Court Opinion

ID: 2879120
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-07 05:05:16.623544+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:35:53.261033
License: Public Domain

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                                 MEMORANDUM OPINION

                                         No. 04-07-00339-CV

                                       Rolando Rafael SAENZ,
                                             Appellant

                                                  v.

                   Maria Graciela Saenz MARTINEZ, Individually and as Trustee
                        for the Rolando Rafael Trust, and Pedro I. Saenz Jr.,
                                            Appellees

                     From the 406th Judicial District Court, Webb County, Texas
                               Trial Court No. 2005-CVQ-000144-D4
                              Honorable O.J. Hale, Jr., Judge Presiding

Opinion by:       Steven C. Hilbig, Justice

Sitting:          Catherine Stone, Justice
                  Karen Angelini, Justice
                  Steven C. Hilbig, Justice

Delivered and Filed: November 5, 2008

AFFIRMED

           Maria Graciela Saenz Martinez, Individually and as Trustee for the Rolando Rafael Trust,

and Pedro I. Saenz Jr. (“appellees”) sought to enforce a mediated settlement agreement by filing

traditional and no evidence motions for summary judgment. The trial court granted the motions and

Rolando Rafael Saenz (“Saenz”) appeals. We affirm the trial court’s judgment.
                                                                                                     04-07-00339-CV

                                                  BACKGROUND

         Pedro I. Saenz Sr. and Maria Del Refugio M. De Saenz created an irrevocable trust (“Trust”)

for the benefit of their son, Saenz. Saenz’s sister, Maria Graciela Saenz Martinez (“Martinez”) was

named trustee. Approximately ten years later, Saenz filed suit against his brother, Pedro I. Saenz Jr.,

and Martinez, alleging mismanagement of the Trust. Saenz’s daughters, Katherine Saenz and Amy

Saenz-Smith (“Intervenors”) filed a petition in intervention, alleging Saenz breached his fiduciary

duty as trustee of another trust created for their benefit. The parties mediated and on April 11, 2006,

signed a “Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims.”1 However, at a scheduled status

hearing on May 4, 2006, Saenz claimed he no longer agreed to the settlement.

         The trial court granted appellees’ motion to enter judgment based on the settlement

agreement; however, the court later granted Saenz’s motion for new trial. Appellees then filed an

amended answer, including a counterclaim seeking enforcement of the settlement agreement.

Appellees filed traditional and no evidence motions for summary judgment seeking to enforce the

settlement agreement. Saenz responded, reasserting his defenses and affirmative defenses, excepting

to the lack of specificity in the no evidence motion for summary judgment, and requesting a motion

for continuance. The trial court granted the motions for summary judgment.

                                                     ANALYSIS

                   No Evidence Motion for Summary Judgment – Rule 166(a)(i)

         In his first issue, Saenz argues the trial court erred in granting summary judgment because

the no evidence motion for summary judgment filed by appellees was defective. While we agree the

         1
          … The settlement agreement was also signed by Saenz’s wife, Letty Almaraz Saenz, as a “non-litigant.”
Counsel for Martinez and Saenz Jr. testified they had her sign the agreement to prevent any additional potential claims
with regard to the matters.

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no evidence motion for summary judgment was flawed, sustaining this issue does not entitle Saenz

to relief.

         Rule 166a(i) provides a party may move for summary judgment on the ground that there is

no evidence of one or more essential elements of a defense on which an adverse party has the burden

of proof, but the motion “must state the elements as to which there is no evidence.” TEX . R. CIV . P.

166a(i). The comment to the rule, which is “intended to inform the construction and application of

the rule,” states the motion “must be specific in challenging the evidentiary support for an element

of a . . . defense” and the rule “does not authorize conclusory motions or general no-evidence

challenges to an opponent’s case.” TEX . R. CIV . P. 166a(i) cmt. If a no evidence motion is

conclusory or does not specifically challenge a particular element of a defense, the motion is legally

insufficient. Callaghan Ranch, Ltd. v. Killam, 53 S.W.3d 1, 3 (Tex. App.–San Antonio 2000, pet.

denied).

         Appellees’ no evidence motion stated: “In the instant case [Saenz] . . . will not be able to

produce any valid summary judgment evidence to support any defenses.”2 Appellees’ motion fails

to state the elements of Saenz’s affirmative defenses as to which there is no evidence, rendering the

motion legally insufficient to support a judgment. See id. at 3-4. However, this does not entitle

Saenz to a reversal because appellees also filed a traditional motion for summary judgment.

Appellees, as plaintiffs, were not required to conclusively disprove Saenz’s affirmative defenses to

prevail on their traditional motion. See Brownlee v. Brownlee, 665 S.W.2d 111, 112 (Tex. 1984).

Rather, Saenz, as the party relying on affirmative defenses, was required to come forward with

         2
          … This was based on appellees’ erroneous assertion that Saenz had not pleaded any affirmative defenses.
Saenz’s supplemental petition asserted several defenses, at least one affirmative defense, and incorporated the defenses
and affirmative defenses pleaded in his motion for new trial.

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                                                                                        04-07-00339-CV

summary judgment evidence sufficient to raise a fact issue on each element of at least one

affirmative defense to avoid summary judgment. See id.; see also Nichols v. Smith, 507 S.W.2d
518, 520 (Tex. 1974) (quoting Torres v. Western Cas. & Sur. Co., 457 S.W.2d 50, 53 (Tex. 1970)

(holding “[t]here is one situation where the opponent of a summary judgment motion must come

forward himself to raise a fact issue by proof rather than allegation, the movant having presented no

proof on the issue, and that is to support the non-movant’s own affirmative defense.”)). The absence

of a legally sufficient no evidence motion for summary judgment does not relieve Saenz of this

burden because he bears this burden under the traditional motion for summary judgment.

                  Alleged Exclusion of Saenz’s Summary Judgment Evidence

       Saenz contends in his second issue that the trial court erred in excluding his summary

judgment evidence. Appellees made numerous objections to Saenz’s summary judgment evidence,

but the record does not contain any trial court rulings on those objections. Nor is there any indication

in the record that the trial court failed to consider Saenz’s summary judgment evidence or actually

excluded any evidence. Given our mandate to conduct a de novo review and to take evidence

favorable to nonmovant as true, we shall review appellees’ summary judgment evidence to determine

whether they established their right to summary judgment as a matter of law and if so, whether

Saenz’s summary judgment evidence is competent and raises a genuine issue of material fact to

defeat summary judgment. See Browning v. Prostock, 165 S.W.3d 336, 344 (Tex. 2005); Am.

Tobacco Co. v. Grinnell, 951 S.W.2d 420, 425 (Tex. 1997).

                  Traditional Motion for Summary Judgment – Rule 166a(c)

       In issues three through six, Saenz contends the trial court erred in granting appellees’

traditional motion for summary judgment because (1) appellees’ evidence was insufficient to prove

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as a matter of law the existence of a settlement agreement and breach of same by Saenz, and

(2) Saenz produced competent summary judgment evidence raising fact issues on numerous

affirmative defenses.3

         Courts review de novo traditional motions for summary judgment. Valence Operating Co.

v. Dorsett, 164 S.W.3d 656, 661 (Tex. 2005). A traditional motion for summary judgment is

properly granted only when the movant establishes there are no genuine issues of material fact and

it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law on the grounds expressly set forth in the motion.

Browning, 165 S.W.3d at 344. When reviewing an order granting a traditional motion for summary

judgment, courts take evidence favorable to nonmovant as true and indulge every reasonable

inference from the evidence in favor of the nonmovant. Grinnell, 951 S.W.2d at 425. Mere

suspicion or surmise is not a reasonable inference and will not qualify as summary judgment proof.

See Centeq Realty, Inc. v. Siegler, 899 S.W.2d 195, 198 n.1 (Tex. 1995).

         Saenz first argues the trial court erred in granting appellees’ traditional motion for summary

judgment because appellees did not produce sufficient summary judgment evidence to establish as

a matter of law the existence of a settlement agreement or that Saenz breached it. Saenz contends

the only evidence produced by appellees in support of their motion was portions of Saenz’s

testimony from a hearing held before the motion for summary judgment was filed. Saenz is

incorrect. In their motion for summary judgment, appellees relied on not only the testimony referred

to by Saenz, but also on their pleading establishing they filed a counterclaim seeking to enforce the

         3
          … In trial court pleadings, Saenz raised eleven defenses and affirmative defenses. On appeal, however, he
claims only that two defenses and five affirmative defenses preclude summary judgment. Accordingly, we will review
the propriety of the trial court’s order granting summary judgment only with regard to those defenses and affirmative
defenses raised below and presented as grounds for reversal on appeal. See San Jacinto River Auth. v. Duke, 783 S.W .2d
209, 210 (Tex. 1990) (holding appellate court may not reverse summary judgment absent properly assigned error).

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settlement agreement and the settlement agreement itself. The question is whether this evidence

established their right to judgment as a matter of law.

         Saenz next contends appellees did not establish their right to judgment as a matter of law

because he raised fact issues regarding the settlement agreement’s enforceability, including his

withdrawal of consent to the agreement and an absence of consideration to support it – defenses as

opposed to affirmative defenses.4

                                               Withdrawal of Consent

         Appellees’ summary judgment evidence establishes the existence of a settlement agreement

signed by Saenz and all the other parties, before a notary public. Additionally, appellees included

as summary judgment evidence testimony from a hearing at which Saenz admitted he signed the

settlement agreement but, after he received money pursuant to the agreement, changed his mind and

sought to withdraw his consent.

         A written settlement agreement may be enforced even if one party withdraws its consent

before judgment is rendered on the agreement. Mantas v. Fifth Ct. of App., 925 S.W.2d 656, 658

(Tex. 1996) (orig. proceeding) (per curiam) (citing Padilla v. LaFrance, 907 S.W.2d 454, 461

(Tex. 1995)). Where consent is lacking, a trial court may not render an agreed judgment on the

settlement agreement, but the party seeking enforcement may properly pursue a separate breach of

contract claim. Mantas, 925 S.W.2d at 658. This mode of enforcement is based on rule 11 of the

Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, the requisites of which are necessary for entry of any judgment

         4
          … An affirmative defense attempts to establish an independent reason to deny a plaintiff’s recovery. Hong
Kong Dev., Inc. v. Nguyen, 229 S.W .3d 415, 457 n.41 (Tex. App.–Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, no pet.). It is a defense of
avoidance as opposed to a defense in denial. Id. In other words, when asserting an affirmative defense, a defendant
admits the validity of the plaintiff’s claim, but contends that despite its validity other reasons exist to deny the plaintiff
recovery. See id.

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enforcing a settlement agreement. Padilla, 907 S.W.2d at 460 (citing Kennedy v. Hyde, 682 S.W.2d
525, 528 (Tex. 1984)).

         Here, the summary judgment evidence shows a settlement agreement, signed by all parties,

and filed with the papers of the court as part of the record before enforcement was sought. See TEX .

R. CIV . P. 11; Padilla, 907 S.W.2d at 460-61 (holding settlement agreement must comply with rule

11 to be enforceable and holding rule 11 filing requirement is met if settlement agreement is filed

before it is sought to be enforced). The evidence further establishes appellees sought enforcement

by filing a counterclaim to enforce the agreement by specific performance. See Mantas, 925 S.W.2d
658. The settlement agreement is complete in that it contains the essential terms – payment to Saenz

and others of certain sums of money from the trust in exchange for execution of mutual releases and

indemnification agreements. See CherCo Props., Inc. v. Law, Snakard & Gambill, P.C., 985 S.W.2d
262, 266 (Tex. App.–Fort Worth 1999, no pet.) (holding that settlement agreement contained all

material terms where it included terms of payment and statement that parties would execute mutual

releases). Saenz’s subsequent withdrawal of consent5 to the agreement, though undisputed, does not

raise a fact issue negating the enforceability of the agreement and precluding summary judgment.

                                          Absence of Consideration

         Saenz also contends appellees did not establish their right to judgment as a matter of law

because he raised a fact issue regarding the absence of consideration. Saenz argues there was no

consideration to support the settlement agreement because he got nothing more than what Martinez

         5
           … Saenz’s own summary judgment proof establishes his withdrawal of consent was subsequent to the execution
of the settlement agreement. At the May 11, 2006 hearing, Saenz admitted that on April 11th, the day the agreement was
executed, he wanted the settlement and that he changed his mind only after he received the money promised him under
the agreement.

                                                         -7-
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“was already obligated to given him, i.e., distribution of trust money for his necessary living

expenses.” We disagree.

        Consideration is an essential element of any valid contract. J.M. Davidson, Inc. v. Webster,

128 S.W.3d 223, 235 (Tex. 2003); MG Bldg. Materials, Ltd. v. Moses Lopez Custom Homes,

Inc., 179 S.W.3d 51, 61-62 (Tex. App.–San Antonio 2005, pet. denied). Consideration is a

“bargained-for” exchange of promises. Roark v. Stallworth Oil & Gas, Inc., 813 S.W.2d 492, 496

(Tex. 1991). It can be either a benefit to the promisor or a detriment to the promisee. Fort Worth

Indep. Sch. Dist. v. City of Fort Worth, 22 S.W.3d 831, 841 (Tex. 2000). It can consist of a right,

interest, profit, or benefit that accrues to one party, or some forbearance, loss, or responsibility

undertaken or incurred by the other party. Copeland v. Alsobrook, 3 S.W.3d 598, 606 (Tex.

App.–San Antonio 1999, pet. denied). Even an exchange of promises is sufficient consideration in

Texas. Id.

        In the settlement agreement, Martinez, as trustee, agreed to pay Saenz $34,000.00 from the

Trust and disburse to him sixty percent of any income or revenue received by the Trust within ten

days of receiving same, until a successor trustee was appointed or she resigned. These terms of

distribution differ from the Trust provisions, which gave the trustee full discretion “to accumulate

all or part of the net income, or, to distribute any part of the income or principal for the maintenance,

comfort, health, education and welfare” of Saenz. The only limitation was that the trustee endeavor

“insofar as possible” “to maintain that standard of living to which [Saenz] is accustomed.” Saenz

benefitted by converting what had been a discretionary distribution by the trustee into a mandatory

distribution of income.     This benefit was sufficient consideration to support the settlement

agreement. See Super-Cold Sw. Co. v. Green & Romans, 185 S.W.2d 749, 753 (Tex. Civ. App.–Fort

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Worth 1945, no writ) (holding that payment of deferred installments of purchase price before

maturity was consideration). In return, Saenz agreed to execute a release and indemnification

agreement disposing of his claims arising out of or connected to the Trust. The settlement agreement

also included Martinez’s agreement to resign as trustee. This benefitted Saenz because he no longer

had to pursue removal proceedings. See TEX . PROP . CODE ANN . § 113.082 (Vernon 2007).

Intervenors also released their claims against Saenz, constituting another benefit to him. Any one

of these benefits or forbearances was sufficient consideration to support the agreement. See Allen

v. Am. Gen. Finance, Inc., 251 S.W.3d 676, 688 (Tex. App.–San Antonio 2007, pet. filed) (holding

that one consideration will support multiple promises); Birdwell v. Birdwell, 819 S.W.2d 223, 228

(Tex. App.–Fort Worth 1991, writ denied) (same). Appellees met their burden of showing

consideration for the agreement and Saenz did not produce any summary judgment proof creating

a fact question on the issue.

                                        Affirmative Defenses

        We next determine whether Saenz produced competent summary judgment evidence raising

fact issues on the affirmative defenses of duress, anticipatory breach, fraud, and unconscionability.

As the party relying on affirmative defenses, it was incumbent upon Saenz to produce summary

judgment evidence sufficient to raise a fact issue on each element of at least one of his affirmative

defenses. See Brownlee, 665 S.W.2d at 112; Nichols, 507 S.W.2d at 520.

                                                Duress

        Saenz first contends he raised a fact issue to defeat summary judgment based on the

affirmative defense of duress. See TEX . R. CIV . P. 94 (stating duress is affirmative defense); see also

Hardin v. Hardin, 597 S.W.2d 347, 348 (Tex. 1980) (describing duress as affirmative defense).

                                                   -9-
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“Duress is a threat to do some act which the threatening party has no legal right to do.” Brown v.

Aztec Rig Equip., Inc., 921 S.W.2d 835, 845 (Tex. App.–Houston [14th Dist.] 1996, writ denied).

There can be no claim of duress unless (1) a party makes a threat or takes an action without legal

justification, (2) the threat or action was of such a character as to destroy the opposing party’s free

will, (3) the opposing party’s free will is overcome and he is caused to do that which he would not

otherwise do and was not legally bound to do, (4) the threat of action was imminent, and (5) the

opposing party had no present means of protection from the threat or action. McMahan v.

Greenwood, 108 S.W.3d 467, 482 (Tex. App.–Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. denied). The

opposing party’s “compulsion” to assent “must be actual and imminent, and not merely feigned or

imagined.” Sudan v. Sudan, 199 S.W.3d 291, 292 (Tex. 2006).

       Saenz argues he was under economic duress because after he filed suit Martinez cut off his

trust funds, which were his only source of income. In support of his defense, Saenz provided his

own affidavit testimony, his testimony from the May 11, 2006 hearing, and his wife Letty’s affidavit.

The thrust of this evidence was:

       •after Saenz filed suit against appellees, Martinez did not disburse trust funds to him
       for several months and then later disbursed $500.00 a month instead of the $1,000.00
       to $3,000.00 a month he received before he filed suit

       •without disbursement at their pre-suit level, Saenz lacked sufficient funds to support
       himself or his family, which forced him to sign the settlement agreement

       •Saenz was unable to work and support his family and had to “get loans and beg[] for
       help from friends and christian brothers and christian sisters”

But the affidavits also established Saenz had been able to prosecute his lawsuit despite the

withholding of funds, had employed an attorney to help advise him, participated in a day-long

mediation with assistance of counsel, and signed the settlement agreement only after consultation

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with his attorney. There was also evidence that Saenz’s attorney previously had been successful in

persuading Martinez to resume payments, though at a reduced level. Access to professional

assistance and a party’s decision to negotiate are factors to be considered when measuring a claim

of duress. Sudan, 199 S.W.3d at 292-293.

       We do not find any evidence of an imminent threat that overcame Saenz’s free will and from

which he had no present means of protection. See McMahan, 108 S.W.3d at 482; see also Sudan,
199 S.W.3d at 292-293 (holding that ex-husband’s threats to withhold contractual alimony did not

constitute imminent duress and absence of means of protection because ex-wife had adequate time

to consult with accountant and attorney and chose to negotiate amendment to contract rather than

enforce existing agreement).

       Saenz also claimed duress based on threats of criminal prosecution relating to his alleged

misappropriation of funds from his daughters’ trust in his capacity as trustee. Generally, threats of

criminal prosecution may support a claim of duress for purposes of setting aside a contract. See

Kalyanaram v. Burck, 225 S.W.3d 291, 302 (Tex. App.–El Paso 2006, no pet.). Such threats or

actions must be imminent. McMahan, 108 S.W.3d at 482.

       There is no evidence of an imminent threat at the time Saenz entered into the settlement

agreement. Saenz’s own summary judgment evidence establishes his daughters had taken their

misappropriation complaints to the Webb County District Attorney before mediation began. There

is no evidence that during the mediation Intervenors or appellees threatened continued pursuit of

criminal charges if Saenz refused to settle. In fact, evidence from the May 11, 2006 hearing

established it was Saenz who requested the settlement agreement include a provision that Intervenors

would “insure that the criminal complaints be withdrawn.” In the absence of evidence raising a fact

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issue about an imminent threat or action, Saenz’s claim of duress based on the alleged criminal

complaint cannot be used to invalidate the settlement agreement. See id.

                                        Anticipatory Breach

       Under the doctrine of repudiation or anticipatory breach, a party’s performance under a

contract is excused if the opposing party has repudiated the contract. Burford v. Pounders, 145 Tex.
460, 199 S.W.2d 141, 144-45 (1947); Chapman v. Olbrich, 217 S.W.3d 482, 491 (Tex.

App.–Houston [14th Dist.] 2006, no pet.). To prove the affirmative defense of anticipatory breach

of contract, the nonrepudiating party must show (1) words or actions by the alleged repudiating party

establishing an intent not to perform the contract according to its terms, (2) a lack of excuse for the

non-performance, and (3) damage. See Valdina Farms, Inc. v. Brown Beasley & Assocs., Inc.,

733 S.W.2d 688, 692 (Tex. App.–San Antonio 1987, no writ).

       Saenz contended Martinez breached the settlement agreement by failing to comply with the

provision that required her, as trustee, “to disburse to Rolando Rafael Saenz as Beneficiary sixty

percent (60%) of any income or revenue received by the Trust within ten (10) days of her receipt of

said income or revenue.” In support of his affirmative defense, Saenz again relies on his affidavit,

the affidavit of his wife, and the record of the May 11, 2006 hearing. Saenz stated in his affidavit

that Martinez “did not pay over to me the 60 percent of trust income within 10 days.” In her

affidavit, Saenz’s wife’s was more specific, claiming Martinez did not pay Saenz sixty percent of

the Trust income based on rents from an apartment complex that the Trust had an interest in and

failed to pay income for oil and gas royalties. However, none of this evidence shows the Trust

actually received any income requiring disbursement from the time the settlement agreement was

signed to Saenz’s own attempted withdrawal of consent. Moreover, Saenz admitted under oath

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during the May 11, 2006 hearing that appellees complied with the terms of the settlement agreement.

When asked if either appellee “did something to invalidate this agreement,” Saenz replied that he

simply changed his mind. Even if it could be argued that Saenz’s evidence raises a fact issue as to

whether Martinez intended to comply with the settlement agreement, Saenz failed to produce

summary judgment evidence establishing the other two required elements of anticipatory breach.

Because Saenz failed to produce evidence to raise a fact issue on each element of his affirmative

defense, he did not sustain his burden.

                                                Fraud

       Saenz claims the settlement agreement should not be enforced because he produced evidence

raising a fact issue on the affirmative defense of actual and constructive fraud. His fraud defense is

based on his contention that he was fraudulently induced to enter the settlement agreement by

Martinez’s misrepresentations regarding, and nondisclosure of, the value of the Trust and its assets.

       Actual fraud exists when one makes a false, material representation, knowing it is false or

without knowledge of the truth, to another with the intent that it be relied upon and it is relied upon,

resulting in damage. In re FirstMerit Bank, N.A., 52 S.W.3d 749, 758 (Tex. 2001). Constructive

fraud or “[f]raud by nondisclosure is simply a subcategory of fraud.” Schlumberger Tech. Corp. v.

Swanson, 959 S.W.2d 171, 181 (Tex. 1997). The elements of fraud by nondisclosure therefore

require (1) a deliberate failure to disclose material facts, (2) by one who had a duty to disclose such

facts, (3) to another who was ignorant of the facts and did not have an equal opportunity to discover

them, (4) with the intent the listener act or refrain from acting, and (5) the listener relies on the

nondisclosure resulting in injury. 7979 Airport Garage, L.L.C. v. Dollar Rent A Car Sys., Inc.,

245 S.W.3d 488, 507 n.27 (Tex. App.–Houston [14th Dist.] 2007, pets. denied).

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       The only “failure to disclose” raised by the summary judgment is Martinez’s alleged failure

to provide Saenz with an accounting. While Martinez, as trustee, was certainly under a duty to

provide Saenz with an accounting in accordance with the Texas Property Code, Saenz did not adduce

summary judgment evidence he relied on this failure in deciding whether to enter into the settlement

agreement. See TEX . PROP . CODE ANN . § 113.151 (Vernon 2007). There is no evidence of the

element of reliance to support Saenz’s affirmative defense of constructive fraud.

       In support of his claim of actual fraud, Saenz again points to his affidavit and that of his wife.

A close inspection of these documents reveals two alleged misrepresentations of material fact

concerning the alleged value of certain Trust property sold by Martinez in her capacity as trustee:

(1) Martinez told Saenz the sale of a ranch was at “the going rate for that land” and at “the fair

market price or value,” and (2) Martinez told Saenz she got a fair price for an apartment complex

that was sold. Saenz’s summary judgment proof raised an issue of fact on reliance only with regard

to the statement about the value of the ranch: “If I would have known the true fair value of my ranch

acres . . . I would never have signed the Settlement Agreement and Release of Claims.” Saenz

provided no summary judgment proof of reliance regarding the alleged misrepresentation of the

value of the apartment complex. We therefore need only consider whether Saenz raised fact issues

on the other elements of fraud with regard to the representation about the ranch.

       To show Martinez’s statement about the value of the ranch was false, Saenz stated in his

affidavit that the Trust was only paid $395.00 per acre for the ranch when “the amount [sic] fair price

should have been at least $2,500.00 per acre.” Texas courts have held that an owner of real property

is qualified to testify about the value of real property. See Porras v. Craig, 675 S.W.2d 503, 504

(Tex. 1984); Stein v. Killough, 53 S.W.3d 36, 44 (Tex. App.–San Antonio 2001, no pet.). “Even an

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owner’s testimony, however, is subject to some restrictions.” Id. For a property owner to qualify

as a witness, his testimony “must show that it refers to market, rather than intrinsic or some other

value of the property.” Porras, 675 S.W.2d at 504-05; Stein, 53 S.W.3d at 44. This requirement is

usually met if the owner testifies he is familiar with the market value of his property. “Market value”

is the price property would bring if offered for sale by one who desires, but is not obligated to sell,

and is bought by one who is under no obligation to buy. Exxon Corp. v. Middleton, 613 S.W.2d 240,

246 (Tex. 1981).

       Saenz did not provide any summary judgment proof of the market value of the ranch. He

never testified he was familiar with the market value of the ranch. See id. We therefore hold he has

not produced any evidence to raise a fact issue as the falsity of Martinez’s representation about the

value of the ranch.

       Having failed to raise a fact issue on each element of his affirmative defenses of actual and

constructive fraud, Saenz failed to sustain his summary judgment burden.

                                         Unconscionability

       Saenz claims the trial court erred in granting summary judgment because he raised a fact

issue on the unconscionability of the agreement and its violation of public policy. Saenz bases his

affirmative defense of unconscionability on the “great disparity of bargaining power” between

himself and Martinez. This defense is based solely on Saenz’s claim that he had no choice but to

enter into the settlement agreement because of Martinez’s control over disbursements from the Trust.

Saenz’s unconscionability arguments represent little more than a recasting of his duress defense, for

which he failed to present any evidence raising an issue of fact. However, out of an abundance of

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caution and in the interest of justice, we shall review this issue under the law applicable to

unconscionability.

       “As a general rule, the term ‘unconscionability’ describes a contract that is unfair because

of its overall one-sidedness or the gross one-sidedness of one of its terms.” Olshan Found.

Repair Co. v. Ayala, 180 S.W.3d 212, 214-215 (Tex. App.–San Antonio 2005, pet. denied). An

unconscionable contract is unenforceable. Ski River Dev., Inc. v. McCalla, 167 S.W.3d 121, 135-36

(Tex. App.–Waco 2005, pet. denied).          Unconscionability has two aspects: (1) procedural

unconscionability, which concerns the circumstances surrounding the bargaining process, and

(2) substantive unconscionability, which concerns the fairness of the resulting agreement. See Ayala,
180 S.W.3d at 215 n.1. Saenz had the burden to raise fact issues on both procedural and substantive

unconscionability. See McCalla, 167 S.W.3d at 136. “Unconscionability” has no precise definition

because it is a determination to be made in light of the entire atmosphere in which the agreement was

made, the alternatives, if any, available to the parties at the time the contract was made, the

nonbargaining ability of one party, whether the contract was illegal or against public policy, and

whether the contract is oppressive or unreasonable. McCalla, 167 S.W.3d at 136; In re Big 8

Food Stores, Ltd., 166 S.W.3d 869, 877 (Tex. App.–El Paso 2005, orig. proceeding). These factors

are assessed as of the time the contract was entered. McCalla, 167 S.W.3d at 136.

       We have searched Saenz’s summary judgment evidence to determine if he raised a fact issue

on any factor relating to unconscionability but have found none. Given that Saenz’s own evidence

proves he was represented by counsel, we cannot say he has raised a fact issue on disparate

bargaining positions. See Head v. U.S. Inspect DFW, Inc., 159 S.W.3d 731, 748 (Tex. App.–Fort

Worth 2005, no pet.) (holding no disparity in bargaining power where, among other things, party was

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represented by counsel). A disparity in bargaining power may also exist when one party has no “real

choice” but to accept the agreement offered. In re Lyon Fin. Servs., Inc., 257 S.W.3d 228, 232-33

(Tex. 2008) (citing Allright, Inc. v. Elledge, 515 S.W.2d 266, 267 (Tex. 1974)). But as we held in

our discussion concerning duress, Saenz failed to raise a fact issue regarding his inability to bargain.

Nor did Saenz present evidence to show the contract was against public policy. A contract violates

public policy if it is illegal or contrary to the best interest of the public. Johnson v. Structured Asset

Servs., LLC, 148 S.W.3d 711, 728 (Tex. App.–Dallas 2004, no pet.). Saenz’s arguments relate only

to disparity in bargaining. There are no arguments, much less evidence, that the settlement

agreement was illegal or somehow contrary to the public interest.

        Finally, Saenz presented no evidence that would suggest the settlement agreement was

oppressive or unreasonable. While he certainly contends he might have been able to procure a more

favorable settlement if he had continued to receive his trust payments or had been privy to a full

accounting, the fact that a bargain may be less favorable than it might have been is no evidence of

unconscionability. See Big 8 Food Stores, 166 S.W.3d at 878 (holding that fact that bargain is “hard

one” does not entitle party to be relieved therefrom if it was assumed fairly and voluntarily).

        We hold Saenz failed to raise an issue of fact as to either procedural or substantive

unconscionability. The trial court therefore did not err in granting summary judgment in the face of

Saenz’s claim of unconscionability.

              Denial of Motion for Continuance to Obtain Additional Discovery

        In his seventh issue, Saenz contends the trial court erred in failing to grant his motion to

continue the summary judgment hearing and compel appellees to answer certain discovery before

the hearing. Within this issue Saenz refers this court to the section of his brief regarding his

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affirmative defense of fraud. From this we glean that Saenz claims that if he had been given a

continuance and discovery had been compelled, he would have been able to obtain and produce

additional evidence to support his fraud contention.

       The trial court may order a continuance of a summary judgment hearing to allow a party

additional time to conduct discovery. Joe v. Two Thirty Nine Joint Venture, 145 S.W.3d 150, 161

(Tex. 2004). We review a trial court’s order denying a motion for continuance for abuse of

discretion. Id. An abuse of discretion occurs only when the trial court reaches a decision “so

arbitrary and unreasonable as to amount to a clear and prejudicial error of law.” Id. In our review,

we may consider, among other things: the length of time the case has been on file, the materiality

and purpose of the discovery sought, and whether the party seeking the continuance exercised due

diligence to obtain the discovery sought. Id.

       In his motion for continuance, Saenz complained that Martinez had not provided sufficient

responses to his discovery requests and attached his requests for production, interrogatories, and

Martinez’s responses thereto. He simultaneously filed a motion to compel responses. When Saenz

filed these motions, his suit, which included allegations of fraud, had been on file for more than two

years. While Saenz explained he expected any compelled discovery responses to reveal evidence

of fraud, he made no showing that he exercised due diligence to obtain this information. There were

no discovery requests until almost eight months after Saenz first indicated his intent to withdraw

from the settlement agreement. The record reflects no attempt to compel Martinez to respond until

after appellees had moved for summary judgment and Saenz had filed his amended summary

judgment response. Under these circumstances we cannot say the trial court’s denial was an abuse

of discretion.

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                                                                                      04-07-00339-CV

                                        Cumulative Error

       Saenz complains in the last paragraph of the substantive portion of his brief that the alleged

trial court errors constitute cumulative error requiring reversal. This complaint is not listed in his

statement of issues. Saenz provides no argument nor any authority in support of this position. See

TEX . R. APP . P. 38.1(h) (requiring clear and concise argument for contention made with citations to

authorities and to the record). Despite the briefing deficiency, we review this complaint.

       Some courts have recognized a “cumulative-error doctrine” in situations where the record

shows multiple errors that considered in isolation would not entitles a party to reversal, but in

combination might give rise to reversible error. Nat’l Freight, Inc. v. Snyder, 191 S.W.3d 416, 424

(Tex. App.–Eastland 2006, no pet.). This court has recognized the doctrine, but we hold it does not

apply in this case because we have found no error by the trial court with respect to the previous

issues asserted by Saenz. See Cortez ex rel. Estate of Puentes v. HCCI-San Antonio, Inc.,

131 S.W.3d 113, 124 (Tex. App.–San Antonio 2004), aff’d, 159 S.W.3d 87 (Tex. 2005).

Accordingly, this contention is overruled.

                                             CONCLUSION

       We hold appellees established the existence of a valid settlement agreement as a matter of

law and Saenz has failed to raise an issue of fact precluding summary judgment. We further hold

the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying Saenz’s motion for continuance and to compel

discovery. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s summary judgment in favor of appellees.

                                                        Steven C. Hilbig, Justice

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