Opinion ID: 2508574
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Bright-line v. Two-track Approach in Colorado

Text: Having reviewed the bright-line and two-track approaches outlined by various jurisdictions, we now adopt the two-track approach. We find the two-track more desirable than the bright-line rule because the two-track approach furthers the purposes of statutes of limitations. Additionally, it comports with established principles of accrual and tolling because it allows courts to make case-by-case determinations. Finally, we conclude that the two-track approach is more consistent with Colorado law regarding accrual and tolling than the bright-line rule. We favor the two-track approach because it furthers the statutes of limitations' goals of promoting justice, preventing unnecessary delay, and avoiding the litigation of stale claims. See Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc. v. Hartman, 911 P.2d 1094, 1096 (Colo.1996). By requiring criminal defendants to bring malpractice claims once they learn of the malpractice and the resulting injury, the two-track approach restricts the period during which criminal defendants may bring such suits. Thus, this approach protects attorneys from being forced to defend stale malpractice claims. Moreover, the two-track approach furthers judicial economy by expediting the litigation of such claims. See Silvers v. Brodeur, 682 N.E.2d 811, 817 (Ind.Ct. App.1997); Gebhardt v. O'Rourke, 444 Mich. 535, 510 N.W.2d 900, 907 (1994); Stevens v. Bispham, 316 Or. 221, 851 P.2d 556, 571-72 (1993) (Unis, J., specially concurring). In contrast, the bright-line rule fails to further the goals of preventing delay and avoiding litigation of stale claims because it does not require plaintiffs to bring claims as expediently as possible. Rather, it prevents criminal defendants from bringing these claims when defendants learn of them and instead requires defendants to wait until exoneration, which may occur years after a defendant's conviction. For this reason, the bright-line rule leaves criminal defense lawyers open to the interminable possibility of being sued by any convicted client who has not been exonerated but who, theoretically, could be exonerated at any future time. Stevens, 851 P.2d at 572 (Unis, J., specially concurring). Additionally, this approach allows the litigation of negligence claims long after the claims have grown stale, when evidence has been lost, and witnesses cannot be located. Thus, the two-track approach better furthers the statute of limitations' policies of protecting potential defendants and preventing stale claims. In addition to furthering the goals of statutes of limitations, the two-track approach comports with principles of accrual and tolling by allowing courts to evaluate on a case-by-case basis when claims accrue and when statutes of limitations require tolling. Both the determinations of when claims accrue and when the statute of limitations should be tolled require examinations of the underlying facts. See § 13-80-108(1); Dean Witter, 911 P.2d at 1096. The determination of when claims accrue focuses on each plaintiff's specific knowledge of relevant facts, as courts must ask precisely when each injured party knew or should have known of the relevant injury and its cause. § 13-80-108(1); Broker House Int'l, Ltd. v. Bendelow, 952 P.2d 860, 863 (Colo.App.1998) (determination of when claims accrue is normally a question fact). Similarly, because tolling is an equitable remedy, its application involves an examination of the facts and circumstances of individual cases to determine when equity requires such a remedy. Garrett v. Arrowhead Improvement Assn., 826 P.2d 850, 854 (Colo.1992); see also Dean Witter, 911 P.2d at 1096-97. The two-track approach is consistent with these principles because it allows courts to make specific determinations of whether claims have accrued and whether the equities of a case require the tolling of the statute of limitations. In contrast, the bright-line approach is inconsistent with principles of accrual and tolling because it does not allow courts to determine on a case-by-case basis whether actions accrue or statutes of limitations are tolled. Rather, the bright-line approach determines as a matter of law when an entire class of claimsmalpractice actions brought by criminal defendants who have pending actions for appellate or postconviction reliefaccrues or when their statutes of limitations toll. Thus, the two-track approach is advantageous because it comports with these principles by allowing courts to evaluate the facts of each case to determine whether a claim accrues or tolling is appropriate. Finally, we adopt the two-track approach because it best comports with Colorado statutes and precedent regarding both accrual and tolling. Simply put, the two-track approach is consistent with the definition of accrual for malpractice claims set forth by the Colorado statutes because it allows malpractice actions to proceed pursuant to these statutory provisions. For this same reason, the two-track approach is also consistent with Colorado precedent, which adheres to the statutorily imposed accrual rule. Despite opportunities to fashion a judicial exception to this rule, Colorado courts have consistently rejected attempts to deviate from the statutory definition of accrual for malpractice claims. See Broker House, 952 P.2d at 863-64; Jacobson v. Shine, 859 P.2d 911, 913 (Colo.App.1993); Morris v. Geer, 720 P.2d 994, 997-98 (Colo.App.1986) (all holding that a pending civil appeal does not affect the accrual of a related malpractice claim); see also Miller v. Byrne, 916 P.2d 566, 582 (Colo. App.1995) (holding that legal malpractice actions may accrue before an attorney's representation ceases). Therefore, the two-track approach comports with Colorado statutes and precedent governing accrual. Similarly, the two-track approach is consistent with Colorado precedent regarding equitable tolling. Because tolling involves the exercise of equitable jurisdiction, Colorado courts have repeatedly stated that tolling determinations require an examination of the specific facts and circumstances of each case. Garrett, 826 P.2d at 855; see also Dean Witter, 911 P.2d at 1096. The two-track approach allows courts to determine on a case-by-case basis whether fairness requires the tolling of the statute of limitations. Therefore, we conclude the two-track approach is consistent with Colorado law regarding tolling, as well as accrual. In contrast, the bright-line approach is inconsistent with Colorado law regarding both accrual and tolling. The bright-line approach conflicts with the terms of the accrual statute, as well as precedent interpreting it, because it creates an exception to the accrual definition for malpractice actions arising from criminal actions. The General Assembly's definition of accrual does not provide any specific or unique rule with respect to malpractice actions, and does not distinguish between legal malpractice claims brought by criminal defendants and other types of negligence actions. See § 13-80-108(1)(13). Similarly, Colorado courts have rejected attempts to create an exception to the discovery rule for malpractice actions. See Broker House, 952 P.2d at 863-64; Miller, 916 P.2d at 582; Jacobson, 859 P.2d at 913 (Colo.App.1993); Morris, 720 P.2d at 997-98. Thus, the bright-line rule is incompatible with Colorado statutes and precedent. The bright-line approach also conflicts with Colorado precedent regarding tolling because it tolls the statute of limitations for an entire class of claims. Colorado courts have generally hesitated to modify accrual and tolling rules for broad classes of claims. They have articulated only a few classes of cases to which tolling applies. See Dean Witter, 911 P.2d at 1096-97 (stating that this court has applied the doctrine of equitable tolling when defendant's wrongful conduct prevented the plaintiff from timely asserting claim, and that other jurisdictions have allowed tolling where extraordinary circumstances prevented timely filing). Moreover, Colorado courts have declined to create classes of claims for which the statute of limitations is tolled. See, e.g., Noel v. Hoover, 12 P.3d 328 (Colo. App.2000) (refusing to toll statute of limitations for a malpractice action related to tax proceedings). Therefore, because the bright-line approach tolls the statute of limitations for all malpractice claims arising from criminal cases, the rule appears inconsistent with Colorado law governing tolling. Thus, we adopt the two-track approach because it is most consistent with Colorado statutes and precedent regarding both accrual and tolling. For these reasons, we hold that an underlying criminal appeal or motion for postconviction relief does not affect the accrual for related legal malpractice claims. Similarly, such criminal matters do not require tolling of the statute of limitations of related malpractice claims. Criminal defendants must file their malpractice actions within two years of discovering the attorney's negligence and the resulting injury. In the event that a particular criminal defendant must obtain appellate relief to avoid dismissal of a pending malpractice action, or if proceeding with a malpractice action would jeopardize the criminal defendant's rights, the trial court may stay the malpractice action pending resolution of the criminal case.