Court Opinion

ID: 4311387
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-09-11 22:00:46.503771+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:44:18.423499
License: Public Domain

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
                   FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
_______________________________
                                )
IN RE: LATRICIA L. HARDY,       )
                                )
          DEBTOR.               )
-------------------------------)
                                )
LATRICIA L. HARDY,              )
                                )
          Appellant,            )
                                )
     v.                         ) Civil Action Nos.   16-1968 (EGS)
                                )                     16-1969 (EGS)
BRYAN S. ROSS, and ALL CREDIT )                       16-1970 (EGS)
CONSIDERED MORTGAGE, INC.,      )                     17-1017 (EGS)
                                )                     17-1316 (EGS)
          Appellees.            )                     18-434 (EGS)
                                )

                       MEMORANDUM OPINION

     On May 31, 2016, Ms. LaTricia Hardy filed a pro se,

voluntary bankruptcy petition in the United States Bankruptcy

Court for the District of Columbia (“Bankruptcy Court”). After

two years of litigation, Ms. Hardy appeals six of the Bankrupty

Court’s orders. Proceeding pro se, Ms. Hardy appeals the

following: (1) the order granting the Trustee’s motion to

“turnover” her commercial real estate property, see ECF No. 1

(Civ. No. 16-1968); (2) the order “clarifying” that the

Bankruptcy Court’s turnover order was not stayed, see ECF No. 1

(Civ. No. 16-1969); (3) the order denying Ms. Hardy’s request to

“terminat[e] [] conversion to Chapter 7,” see ECF No. 1 (Civ.

No. 16-1970); (4) the order holding Ms. Hardy in contempt and

                                1
denying her motion to dismiss the Chapter 7 Trustee’s claims,

see ECF No. 1 (Civ. No. 17-1017); (5) the order granting All

Credit Considered Mortgage, Inc.’s (“ACC”) motion for summary

judgment, see ECF No. 1 (Civ. No. 17-1316); and (6) the order

granting the Chapter 7 Trustee’s motion to approve a compromise

with ACC, see ECF No. 1 (Civ. No. 18-434). 1 Also pending are the

Chapter 7 Trustee’s two motions to dismiss: (1) motion to

dismiss as equitably moot Ms. Hardy’s appeal as to the turnover

order, see ECF No. 18 (Civ. No. 16-1968); and (2) motion to

dismiss as time-barred Ms. Hardy’s appeal of the compromise

order, see ECF No. 21 (Civ. No. 16-1968).

     The Court has considered all of the appeals and motions,

the responses and replies thereto, the voluminous record, and

the applicable law, and hereby AFFIRMS the Bankruptcy Court’s

six orders, GRANTS the Chapter 7 Trustee’s motion to dismiss as

equitably moot, and DENIES the Chapter 7 Trustee’s motion to

dismiss as time-barred.

I. Background

     On May 31, 2016, Ms. Hardy filed a voluntary petition for

relief under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. See A.R., ECF

1 The Court sua sponte consolidated all of Ms. Hardy’s appeals
within civil case number 16-1968, finding that the six cases
involved common issues and grew out of the same event. See Civ.
Case Nos. 16-1969, 16-1970, 17-1017, 17-1316, 18-434.
                                2
No. 29-1 at 5(Civ. No. 16-1698). 2 Ms. Hardy and her mother,

Patricia White, owned a commercial real estate property located

at 1414-1416 Pennsylvania Avenue in Southeast, District of

Columbia. See A.R., ECF No. 27 at 5 (Civ. No. 16-1968). After

the Chapter 13 Trustee moved to dismiss the case, Ms. Hardy

filed a motion to convert her case to Chapter 11. A.R., ECF No.

12-1 at 26-27 (Civ. No. 16-1968). On June 24, 2016, ACC—a

creditor with a purported lien on the property—filed a motion to

dismiss with prejudice or, in the alternative, to convert the

case from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7. Id. at 28-45. On July 25,

2016, following a hearing, the Bankruptcy Court converted Ms.

Hardy’s Chapter 13 case to Chapter 7 and appointed Bryan Ross as

the Chapter 7 Trustee (“the Trustee”). See Docket, ECF No. 29-1

at 10 (Civ. No. 16-1968). On August 30, 2016, Ms. Hardy filed a

“motion requesting termination of conversion to Chapter 7

liquidation.” A.R., ECF No. 12-1 at 152 (Civ. No. 16-1968). The

Bankruptcy Court denied the motion. Id. at 159. On September 22,

2016, Ms. Hardy noticed her appeal of that order in this Court.

ECF No. 1 (Civ. No. 16-1970).

     On August 17, 2016, the Trustee filed a motion for an order

approving the turnover of Ms. Hardy’s co-owned commercial real

2 When citing electronic filings throughout this Opinion, the
Court cites to the ECF page number, not the page number of the
filed document.
                                3
estate property. A.R., ECF No. 12-1 at 129-134 (Civ. No. 16-

1968). The Bankruptcy Court granted the turnover motion on

September 9, 2016, ordering Ms. Hardy to “immediately turnover”

her property and authorizing the Trustee to “take possession and

control.” Id. at 154-55. On September 22, 2016, Ms. Hardy

noticed her appeal of that order in this Court. ECF No. 1 (Civ.

No. 16-1968).

     On September 19, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court also issued an

order “clarifying that no stay of the Court’s turnover order is

in place pending disposition of the motion for a stay” that Ms.

Hardy had filed. A.R., ECF No. 12-1 at 160 (Civ. No. 16-1968);

see also A.R., ECF No. 29-1 at 14 (Civ. No. 16-1968). In so

doing, the Bankruptcy Court emphasized that “the turnover order

has not been stayed by the filing of a motion to stay” and that

Ms. Hardy “remains obligated to comply with it.” A.R., ECF No.

12-1 at 160 (Civ. No. 16-1968)(emphasis in original). The

Bankruptcy Court subsequently denied Ms. Hardy’s motion for a

stay of the turnover order. See A.R., ECF No. 29-1 at 16 (Civ.

No. 16-1968). On September 22, 2016, Ms. Hardy noticed an appeal

in this Court of the clarifying order, but not the denial of her

motion to stay. ECF No. 1, (Civ. No. 16-1969).

     On November 21, 2016, Ms. Hardy filed a motion for an

emergency temporary restraining order in this Court, which the

Court construed as a motion to stay the Bankruptcy Court’s

                                4
orders denying her motion to “terminate” the conversion from

Chapter 13 to Chapter 7 and granting the Trustee’s turnover

motion pending appeal. See TRO Mot., ECF No. 10 (Civ. No. 16-

1968); Mem. Op., ECF No. 17 at 2 (Civ. No. 16-1968). The Court

denied Ms. Hardy’s motion on December 29, 2016. See Order, ECF

No. 16 (Civ. No. 16-1968). In so doing, the Court allowed the

Chapter 7 bankruptcy case to proceed.

     The Trustee—having been authorized to sell the property 3—

filed a motion to sell. However, Ms. Hardy purportedly refused

to comply with the turnover order and vacate the premises.

Therefore, on April 28, 2017, the Trustee filed a motion to show

cause why Ms. Hardy should not be held in contempt. See A.R.,

ECF No. 29-1 at 115-21 (Civ. No. 16-1968). The Trustee alleged

that Ms. Hardy rented the property to at least two tenants and

refused to leave, in violation of the turnover order. Id. at

117-20. On May 25, 2017, after a hearing, the Bankruptcy Court

granted the Trustee’s motion and held Ms. Hardy in contempt.

A.R., ECF No. 29-2 at 5-11 (Civ. No. 16-1968). Finding that Ms.

Hardy failed to comply with its turnover order, the Bankruptcy

Court directed her to produce all leases and lessees’ contact

information and immediately cease leasing the property. Id. at

3 On November 15, 2015, the Bankruptcy Court authorized the
Trustee to sell Ms. White’s interest in the property along with
Ms. Hardy’s interest. See A.R., ECF No. 29-1 at 116 ¶ 5 (Civ.
No. 16-1968).
                                5
10. It also voided any leases and authorized the Trustee or the

United States Marshal to evict any tenants and occupants. Id. at

11. On May 26, 2017, Ms. Hardy noticed an appeal of that order

in this Court. ECF No. 1, (Civ. No. 17-1017).

     A few days later, the Bankruptcy Court approved and

ratified the sale of the property over Ms. Hardy’s opposition.

A.R., ECF No. 29-2 at 18-26 (Civ. No. 16-1968). The Bankruptcy

Court ordered the Trustee to pay the liens attached to the

property, including ACC’s claims. Id. at 22. It also ordered the

Trustee to pay Ms. White her one-half share in the remaining

property. Id. The sale was finalized on July 5, 2017, when the

Trustee executed the deed. A.R., ECF No. 29-3 at 20-24 (Civ. No.

16-1968).

     Meanwhile, Ms. Hardy had been litigating the validity of

ACC’s lien in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia.

See ACC v. Hardy, 2014 CA 4580; A.R., ECF No. 12-1 at 58-65

(Civ. No. 16-1968). In September 2015, Superior Court Judge

Stuart Nash entered summary judgment in ACC’s favor, finding

that it had a valid, enforceable claim to Ms. Hardy’s property.

Id. at 60. 4

4 Ms. Hardy appealed the Superior Court decision to the Court of
Appeals for the District of Columbia. The case has been stayed
pending resolution of Ms. Hardy’s bankruptcy proceedings. See
DCCA Order, ECF No. 7-1 (Civ. No. 17-1316).
                                6
     Similarly, on April 10, 2017, Ms. Hardy objected to the

validity of ACC’s lien in Bankruptcy Court. A.R., ECF No. 4 at

4-9 (Civ. No. 17-1316). In response, ACC filed a motion for

summary judgment, seeking to establish that it had a valid lien.

A.R., ECF No. 29-3 at 25-26 (Civ. No. 16-1968). Ms. Hardy

opposed that motion and filed a cross-motion for summary

judgment. See id. at 37-40. On June 17, 2017, the Bankruptcy

Court granted ACC’s motion for summary judgment, finding that

its lien was indeed valid. Id. at 50-69. On June 30, 2017, Ms.

Hardy noticed an appeal of that summary judgment order in this

Court. See ECF No. 1 (Civ. No. 17-1316).

     Once the Bankruptcy Court found that ACC had a valid lien,

a dispute arose over the amount that ACC was owed from the

turnover sale. See A.R., ECF No. 29-4 at 6-11 (Civ. No. 16-

1968). In order to avoid further litigation, the Trustee and ACC

proposed a settlement agreement whereby ACC would accept a

“short” payment—less than the amount it was allegedly owed—and,

in exchange, the Trustee would release ACC of all claims against

it. See id. at 9 ¶¶ 19-20. On October 23, 2017, the Bankruptcy

Court approved the Trustee’s proposed compromise, despite Ms.

Hardy’s objections. Id. at 51-56. In so doing, the Bankruptcy

Court authorized the Trustee to pay ACC and Ms. White the

amounts both were owed under the agreement. Id. at 54-55. On

                                7
November 6, 2017, Ms. Hardy noticed an appeal of that approval

order in this Court. See ECF No. 1 (Civ. No. 18-434).

     All of Ms. Hardy’s appeals are now ripe for review.

II. Standard of Review

     The Court has jurisdiction over Ms. Hardy’s appeals

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 158, which provides that: “(a) The

district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction to

hear appeals (1) from final judgments, orders, and decrees . . .

of bankruptcy judges.”

     As an appellate court, this Court reviews legal questions

and conclusions de novo and reviews findings of fact under a

clearly erroneous standard. See In re Chreky, 450 B.R. 247, 251-

52 (D.D.C. 2011); see also In re WPG, Inc., 282 B.R. 66, 68

(D.D.C. 2002) (citing Cooter & Gell v. Hartmarx Corp., 496 U.S.
384, 405 (1990)). “A finding [of fact] is clearly erroneous

when, although there is evidence to support it, the reviewing

court on the entire evidence is left with the definite and firm

conviction that a mistake has been committed.” In re Johnson,

236 B.R. 510, 518 (D.D.C. 1999)(quoting United States v. U.S.

Gypsum Co., 333 U.S. 364, 395 (1948)). As the Seventh Circuit

vividly described, “[t]o be clearly erroneous, a decision must .

. . strike us as wrong with the force of a five week old,

unrefrigerated dead fish.” Parts & Elec. Motors, Inc. v.

Sterling Elec., Inc., 866 F.2d 228, 233 (7th Cir. 1988).

                                8
Finally, the Court reviews a bankruptcy court's evidentiary

rulings under the abuse of discretion standard. See Haarhuis v.

Kunnan Enter., Ltd., 177 F.3d 1007, 1015 (D.C. Cir. 1999). “[A]n

abuse of discretion occurs when the [bankruptcy] court relies on

clearly erroneous findings of fact, fails to consider a relevant

factor, or applies the wrong legal standard.” Pigford v.

Johanns, 416 F.3d 12, 23 (D.C. Cir. 2005). The party seeking to

reverse the bankruptcy court's ruling bears the burden of proof

and may not prevail by showing “simply that another conclusion

could have been reached.” In re Johnson, 236 B.R. at 518

(quotations omitted).

III. Analysis

     Ms. Hardy appeals six of the Bankruptcy Court’s orders. The

Trustee filed two motions to dismiss at least three of those

appeals. The Court addresses each in turn.

     A. The Bankruptcy Court’s Turnover Order is Affirmed

     Ms. Hardy argues that the Bankruptcy Court erred when it

granted the Trustee’s motion for a turnover order. See

Appellant’s Br., ECF No. 9 (Civ. No. 16-1968). She contends that

a turnover order is only appropriate when there is no legitimate

dispute over what is owed to the debtor. See id. at 19.

Therefore, she argues that the turnover order was not

appropriate because she disputes the validity of ACC’s purported

deed of trust lien. See id. at 10-12, 19. The Trustee responds

                                9
by arguing that the Bankruptcy Court correctly ordered the

turnover because the amount owed to Ms. Hardy is not in dispute.

Appellee’s Br., ECF No. 12 at 10-12, 21-28 (Civ. No. 16-1968).

     In addition, the Trustee argues that Ms. Hardy’s appeal is

equitably moot now that the property at issue has been sold to a

third party. Appellee’s Mot., ECF No. 18 ¶ 8 (Civ. No. 16-1968);

see also Appellee’s Br., ECF No. 21 at 12-14 (Civ. No. 17-1017).

Ms. Hardy contends that her appeal should not be dismissed as

moot because the illegality of the bankruptcy proceeding would

affect the distribution of the proceeds from the sale of the

property. Appellant’s Opp’n, ECF No. 20 (Civ. No. 16-1968).

     “Under the bankruptcy code, the sale of property to a good

faith purchaser cannot be overturned on appeal unless that sale

was stayed pending appeal.” In re Hope 7 Monroe St. Ltd. P’ship,

743 F.3d 867, 872 (D.C. Cir. 2014) (citing 11 U.S.C. § 363(m)).

As articulated in Advantage Health Plan, Inc. v. Potter, “the

doctrine of equitable mootness provides that a bankruptcy appeal

may ‘be dismissed as moot when, [although not constitutionally

moot and although] effective relief could conceivably be

fashioned, implementation of that relief would be inequitable.’”

391 B.R. 521, 542 (D.D.C. 2008) (quoting In re Metromedia Fiber

Network, Inc., 416 F.3d 136, 143 (2d Cir. 2005); citing In re

AOV Indus., Inc., 792 F.2d 1140, 1147–48 (D.C. Cir. 1986)). The

Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (“D.C.

                               10
Circuit”) has “dismissed as moot appeals where the operation

of § 363(m) has left us unable to fashion a remedy to address

appellants' asserted injury.” In re Hope 7 Monroe St., 743 F.3d

at 872 (citing Allen v. Wells Fargo Bank Minn., No. 03–7152,

2004 WL 2538492 (D.C. Cir. Nov. 9, 2004); Hicks v. Pearlstein

(In re Magwood), 785 F.2d 1077, 1080–81 (D.C. Cir. 1986)).

     The sale of Ms. Hardy’s property was not stayed pending

appeal. Indeed, this Court denied Ms. Hardy’s emergency motion

for a stay of the turnover order. See Order, ECF No. 16 (Civ.

No. 16-1968); see also Mem. Op., ECF No. 17 (Civ. No. 16-1968).

Further, the property was sold to a third party and the sale was

finalized when the Trustee executed the deed on July 5, 2017.

A.R., ECF No. 29-3 at 20-24 (Civ. No. 16-1968). Thus, the

bankruptcy plan and turnover sale were “substantially

implemented,” precluding effective remedy. In re AOV Indus.,

Inc., 792 F.2d at 1147 (finding the appeal moot because the

bankruptcy had been “substantially implemented,” including stock

sold, settlements completed, and payments made to creditors).

     Ms. Hardy appears to argue that the doctrine of equitable

mootness does not prevent the Court from reversing the order

approving the distribution of funds. See Appellant’s Opp’n, ECF

No. 20 at 2 (Civ. No. 16-1968); Appellant’s Reply, ECF No. 22 at

6-7 (Civ. No. 17-1017). She is correct. See In re Hope 7 Monroe

St., 743 F.3d at 873 (“Section 363 does not grant to a claimant

                               11
that has received a distribution the same protections it gives

to a good faith purchaser of the estate's property. The policy

underlying § 363(m) ensures the bankruptcy estate obtains

maximum value through its sale of property by providing a bona

fide purchaser assurances of finality.”). However, by appealing

the Bankruptcy Court’s orders granting the turnover sale and not

staying the turnover, Ms. Hardy is not appealing her

distribution of funds, if any. See Notices of Appeal, ECF No. 1

(Civ. No. 16-1968); ECF No. 1 (Civ. No. 16-1969). Instead, Ms.

Hardy appeals the Bankruptcy Court’s decision to allow her

property to be sold. In so appealing, she requests that the

Court “reopen the sale of [her] real property.” In re Hope 7

Monroe St., 743 F.3d at 873. As a matter of law, the Court may

not do so. See id.

     Moreover, even if Ms. Hardy’s appeals regarding the

turnover order were not moot, the Bankruptcy Court did not err

in granting the Trustee’s turnover motion. As a preliminary

matter, Ms. Hardy did not file an opposition to the Trustee’s

turnover motion in the Bankruptcy Court, despite receiving

“notice of an opportunity to object to turnover” on August 17,

2016. See A.R., ECF No. 29-1 at 12-14 (Civ. No. 16-1968)(no

opposition filed between August 17, 2016 motion and September 9,

2016 approval). The notice sent to Ms. Hardy explained that the

Trustee filed a motion for turnover of real property and warned

                               12
that failure to respond within twenty-one days may result in the

Bankruptcy Court “deem[ing] any opposition waived, treat[ing]

the motion as conceded, and issu[ing] an order granting the

relief without further notice of hearing.” Bankr. No. 16-280,

ECF No. 64. By not asserting any arguments in opposition to the

turnover motion below, Ms. Hardy waived the arguments she

musters on appeal. Cf. District of Columbia v. Air Florida,

Inc., 750 F.2d 1077, 1084 (D.C. Cir. 1984) (“It is well settled

that issues and legal theories not asserted at the District

Court level ordinarily will not be heard on appeal.”).

     Had Ms. Hardy not waived her arguments, her appeal

nonetheless would have been unsuccessful. The turnover provision

of the Bankruptcy Code states in relevant part:

          an entity, other than a custodian, in
          possession, custody, or control, during the
          case, of property that the trustee may use,
          sell, or lease under section 363 of this title
          . . . shall deliver to the trustee, and account
          for, such property or the value of such
          property,    unless   such   property   is   of
          inconsequential value or benefit to the
          estate.

11 U.S.C. § 542(a). “The first requirement of Code § 542(a) is

that the property be property of the estate.” In re Weiss-Wolf,

Inc., 60 B.R. 969, 975 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1986). And “[p]roperty

of the estate is defined by 11 U.S.C. § 541(a)(1) as ‘all legal

[or] equitable interests of the debtor in property as of the

commencement of the case.’” In re Pyatt, 486 F.3d 423, 427 (8th

                                13
Cir. 2007). “This definition of estate property is intentionally

broad and will reach to bring within the estate every

conceivable interest that the debtor may have in property . . .

.” In re Coomer, 375 B.R. 800, 804 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio 2007).

     Under this definition, Ms. Hardy’s ownership stake in the

Pennsylvania Avenue commercial property is “property of the

estate.” The other elements of a section 542(a) turnover action

are also satisfied. Ms. Hardy had “possession, custody, or

control” of the Pennsylvania Avenue property during her

bankruptcy case, see Shapiro v. Henson, 739 F.3d 1198, 1204 (9th

Cir. 2014), and the Trustee may “use, sell, or lease” that

property, see 11 U.S.C. § 542(a).

     Ms. Hardy next argues that turnover was improper because

she disputes that ACC had a valid lien and this dispute makes

turnover impermissible. Appellant’s Br., ECF No. 9 at 19-20

(Civ. No. 16-1968)(citing 11 U.S.C. § 542(b)). But as the

Trustee points out, see Appellee’s Br., ECF No. 12 at 23-24

(Civ. No. 16-1968), a turnover proceeding is impermissible when

“the amounts owed to the Debtor are contested.” In re N. Parent,

Inc., 221 B.R. 609, 626 (Bankr. D. Mass. 1998) (emphasis added);

see In re National Jockey Club, 451 B.R. 825, 830 (Bankr. N.D.

Ill. 2011) (“There is a difference between property potentially

owed to a debtor and property owned by the debtor.”) (emphasis

in original). Although Ms. Hardy contends that the amount the

                               14
estate owes to ACC is disputed, she does not argue that the

amounts owed to her are disputed. See, e.g., Appellant’s Br.,

ECF No. 9 at 19 (Civ. No. 16-1968).

     Although turnover is impermissible as to assets “whose

title is in dispute,” United States v. Inslaw, Inc., 932 F.2d
1467, 1472 (D.C. Cir. 1991), Ms. Hardy does not explain how the

dispute between her and ACC in the District of Columbia courts

raises doubts as to the validity of the property’s title. See

generally Appellant’s Br., ECF No. 9. What’s more, in order for

a dispute to render turnover inappropriate, the dispute must be

“legitimate.” In re Conex Holings, LLC, 518 B.R. 792, 801

(Bankr. D. Del. 2014). As the following discussion demonstrates,

the Court is persuaded that the Bankruptcy Court properly

granted summary judgment in favor of ACC. 5 See infra Sec. D.

Because ACC had a valid deed of trust lien on the property, Ms.

Hardy’s purported “dispute” is not legitimate and does not

render the turnover order erroneous.

     Finally, Ms. Hardy contends that the Bankruptcy Court

lacked jurisdiction to order turnover because her dispute with

ACC gave rise to a “non-core” proceeding or, alternatively,

because Stern v. Marshall, 564 U.S. 462 (2011) has called into

5 Additionally, the Superior Court rejected Ms. Hardy’s claims
regarding the validity and enforceability of her agreement with
ACC. See A.R., ECF No. 12-1 at 58-65 (Civ. No. 16-1968).
                                15
question the jurisdiction of a bankruptcy court even as to those

proceedings designated as “core” under 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2).

See Appellant’s Br., ECF No. 9 at 20 (Civ. No. 16-1968).

However, as previously discussed, the turnover statute is not

being used to recover assets with disputed title in this case.

Compare with In re Soundview Elite Ltd., No. 14-3179, 2014 WL
2998529, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. July 3, 2014) (explaining that when

“the turnover statute is used to recover assets with disputed

title when the estate’s claim of ownership is legitimately

debatable,” such an action can only be understood as a “non-

core” proceeding) (internal quotations and citations omitted).

As such, her jurisdictional argument fails as “the reported

post-Stern decisions have overwhelmingly held that bankruptcy

judges can constitutionally enter final judgments in turnover

actions.” In re Pali Holdings, Inc., 488 B.R. 841, 850 (Bankr.

S.D.N.Y. 2013); see also 28 U.S.C. § 57(b)(2)(“Core proceedings

include . . . (E) orders to turn over property of the estate.”).

     Accordingly, the Trustee’s motion to dismiss Ms. Hardy’s

appeals as to the turnover orders is GRANTED. Likewise, the

Bankruptcy Court’s orders (1) granting the Trustee’s turnover

motion, see ECF No. 1 (Civ. No. 16-1968); and (2) clarifying

that the turnover order is not stayed, see ECF No. 1 (Civ. No.

16-1969), are AFFIRMED.

                               16
     B. The Bankruptcy Court’s Conversion Order is Affirmed

     Ms. Hardy next argues that the Bankruptcy Court erred when

it denied her motion “requesting termination of conversion to

Chapter 7 liquidation.” See Appellant’s Br., ECF No. 9 at 7-14

(Civ. No. 16-1968); ECF No. 1 (Civ. No. 16-1970). She contends

that ACC did not have standing to request that her case be

converted to Chapter 7 liquidation because ACC was not her

mortgage lender and thus, is not a “party in interest.” See

Appellant’s Br., ECF No. 9 at 9, 11-14 (Civ. No. 16-1968). In

addition, Ms. Hardy argues that she did not consent to Chapter 7

conversation and was denied due process because her opposition

was not “discussed at all, at the [conversion] hearing.” Id. at

12. The Trustee responds that Ms. Hardy cannot “terminate” a

conversion. See Appellee’s Br., ECF No. 12 at 12-14 (Civ. No.

16-1968). What’s more, he argues that ACC did have standing as a

party in interest to request conversion. Id. at 14-17.

     Ms. Hardy has not appealed the Bankruptcy Court’s order

converting the case from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7; instead, she

appealed the order denying her motion requesting “termination”

of the conversion to Chapter 7. See ECF No. 1 (Civ No. 16-1970).

Thus, as the Court concluded when considering Ms. Hardy’s

emergency motion, Ms. Hardy is “effectively appealing an order

denying a motion for reconsideration.” Mem. Op., ECF No. 17 at 6

(Civ. No. 16-1968). Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 9024

                               17
contemplates motions for reconsideration and applies Federal

Rule of Civil Procedure 60 to such motions in bankruptcy

proceedings. 6 On appeal, an order denying a motion for

reconsideration is reviewed for abuse of discretion. United

States v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., 840 F.3d 844, 852 (D.C. Cir.

2016). The Bankruptcy Court abuses its discretion if it “did not

apply the correct legal standard or misapprehended the

underlying substantive law” or if its ruling was not “within the

scope of permissible alternatives in light of the relevant

factors and the reasons given to support it.” Smalls v. United

States, 471 F.3d 186, 191 (D.C. Cir. 2006). In this case, the

Bankruptcy Court did not abuse its discretion in denying Ms.

6   Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b) provides in full:

       On motion and just terms, the court may relieve a
       party or its legal representative from a final
       judgment, order, or proceeding for the following
       reasons: (1) mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or
       excusable neglect; (2) newly discovered evidence that,
       with reasonable diligence, could not have been
       discovered in time to move for a new trial under Rule
       59(b); (3) fraud (whether previously called intrinsic
       or extrinsic), misrepresentation, or misconduct by an
       opposing party; (4) the judgment is void; (5) the
       judgment has been satisfied, released or discharged;
       it is based on an earlier judgment that has been
       reversed or vacated; or applying it prospectively is
       no longer equitable; or (6) any other reason that
       justifies relief.
                                 18
Hardy’s motion to reconsider its order converting the case to

Chapter 7. 7

     As an initial matter, Ms. Hardy’s appeal is flawed,

arguably fatally, because it challenges the merits of the

underlying order——the conversion order——rather than the order

from which the appeal was taken——the order denying the motion

for reconsideration. See In re Schueller, 124 B.R. 98, 100 (D.

Colo. 1991) (explaining that district court review of an appeal

from a denial of a motion for reconsideration is “limited to

considering whether the bankruptcy court abused its discretion

in denying the motion [for reconsideration], not whether the

court erred as a matter of law in granting the [underlying]

motion in the first place”).

     Regardless, Ms. Hardy’s primary argument—that ACC did not

have standing to file a motion to convert the case—is not

persuasive. First, Chapter 13 specifies that “on request of a

party in interest or the United States trustee . . . the court

may convert a case under [Chapter 13] to a case under [C]hapter

7 . . . or may dismiss a case under [Chapter 13], whichever is

in the best interests of creditors and the estate, for cause . .

. .” 11 U.S.C. § 1307(c). Here, the Chapter 13 Trustee filed a

7 Review of a decision to convert a case is also decided on an
“abuse of discretion” standard. See, e.g., In re Cabral, 285
B.R. 563, 570-71 (1st Cir. B.A.P. 2002).
                               19
motion to dismiss, separate and apart from ACC’s motion to

dismiss or, in the alternative, to convert to Chapter 7. See

A.R., ECF No. 12-1 at 7 (Civ. No. 16-1968)(Docket Entry 21).

Based on just the Chapter 13 Trustee’s motion to dismiss, the

Bankruptcy Court was statutorily mandated to consider dismissal

or conversion to Chapter 7. 11 U.S.C. § 1307(c).

     Section 1307(c) requires a two-part analysis: (1) a

determination of “cause” justifying dismissal or conversion; and

if there is “cause,” (2) a decision between dismissal or

conversion based not on which of those two options the moving

party requests, but rather based on “the best interests of

creditors and the estate.” In re Jensen, 425 B.R. 105, 109

(Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2010) (quoting 11 U.S.C. § 1307(c)). Here, the

Bankruptcy Court explicitly acknowledged the need to assess “the

best interests of creditors and the estate.” See July 15, 2016

Mot. to Convert Case Hrg. Tr. (“Hrg. Tr.”), ECF No. 17 at 81

(61:13-16) (Civ. No. 16-1968). Its subsequent determination that

conversion rather than dismissal was in “the best interests of

creditors and the estate” acknowledged and considered ACC’s

recommendation in favor of conversion, id. at 85-86 (65:22-

66:1), but did not depend on or require that recommendation, see

id. at 87 (67:14-23). Thus, ACC’s purported lack of standing is

not a basis for concluding that the Bankruptcy Court abused its

discretion in denying Ms. Hardy’s motion to “terminate” the

                               20
Chapter 7 conversion. Indeed, the Court could not conclude that

the Bankruptcy Court abused its discretion in converting the

case to Chapter 7 in the first place, as it could have properly

converted the case even if ACC had never filed its motion.

     Moreover, ACC is a “party in interest” with standing to

file a conversion motion. See 11 U.S.C. § 1307(c). A “party in

interest” is any party “who has an actual pecuniary interest in

the case,” “who has a practical stake in the outcome of a case,”

or “who will be impacted in any significant way in the case.” In

re Sobczak, 369 B.R. 512, 518 (B.A.P. 9th Cir. 2007)(citations

omitted). As a party holding a mortgage claim on Ms. Hardy’s

property, ACC is a “party in interest” no matter what doctrinal

formulation is used: it has “an actual pecuniary interest” and a

“practical stake” in the outcome of the case, and it would be

“impacted” in a “significant way” by decisions made in the case.

See id.; see also In re Reynolds, 455 B.R. 312, 319 (D. Mass.

2011) (finding that a bank “had standing to move to convert the

case as a ‘party in interest’ under 11 U.S.C. § 1307(c),

regardless of whether it held secured or unsecured debt”); In re

Muscatello, No. 06-11143, 2006 WL 3437469, at *3 (N.D.N.Y. Nov.

29, 2006) (“A creditor is a ‘party in interest,’ and as such is

an appropriate party to bring a motion to dismiss or convert

under § 1307(c).”)

                               21
     ACC’s status as a “party in interest” is not diminished

because Ms. Hardy disputes the validity of its claim. Although

“party in interest” is not defined in Chapter 13, courts rely on

the definition set forth in Chapter 11 when construing Chapter

13’s language. See, e.g., In re Armstrong, 303 B.R. 213, 219

(B.A.P. 10th Cir. 2004) (“[d]rawing guidance from § 1109(b),

this Court has interpreted the phrase “party in interest” to

mean all persons whose pecuniary interests are directly affected

by the bankruptcy proceedings and includes anyone who has an

interest in the property”). A Chapter 11 “party in interest”

includes “a creditor,” 11 U.S.C. § 1109(b), and “a creditor” is

statutorily defined as an “entity that has a claim against the

debtor,” id. § 101(10)(A) (emphasis added). A “claim” is a

“right to payment, whether or not such right is . . . disputed,

[or] undisputed.” Id. § 101(5)(A) (emphasis added). Thus, ACC is

a “party in interest,” even as a creditor whose claim was

disputed. 8 Indeed, Ms. Hardy lists ACC as a “creditor who [has]

claims secured by property” on her bankruptcy petition. A.R.,

ECF No. 21-1 at 72 (Civ. No. 17-1017).

     Finally, Ms. Hardy argues that the Bankruptcy Court erred

and deprived her of due process when it converted her case and

denied her motion to “terminate” the conversion because it did

8 As the following demonstrates, the Court determines that ACC’s
lien was indeed valid. See infra Sec. D.
                                22
not consider her motion to convert to Chapter 11 and did not

consider her opposition to ACC’s motion. See Appellant’s Br.,

ECF No. 9 at 8, 12 (Civ. No. 16-1968). These arguments are

devoid of merit. The Bankruptcy Court considered and rejected

Ms. Hardy’s motion to convert to Chapter 11. Hrg. Tr., ECF No.

17 at 84-85 (64:22-65:13), 86 (66:24-25) (Civ. No. 16-1968). It

also heard testimony concerning the Superior Court litigation

involving Ms. Hardy and ACC. Id. at 50 (30:18-22), 51 (31:17-

21), 58-60 (38:17-40:15). Furthermore, the Court’s conclusion

that conversion to Chapter 7 was warranted was based on its

reasoned assessment of the estate’s best interests. See id. at

87 (67:14-23), 89 (69:9-10). Finally, the Bankruptcy Court’s

decision to convert to Chapter 7 is supported by the record

evidence presented and the Bankruptcy Court thoroughly explained

its legal conclusions. Id. at 83-88 (63:18-68:16). 9

     Therefore, the Bankruptcy Court’s Order denying Ms. Hardy’s

motion requesting “termination” of conversion to Chapter 7, see

ECF No. 1 (Civ. No. 16-1970), is AFFIRMED.

9 To the extent that Ms. Hardy’s “termination” motion could be
construed as a motion to dismiss her Chapter 7 case under 11
U.S.C. § 707, the Bankruptcy Court’s denial of that motion was
not improper because Ms. Hardy did not make a showing of cause
and did not demonstrate why a dismissal was justified. See Terry
v. Sparrow, 328 B.R. 450, 455 (M.D.N.C. 2005).
                                23
     C. The Bankruptcy Court’s Contempt Order is Affirmed

     Ms. Hardy also appeals the Bankruptcy Court’s decision to

grant the Trustee’s contempt motion and deny her opposition

motion, styled as a “motion to dismiss Trustee’s claims.” See

ECF No. 1 (Civ. No. 17-1017). She argues that the Bankruptcy

Court ignored her purported lease to carry on business affairs

on behalf of Capitol Hill Beauty Salon. Appellant’s Br., ECF No.

19 at 7, 11 (Civ. No. 17-1017). Had the Court considered this

lease, she argues, it could not have issued the turnover order

and thus, she would not be held in contempt. See id. Further,

Ms. Hardy argues that she never signed her Chapter 13 voluntary

petition, in an attempt to suggest that the entire proceeding

should be disregarded. Id. at 6-9. Ms. Hardy also charges the

Trustee with an ethical violation, arguing that he filed the

turnover motion before the application to employ special counsel

was accepted by the Bankruptcy Court. Id. at 7, 9-10. According

to Ms. Hardy, this ethical oversight should nullify the turnover

over and the contempt order. See id.

     The Trustee argues that this appeal is also moot, now that

the property has been sold. Appellee’s Br., ECF No. 21 at 12-14

(Civ. No. 17-1017). He also argues that the Bankruptcy Court’s

contempt order was appropriate because it was issued in aid of

its turnover order. Id. at 14-21. Moreover, the Trustee argues

that Ms. Hardy waived any argument concerning her missing

                               24
signature by not raising it below. Id. at 21-23. Finally, the

Trustee contends that there was no unethical delay in filing an

employment application, and, in any event, a delay would not

nullify the Bankruptcy Court’s order. Id. at 27-28.

     In granting the Trustee’s contempt motion, the Bankruptcy

Court found that Ms. Hardy had violated its turnover order by

refusing to vacate the property, continuing to rent the

property, and interfering with the Trustee’s sale of the

property. See A.R., ECF No. 29-2 at 5-11 (Civ. No. 16-1968).

Instead of sanctioning Ms. Hardy, even though “clear and

convincing evidence demonstrate[d] that [Ms. Hardy] was in civil

contempt,” id. at 9, the Bankruptcy Court merely ordered Ms.

Hardy to comply with the turnover order, see id. at 10-11. She

was directed to turn over all leases, which were declared void,

and cease interfering with the Trustee’s sale of the property.

See id. Because the result of the contempt finding was to

effectuate the turnover order and because the Court has already

concluded that Ms. Hardy’s appeal of the turnover order is moot,

Ms. Hardy’s appeal of the contempt order is also likely moot

under the doctrine of equitable mootness. See, e.g., In re AOV

Indus., Inc., 792 F.2d at 1147 (finding the appeal moot because

the bankruptcy plan had been “substantially implemented,”

including settlements completed and payments to creditors).

                               25
     Nonetheless, the Court finds that the Bankruptcy Court did

not err in finding Ms. Hardy in contempt of court. It is “firmly

established that the power to punish for contempt[] is inherent

in all courts,” as courts are “vested, by their very creation,

with power to impose . . . submission to their lawful mandates.”

Chambers v. Nasco, 501 U.S. 32, 43-44 (1991). Indeed, such

authority extends to a bankruptcy court, which is empowered to

“issue any order, process, or judgment that is necessary or

appropriate to carry out the provisions of [the Bankruptcy

Code].” 11 U.S.C. § 105(a); see In re 1900 M St. Assocs., Inc.,

319 B.R. 302, 306 (Bankr. D.D.C. 2005)(concluding that the

Bankruptcy Court has the power of mandamus under 11 U.S.C. §

105(a)). Here, the Bankruptcy Court issued its contempt order to

effectuate compliance with its turnover order. See A.R., ECF No.

29-2 at 5-11 (Civ. No. 16-1968). As previously discussed, this

Court concludes that the turnover order was properly entered and

the record clearly establishes that Ms. Hardy did not comply

with the Bankruptcy Court’s order. Indeed, Ms. Hardy readily

admits that she “refused” to comply with the turnover order.

Appellant’s Br., ECF No. 19 at 13 (Civ. No. 17-1017). Thus, the

Bankruptcy Court did not err in holding Ms. Hardy in contempt.

     Ms. Hardy’s arguments to the contrary are all unavailing.

First, she argues that she entered into a lease with her mother

on behalf of her business, Capitol Hill Beauty Salon, and this

                               26
lease was not property of the estate. See Appellant’s Reply, ECF

No. 22 at 3, 7-8. Because the Bankruptcy Court erred in allowing

the property to be sold free and clear of the lease, Ms. Hardy

contends that she could not be found in contempt. Id. The

Bankruptcy Court found that there was no lease, as one had not

been provided. See A.R., ECF No. 29-2 at 6-7 (Civ. No. 16-1968).

The Court agrees. In reviewing the record, it is clear that Ms.

Hardy stated—under oath—that there were no “executory contracts

and unexpired leases” on the property. A.R., ECF No. 21-1 at 81

(Civ. No. 17-1017); see id. at 90 (signing declaration that all

schedules filed are true and correct). Ms. Hardy may not now

claim there was a lease dating back to 2010, years after the

deadline to assume or reject a lease passed under 11 U.S.C. §

365(d). See Davis v. Wakelee, 156 U.S. 680, 689 (1895)(“[W]here

a party assumes a certain position in a legal proceeding, and

succeeds in maintaining that position, he may not thereafter,

simply because his interests have changed, assume a contrary

position, especially if it be to the prejudice of the party who

has acquiesced in the position formerly taken by him.”). 10

10The Court also agrees that Ms. Hardy, as co-owner of the
property, had the right to occupy the property and thus, needed
no lease. See United States v. Craft, 535 U.S. 274, 279-80
(2002)(discussing common law rights belonging to tenants-in-
common, including the right to use the property). Therefore, the
Court cannot find that the Bankruptcy Court clearly erred in
finding that it was not credible that Ms. Hardy entered into a
                                27
     Moreover, the fact that Ms. Hardy did not sign one of the

many pages on her voluntary bankruptcy petition does not require

dismissal of the action or reversal of the contempt order. True,

Ms. Hardy did not sign page eight of her voluntary Chapter 13

bankruptcy petition. A.R., ECF No. 21-1 at 55 (Civ. No. 17-

1017). Page eight stated that Ms. Hardy understood the risks of

filing pro se. See id. Although Ms. Hardy failed to include her

signature, she did include her name, phone number, and email

address. Id. Ms. Hardy also signed every other page requiring a

signature on the Chapter 13 petition. See id. at 48-103. More

importantly, two days later, on June 2, 2016, Ms. Hardy filed a

revised voluntary bankruptcy petition, filing under Chapter 7.

See id. at 103-07. This time, Ms. Hardy signed page eight of

that petition, which contained the same language as the unsigned

May 31, 2016 petition. Id. at 110.

     Having considered the lengthy record here, it is clear that

Ms. Hardy’s argument that she did not voluntarily file for

bankruptcy is untenable. Indeed, Ms. Hardy has consistently

represented before this Court and the Bankruptcy Court that she

voluntarily filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. See, e.g., Hrg.

Tr., ECF No. 17 at 26 (6:21-25)(Civ. No. 16-1968)(“[W]hen I

filed the Chapter 13 [petition] . . . .”); Appellant’s Br., ECF

lease with her mother when she already had a right to occupy the
property. See A.R., ECF No. 29-2 at 8-9 (Civ. No. 16-1968).
                               28
No. 9 at 8 (Civ. No. 16-1968)(“The Debtor[‘s] . . . bankruptcy

proceeding commenced on May 31, 2016, when Debtor filed her

voluntary Chapter 13 Petition.”). Regardless, “[n]o provision of

the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy Rules or any other authority

requires the Court to dismiss a debtor's case merely because he

or she failed to sign the petition.” In re Rose, 422 B.R. 896,

900 (Bankr. S.D. Ohio 2010); Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9011(a)

(requiring that pro se debtors shall sign “all papers” and that

an unsigned paper may be “corrected promptly”).

     Ms. Hardy finally argues that dismissal is warranted

because the Trustee filed his motion for a turnover order before

the Court accepted his application to employ special counsel.

This argument must also fail. The Trustee filed the employment

application on August 16, 2016, see A.R., ECF No. 21-1 at 14

(Civ. No. 17-1017); he filed the turnover motion on August 17,

2016, see id.; and the Bankruptcy Court accepted Trustee’s

application to employ special counsel on September 8, 2016, id.

at 17. 11 U.S.C. § 327(a) authorizes a trustee to employ

attorneys with the Court’s approval. If an employed attorney

submits a motion before the court approves the application, a

court need not dismiss the bankruptcy proceeding. Failure to

submit a timely application merely results, at worse, in lack of

payment for the work done before approval. See In re Lillian

Laurence, Ltd., 136 B.R. 1, 3 (Bankr. D.D.C. 1992)(finding that

                               29
counsel’s failure to timely file an application for employment

justified denial of compensation).

     Therefore, the Bankruptcy Court’s order granting the

Trustee’s motion for contempt, see ECF No. 1 (Civ. No. 17-1017),

is AFFIRMED.

     D. The Bankruptcy Court’s Summary Judgment Order is
        Affirmed

     On May 4, 2017, ACC filed a motion for summary judgment,

seeking to establish that it had a valid deed of trust lien on

Ms. Hardy’s property. A.R., ECF No. 29-3 at 25-26 (Civ. No. 16-

1968). Ms. Hardy filed an opposition and cross-motion for

summary judgment. See id. at 37-40. On June 17, 2017, the

Bankruptcy Court found that ACC’s deed of trust lien was indeed

valid and granted ACC’s motion for summary judgment. Id. at 52-

69. It also denied Ms. Hardy’s objection. Id. at 50-51. Ms.

Hardy noticed an appeal of that summary judgment order in this

Court on June 30, 2017. See ECF No. 1 (Civ. No. 17-1316).

     Ms. Hardy primarily argues that the Bankruptcy Court should

not have ruled on ACC’s motion for summary judgment because the

same issue—whether ACC had a valid lien—was the subject of an

appeal in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Appellant’s

Br., ECF No. 7 at 7-12 (Civ. No. 17-1316). She also argues that

the Bankruptcy Court did not have “core jurisdiction” over the

issue. Id. Next, Ms. Hardy argues that the Bankruptcy Court

                               30
erred in granting ACC’s motion because ACC did not file a proof

of its claim. Id. at 13, 21-22. Finally, she contends that any

lien is invalid because ACC was not licensed to do business in

the District of Columbia. Id. at 14.

     ACC argues that the Bankruptcy Court had jurisdiction to

adjudicate the validity of its lien and enter a final order. ACC

Opp’n, ECF No. 32 at 15 (Civ. No. 16-1968). It also argues that

the Bankruptcy Court properly granted its motion for summary

judgment. Id. at 16-18.

     Summary judgment in bankruptcy is governed by Bankruptcy

Rule 7056, which incorporates the Federal Rule of Civil

Procedure 56 standard. U.S. v. Spicer, 57 F.3d 1152, 1159 (D.C.

Cir. 1995). Therefore, a motion for summary judgment should be

granted “if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as

to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a

matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); Waterhouse v. District of

Columbia, 298 F.3d 989, 991 (D.C. Cir. 2002). To defeat summary

judgment, the nonmoving party must demonstrate that there is a

genuine issue of material fact. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477
U.S. 317, 324 (1986). A material fact is one that is capable of

affecting the outcome of the litigation. Anderson v. Liberty

Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986). A genuine dispute is one

where “the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return

a verdict for the nonmoving party.” Id. Further, in the summary

                               31
judgment analysis “[t]he evidence of the non-movant is to be

believed, and all justifiable inferences are to be drawn in his

favor.” Id. at 255.

     As an initial matter, the Bankruptcy Court had dismissed

most of Ms. Hardy’s arguments related to the validity of ACC’s

lien at a hearing on April 19, 2017. See A.R., ECF No. 29-3 at

25 (Civ. No. 16-1968); see also A.R., ECF No. 6 at 25-26 (Civ.

No. 17-1316)(April 28 Order overruling several of Ms. Hardy’s

objections after the April 19, 2017 hearing). At the April 19,

2017 hearing, the Bankruptcy Court “took evidence as to some of

the issues raised by [Ms. Hardy’s] objection[s] and ruled

against the debtor as to those issues.” A.R., ECF No. 6 at 25-26

(Civ. No. 17-1316). Notably, Ms. Hardy did not appeal the

Bankruptcy Court’s April 28, 2017 order dismissing most of her

objections. See ECF No. 1 (Civ. No. 17-1316)(appealing

Bankruptcy Court’s summary judgment order). In addition, after

reviewing the voluminous record, 11 it does not appear that Ms.

Hardy ordered or provided the transcript from the April 19, 2017

hearing. See generally A.R., ECF No. 6 at 3 (Civ. No. 17-1316)

11Despite having done so, it is not the Court’s duty to hunt
through the many lengthy Administrative Records for the April
19, 2017 transcript. See Potter v. District of Columbia, 558
F.3d 542, 553 (D.C. Cir. 2009) (Williams, J., concurring)
(“[J]udges ‘are not like pigs, hunting for truffles buried in
briefs' or the record.” (quoting United States v. Dunkel, 927
F.2d 955, 956 (7th Cir. 1991))).
                                32
(Appellant’s Appendix, which lists the April 19, 2017 hearing in

the table of contents, but does not include the transcript).

Pursuant to Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 8009(b)(1), it

is the appellant's duty to order a transcript of proceedings

that the appellant considers necessary for the appeal.

Ordinarily, not filing a necessary transcript could result in

dismissal if the Court needs the record in order to understand

the testimony taken, evidence collected, or the reasons given by

the Bankruptcy Court. See In re Echeverry, 720 Fed. Appx. 598,

600 (Jan. 23, 2018 11th Cir.)(“We’ve explained that an appellant

has the burden to ensure the record on appeal is complete, and

where a failure to discharge that burden prevents us from

reviewing the district court’s decision we ordinarily will

affirm the judgment.”)(citations and quotations omitted). Ms.

Hardy’s failure to order the transcript prevents this Court from

conducting a full and meaningful review of the Bankruptcy

Court’s decision. Because Ms. Hardy failed to produce the

necessary transcript explaining the Bankruptcy Court’s rationale

in dismissing several of her arguments and because Ms. Hardy

only appeals the summary judgment order, the Court will

exclusively consider the arguments that she raises in response

to that order.

     First, Ms. Hardy renews her recurring argument that the

Bankruptcy Court did not have jurisdiction to grant ACC’s motion

                               33
for summary judgment. Appellant’s Br., ECF No. 7 at 9 (Civ. No.

17-1316). The Court rejects the argument and finds that the

Bankruptcy Court indeed had jurisdiction to determine the

validity of ACC’s lien. Bankruptcy Courts have full authority to

adjudicate “core” claims that go to the heart of the bankruptcy

process. “[C]ore proceedings are those that arise in a

bankruptcy case or under Title 11. The detailed list of core

proceedings in [28 U.S.C.] § 157(b)(2) provides courts with

ready examples of such matters.” Stern v. Marshall, 564 U.S.
462, 476 (2011). Whether ACC had a valid lien squarely fits

within the categories of core proceedings delineated in 28

U.S.C. § 157(b)(2). For example, core proceedings include

matters concerning the administration of the estate, which

“includes, but [is] not limited to . . . (K) determinations of

the validity, extent, or priority of liens.” 28 U.S.C. §

175(b)(2). As discussed, the commercial real estate property was

clearly property of the estate pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 541. As

such, the Bankruptcy Court clearly had jurisdiction to determine

the validity of a lien asserted against the property of the

estate. See In re McAdams, Inc., 66 F.3d 931, 936 (8th Cir.

1995)(“As the Seventh Circuit has stated, ‘resolving competing

claims to property that belonged to the debtor when it filed a

petition in bankruptcy is one of the central functions of

                               34
bankruptcy law.’”)(quoting In re Xonics, Inc., 813 F.2d 127, 131

(7th Cir. 1987)).

     Ms. Hardy primarily argues that the Bankruptcy Court should

not have ruled on ACC’s summary judgment motion because the same

issues were pending in the District of Columbia Court of

Appeals. Appellant’s Br., ECF No. 7 at 8, 10-11. According to

Ms. Hardy, ACC may not “re-litigate” its claims in a different

forum, especially when the case has not been removed from the

District of Columbia courts. Id. at 8-11. The Court agrees with

the Bankruptcy Court that it is “irrelevant” that Ms. Hardy

appealed the Superior Court’s decision granting ACC’s motion for

summary judgment to the Court of Appeals. A.R., ECF No. 29-3 at

62 (Civ. No. 16-1968). A voluntary bankruptcy petition “operates

as a stay” of any proceeding initiated to recover a claim

against a debtor that arose before the commencement of the

bankruptcy case. 11 U.S.C. § 362(a) (automatic stay provision).

Thus, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals properly stayed

Ms. Hardy’s appeal pending her bankruptcy proceeding. See

Appellant’s Br. Ex. 1, ECF No. 7-1 at 3 (Civ. No. 17-1316)(DCCA

Order staying appeal “pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)”). Ms.

Hardy has not challenged the Court of Appeals’ ruling. See 2014

CA 4580; A.R., ECF No. 29-3 at 62 (Civ. No. 16-1968).

     The Court further agrees that it was “necessary” for the

Bankruptcy Court to determine the validity of ACC’s lien in

                               35
order to resolve her case. A.R., ECF No. 29-3 at 62 (Civ. No.

16-1968). Indeed, the Bankruptcy Court granted the Trustee’s

motion to sell the commercial real estate property. See A.R.,

ECF No. 29-1 at 116 ¶ 5 (Civ. No. 16-1968). Thus, the Bankruptcy

Court necessarily determined the validity of ACC’s lien in order

to appropriately distribute the proceeds from the sale of the

property. A.R., ECF No. 29-3 at 62 (Civ. No. 16-1968); see 11

U.S.C. §§ 363, 726. What’s more, it appears that Ms. Hardy in

fact requested that the Bankruptcy Court adjudicate the validity

of ACC’s lien when she filed an “objection to the validity of

[ACC’s] lien” on April 10, 2017. A.R., ECF No. 4 at 4-9 (Civ.

No. 17-1316). Ms. Hardy filed her objection before ACC filed its

motion for summary judgment on May 4, 2017. Id. at 15-16.

Accordingly, Ms. Hardy may not now argue that the Bankruptcy

Court should not have considered the motion that she filed.

     Next, Ms. Hardy appears to argue that ACC did not have

standing to file a motion for summary judgment because it never

filed proof of its claim and therefore never established that it

was indeed the mortgage lender. Appellant’s Br., ECF No. 7 at

15-17. The Bankruptcy Court agreed that ACC had not filed proof

of its claim. A.R., ECF No. 29-3 at 53 (Civ. No. 16-1968).

However, that Court concluded that a secured creditor is not

required to file a proof of claim—except in certain situations

inapplicable here—because the lien passes through the bankruptcy

                               36
case unaffected. Id. at 53-54 (citing Long v. Bullard, 117 U.S.
617, 620-21 (1886)). Indeed, a secured creditor is not required

to file a proof of claim: it is well-established that liens

“pass through” bankruptcy proceedings unaffected. Dewsnup v.

Timm, 502 U.S. 410, 417 (1992). “This means that a secured

creditor need not file a claim in a bankruptcy proceeding to

preserve its lien. Rather, a creditor with a loan secured by a

lien on a debtor's assets may ignore the bankruptcy proceeding

and look to the lien for the satisfaction of the debt.” In re

Be-Mac Transp. Co., 83 F.3d 1020, 1025 (8th Cir. 1996) (citation

omitted). Indeed, “Congress codified this principle in 1984 ‘to

make clear that the failure of the secured creditor to file a

proof of claim is not a basis for avoiding the lien of the

secured creditor.’” Id. (quoting S. Rep. No. 65, 98th Cong., 1st

Sess. 79 (1983)); see also 11 U.S.C. § 506(d) (“To the extent

that a lien secures a claim against the debtor that is not an

allowed secured claim such lien is void, unless . . . (2) such

claim is not an allowed secured claim due only to the failure of

any entity to file a proof of such claim under section 501 of

this title.”). Thus, ACC’s failure to file proof of its claim

does not affect the validity of its lien.

     Finally, Ms. Hardy argues that ACC’s lien was invalid

because ACC was a foreign corporation not licensed to do

business in the District of Columbia at the time the lien was

                               37
created. Appellant’s Br., ECF No. 7 at 14. The Bankruptcy Court

concluded that it was immaterial whether ACC was registered to

“do business” in the District of Columbia because entering into

a loan or mortgage does not qualify as “doing business in the

District” pursuant to D.C. Code § 29-105.05(a). A.R., ECF No.

29-3 at 58-60 (Civ. No. 16-1968). The Court agrees. Generally, a

foreign corporation must register to do business in the District

of Columbia. D.C. Code § 29-105.02. However, pursuant to D.C.

Code, certain activities do not constitute “doing business.”

D.C. Code § 29-105.05. Such exempted activities include

“creating or acquiring indebtedness, mortgages, or security

interests in property” and “securing or collecting debts or

enforcing mortgages or other security interests in property.”

Id. It is undisputed that ACC obtained a mortgage secured by the

estate property and filed its motion for summary judgment in an

attempt to enforce the claim. Therefore, the Bankruptcy Court

was not required to determine whether ACC was registered to do

business in the District of Columbia. See id. Because its

registration status did not affect the validity of its lien, the

Court is not persuaded that the Bankruptcy Court erred in

granting summary judgment before allowing discovery. See

Appellant’s Br., ECF No. 7 at 12. Discovery would be of no use

to Ms. Hardy in any event. Accepting her contention that ACC was

                               38
not registered in the District of Columbia, her argument still

lacks merit.

     Finally, in light of the Bankruptcy Court’s thorough order

and meticulous fact-finding, this Court certainly cannot

conclude that the Bankruptcy Court “ma[de] [up] the facts,” as

Ms. Hardy complains. Id. Therefore, the Bankruptcy Court’s order

granting ACC’s motion for summary judgment, see ECF No. 1 (Civ.

No. 17-1316), is AFFIRMED.

     E. The Bankruptcy Court’s Order Approving the Compromise
        Settlement is Affirmed

     On October 23, 2017, the Bankruptcy Court approved the

Trustee’s proposed “compromise” with ACC, despite Ms. Hardy’s

objections. See A.R., ECF No. 29-4 at 51-55 (Civ. No. 16-1968).

In order to avoid further litigation, the Trustee and ACC

proposed a settlement agreement whereby ACC would accept a

“short” payment—less than the amount it was allegedly owed—and,

in exchange, the Trustee would release ACC of all claims against

it. See id. at 9 ¶ 20. In approving the compromise, the

Bankruptcy Court authorized the Trustee to pay ACC and Ms. White

the amounts both were owed pursuant to the agreement. Id. at 55.

Ms. Hardy noticed an appeal of that approval order in this Court

on November 6, 2017. See ECF No. 1 (Civ. No. 18-434).

     Ms. Hardy argues that the Bankruptcy Court erred in

approving the compromise agreement. See Appellant’s Br., ECF No.

                               39
28 (Civ. No. 16-1968). The Trustee opposes her motion. See

Appellee’s Br., ECF No. 29 (Civ. No. 16-1968). In opposing the

Bankruptcy Court’s order, Ms. Hardy renews several previously-

rejected arguments. For example, Ms. Hardy’s primary objection

is that the Bankruptcy Court erred because ACC’s claims were

invalid—reiterating arguments the Court considered and rejected.

See supra Secs. A (ACC’s standing), D (ACC’s valid claim). She

also argues that the Bankruptcy Court should have “required ACC

to prove the validity” of its mortgage before approving the

compromise. Appellant’s Br., ECF No. 28 at 22-25 (Civ. No. 16-

1968). However, the Court already found that the Bankruptcy

Court properly determined the validity of ACC’s lien in granting

ACC’s motion for summary judgment. See supra Sec. D. Ms. Hardy

also seems to argue that the Bankruptcy Court did not have

jurisdiction to determine the validity of ACC’s lien. See

Appellant’s Br., ECF No. 28 at 5 (Civ. No. 16-1968). However, as

previously discussed, 28 U.S.C. § 157(b) clearly states that

“core proceedings” within the Bankruptcy Court’s jurisdiction

include “determin[ing] the validity, extent, or priority of

liens.” 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2)(K).

     It is difficult to discern Ms. Hardy’s additional

arguments. However, she seems to argue that the compromise

should not have been approved because ACC was not entitled to

earn interest once she filed her bankruptcy petition. See

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Appellant’s Br., ECF No. 28 at 18-20 (Civ. No. 16-1968). Not so.

11 U.S.C. § 506(b) states that “there shall be allowed to the

holder of [a secured claim worth less than a certain amount]

interest on such claim, and any reasonable fees, costs, or

charges . . . .” Indeed, it is clear that an “oversecured”

creditor is entitled to postpetition interest, whether or not

the loan documents upon which the claim is based provide for

such interest. See United States v. Ron Pair Enterprises, Inc.,

489 U.S. 235, 241 (1989). It is clear that ACC was an

oversecured lender, as the lien was worth less than the value of

the property. See A.R., ECF No. 29-4 at 7-8 (stating that ACC’s

lien was worth around $400,000, while the property was sold for

$850,000). Thus, ACC may accrue postpetition interest and the

Bankruptcy Court did not err in approving an agreement that

provided such payment.

     Finally, Ms. Hardy appears to object to ACC receiving over

$4,000 in legal fees as part of the compromise because it “only

made 5 minutes in comments at the hearing . . . submitted an

opposition to debtor’s waiver fees and submitted nothing else.”

Appellant’s Br., ECF No. 28 at 20-21 (Civ. No. 16-1968). The

Bankruptcy Court found that $4,000 was a “paltry sum” for the

work ACC has done in defending its claims. A.R., ECF No. 29-4 at

53. Again, 11 U.S.C. § 506(b) allows an oversecured creditor to

receive reasonable fees. In light of the sheer amount of

                               41
litigation that has taken place, 12 the Bankruptcy Court clearly

did not err when it found that the fee amount was “plainly a

reasonable sum” after considering “the number of appearances . .

. and the number of filings” ACC’s attorneys made in these

cases. Id. at 54.

     Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 9019 authorizes a

trustee to enter into a compromise or settlement and allows a

bankruptcy court to approve such a compromise. Because the

Bankruptcy Court determined that the settlement was reasonable

based on an “objective evaluation of developed facts,” the Court

cannot find that it erred in approving the compromise. In re

Chreky, Inc., 448 B.R. 596, 609 (D.D.C. 2011) (quotations

omitted). Therefore, the Bankruptcy Court’s order approving the

compromise, see ECF No. 1 (Civ. No. 18-434), is AFFIRMED. 13

     Finally, the Trustee filed a motion to dismiss Ms. Hardy’s

appeal for lack of jurisdiction. Appellee’s Mot., ECF No. 21

12 This litigation includes the main bankruptcy case (Case No.
16-280), the adversary proceeding initiated in bankruptcy court
(Case No. 16-10034), and six appeals before this Court (Cases
Nos. 16-1968, 16-1969, 16-1970, 17-1017, 17-1316, 18-434). ACC
and Ms. Hardy also litigated their claims in District of
Columbia courts.
13 If the estate is administratively insolvent, Ms. Hardy would

lack standing to challenge the compromise. See A.R., ECF No. 29-
4 at 51-52 (Civ. No. 16-1698). The Court cannot determine on the
record before it whether the estate was administratively
insolvent, although it appears that it was. See id. at 9
(listing the proposed settlement, which includes no payment to
Ms. Hardy).
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(Civ. No. 16-1968). He argues that Ms. Hardy did not file her

appeal until December 7, 2017 and, as such, her appeal is

untimely under Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 8002. Id. at

1-3. While the Court agrees that Ms. Hardy’s appeal should be

denied, it does not agree that her appeal is barred as untimely.

On February 23, 2018, the Bankruptcy Court “determined that the

debtor had indeed filed a notice of appeal on November 6, 2017.”

A.R., ECF No. 1-1 at 2 (Civ. No. 18-434). Indeed, Ms. Hardy’s

notice of appeal is stamped as “received” on November 6, 2017.

Because the Trustee agrees that November 6, 2017 was the last

day that Ms. Hardy could have timely filed her appeal, see

Appellee’s Mot., ECF No. 21 ¶ 6 (Civ. No. 16-1968), the Court

DENIES the motion to dismiss.

IV.   Conclusion

      For the foregoing reasons, the Court AFFIRMS each of the

Bankruptcy Court’s six orders that Ms. Hardy has challenged on

appeal in civil case numbers 16-1968, 16-1969, 16-1970, 17-1017,

17-1316, and 18-434. An appropriate Order accompanies this

Memorandum Opinion.

      SO ORDERED.

Signed:    Emmet G. Sullivan
           United States District Judge
           September 11, 2018

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