Court Opinion

ID: 9882826
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-05 22:20:36.152218+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:01:02.745152
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Kessler v. Ohio Civ. Rights Comm., 2023-Ohio-3376.]

                             IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

                                  TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

 Diane Kessler,                                       :
                                                                    No. 23AP-110
                  Plaintiff-Appellant,                :          (C.P.C. No. 22CV-2352)

 v.                                                   :        (REGULAR CALENDAR)

 Ohio Civil Rights Commission et al.,                 :

                  Defendants-Appellees.               :

                                         D E C I S I O N

                                  Rendered on September 21, 2023

                On brief: Diane Kessler, pro se. Argued: Diane Kessler.

                On brief: Dave Yost, Attorney General, and Sharon Tassie,
                for Ohio Civil Rights Commission. Argued: Sharon Tassie.

                On brief: Kevin W. Popham for Summerlyn Homeowners’
                Association et al. Argued: Kevin W. Popham.

                  APPEAL from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
MENTEL, J.
        {¶ 1} Plaintiff-appellant, Diane Kessler, pro se, appeals from a December 26, 2022
decision and judgment entry from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas affirming
the decision of defendant-appellee, Ohio Civil Rights Commission (“Commission”), finding
there was no probable cause to issue an administrative complaint against defendants-
appellees, Summerlyn Homeowners’ Association (“Summerlyn HOA”), Janet Cahill, and
Kevin Glaser for housing discrimination. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.
I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
        {¶ 2} Appellant is a resident of the Summerlyn subdivision, which is governed by
the covenants, easements, conditions, and deed restrictions of the Summerlyn HOA.
No. 23AP-110                                                                                                   2

Appellant and non-party Tony Eden have resided at the subject premise since June 2013.
The Summerlyn HOA came into existence in and around February 2019 and is overseen by
elected board members. The Summerlyn HOA board is comprised of Janet Cahill, Kevin
Glaser, and David Henderson. Defendant-appellee, Mollie Glaser, is the spouse of Kevin
Glaser.
        {¶ 3} According to appellees, on October 23, 20201, the Summerlyn HOA sent a
letter to appellant and Eden of a “first mandated notice to cure” an unapproved exterior
land modification2 that was built on their property. The letter read, “the mound that was
installed along with the trees is encroaching on the neighbors[’] lot and was not approved
prior to installing. The mound and the trees need to be removed and the property returned
to the original condition.” (Emphasis deleted.) (Dec. 9, 2022 Record of Proceedings at
E3570-Q85.) Appellant was notified that failure to comply by November 2, 2020 would
result in an enforcement assessment of $25.00 per violation. On April 2, 2021, the
Summerlyn HOA sent a letter to appellant and Eden imposing a $25.00 assessment and
notifying them of their right to a hearing on the penalty. A hearing was held on this matter
on April 23, 2021. At the conclusion of the hearing, the board took the matter under
advisement. By letter dated May 12, 2021, the Summerlyn HOA waived the $25.00
assessment and informed appellant and Eden that their decision was “still pending receipt
of information from parties involved.” (Record of Proceedings at E3570-Q89.)
        {¶ 4} On April 19, 2021, appellant and Eden filed a fair housing inquiry with the
Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”). The charge affidavit alleged the
property management company, Towne Properties, Inc., Summerlyn HOA, and Kevin

1 The letter provided in the record appears to be originally dated March 24, 2021. However, this date was

struck and rewritten as October 23, 2020. Appellees address this issue in their brief writing, “[t]he October
23, 2020, (sic) letter was drafted and forwarded to Appellant in October 2020. The property management
company printed the letter on March 24, 2021, at which time a computer system incorrectly automatically re-
dated the letter.” (Appellees’ Brief at 18, fn. 2.) The November 2, 2020 date referenced within the letter
appears to provide support that the amended date is accurate, but the record is unclear on this point. It should
be noted that in appellant’s April 5, 2021 letter requesting a hearing, she denied ever receiving the October 23,
2020 letter.
2 The landscaping at issue is a large mound on appellant’s property. Appellant described “the landscape as a

therapeutic mean[s] to cope with and regulate * * * like that of an emotional support animal.” (Dec. 9, 2022
Record of Proceedings E3570-P36.) Appellant contends that the exterior modification has been in place since
2016.
No. 23AP-110                                                                             3

Glaser engaged in housing discrimination. On June 22, 2021, HUD referred the matter to
the Commission for investigation.
      {¶ 5} In a letter dated December 16, 2021, the Commission concluded that no
probable cause existed to issue an administrative complaint regarding appellant’s charge of
housing discrimination. The Commission wrote that while Eden was a person with a
disability, the request for accommodation was not made until April 23, 2021.           The
Commission also found that the appellees acted in good faith requesting additional
information to determine the need for the accommodation and how it relates to Eden’s
disability. The Commission went on to find there was a lack of evidence to establish
appellees or their agents, employees subjected appellant and Eden to discrimination or
threatened, intimated, interfered, harassed, or coerced them from the full benefit of state
or federal fair housing law. Lastly, the Commission found that there was a lack of evidence
that appellees denied appellant and Eden the reasonable modification at issue. The
Commission wrote that the exterior modification was still intact, and appellant and Eden
had full access, rights, use, and enjoyment of the landscaping. Appellant moved the
Commission for reconsideration, which was denied on March 10, 2022.
      {¶ 6} On April 11, 2022, appellant filed an administrative appeal pursuant to
R.C. 4112.06 in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Relevant to the instant
appeal, on September 28, 2022, Mollie Glaser and Henderson filed a motion to dismiss
contending that they were not named in the original housing discrimination charge and
could not be named as respondents in the administrative appeal. On December 26, 2022,
the common pleas court affirmed the decision of the Commission finding the decision was
not unlawful, irrational, arbitrary, or capricious. The common pleas court also granted the
motion to dismiss Mollie Glaser and Henderson as they were not named in the charging
letter filed with the Commission, and therefore, were not proper parties to the appeal.
Appellant filed an appeal with this court on January 25, 2023.
      {¶ 7} On February 20, 2023, appellees Mollie Glaser, Kevin Glaser, Cahill,
Henderson, and Summerlyn HOA filed a motion for partial dismissal of claims asserted by
Eden and dismissal of claims against Mollie Glaser and Henderson. On February 27, 2023,
the Commission filed a motion to dismiss on the same grounds. On March 9, 2023, this
court granted in part, and denied in part, appellees’ motions. Specifically, we granted
No. 23AP-110                                                                             4

appellees’ motions to dismiss with respect to claims brought by Eden as he did not sign the
January 25, 2023 notice of appeal. This court, however, denied the motions to dismiss
concerning claims against Mollie Glaser and Henderson finding the trial court’s
determination regarding Glaser and Henderson went to the merits of the appeal and could
not be summarily addressed prior to completion of briefing.
II. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
      {¶ 8} Appellant assigns the following as trial court error:
               [I.] The Commission erred to have sound discretion in failing
               to apply admissible evidence collected over six-months
               recorded by Andrew Siefert Investigator II for Commission.

               [II.] The Commission erred by failing to apply the full scope of
               the Fair Housing law in determining the case outcome.

               [III.] The Respondents erred by misinterpreting the original
               charge complaint process. The actual protocol for HUD to
               initiate a formal complaint is to substantiate the evidence of
               discrimination prior to opening a charge. HUD opened the
               charge complaint then referred it locally to the Ohio Civil
               Rights Commission for investigation. (The evidence provided
               to HUD in this case, included items dated prior to the HOA
               hearing held on April 23, 2021, and were also given to HOA,
               opposing counsel and Commission)

               [IV.] The Respondents Representatives were made aware of
               both Eden’s and Kessler’s concerns, reasons, uses for the
               reasonable modification prior to the HOA zoom hearing held
               on April 23, 2021. The Appellants filled out and returned the
               HOA package of documents sent by HOA to list concerns along
               with returning the hearing request form. Never did any true
               interactive process take place between the Charging parties and
               the HOA, as a result the Appellants sought legal assistance.

               [V.] The Charging parties provided layers of substantial
               evidence to the Commission who erred causing prejudice and
               failing to consider or maintain the evidence as part of the case
               record.

               [VI.] The Commission erred to consider medical provider fill-
               in forms requested by the investigator along with Social
               Security Disability award letters for both Diane Kessler and
               Tony Eden who returned the completed documents to the
               Commission.
No. 23AP-110                                                                        5

               [VII.] The evidence supporting the passive aggressive behavior,
               discrimination, harassment and fear threats, made by the HOA
               erred to be validated by the Commission. The HOAs creation of
               a vendetta by Kevin and Mollie Glasers hate of the landscape.
               HOA refused to affirm the just proof and the affirmation of
               their own office manager, Bergin Mace, who had years of
               property management experience and at the onset affirmed the
               lawful modification was made and submitted as part of the
               record of admissible evidence.

               [VIII.] The Respondents erred in abusing their fiduciary
               authority and service practices when they engaged in unlawful
               discriminatory actions to retaliate against the Appellants, who
               outlined the pattern of abuse not ever receiving a validation for
               the rightful modification from the HOA.

               [IX.] The March 10, 2022, Reconsideration decision by the
               Commission errs to include submitted documentation of
               evidence, leaving an incomplete record. As a result, the
               Magistrate’s December 26, 2022, decision at appeal also errs
               when submissions of ‘additional information’ mentioned by
               the Judge but never included in the formal record.

               [X.] The Commission errs to apply all findings of fact sufficient
               justification of a ‘probable’ cause decision absence of discretion
               constituting unlawful, irrational, arbitrary and capricious,
               outcomes.

               [XI.] Appellants submitted proofs confirming elements of
               housing discrimination claims, proving the existence of
               disabilities, reasonable accommodation, and abuse of services
               by HOA. Commission erred to consult proofs and to apply the
               complete scope of the Fair Housing Act in determinations.

               [XII.] The HOA Defendant acted in bad faith erring spitefully
               by refusing to validate a lawfully proven modification.
               Defendants were fully aware of the disabilities prior to the HOA
               hearing on April 23, 2021, and err in admission of receiving
               both by email and USPS authenticating proof, both missing
               from the record.

               [XIII.] Opposing Counsel err in seeking to dismiss Mollie
               Glaser and David Henderson from among the Respondents.
               Both being proper parties to this appeal named in the charge
               filed, as Mollie is Kevin Glaser’s spouse and participated in
No. 23AP-110                                                                                                 6

                 retaliation against the Appellants caught on tape. David
                 Henderson is a board trustee member who participated and
                 voted in decisions made at the HOA hearing on April 23, 2021.

                 [XIV.] Opposing counsel, Nationwide Insurance the insurance
                 provided for the HOA and for each homeowner of the
                 community errs after initiating a settlement discussion outside
                 of court, only to utilize bad faith tactics in negotiating. No
                 settlement resulted.

                 [XV.] The court errs in granting defendants a dismissal of Tony
                 Eden from the claim. As multiple entries throughout the case,
                 reveal the Appellants hardships of indigency, being self-
                 litigants, Diane being Tony’s POA in order to sign and submit
                 entries only on Tony Eden’s behalf as multiple times
                 throughout the case had previously been done and never
                 questioned as Tony was hospitalized for life threating issues.
                 Diane never attempted to act as Tony’s attorney, rather she is
                 the spouse filing on behalf of them both due to his critical
                 illnesses. Tony was named in all subsequent documents.
(Sic passim.)
III. LEGAL ANALYSIS

        A. Appellant’s First, Second, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Tenth, and
           Eleventh Assignments of Error
        {¶ 9} For ease of discussion, we will address appellant’s assignments of error out
of order.3

        {¶ 10} As an initial matter, we must consider some residual issues brought by the
parties during the briefing of this case. First, we must address the issue of whether the trial
court erred by granting appellees’ motion to dismiss Mollie Glaser and Henderson as
parties to this case.        Pursuant to R.C. 4112.06(B), “[judicial review of commission]
proceedings shall be initiated by the filing of a petition in court as provided in division (A)
of this section and the service of a copy of the said petition upon the commission and upon
all parties who appeared before the commission.” (Emphasis added.) The record reveals

3 Appellant has attempted to supplement the record through the filing of various exhibits with her brief. “R.C.

4112.06(D), which provides for the admission of newly discovered evidence before the court of common pleas
on administrative appeals from commission determinations, is applicable only after an evidentiary hearing
has been held by the commission.” Kutz v. Ohio Edn. Assoc., 10th Dist. No. 94APE06-781, 1995 WL 115428,
*13 (Mar. 16, 1995). Therefore, this court is precluded from considering the exhibits to the extent those
documents are outside the record in this case.
No. 23AP-110                                                                                                 7

that Mollie Glaser and Henderson were not named in appellant’s original charge. Because
Mollie Glaser and Henderson were not named in the initial complaint, they are not proper
parties and must be dismissed from this appeal.
        {¶ 11} We also note that appellant’s twelfth and fifteenth assignments of error
appear to be brought, in whole or in part, on behalf of non-party, Tony Eden. As set forth
previously, this court granted appellees’ motions to dismiss claims brought on behalf of
Eden. (Mar. 9, 2023 Journal Entry.) Generally, a pro se appellant may not bring an appeal
on behalf of another party. Williams v. Griffith, 10th Dist. No. 09AP-28, 2009-Ohio-4045,
¶ 14, citing State v. Block, 8th Dist. No. 87488, 2007-Ohio-1979, ¶ 4 (“ ‘[A] person has the
inherent right to proceed pro se in any court, but that right pertains only to that person. It
does not extend to the person’s spouse, child, or solely owned corporation.’ ”). Accordingly,
those assignments of error are dismissed to the extent they concern claims brought on
behalf of Eden.
        {¶ 12} Next, we must address the various procedural deficiencies in appellant’s
brief. Although appellant has asserted 15 assignments of error, she has failed to separately
argue each of those assignments of error in the body of her brief. Instead, appellant has set
forth the assignments of error in three distinction groupings.4 Appellant’s failure to
separately argue her various assignments of error violates App.R. 16(A)(7) and may be
disregarded under App.R. 12(A)(2). State v. Brown, 10th Dist. No. 16AP-753, 2017-Ohio-
7134, ¶ 14. However, in the interest of justice, we will consider appellant’s first, fifth, sixth,
seventh, ninth, and tenth assignments of error for the proposition identified in the
subheader of appellant’s brief: “the commission erred abusing its discretion in dismissing
appellant’s action.” (Capitalization omitted.) (Appellant’s Brief at 8.) Similarly, in the
interest of justice, we will consider the second grouping, appellant’s second and eleventh
assignments of error, to the extent asserted in the subheader in the body of appellant’s brief:
“the commission erred to apply the full scope of the Fair Housing Act law.” (Capitalization
omitted.) (Appellant’s Brief at 9.) As these issues overlap, we will address both allegations
together.

4 Appellant groups the 15 assignments of error as follows: (Group One) first, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, and

tenth assignments of error; (Group Two) second and eleventh assignments of error; (Group Three) third,
fourth, eight, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth assignments of error.
No. 23AP-110                                                                              8

       {¶ 13} The Commission is empowered to “[r]eceive, investigate, and pass upon
written     charges   made   under    oath    of   unlawful    discriminatory    practices.”
R.C. 4112.04(A)(6). Once a complainant has filed a charge with the Commission alleging
unlawful discriminatory practices, the Commission may initiate a preliminary investigation
to determine if there is probable cause that the alleged unlawful discrimination took place.
R.C. 4112.05(B)(2). If the Commission finds no probable cause exists, it must notify the
complainant that it will not bring a complaint in the case. R.C 4112.05(B)(4). When the
Commission declines to pursue a claim, the complainant is notified of the decision by a
letter of determination. R.C. 4112.05(H). The Commission should provide its findings in
the letter and dismiss the complaint. Id. A party may request the Commission to reconsider
its initial determination, which the Commission has the discretion to accept or reject. Ohio
Adm.Code 4112-3-04(A) and (B). When the Commission accepts an application for
reconsideration, it must notify all parties as to its determination. Ohio Adm.Code 4112-3-
04(B)(2).
       {¶ 14} As set forth in R.C. 4112.06, a party may seek judicial review of an order by
the Commission, including those that the Commission refuses to issue a complaint, in a
court of common pleas. In cases where the complainant, after a hearing is conducted,
appeals from the Commission’s determination that the respondent did not engage in
unlawful discriminatory practices, a common pleas court must affirm the findings of fact of
the Commission if it is supported by “reliable, probative, and substantial evidence.” Ohio
Civ. Rights Comm. v. Case W. Res. Univ., 76 Ohio.3d 168, 177 (1996), citing R.C.
4112.06(E); HLS Bonding v. Ohio Civ. Rights Comm., 10th Dist. No. 07AP-1071, 2008-
Ohio-4107, ¶ 12, citing Plumbers & Steamfitters Joint Apprenticeship Comm. v. Ohio Civ.
Rights Comm., 66 Ohio St.2d 192 (1981), paragraph two of the syllabus. Review of the
Commission’s order is based on the record and any additional evidence as the court allows.
R.C. 4112.06(B) and (D).
       {¶ 15} However, in cases where the Commission does not conduct an evidentiary
hearing based on a no probable cause determination there is “ ‘no evidence to review on
appeal, reliable, probative, substantial, or otherwise.’ ” La Riccia v. Ohio Civ. Rights
Comm., 8th Dist. No. 111976, 2023-Ohio-1816, ¶ 21, quoting McCrea v. Ohio Civ. Rights
Comm., 20 Ohio App.3d 314, 317 (9th Dist.1984). The court of common pleas should
No. 23AP-110                                                                                                  9

review the Commission’s pre-complaint decision to not issue a complaint for lack of
probable cause for whether “the decision is unlawful, irrational, and/or arbitrary and
capricious.” Tarshis v. Ohio Civ. Rights Comm., 10th Dist. No. 19AP-172, 2019-Ohio-3633,
¶ 10, citing Yeager v. Ohio Civ. Rights Comm., 148 Ohio App.3d 459, 2002-Ohio-3383, ¶ 12
(11th Dist.). The court of common pleas is only tasked with reviewing the Commission’s
findings and attachments from the letter of determination, “rather than examining the full
record of the investigation.” Kutz at *7. The La Riccia court explained, “[t]he reason for
using the unlawful, irrational, arbitrary, and capricious standard in an appeal from a no
probable cause finding rests on the fundamental differences between a pre-complaint and
post-complaint proceeding when a charge of discrimination is brought.” La Riccia at ¶ 22,
citing Hous. Advocates, Inc. v. Am. Fire & Cas. Co., 8th Dist. No. 86444, 2006-Ohio-4880,
¶ 10, citing McCrea. As this matter originates from a pre-complaint determination to not
issue a complaint for lack of probable cause, the court of common pleas was limited to
reviewing whether the Commission’s decision was unlawful, irrational, and/or arbitrary
and capricious.
        {¶ 16} An appellate court’s review of the common pleas court’s decision is even more
limited. A reviewing court will not reverse the judgment of the trial court to affirm the
Commission’s decision absent an abuse of discretion. HLS Bonding at ¶ 13, citing Case
Western at 177.5 An abuse of discretion connotes a decision that is unreasonable, arbitrary,
or unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219 (1983).
        {¶ 17} When reviewing a claim of housing discrimination, Ohio courts have applied
analogous federal disability statutes and case law to inform its statutory analysis. Reid v.
Plainsboro Partners, III, 10th Dist. No. 09AP-442, 2010-Ohio-4373, ¶ 42, citing Ohio Civil
Rights Comm. v. Fairmark Dev., Inc., 10th Dist. No. 08AP-250, 2008-Ohio-6511, ¶ 24,
citing Kozma v. AEP Energy Serv., Inc., 10th Dist. No. 04AP-643, 2005-Ohio-1157, ¶ 30,
citing Wooton v. Columbus Div. of Water, 91 Ohio App.3d 326, 334 (10th Dist.1993); see
also Martin v. Barnesville Exempted Village School Dist. Bd. of Edn., 209 F.3d 931 (6th
Cir.2000), fn. 2, citing Little Forest Med. Ctr. v. Ohio Civ. Rights Comm., 61 Ohio St.3d 607

5 We note that appellant mistakenly argues the Commission, rather than the court of common pleas, erred in

its ruling. At this point in the case, we are tasked with reviewing the ruling of the court of common pleas, not
the Commission.
No. 23AP-110                                                                              10

(1991) (“Both federal and Ohio disability discrimination actions require the same
analysis.”).
       {¶ 18} Pursuant to R.C. 4112.02(H)(19), it is unlawful to “[r]efuse to make
reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services when necessary to
afford a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling unit,
including associated public and common use areas.” See also 42 U.S.C. 3604(f)(3)(B) (“a
refusal to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services, when
such accommodations may be necessary to afford such person equal opportunity to use and
enjoy a dwelling.”). To demonstrate such a claim, the plaintiff must show that “(1) she
suffers from a disability; (2) the defendants knew or reasonably should have known of the
disability; (3) accommodation of the disability ‘may be necessary’ to afford the plaintiff an
equal opportunity to use and enjoy the dwelling; and (4) the defendants refused to make
such an accommodation.” Reid at ¶ 47, citing Giebeler v. M & B Assocs., 343 F.3d 1143,
1147 (9th Cir.2003), quoting United States v. California Mobile Home Park Mgt. Co., 107
F.3d 1374, 1380 (9th Cir.1997).
       {¶ 19} After a careful examination of the available record, the trial court’s decision
to affirm the Commission’s determination was reasonable. There is nothing in the record
to suggest that the Commission acted in an arbitrary, capricious, or irrational manner.
Here, the Commission found that appellant failed to engage in the interactive process for
making a reasonable accommodation of a disability and that there was a lack of evidence to
demonstrate appellees subjected appellant to discrimination, threats, or harassment to
keep her from the full benefit of state or federal fair housing laws. The Commission also
found there was a lack of evidence that appellees failed to permit a reasonable modification
to the property. Most importantly, the Commission concluded that the landscaping at issue
remained intact, and appellant could still use and enjoy the exterior modification for the
desired therapeutic purpose. Based on these findings, we cannot say that the trial court’s
decision constitutes an abuse of discretion.
       {¶ 20} Appellant also contends the Commission erred by failing to apply the full
scope of the “fair housing act law.” (Capitalization omitted.) (Appellant’s Brief at 9.)
Specifically, appellant argues that the Commission erred by failing to find that the
Summerlyn HOA denied her a reasonable accommodation for the exterior modification
No. 23AP-110                                                                                 11

installed in 2016. Appellant claims that the Summerlyn HOA intended to harass her using
“various passive aggressive tactics” and “vandalized the landscape.” (Appellant’s Brief at
9.) Appellant’s arguments overlap with her prior contention that the Commission erred by
finding that there was no probable cause to issue an administrative complaint regarding
appellant’s charge of housing discrimination. We find these restated contentions equally
unavailing. Again, our review is limited to whether the court of common pleas abused its
discretion affirming the decision of the Commission. Based on the available evidence, there
is little support for appellant’s claims of harassment or coercion. Moreover, the exterior
modification of appellant’s property remains intact. Given these facts, the court of common
pleas acted reasonably by affirming the Commission’s no probable cause determination.
       {¶ 21} Appellant’s first, second, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, tenth, and eleventh
assignments of error are overruled.
       B. Appellant’s Third, Fourth, Eighth, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth,
       and Fifteen Assignments of Error
       {¶ 22} As for appellant’s third, fourth, eighth, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, and
fifteenth assignments of error, we find appellant’s brief deficient as it fails to substantially
comply with the requirements of Ohio Rules of Appellate Procedure and the Local Rules of
the Tenth District Court of Appeals. Pursuant to App.R. 16, an appellant must provide in
their brief, “[a]n argument containing the contentions of the appellant with respect to each
assignment of error presented for review and the reasons in support of the contentions,
with citations to the authorities, statutes, and parts of the record on which appellant relies.
The argument may be preceded by a summary.” App.R. 16(A)(7). As set forth previously,
a reviewing court may disregard an assignment of error if the party “fails to argue the
assignment separately in the brief, as required under App.R. 16(A).” App.R. 12(A)(2). It is
well-established that a reviewing court is not required to “ ‘conjure up questions never
squarely asked or construct full-blown claims from convoluted reasoning.’ ” Columbus v.
Wynn, 10th Dist. No. 20AP-479, 2021-Ohio-3934, ¶ 7, quoting State ex rel. Karmasu v.
Tate, 83 Ohio App.3d 199, 206 (4th Dist.1992). Failure to comply with appellate or local
rules constitutes independent grounds for dismissal. Wynn at ¶ 8, citing McCormick v.
Hsiu Chen Lu, 10th Dist. No. 18AP-284, 2019-Ohio-624, ¶ 19; see Loc.R. 10(E)
(“noncompliance with the Appellate Rules or the Rules of this Court” shall be “deemed good
No. 23AP-110                                                                                                  12

cause for dismissal of an appeal.”). To be sure, while appellate courts may provide some
flexibility to pro se litigants, they are held to the same rules and procedures as parties
represented by counsel. Williams, 2009-Ohio-4045 at ¶ 21. If a reviewing court cannot
determine the arguments offered by a party, relief cannot be granted. Id., citing State v.
Dunlap, 10th Dist. No. 05AP-260, 2005-Ohio-6754, ¶ 10.
        {¶ 23} In the case sub judice, appellant’s brief fails to substantially comply with Ohio
Rules of Appellate Procedure and this court’s Local Rules as she has failed to separately
argue each assignment of error as well as provide any type of meaningful examination, with
citation to the record, as to how the trial court erred. App.R. 16(A)(7). Appellant has simply
identified various assignments of error and cited, without any meaningful discussion,
several exhibits that were improperly attached to her brief. See Williams, supra, at fn. 3.
Appellant has also failed to cite to a single legal authority to provide some basis for her
arguments. State v. Hubbard, 10th Dist. No. 11AP-945, 2013-Ohio-2735, ¶ 34. Because
appellant has failed to provide any discernable argument or citation to legal authority,
appellant’s third, fourth, eighth, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth assignments
of error are dismissed.
IV. CONCLUSION
        {¶ 24} Having overruled appellant’s first, second, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, tenth,
and eleventh assignments of error, and dismissed appellant’s third, fourth, eighth, twelfth,
thirteenth, fourteen, and fifteenth assignments of error, this court affirms the judgment of
the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.6
                                                                                       Judgment affirmed.
                        LUPER SCHUSTER and EDELSTEIN, JJ., concur.
                                            _____________

6 This Court is sympathetic to the inherent stress that accompanies any type of legal action. However, at this

stage in the case our standard of review, as well as consideration of evidence outside the record, is limited. We
hope that this decision provides some closure for the parties in order to restore some type of neighborly
relationship.