Opinion ID: 2639670
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The district court properly reheard Harrah's summary judgment motion regarding Bower

Text: Judge Denton denied Harrah's summary judgment motion, based solely on issue preclusion, against Bower. Although Judge Denton made no specific findings in the order, during the hearing, he indicated that Bower was not in privity with other plaintiffs in separate cases and that Harrah's standard of care might be different for gang members and nongang members. Bower's case was then consolidated with the other appellants' cases and assigned to Judge Johnson, who reheard the motion. Judge Johnson granted Harrah's rehearing because she concluded it was warranted and because additional facts or events had developed since Judge Denton decided the motion. Upon rehearing, Judge Johnson granted Harrah's summary judgment motion. Appellants argue that the district court did not have a sufficient basis to rehear Harrah's identical summary judgment motion, which Judge Denton previously decided. Harrah's argues that because Bower requested that Harrah's make the rehearing motion, he is barred from challenging the district court's rehearing of the motion. We agree with Harrah's for two reasons. First, we conclude that Judge Johnson was authorized to rehear the motion under NRCP 54(b), and second, we conclude that Bower consented to the rehearing. We now address each of these issues in turn. The district court had the authority to rehear the motion under NRCP 54(b). Although the district court did not base its decision on NRCP 54(b) and neither party raised it in their briefs, this court can affirm the district court's decision on alternate grounds. Hotel Riviera, Inc. v. Torres, 97 Nev. 399, 403, 632 P.2d 1155, 1158 (1981). Under NRCP 54(b), in a case involving multiple parties, a district court may revise a judgment that adjudicates the rights of less than all the parties until it enters judgment adjudicating the rights of all the parties. Mallin v. Farmers Insurance Exchange, 106 Nev. 606, 609, 797 P.2d 978, 980 (1990) (holding that consolidated cases are one case for appellate purposes and an order resolving less than all the consolidated claims is not a final, appealable order). In this case, Judge Denton's denial of Harrah's summary judgment motion against Bower adjudicated only Bower's rights. We conclude that when the case was consolidated before Judge Johnson, NRCP 54(b) permitted her to review and revise the judgment before she entered final judgment as to all the parties. Therefore, under NRCP 54(b), the district court properly reheard Harrah's summary judgment motion regarding Bower. Further, we conclude that Bower consented to the rehearing and cannot now complain of error. A point not urged in the trial court, unless it goes to the jurisdiction of that court, is deemed to have been waived and will not be considered on appeal. Old Aztec Mine, Inc. v. Brown, 97 Nev. 49, 52, 623 P.2d 981, 983 (1981). At a hearing, Bower suggested that Harrah's orally move the district court to reconsider Harrah's prior summary judgment motion against Bower, which Judge Denton had previously denied. Thus, Bower did not object to the rehearing, and did not preserve the issue for appeal. Although Bower argues that this was a strategic decision, to prevent wasting time preparing for trial if summary judgment against him was inevitable, his consent to the rehearing prevents him from now complaining of the district court's reconsideration.