Case Name: Jo Ann KURZ, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Colleen D ZAHN, Defendant-Appellee
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2014-11-21
Citations: 585 F. App'x 654
Docket Number: No. 12-35854
Parties: Jo Ann KURZ, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Colleen D ZAHN, Defendant-Appellee.
Judges: Before: HUG, FARRIS, and CANBY, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 585
Pages: 654–655

Head Matter:
Jo Ann KURZ, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Colleen D ZAHN, Defendant-Appellee.
No. 12-35854.
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
Submitted Feb. 14, 2014.
Filed Nov. 21, 2014.
Jo Ann Kurz, Blaine, WA, pro se.
Before: HUG, FARRIS, and CANBY, Circuit Judges.
The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2).

Opinion:
MEMORANDUM
Jo Ann Kurz appeals pro se from the district court's judgment pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) dismissing her action arising out of matters related to her employment as general manager and tennis director of the Boise Racquet and Swim Club ("the Club"). We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review de novo, Barren v. Harrington, 152 F.3d 1193, 1194 (9th Cir.1998), and we affirm.
On appeal, Kurz contends that Colleen Zahn is hable for violating various rules of professional conduct, including failing to provide a warning required by Upjohn Co. v. United States, 449 U.S. 383, 101 S.Ct. 677, 66 L.Ed.2d 584 (1981). However, the district judge adopted the magistrate judge's report recommending the dismissal of this claim. This recommendation was based on the determination that violations of Upjohn or other rules of professional conduct do not give rise to tort liability and that Kurz had failed to allege that she had an attorney-client relationship with Zahn, which is a requirement for stating a malpractice claim. In addition, the adopted report did not permit Kurz to amend her complaint because any claim for legal malpractice would be time-barred. Kurz has waived any challenge to these rulings by failing to challenge them on appeal. See Smith v. Marsh, 194 F.3d 1045, 1052 (9th Cir.1999) ("[Ajrguments not raised by a party in its opening brief are deemed waived.").
The district court also adopted the magistrate judge's recommendation to dismiss Kurz's claims alleging that Zahn misrepresented and concealed information in connection with proceedings before the Idaho Civil Rights Commission. Regardless of the legal label Kurz places on these claims, they are barred by the litigation privilege because the claims arose from alleged conduct and communications made as part of Zahn's representation of a client in connection with a judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding and the complaint did not allege that Zahn was acting outside the scope of her employment with the Club or acting solely for her own benefit and not the benefit of the Club. See Taylor v. McNichols, 149 Idaho 826, 243 P.3d 642, 653-55, 657-58, 660-61 (2010).
AFFIRMED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9 th Cir. R. 36-3.