Court Opinion

ID: 4430365
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-08-20 19:40:16.595325+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:50:57.244457
License: Public Domain

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
                               APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
        This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the
     internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.

                                                         SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                                         APPELLATE DIVISION
                                                         DOCKET NO. A-0819-17T1

KARL HALLIGAN,

           Plaintiff-Respondent,

v.

JOHN O'CONNOR,

           Defendant-Appellant,

and

HARRY HODKINSON and
H&H REAL ESTATE
INVESTMENTS, LLC,

           Defendants-Respondents.

                    Argued August 29, 2018 – Decided October 5, 2018

                    Before Judges Alvarez and Gooden Brown.

                    On appeal from Superior Court of New Jersey, Law
                    Division, Hudson County, Docket No. L-2559-16.

                    Andrew R. Turner argued the cause for appellant
                    (Turner Law Firm, LLC, attorneys; Andrew R. Turner,
                    of counsel and on the brief).
            Steven Menaker argued the cause for respondent Karl
            Halligan (Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo, PC,
            attorneys; Steven Menaker, of counsel and on the
            brief).

            Gwyneth K. Murray-Nolan argued the cause for
            respondent H&H Real Estate Investments, LLC
            (Weiner Law Group, LLP, attorneys; Gwyneth K.
            Murray-Nolan, of counsel and on the brief).

            Harry Hodkinson, respondent, argued the cause pro se.

PER CURIAM

      Under Rule 2:2-4, leave to appeal was granted to John O'Connor of an

interlocutory order finding counsel for O'Connor and the business entities

named as defendants had a non-waivable conflict which required them to

withdraw from the litigation. Leave to appeal from interlocutory orders should

be granted only in the "interest of justice." R. 2:2-4. We conclude that in this

case, the interest of justice is served by Judge Jeffrey R. Jablonski's decision

and thus affirm for the reasons that follow.

      Plaintiff Karl Halligan and defendants O'Connor and Harry Hodkinson

owned and operated two businesses: Park Avenue Bar & Grill, LLC (Park

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Avenue), and defendant H&H Real Estate Investments, LLC (H&H).1 Halligan

was the managing member of both companies.

      On April 9, 2012, Halligan filed a complaint seeking equitable and

compensatory relief for payment of his salary against the individuals. On May

30, 2012, O'Connor and Hodkinson, represented by Andrew R. Turner, Esquire,

filed an answer and counterclaim seeking to dissociate Halligan.

      After a multi-day trial, the court on March 18, 2014, issued a modified

judgment disassociating Halligan. O'Connor and Hodkinson succeeded to the

management of both companies. In November 2014, O'Connor and Hodkinson

moved to vacate part of the March 18 order that required H&H and Park Avenue

to make payments to Halligan because neither company was party to the lawsuit.

On March 20, 2015, the trial court granted O'Connor and Hodkinson's motion to

vacate, permitted Halligan to amend his complaint to add the two companies as

defendants, and on April 6, 2015, issued a conforming order.

1
  Park Avenue is a tavern and bar in Union City, while H&H is a real estate
company that owned the building from which Park Avenue operated.

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                                      3
      On August 25, 2015, Halligan filed an amended complaint against H&H. 2

H&H retained Gwyneth K. Murray-Nolan, Esquire, while Turner continued to

represent O'Connor and Hodkinson. The property owned by H&H was sold for

$1.1 million. The net sale proceeds of $845,151.56 were deposited into Murray-

Nolan's trust account, where they remain.

      In July 2017, Murray-Nolan moved for the payment of her counsel fees

and submitted a certification declaring that O'Connor and Hodkinson retained

her to represent H&H, and that she had their approval.             Hodkinson's

accompanying certification, prepared by Murray-Nolan, stated that he executed

her retainer agreement, was satisfied with her firm's representation, and

requested her bill be paid. However, Hodkinson did not sign the certification—

it was signed by his former wife pursuant to a limited Power of Attorney granted

to her in the parties' divorce proceeding. As part of an amended dual final

judgment of divorce, the family court ordered that:

            the net sale proceeds from the sale of the commercial
            building totaling $842,869.91 shall remain in escrow
            and subject to the pending litigation. Plaintiff shall
            have a limited Power of Attorney over the Defendant
            enabling her to sign any and all necessary documents in
            the event the Defendant fails to cooperate with the

2
  Park Avenue filed for Chapter 11 reorganization. On December 9, 2014, the
proceeding was converted into a Chapter 7 liquidation and its assets were sold
in May 2015.
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                                       4
           litigation including accepting settlement         offers
           recommended by counsel in that matter.

     On July 26, 2017, Hodkinson sent the judge an e-mail certifying that:

           O'Connor and I have not been in agreement for some
           time and we have not spoken or communicated in close
           to a year . . . . Effectively the members (O'Connor and
           I) have not been working together and we are in fact in
           direct conflict with each other and our own interests.

                 ....

           I understand legal papers have been recently filed with
           the court last week and I want to make clear to the court
           that I never saw or approved my certification submitted
           by . . . Murray Nolan in my name. In fact, I have stated
           in several e-mails and conversations to Murray Nolan
           that she does not represent me or the company dating
           back well over a year . . . .

           I never signed any retainer agreement with Murray
           Nolan and as managing member of the LLC she has
           excluded me from many of the proceedings. The
           retainer agreement was falsified by my ex wife and I
           have pointed this out to Murray Nolan on a number of
           occasions.

                 ....

           I do not approve of ANY payment of fees to Murray
           Nolan or any costs to . . . O'Connor.

On July 31, 2017, Hodkinson forwarded this e-mail to the court:

           I informed Murray Nolan in March 2016 and
           continually up to the sale of the property in July 2016
           that she did not represent me. This was made crystal

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                                      5
           clear to her and is reflected in her invoice notes and my
           emails . . . . With respect to Andrew Turner although
           he has acted for the most part honestly and honorably,
           he was aware like Murray Nolan of the serious conflict
           that existed. Murray Nolan notes in her billing invoice
           (as early as August of last year and before we appeared
           in front of [Your Honor]) several conversations
           between Andrew Turner and herself about this conflict
           of interest especially after O'Connor asked for me to be
           removed from H&H[.] So I respectfully submit that
           Andrew Turner and Murray Nolan cannot stay in the
           case with two clients so diametrically opposed. . . .

           O'Connor also wanted me removed from the company
           and discussed this with both counsel behind my back
           and the notes of these conversations are detailed in
           Murray Nolan invoicing.

     On August 2, 2017, Halligan's counsel moved to disqualify both Murray-

Nolan and Turner. On the same day, Hodkinson sent letters to both attorneys

discharging them.

     To Turner, Hodkinson wrote:

           The fact of the matter . . . is I note from Murray Nolan's
           invoices that you were aware of conflict as early as
           [A]ugust of last year, when O'Connor surreptitiously
           tried to have me removed as managing partner, she
           notes you had many hours of calls discussing how you
           could remain as counsel and that you came to an
           arrangement. This does not strike me as ethical or in
           mine or the company's best interests. You never made
           me aware of these calls or [O'Connor's] subterfuge and
           pretty much kept me in the dark for the last year[.]

           Consider yourself terminated effective immediately.

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                                       6
      At the August 18, 2017 disqualification hearing, Hodkinson testified.

After hearing argument, the court concluded that both Turner and Murray-Nolan

were disqualified because of conflicts of interest. In explaining his reasoning,

the judge said:

                  [ ] Hodkinson has indicated both in his e-mails,
            as well as his sworn testimony today, that both [ ]. -- he
            has discharged both [ ] Turner as his private counsel,
            and also [ ] Murray-Nolan as counsel for H&H.

                  ....

                  Further, the plaintiff argues that there is a conflict
            between [ ] Hodkinson and corporate and personal
            counsel, and that the discharge of both attorneys by [ ]
            Hodkinson requires the disqualification of both
            attorneys from representation.

                  ....

                  RPC, Rule of Professional Conduct, 1.7,
            Subsection A, Subsection 1, prohibits the
            representation of clients with adverse interests.

                   That precept prohibits, with the mandatory
            "shall," the representation of a client that . . . involves
            a concurrent conflict of interest.

                  A concurrent conflict of interest exists under the
            RPCs if the representation of one client will be directly
            adverse to another.

                  . . . [B]ased upon the submissions provided . . .
            from [ ] Hodkinson, there is a clear conflict between the

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                                         7
interest that must be expressed by [ ] Hodkinson and
advanced by [ ] O'Connor . . . .

[R]ecent submissions by [ ] Hodkinson . . . reveal[ ]
both the existence of an actual conflict, and the realistic
possibility of additional conflict as the matter proceeds.

     The conflict that exists certainly outweighs the
mutuality of interest that is possessed.

      ....

      [ ] Turner, unfortunately, cannot present a united
front based on the allegations that have been made
against him personally and against [ ] O'Connor.

      . . . [A]n actual and [unwaivable] conflict of
interest exists between these parties that would prohibit
[ ] Turner from advancing the position of one client,
while also not prejudicing the other.

      Without a waiver of this most basic and obvious
conflict, . . . Turner's representation, as to either party,
must be precluded as well.

      [ ] Turner has been discharged by his client,
therefore under RPC 1.16(a)3, again employing the
mandatory language, ["a lawyer s]hall withdraw from
representation of a client if the lawyer is discharged [."]

      ....

      . . . [C] ounsel is required to completely withdraw
from the representation of each client.

      ....

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                             8
                   The application of the plaintiff is granted, and
            both personal counsel and counsel for the LLC or H&H
            is discharged.

                  ....

                  If you wish to represent yourself, [ ] Hodkinson,
            personally, you may [ ] do so.

                  [ ] O'Connor, as well as you. Your attorney has
            been discharged as a result of this opinion.

The judge also explained to the parties that corporations and LLCs must be

represented by counsel in litigation. We deny Turner's appeal on behalf of

O'Connor as to both his and Murray-Nolan's disqualification, relying on Judge

Jablonski's analysis with additional brief comments.

      O'Connor contends that neither counsel should have been discharged, and

that O'Connor and Hodkinson were improperly compelled to continue in a self-

represented capacity. O'Connor further argues that the trial court improperly

deprived him of the right to counsel of his choice and directed him and

Hodkinson to proceed as self-represented litigants. The latter point is not

supported by the record. We will not address it further. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).

      We review a trial judge's factfinding deferentially, so long as it is

supported by the competent, relevant, and reasonably credible evidence in the

record. Rova Farms Resort, Inc. v. Inv'rs Ins. Co., 65 N.J. 474, 484 (1974). We

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                                       9
review questions of law de novo. Manalapan Realty, L.P. v. Twp. Comm. of

Manalapan, 140 N.J. 366, 378 (1995). In this case, we fault neither the judge's

factfinding nor his conclusions of law.

      An adversary may seek to disqualify an opposing attorney because of a

conflict of interest. The adversary bears the burden of demonstrating that the

disqualification is justified. City of Atlantic City v. Trupos, 201 N.J. 447, 462-

63 (2010). In this case, Halligan has met that burden.

      RPC 1.7(a)(1) provides that an attorney "shall not represent a client if the

representation involves a concurrent conflict of interest. A concurrent conflict

of interest exists if . . . the representation of one client will be directly adverse

to another client."

      In a series of e-mails, Hodkinson made it abundantly clear that his

interests were adverse to O'Connor's. He disagreed with O'Connor's decisions

regarding H&H, objected to the sale of the H&H property, opposed Murray-

Nolan's fee application, opposed O'Connor's application for expenses, and knew

that O'Connor discussed removing him from H&H with both counsel. See RPC

1.7(a)(1).

      Concurrent representation of multiple parties alleged to be on the same

side here is not possible. In Hill v. N.J. Dep't of Corrections, 342 N.J. Super.

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                                        10
273 (App. Div. 2001), we addressed the question of whether one attorney could

represent an employer and several employees who arguably shared interests in

a lawsuit because they were defending claims made against them. We said:

"joint representation of multiple parties whose interests are potentially div erse

is permissible only if 'there is a substantial identity of interests between them in

terms of defending the claims that have been brought against all defendants. The

elements of mutuality must preponderate over the elements of incompatibility.'"

Id. at 309 (citing Petition for Review of Opinion 552, 102 N.J. 194, 204 (1986)).

There is no identity of interests between Hodkinson and O'Connor.

      In Wolpaw v. General Accident Insurance Co., 272 N.J. Super. 41 (App.

Div. 1994), an insurance company assigned one attorney to represent the

homeowner, her sister, and the sister's eleven-year-old son, who had accidently

injured a playmate with an air rifle. 272 N.J. Super. at 45.           Holding the

defendants were entitled to separate counsel, we found that "[t]he three insureds

had the common interests of minimizing the amount of [an injured neighbor's]

judgment and maximizing the percentage of fault attributable to the other

defendants. However, their interests in maximizing the percentage of the other

insureds' fault and minimizing their own were clearly in conflict." Ibid.

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      Although Hodkinson and O'Connor share an interest in minimizing

Halligan's portion of the escrowed funds, between them their interests are

wholly adverse because each seeks a greater percentage of the proceeds.

Hodkinson alleged O'Connor was trying to remove him from H&H. They were

not on friendly terms, and had not communicated for more than a year. The trial

court properly found "there is a clear conflict between the interest that must be

expressed by [ ] Hodkinson and advanced by [ ] O'Connor . . . . The [actual]

conflict that exists certainly outweighs the mutuality of interest that is

possessed."

      When a conflict develops, the attorney must withdraw from the

representation of both parties. See McDaniel v. Man Wai Lee, 419 N.J. Super.

482, 497 (App. Div. 2011) (finding that "if a future possibility arises, albeit

remote, when [the jointly represented parties'] interests become adverse, counsel

is required to completely withdraw from the representation of each client.");

DeBolt v. Parker, 234 N.J. Super. 471, 484 (Law Div. 1988) (finding that

"[w]hen an attorney represents potentially and foreseeably adverse interests,

such as the driver and passenger here, and the adversity becomes actual, counsel

must withdraw from any representation of both parties") (emphasis in original).

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      Independent of his conflict with O'Connor, Hodkinson's conflict with his

attorneys alone required disqualification. RPC 1.7(a)(2) states that a concurrent

conflict of interest exists if "there is a significant risk that the representation of

one or more clients will be materially limited by the lawyer's responsibilities to

another client, a former client, or a third person or by a personal interest of the

lawyer."

      Hodkinson communicated to Murray-Nolan that she did not represent him

or his interests, and complained that she sent documents to the court in his name

without his review or approval. The record suggests that Murray-Nolan and

Turner had at least the appearance of favoring O'Connor above Hodkinson,

placing one client's interest above the other. See RPC 1.7(a)(2). "A lawyer

should not be permitted to put himself in a position where, even unconsciously

he will be tempted to 'soft pedal' his zeal in furthering the interests of one client

in order to avoid an obvious clash with those of another." Estate Theatres, Inc.

v. Columbia Pictures Indus., Inc., 345 F. Supp. 93, 99 (S.D.N.Y. 1972). Where

Hodkinson had no working relationship with either attorney, and they in turn

continued to pursue matters at O'Connor's instruction, counsel was in a position

that requires removal.

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       Furthermore, RPC 1.16(a)(3) requires that a lawyer "shall withdraw from

the representation of a client if the lawyer is discharged." "The client's right to

hire and fire an attorney is integral to the client-lawyer relationship." Cohen v.

Radio-Elec. Officers Union, 146 N.J. 140, 157 (1996) (citing In re Estate of Poli,

134 N.J. Super. 222, 226-27 (App. Div. 1975)). "A client may always discharge

a lawyer, regardless of cause and regardless of any agreement between them. A

client is not forced to entrust matters to an unwanted lawyer." Ibid. (citing the

Restatement of the Law Governing Lawyers § 44, cmt. b (Proposed Final Draft

No. 1 1996)).

       On August 1, 2017, Hodkinson sent Murray-Nolan a letter stating she "no

longer represent[s] the company H&H . . . effective immediately." Similarly,

on August 2, 2017, Hodkinson sent Turner a letter stating "[c]onsider yourself

terminated effective immediately." Upon receipt of Hodkinson's letters, both

attorneys had to withdraw. See Cohen, 146 N.J. at 157. The record supported

the judge's findings of facts, and he correctly applied the law to the facts before

him.

       Affirmed.

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