under the Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization in No. 09-26849-C-11, Spiller is entitled to his portion of the claim filed June 8, 2009. DATED: September 17, 2014.
/s/_________
UNITED SITATES DISTRICT JUDGE