Court Opinion

ID: 1081212
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-09 20:47:14.297697+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:06:58.327498
License: Public Domain

WILLIAM DEPRIEST, GATES-PATE-           )
MCDANIEL, HENRY H. HEADDEN,             )
JOEL P. MORRIS, MAURICE PINSON,         )   Appeal No.
RICHARD R. STANDEL, JR., and W.O.       )   01A01-9609-CH-00428
VAUGHAN, JR.,                           )
                                        )   Davidson Chancery
      Plaintiffs/Appellants,            )   Case No. 90-4042-I
                                        )
VS.                                     )

1717-19 WEST END ASSOCIATES, a
                                        )
                                        )                         FILED
Tennessee Partnership, MID-TOWN         )
ASSOCIATES, a Tennessee Partnership,    )                           March 5, 1997
O’HARE, SHERRARD & ROE, a               )
Tennessee Partnership, and JOHN R.      )                         Cecil W. Crowson
VOIGT, KENNETH R. JONES, JR.,           )                        Appellate Court Clerk
and WILLIAM L. HARBISON,                )
                                        )
      Defendants/Appellees.             )

                   IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
                        MIDDLE SECTION AT NASHVILLE

        APPEAL FROM THE CHANCERY COURT OF DAVIDSON COUNTY
                      AT NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

             HONORABLE IRVIN H. KILCREASE, JR., CHANCELLOR

J. ROSS PEPPER #014444
222 Second Avenue North
Suite 360-M
Nashville, Tennessee 37201
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFFS/APPELLEES,

EVANS, JONES & REYNOLDS
Winston S. Evans #6281
150 Fourth Avenue North
Suite 1810
Nashville, Tennessee 37219-2424
ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANTS/APPELLANTS

                               MODIFIED AND AFFIRMED

                                       HENRY F. TODD
                                       PRESIDING JUDGE, MIDDLE SECTION

CONCUR:

SAMUEL L. LEWIS, JUDGE,
BEN H. CANTRELL, JUDGE,
WILLIAM DEPRIEST, GATES-PATE-                   )
MCDANIEL, HENRY H. HEADDEN,                     )
JOEL P. MORRIS, MAURICE PINSON,                 )     Appeal No.
RICHARD R. STANDEL, JR., and W.O.               )     01A01-9609-CH-00428
VAUGHAN, JR.,                                   )
                                                )     Davidson Chancery
       Plaintiffs/Appellants,                   )     Case No. 90-4042-I
                                                )
VS.                                             )
                                                )
1717-19 WEST END ASSOCIATES, a .                )
Tennessee Partnership, MID-TOWN                 )
ASSOCIATES, a Tennessee Partnership,                    )
O’HARE, SHERRARD & ROE, a                       )
Tennessee Partnership, and JOHN R.              )
VOIGT, KENNETH R. JONES, JR.,                   )
and WILLIAM L. HARBISON,                        )
                                                )
       Defendants/Appellees.                    )

                                       O P I N I O N

       The captioned plaintiffs have appealed from the summary dismissal of their various claims

by the trial court. The various claims and defenses on appeal arose from a failed investment scheme,

and are illustrated by the following issues presented by the parties:

Appellants

               1.      Did the trial court err in granting the Defendants
               Summary Judgment as to the Plaintiffs’ claims based on
               breach of contract, negligence, gross negligence, breach
               of fiduciary duty, negligent and fraudulent misrepresenta-
               tion, fraud, tortious interference with contract and
               conspiracy?

               2.      Did the trial court err in failing to grant to the
               Plaintiffs a summary judgment as to the Plaintiffs’ claims
               based on breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty?

               3.    Did the trial court err in granting the Defendants’
               Motion to Dismiss the Plaintiffs’ claims for punitive
               damages?

               4.    Did the trial court err in granting the Defendants’
               Motion to Dismiss the Plaintiffs’ claims under the
               Tennessee Consumer Protection Act?

               5.    Did the trial court err in granting the Defendants’
               Motion to Dismiss the Plaintiffs’ claims under the

                                                -2-
               Tennessee Securities Act?

               6.      Did the trial court abuse its discretion in granting
               discretionary costs to the Defendants?

                                               Appellees

               I.     Whether the funds were released from escrow in
               accordance with the terms of the offering documents.

                       A. Whether the offering documents required
                       the receipt of subscription agreements for
                       three units or also required cash to pay for
                       those units prior to December 31, 1986.

                       B. Whether Plaintiffs’ own conduct demon-
                       strates that the offering documents required
                       only receipt of signed subscription agreements
                       prior to December 31, 1986 or also required
                       cash to pay for those subscriptions.

               II.   Whether the exculpatory clause in the escrow
               agreement bars plaintiffs’ claims.

               III.   Whether the release of funds from escrow, even
               if wrongful, was the proximate cause of Plaintiffs’ loss.

               IV.     Whether the claims by Plaintiff Headden are
               frivolous.

               V.      Whether Plaintiffs’ claim for punitive damages is
               frivolous.

               VI.     Whether Plaintiffs’ claim under the Tennessee
               Securities Act is barred by the Applicable Statute of
               Repose, T.C.A. § 48-2-122(h).

               VII. Whether the Tennessee Consumer Act applies to
               the sale of securities.

               VIII. Whether the trial court abused its discretion in
               taxing discretionary costs.

       The uncontradicted evidence shows that the principal mover and promoter of the scheme was

J. Larry Williams, who is not a party to this case by name. He was a general partner in “1717-19

West End Associates” which was the general partner in “Mid-Town Plaza, Ltd.” in which plaintiffs

were solicited to invest their money. By this relationship, Williams controlled “Mid-Town Plaza,

Ltd.” in the character of “general partner.”

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       After the bankruptcy of Mid-Town Plaza, Ltd. plaintiffs sued its general partner, Mid-Town

Associates, and 1717-1719 West End Avenue, the general partner of Mid-Town Associates, together

with O’Hare, Sherrard, Roe, Voigt, Harbison and Jones, a legal partnership which acted as counsel

and escrow agent of funds received for investment in Mid-Town Plaza, Ltd..

       At the bar of this Court, counsel for plaintiffs disclaimed any legal malpractice by the lawyer

defendants, and relied solely upon alleged misfeasance as escrow agent.

The following facts are undisputed:

       Prior to the solicitation of the plaintiffs, on May 28, 1986, a certificate of limited partnership

was duly registered for Mid-Town Plaza, Ltd., indicating that Mid-Town Associates was the general

partner and John R. Voigt was the initial limited partner of Mid-Town Plaza, Ltd. The certificate

stated that the purpose of the organization of Mid-Town Plaza, Ltd., was to acquire and renovate

property known as 1717-1719 West End Avenue.

       In the discussions of investing in the partnership, the plaintiffs were introduced to four

documents, a “Confidential Placement Memorandum,” a “Subscription Agreement,” a “Power of

Attorney” and an “Escrow Agreement.” The critical portions of these documents relate to the

conditions under which the escrow agent was authorized to release the escrowed funds, for the

foundation of plaintiffs’ claims is that the escrow agent prematurely released the escrow funds to

Mid-Town Plaza, Ltd..

       The Confidential Placement Memorandum provided that Mid-Town Plaza, Ltd. would accept

total investment of $1,700,000.00 which was divided into four “units” of $475,000 each which, in

turn, might be divided into eight fractional parts of $59,375.00 each; so that an investor could invest

as little as $59,375, and any greater amount in multiples of $59,375.

                                                 -4-
       The Confidential Placement Memorandum originally provided that, if at least three units (3/4

of the offering) was not “subscribed” by October 31, 1986, the proposal would be terminated and

all money received from proposed investors would be returned to them. This provision was later

amended to change October 31, 1986, to December 31, 1986.

       The Confidential Placement Memorandum further provided that legal matters in connection

with the financing of Mid-Town Plaza, Ltd. would be “passed upon” by the general partner (Mid-

Town Associates) and the law firm of O’Hare, Sherrard and Roe.

       The Subscription Agreement provided that all funds tendered by a prospective investor in

Mid-Town Plaza, Ltd. would be held in escrow by O’Hare, Sherrard and Roe until the tendering

party actually became a limited partner.

       On December 23, 1986, Larry Williams, acting for Mid-Town Associates, the general partner

of Mid-Town Plaza, Ltd., wrote a letter to the escrow agent directing that the escrow fund be

disbursed to Mid-Town Plaza, Ltd.. Attached to the letter was the affidavit of Larry Williams that

all conditions for the disbursement had been met. At this time, the escrow agent had received only

$1,068,000.70 which was not equal to 3/4 of $1,700,000.00, or $1,425,000. However, “subscription

agreements” signed by investors promising to invest a total of $1,425,000 were on-hand.

       As of December 31, 1986, the total cash contributions on-hand was $1,306,250, which

amounted to 2-3/4 units and not to $1,425,000 or three units.

       Subsequent to December 31, 1986, on January 21, 1987, an additional cash contribution of

$475,000 was received in performance of a subscription agreement received before December 31,

1986, so that on January 21, 1987, cash had been received from subscribing investors in excess of

$1,425,000.00.

                                              -5-
       Mid-Town Plaza, Ltd. used the funds received from the escrow agent to purchase 1717-

1719 West End and to begin renovations. Before the renovations were completed, Mid-Town Plaza

Ltd. became insolvent with no assets from which investors could recover any part of their

investment.

       Plaintiffs’ complaint, filed on December 19, 1990, presented a wide variety of grounds of

recovery.

       On June 26, 1992, the Trial Court dismissed plaintiffs’ claims based upon the Tennessee

Securities Act and the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act.

       On March 24, 1994, the Trial Court dismissed plaintiffs’ claims for punitive damages.

       On April 19, 1994, the Trial Court dismissed plaintiffs’ remaining claims. Said order reads

as follows:

                 This cause came on to be heard on Thursday, April 7,
              1994 before the Honorable Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr., Chancellor
              for Part I of the Chancery Court for Davidson County,
              Tennessee upon Motion of O’Hare, Sherrard & Roe, John R.
              Voigt, William L. Harbison, and Kenneth R. Jones, Jr. for
              Summary Judgment Dismissing the Remaining Claims of
              Plaintiffs. The Motion for Summary Judgment was made on
              the following grounds:

                      I.     The funds of Plaintiffs were released in
                      accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agree-
                      ment and the Offering Documents.
                      II.    The release of Plaintiffs’ funds from
                      escrow, even if that had been contrary to the terms
                      of the Escrow Agreement and the Offering
                      Documents, did not constitute the “willful default”
                      which was prerequisite to any liability.
                      III.   The release of funds from escrow did not
                      proximately cause any harm to Plaintiffs.

                 Upon consideration of the evidence submitted in support of
              the motion, the evidence submitted in opposition to the motion,
              and the statements of counsel on behalf of the parties, the
              Court is of the opinion with respect to the issues raised in the

                                              -6-
              motion that there is not genuine issue of material fact with
              respect to those issues. Accordingly, Defendants are entitled
              to summary judgment as a matter of law.

                In making this ruling, the Court has reconsidered the denial
              of the Motion for Summary Judgment on the issue of
              proximate cause which was previously filed by O’Hare,
              Sherrard & Roe, John R. Voigt, William L. Harbison and
              Kenneth R. Jones, Jr. Having reconsidered that motion, the
              Court is now of the opinion that, at this state of the pro-
              ceedings, the issue of proximate cause should be revisited. The
              Court has done so and now vacates its earlier Order entered
              March 1, 1993, in Minute Book 302, Page 62, and grants
              Defendants summary judgment on that issue.

       Plaintiffs’ argument states:

                 The trial court granted the Defendants’ Motion for Summary
              Judgment as to the Plaintiffs’ “remaining claims.” The
              “remaining claims” on which the Defendants were granted
              summary judgment were: breach of contract, breach of fiduciary
              duty, negligence, gross negligence, negligent and fraudulent
              misrepresentation, fraud and deceit, tortious interference with
              contract, and conspiracy. (R. At 841-2). In the Order granting
              the Summary Judgment as to the remaining claims, the trial
              court found that there were no genuine issues of material fact
              with respect to the following grounds alleged by Defendants:

                      1.      The funds of Plaintiffs were released in
                      accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agree-
                      ment and the Offering Documents.
                      2.      The release of funds from escrow, even
                      if that had been contrary to the terms of the
                      Escrow Agreement and the Offering Documents,
                      did not constitute the “willful default” which was
                      prerequisite to any liability.
                      3.      The release of the Plaintiffs’ funds from
                      escrow, even if that had been contrary to the
                      terms of the Escrow Agreement and the Offering
                      Documents, did not constitute the “willful default”
                      which was prerequisite to any liability.

              Plaintiffs respectfully submit that the trial court erred in reaching
              each of these findings.

       Plaintiffs insist that the escrow agent violated the escrow agreement by releasing the escrow

funds because cash in payment for three units ($1,425,000) had not been received by the escrow

agent on or before December 31, 1986, and that the cash contributions should have been returned

                                               -7-
to the investors.

       The confidential Placement Memorandum stated:

                  Once Subscriptions for at least three (3) Units at an
               aggregate price of $1,425,000 have been received and
               accepted by the Issuer, the Issuer reserves the right to
               declare the minimum number of Subscriptions necessary
               to proceed with the proposed activities have been received,
               to sell such Units to such Subscribers, and to begin to apply
               the capital contributions of Limited Partners to partnership
               activities while continuing to market the additional Units.
               (Emphasis supplied)

       The Subscription Agreement stated:

                  The undersigned hereby tenders this Subscription Agree-
               ment for _______ unit(s) of limited partnership interests in
               the Partnership (“Units”) at a price per Unit of $475,000,
               together with a cash payment in the amount of $ _______,
               in full payment thereof, directed to O’Hare, Sherrard &
               Roe, Escrow Agent, Midtown Plaza, Ltd.

If the subscriber tendered cash with the subscription agreement, the amount of cash was inserted in

the appropriate space. If not, the space was left blank until the cash was deposited.

       It clearly appears from the documents that the word, “subscription,” meant an agreement or

promise to tender the required cash rather than the actual tender which was a separate act which

might be simultaneous with the subscription on subsequent thereto.

       The confidential Placement Memorandum notified all prospective investors that the general

partner (Mid-Town Associates, i.e., Larry Williams) and counsel for the partnership would “pass

upon” all legal matters. It appears that the general partner and counsel “passed upon” the legal

matter of whether the documents required cash or promise of cash before release of escrow funds.

       Moreover, the escrow agreement provided that the escrow agent would not be liable “except

                                               -8-
for willful default for breach of duty,” which is negatived by the uncontradicted evidence.

       Plaintiffs argue that the escrow agent violated a trust by transferring funds from an “escrow

account” to an “attorneys trust account,” but no damages are alleged as a result of said transfer.

Thus, the complaint states no ground for the recovery of damages on account of the transfer.

       Defendants next present the defense of “proximate cause” with the argument that the delay

of 21 days in receipt of the final installment of the required amount of cash had no causal effect in

producing the loss of plaintiffs’ investment. However, in order to base a summary judgment on this

ground, the defendants must produce evidence that the delay was not one of the proximate causes.

No such evidence is cited.

       In summary, this Court agrees with the conclusion of the Trial Judge that the uncontradicted

evidence shows that the escrow agent acted properly in releasing the escrow funds, and that it was

guilty of no actionable misconduct. The same evidence and conclusion excludes any recovery for

breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, fraudulent misrepresentation, fraud, tortious

interference with contracts, conspiracy, or for punitive damages.

       Plaintiffs’ allege in their complaint that the general partner, 1717-1719 West End Associates

and its partners, committed a violation of the Tennessee Securities Act by filing an amendment to

the certificate of Mid-Town Plaza Ltd. reflecting that Gilbert R. Walker (not a plaintiff) and Henry

H. Headden, a plaintiff, were limited partners at a time when they had not tendered the cash for his

share of the partnership, and by agreeing to and reimbursing Headden for interest paid by him on a

bank loan whereby he obtained the cash to belatedly tender for his interest in the partnership. The

complaint alleges in general that these acts without notice to the other plaintiffs was a fraud upon

them from which they suffered injury. However, the complaint does not specify how they were

injured by the alleged fraud, and is subject to dismissal for this reason.

                                                 -9-
       Plaintiffs’ action for violation of the Tennessee Securities Act is barred by the two-year

statute of repose included in the Tennessee Securities Act, T.C.A. § 48-2-122(h). The misconduct

is alleged to have occurred in 1986 or 1987. This suit was commenced December 19, 1990, more

than two years after the alleged violations.

       Plaintiffs’ complaint alleged that the same alleged misconduct of the general partner

constituted violations of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. In published decisions, federal

courts have held that the Consumer Protection Act does not apply to sales of securities. Hardy v.

First American National Bank, M.D. Tenn., 1991 774 F. Supp. 1078; Nichols v. Merrill, Lynch,

Fenner and Smith, M.D. Tenn., 1989, 706 F. Supp. 1309.

       That portion of the complaint which refers to violations of the Tennessee Securities Act and

the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, does not state a claim for which relief can be granted. This

portion of the complaint is therefore subject to dismissal.

       Finally, plaintiffs’ complain of the order of the Trial Court assessing $9,366.61 discretionary

costs against them. Neither brief discusses the ground upon which the costs were taxed.

       On May 19, 1994, the defendants/attorneys filed a motion stating:

                  O’Hare, Sherrard & Roe, John R. Voigt, Kenneth R.
               Jones, Jr. and William L. Harbison [“OSR Defendants”],
               move the Court to assess attorneys’ fees and to tax
               discretionary costs.
               1.      The assessment of attorneys’ fees is sought
               pursuant to T.C.A. §§ 47-18-109 and 48-2-122(f) for
               the attorneys’ fees expended by OSR Defendants in
               defending claims asserted by Plaintiffs under the
               Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and the
               Tennessee Securities Act. The amount of those
               attorneys fees is $3,165.00.

               2.    OSR Defendants seek to tax discretionary
               costs pursuant to Rule 54.04(2), T.R.C.P. The
               amount of those discretionary costs is $11,594.59,
               plus fees of A. Neal Graham, Plaintiffs’ expert

                                               -10-
               witness.

       The affidavit supporting the motion states only the time spent and charges therefor.

       On June 8, 1996, the Trial Court entered an order stating:

                  This cause came on to be heard on Friday, June 28,
               1996 at the regularly scheduled motion docket for Part
               I of the Chancery Court of Davidson County before the
               Honorable Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr. upon the motion of
               O’Hare, Sherrard & Roe, John R. Voigt, William L.
               Harbison, and Kenneth R. Jones, Jr. (OSR Defendants)
               to assess attorney’s fees and to tax discretionary costs.

                  Upon consideration of the entire record, briefs and
               argument of counsel, the Court finds that the request to
               tax discretionary costs is well taken and should be
               granted. Accordingly, the Court taxes to Plaintiffs,
               jointly and severally, discretionary costs in the amount
               of $9,366.61 as set forth and in the motion of OSR
               Defendants.

                 With respect to the request for attorney’s fees in
               connection with Plaintiffs’ claims pursuant to the
               Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and the Tennessee
               Securities Act, the Court finds that those claims did
               have some legal basis. Therefore, the Court denies the
               request for attorney’s fees.

       It appears that defendants requested discretionary costs consisting of attorneys fees in

respect to the actions based upon the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and the Tennessee

Securities Act; that the Trial Judge denied the request for attorneys fees in connection with said

actions. It also appears that plaintiffs requested and the Trial Court awarded discretionary cost

provided by T.R.C.P. Rule 54.04(2) which reads as follows:

                  Costs not included in the bill of costs prepared by the
               clerk are allowable only in the court’s discretion.
               Discretionary costs allowable are: reasonable and
               necessary court reporter expenses for depositions or
               trials, reasonable and necessary expert witness fees for
               depositions or trials, and guardian ad litem fees; travel
               expenses are not allowable discretionary costs. Subject
               to Rule 41.04, a party requesting discretionary costs
               shall file and serve a motion within thirty (30) days
               after entry of judgment. The trial court retains

                                              -11-
             jurisdiction over a motion for discretionary costs even
             though a party has filed a notice of appeal.
       The motion is unsupported by affidavit of grounds for Rule 54.04(2) costs, and the brief

of appellants cities no part of the record supporting the award of such costs.

       Accordingly, the judgment for $9,366.61 discretionary costs is reversed and vacated. In

all other respects the judgment of the Trial Court is affirmed. Costs of this appeal are taxed

against the appellants and their surety. The cause is remanded to the Trial Court for further

necessary proceedings.

                                 MODIFIED AND AFFIRMED

                                      _____________________________________
                                      HENRY F. TODD
                                      PRESIDING JUDGE, MIDDLE SECTION

CONCUR:

_____________________________________
SAMUEL L. LEWIS, JUDGE

_____________________________________
BEN H. CANTRELL, JUDGE

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