Opinion ID: 901486
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Waiver by Appearance

Text: [¶ 10.] Grajczyk argues that Tasca waived the right to assert either defense because his first attorney filed a notice of appearance of counsel, informally requested an extension of time to answer, and performed some informal discovery without raising the defenses. Grajczyk relies on SDCL 25-9B-201(2), a provision in the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, which allows this state to assert jurisdiction over a nonresident in child support matters if [t]he individual submits to the jurisdiction ... by entering a general appearance. (Emphasis added.) Grajczyk contends that these activities by Tasca's first attorney constituted a general appearance by Tasca. We disagree. [¶ 11.] With respect to the notice of appearance of counsel, we preliminarily note that the notice was not a motion or responsive pleading within the meaning of SDCL 15-6-12(h)(1). [8] Therefore, the failure to raise these 12(b) defenses in the attorney's notice of appearance does not subject a party to the peril of a SDCL 15-6-12(g) and SDCL 15-6-12(h)(1) waiver. [¶ 12.] Furthermore, in determining whether an appearance is a general appearance, the test is the relief asked... and ... the real question is whether there is a submission to the power of the court or an active invocation of its power on nonjurisdictional matters. Union Bond & Mortgage Co. v. Brown, 64 S.D. 600, 609-10, 269 N.W. 474, 479 (1936) (quoting Robinson v. Glover, 60 S.D. 270, 244 N.W. 322, 323 (1932)). Here, Gerdes' notice of appearance of counsel did not invoke the court's powers or submit Tasca to the jurisdiction of the court. It only provided notice that Gerdes was appearing to represent Tasca. [9] As the Florida Supreme Court explained: There is no basis in the rules and no reason in policy for a determination that the mere filing of an entirely neutral and innocuous piece of paper [a notice of appearance of counsel], which indicates no acknowledgment of the court's authority, contains no request for the assistance of its process, and, most important, reflects no submission to its jurisdiction should nevertheless be given just that effect. Such a conclusion represents, we think, no less than the apotheosis of a meaningless technicality. It cannot be accepted in a judicial era which requires that, as far as is consistent with orderly procedure, the rights of parties be decided on the merits of their positions. Public Gas Co. v. Weatherhead Co., 409 So.2d 1026, 1027 (Fla.1982) (citation omitted). Thus, Gerdes' notice of appearance of counsel was not a general appearance that waived Tasca's 12(b) defenses. [¶ 13.] Similarly, counsel's informal request for an extension of time to answer and the performance of informal discovery reflect no submission to the court's jurisdiction. On the contrary, it is only through an extension of time to answer and preliminary discovery that counsel can evaluate whether 12(b) defenses are even available. Cf. Crouch v. Friedman, 51 Wash.App. 731, 735, 754 P.2d 1299, 1301 (1988) ([T]he fact that [defendant] proceeded with discovery does not preclude him from asserting that service of process was insufficient because it is by way of discovery that a party determines whether a particular defense is available.). We finally note that, like notice of appearance of counsel, these other preliminary activities by counsel cannot constitute a waiver of a party's personal jurisdiction defenses under SDCL 15-6-12(g) and SDCL 15-6-12(h)(1) because they do not involve the filing of a motion or responsive pleading. See supra n. 8. [¶ 14.] Consequently, we affirm the circuit court's ruling that Tasca did not waive his service of process and personal jurisdiction defenses when he filed a notice of appearance of counsel, informally requested an extension of time to answer, and engaged in informal discovery.