Court Opinion

ID: 2770852
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-01-17 05:08:43.030341+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:41:26.922403
License: Public Domain

Opinion issued January 15, 2015

                                  In The

                           Court of Appeals
                                  For The

                       First District of Texas
                        ————————————
                           NO. 01-13-00995-CV
                        ———————————
SHEIK EJAZ AHMED, M.D., FAYAZ FAIZ, M.D., IGNAZIO G. LACHINA,
 M.D., ALAK RAY, M.D., SALIM GOPALANI, M.D., ABDUL ALI, M.D.,
     AND MIGUEL TAN, M.D., INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF
  OF NORTHWEST DOCTORS PLAZA, LTD., SALEHA RIAZ AHMED,
         FAF HOLDING, INC., AND ISHAQ, INC., Appellants
                                    V.
    PANKAJ SHAH, M.D., ADEEL ZAIDI, STEPHEN KOCH, M.D.,
PRESTIGE CONSULTING, INC. D/B/A TURN-AROUND MANAGEMENT
 GROUP., A.K. CHAGLA, SOHAIL NOOR, M.D., ANIL ODHAV, M.D.,
           AND PALLAVOLVU REDDY, M.D., Appellees

                 On Appeal from the 157th District Court
                          Harris County, Texas
                    Trial Court Case No. 2011-08100

                       MEMORANDUM OPINION
      This dispute arises from failed investments in a medical clinic. Seeking to

establish a long-term acute-care hospital (LTACH) in Northwest Houston, Sheikh

Ejaz Ahmed, M.D., Fayaz Faiz, M.D., Ignazio G. Lachina, M.D., Alak Ray, M.D.,

Salim Gopalani, M.D., Abdul Ali, M.D., and Miguel Tan, M.D., individually and

on behalf of Northwest Doctors Plaza, Ltd., Saleha Riaz Ahmed, FAF Holding,

Inc., and Ishaq, Inc. (the Northwest Doctors), collectively invested approximately

$1.8 million in Apex Long Term Care, L.P., located in Katy, Texas, after allegedly

receiving oral assurances from the appellees that the money would be used for

development of the Northwest location.

      The Northwest Doctors sued Apex’s original investors—Pankaj Shah, M.D.,

Adeel Zaidi, Stephen Koch, M.D., Prestige Consulting, Inc. d/b/a Turn-Around

Management Group, A.K. Chagla, Sohail Noor, M.D., Anil Odhav, M.D., and

Pallavolvu Reddy, M.D.—for civil conspiracy, common-law and statutory fraud,

fraudulent inducement, negligent misrepresentation, conversion, and theft. 1 They

sought relief under an unjust enrichment theory and actual and exemplary

damages.

      The parties moved for summary judgment, and the trial court signed a

summary judgment in favor of the original investors. On appeal, the Northwest

1
      Shah, Koch, and Zaidi were general partners in Apex. The remaining appellees
      were limited partners.

                                         2
Doctors contend that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment on their

claims for fraud and unjust enrichment. We affirm.

                                   Background

      The Northwest Doctors include seven individual doctors, a doctor’s spouse,

and three affiliated entities who invested in Apex.

      In 2007, the Northwest Doctors entered into discussions with Apex’s

original investors concerning their interest in establishing an LTACH in Northwest

Houston. Because federal health care law had placed a moratorium on issuing new

LTACH licenses, the parties discussed transferring units from Apex’s existing

LTACH in Katy to establish the Northwest Houston LTACH.

      According to the Northwest Doctors, Shah and Koch, on behalf of the

original investors, orally agreed to segregate the Northwest Doctors’ investments

in a separate bank account dedicated solely to development of the Northwest

Houston LTACH. Shah and Koch, the doctors testified, also assured them that

their investments would be returned if the Northwest Houston LTACH project did

not come to fruition. These representations do not appear in any of the written

documents memorializing the investments.

      After the initial meeting, several of the Northwest Doctors entered into three

letters of intent (LOIs) with Apex, including a final letter that required Apex to

                                          3
enter into a lease agreement with the Northwest Doctors at the proposed Northwest

Houston LTACH location.

        Pursuant to the final LOI, the Northwest Doctors entered a lease agreement

with Apex. Under the lease, the doctors were required to obtain an unconditional

release from their current tenant and to purchase at least 150 investment units in

Apex.

        Section 8.4 of the lease agreement stated that the funds would be deposited

into Apex’s operating account; it did not mention any separate account. The lease

agreement also contained the following provisions:

        Section 8.3 Amendments; Binding Effect. This Lease may not be
        altered, changed, amended, modified, renewed or extended, except by
        an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.
        Section 8.17 Entire Agreement: This Lease and the Schedules,
        Addenda, and Exhibits attached hereto constitute the entire agreement
        and understanding of Lessor and Lessee with respect to the highest
        subject matter hereof . . . hereby DISCLAIM and NEGATE any and
        all statements, projections, understandings, agreements, covenants,
        representations, and warranties, express or implied, between Lessor
        and Lessee, for themselves and on behalf of their Related Parties, or
        set forth in any document or writing delivered or made available prior
        to the execution and delivery of the Lease.
        In mid-2008, the Northwest Doctors purchased partnership units in Apex

and thereby became limited partners with the original investors and subject to the

Apex Limited Partnership Agreement. The partnership agreement required deposit

of investment funds into Apex’s account, to be used exclusively “for the business

                                          4
of the Partnership (including distributions to the Partners).”        The partnership

agreement further recites that “[n]o Partner shall have the right to withdraw,

reduce, or demand the return of its [c]apital [c]ontributions except as provided in

this [a]greement.” The partnership agreement also contained the following clause:

      12.7. Entire Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any prior
      understandings or agreements, whether written or oral, among the
      Partners with respect to the subject matter hereof and constitutes the
      entire understanding and agreement among the Partners with respect
      to the subject matter hereof, and there are no agreements,
      understandings, restrictions, representations or warranties among the
      Partners other than those set forth herein.
      The partnership agreement includes an addendum entitled “RISK

FACTORS,” which contains disclosures warning prospective investors:

      The Partnership is in the development stage and has limited financial
      or operating history upon which to estimate its prospects for success.
      At the present time, the Managing Partner anticipates that the
      Partnership will generate significant losses. Intervening events related
      to construction, legal requirements, financing, and unforeseeable
      actions may further delay or potentially prevent construction and
      licensure of the Hospital. There can be no assurance that such losses
      will be eliminated or that if the Partnership eventually operates the
      Hospital, the Partnership will successfully penetrate the market for its
      targeted patient population, attain the necessary payor mix or ever
      produce significant levels of revenues to achieve sustainable
      profitability. In addition, the Hospital may fail to (i) attract sufficient
      numbers of patients, (ii) meet the formal and informal acceptance and
      certification requirements among referral sources and payors, both
      public and private, or (iii) if accepted, receive adequate
      reimbursement from such payors, anyone of which may limit the
      Partnership’s ability to achieve profitability. The likelihood of the
      Partnership’s success must be considered in light of these and other

                                          5
      challenges, expenses, complications and delays frequently
      encountered in connection with the formation of a new business and
      the development and commercialization of services in a competitive
      and regulated environment. No assurance can be given that the
      Partnership’s plans for the Hospital will be effectuated, or if
      effectuated, will be successful.
Additionally, under the partnership agreement, each of the Northwest Doctors

expressly warranted

      [t]hat he is a sophisticated investor. . . . That the offer and purchase
      of his interest in the Partnership have been made in the course of a
      negotiated transaction involving direct communication between
      himself and the General Partner. . . . That he has either had
      experience in business enterprises or investments entailing risk of a
      type or to a degree substantially similar to those entailed in an
      investment in the Limited Partnership or has obtained independent
      financial advice with respect to investment in the partnership.
      After the partnership agreement was executed, the Northwest Doctors were

issued refund checks (drawn on Apex’s checking account) repaying a portion of

their bank loans and were given IRS forms from Apex for federal income tax

return purposes. The Northwest Doctors were also given a letter from Apex

verifying their investment and documenting their position as new limited partners.

      The doctors did not secure the unconditional release or invest in the requisite

number of units set forth in the final LOI. In September 2008, Apex informed the

doctors that it would not establish a Northwest Houston LTACH.

      In September 2009, Apex sought relief in federal court under Chapter 11 of

the Bankruptcy Code. The Northwest Doctors, as partners in Apex, reached a

                                          6
settlement with the bankruptcy trustee to recoup part of their investment from the

bankruptcy estate. That settlement expressly carved out the claims the Northwest

Doctors bring in this suit against Apex’s original investors and operators.

                                    Discussion

I.    Rule 58 Joinder

      Before reviewing the merits of the Northwest Doctors’ summary-judgment

appeal, we address their contention that the trial court improperly allowed Koch,

Zaidi, Chagla, and Prestige Consulting to join in Shah’s motions for summary

judgment under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 58. Rule 58 allows parties to adopt

statements contained in any other pleading or motion so long as they have not been

superseded by an amended pleading. TEX. R. CIV. P. 58. Because Rule 58 is a

procedural tool designed to promote efficient case management, we review the trial

court’s use of it for an abuse of discretion. See Allison v. Ark. La. Gas Co., 624
S.W.2d 566, 568 (Tex. 1981).

      Rule 58 applies when the defendants share “a community of interest and

identical defenses to appellants’ claims.” Lockett v. HB Zachry Co., 285 S.W.3d
63, 72 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2009, no pet.). A Rule 58 joinder must be

specific enough to provide notice of the joinder and the relief sought in the motion.

Id. Parties routinely use Rule 58 in multiple-party lawsuits to adopt and join in the

pleadings and motions of their co-parties. State ex rel Grimes Cnty. Taxpayers

                                          7
Ass’n v. Tex. Mun. Power Agency, 565 S.W.2d 258, 264 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st

Dist.] 1978, writ dism’d). Rule 58 promotes efficiency by providing a mechanism

to avoid the excessive reproduction of exhibits where the co-parties claims or

defenses rely on the same evidence. Lockett, 285 S.W.3d at 73.

      Contrary to the Northwest Doctors’ contention, a party seeking to join a

motion under Rule 58 need not establish that it is in a position identical to that of

the moving party. The Northwest Doctors’ live petition alleges common facts and

claims against the original investors as a group, giving rise to a community of

interest among the original investors and operators. See id. Koch, Zaidi, Chagla,

and Prestige Consulting gave adequate notice of their joinder, and there is no

question of ambiguity. We hold that the trial court acted within its discretion in

allowing Koch, Zaidi, Chagla, and Prestige Consulting to join in Shah’s summary-

judgment motion.

II.   Summary Judgment

      A.     Standard of Review

      We review a trial court’s summary judgment de novo. Valence Operating

Co. v. Dorsett, 164 S.W.3d 656, 661 (Tex. 2005); Provident Life & Accid. Ins. Co.

v. Knott, 128 S.W.3d 211, 215 (Tex. 2003). Under the traditional standard for

summary judgment, the movant has the burden to show that no genuine issue of

material fact exists and that the trial court should grant a judgment as a matter of

                                         8
law. TEX. R. CIV. P. 166a(c); KPMG Peat Marwick v. Harrison Cnty. Hous. Fin.

Corp., 988 S.W.2d 746, 748 (Tex. 1999). When reviewing a summary judgment,

we take as true all evidence favorable to the nonmovant and indulge every

reasonable inference and resolve any doubts in the nonmovant’s favor. Dorsett,
164 S.W.3d at 661; Knott, 128 S.W.3d at 215; Sci. Spectrum, Inc. v. Martinez, 941
S.W.2d 910, 911 (Tex. 1997). Where, as here, the trial court’s order does not state

the specific grounds on which it granted summary judgment, we affirm the

summary judgment if any of the grounds raised is meritorious. See Provident Life,
128 S.W.3d at 216.

      Traditional summary judgment is proper only if the movant establishes that

there is no genuine issue of material fact and that the movant is entitled to

judgment as a matter of law. TEX. R. CIV. P. 166a(c). The motion must state the

specific grounds relied upon for summary judgment. Id. A defendant moving for

traditional summary judgment must conclusively negate at least one essential

element of each of the plaintiff’s causes of action or conclusively establish each

element of an affirmative defense. Sci. Spectrum, Inc., 941 S.W.2d at 911.

      After adequate time for discovery, a party may move for a no-evidence

summary judgment on the ground that no evidence exists to support one or more

essential elements of a claim or defense on which the opposing party has the

burden of proof. TEX. R. CIV. P. 166a(i). The trial court must grant the motion

                                        9
unless the nonmovant produces summary judgment evidence raising a genuine

issue of material fact. Id. More than a scintilla of evidence exists if the evidence

“would allow reasonable and fair-minded people to differ in their conclusions.”

Forbes Inc. v. Granada Bioscis., Inc., 124 S.W.3d 167, 172 (Tex. 2003). To defeat

a no-evidence motion for summary judgment, the respondent is not required to

marshal its proof; its response need only point out evidence that raises a fact issue

on the challenged elements. TEX. R. CIV. P. 166a(i) cmt.

      B.     Fraud

      The Northwest Doctors challenge the summary judgment on their fraud

claim, arguing that the defendants falsely promised to establish a LTACH in

Northwest Houston and to hold the Northwest Doctors’ investments in a bank

account separate from Apex’s operating funds for use exclusively in furtherance of

a Northwest Houston location.2         The elements of fraud are (1) a material

representation, (2) that is false, (3) known to be false when made, or made

recklessly without knowledge of truth, (4) intended to be acted on, (5) relied on,

and (6) that proximately causes injury. See Italian Cowboy Partners, Ltd. v.

Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 341 S.W.3d 323, 337 (Tex. 2011).

      The Northwest Doctors allege that the original investors made a

“gentlemen’s agreement” that the Northwest Doctors’ investments would be placed

2
      For purposes of this appeal, we assume without deciding that the original investors
      may be held individually liable for the conduct alleged.

                                          10
in a separate account and would be exclusively used for creating the Northwest

Houston LTACH. The Northwest Doctors further allege that the original investors

orally guaranteed that the doctors’ investments would be returned if the Northwest

Houston LTACH was not created.           Shah, joined by other original investors,

responds that the merger, disclaimer, and related clauses in the lease and

partnership agreement disclaiming reliance on oral promises and identifying the

risks associated with investing in the partnership legally bar the Northwest

Doctors’ fraud claim.

      Whether an adequate disclaimer of reliance exists is a question of law.

Italian Cowboy Partners, 341 S.W.3d at 333. Except under certain circumstances,

where a “disclaimer lacks ‘the requisite clear and unequivocal expression of intent

necessary to disclaim reliance’ on the specific representations at issue,” a written

disclaimer will bar a fraudulent inducement claim. Forest Oil Corp. v. McAllen,

268 S.W.3d 51, 60 (Tex. 2008); Schlumberger Tech. Corp. v. Swanson, 959
S.W.2d 171, 181 (Tex. 1997). Factors relevant to considering whether a disclaimer

clause has binding effect are: (1) the terms of the contract were negotiated, rather

than boilerplate, and during negotiations the parties specifically discussed the issue

which has become the topic of the subsequent dispute; (2) the complaining party

was represented by counsel; (3) the parties dealt with each other in an arm’s length

                                         11
transaction; (4) the parties were knowledgeable in business matters; and (5) the

release language was clear. Forest Oil, 268 S.W.3d at 60.

      Applying these factors to the summary-judgment evidence, we conclude that

the written partnership and lease agreements preclude an actionable fraud claim.

The lease agreement expressly disclaimed “any and all statements, projections,

understandings, agreements, covenants, representations, and warranties, express or

implied, between Lessor and Lessee.” In the partnership agreement, the Northwest

Doctors stipulated that they were sophisticated and experienced investors, and the

agreement put them on notice of the risks attendant to their investments. The

partnership agreement also contains substantive provisions that contradict the

Northwest Doctors’ claims. First, contrary to their allegation that the parties orally

agreed to segregate the funds invested by the Northwest Doctors, the partnership

agreement requires that funds be deposited into Apex’s bank account, to be used

exclusively “for the business of the Partnership (including distributions to the

Partners).” Second, contrary to their allegation that the parties agreed to return the

Northwest Doctors’ funds if they were unsuccessful in establishing the Northwest

Houston LTACH, the partnership agreement recites that “[n]o Partner shall have

the right to withdraw, reduce, or demand the return of its [c]apital [c]ontributions

except as provided in this [a]greement.” The partnership agreement further recites

that “there are no agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations or

                                         12
warranties among the Partners other than those set forth herein.” These provisions,

taken as a whole, preclude as a matter of law reliance on any oral representations

preceding the execution of the agreements and contradictory to their provisions.

See id.    Accordingly, we hold that the trial court properly granted summary

judgment in favor of the original investors on the Northwest Doctors’ fraud claims.

      C.     Unjust enrichment

      The Northwest Doctors next challenge the trial court’s summary judgment

on their unjust enrichment claim.     They first contend that Noor, Odhav, and

Reddy’s no-evidence motion was inadequate.        Texas Rule of Civil Procedure

166a(i) requires that a no-evidence motion specifically “state the elements as to

which there is no evidence,” and it prohibits “conclusory motions or general no-

evidence challenges to an opponent’s case.” TEX. R. CIV. P. 166a(i).

      Noor, Odhav, and Reddy’s motion contended that no evidence showed they

made any misrepresentation to the Northwest Doctors or that they received any

personal benefit as a result of the transaction. A person is unjustly enriched when

he obtains a benefit from another by fraud, duress, or the taking of an undue

advantage. Heldenfels Bros., Inc. v. City of Corpus Christi, 832 S.W.2d 39, 41

(Tex. 1992). A key element of unjust enrichment is that the person sought to be

charged wrongly secured or passively received a benefit. Villarreal v. Grant

Geophysical, Inc., 136 S.W.3d 265, 270 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2004, pet.

                                        13
denied). It is not enough that the person sought to be charged received some

incidental benefit. Bashara v. Baptist Mem’l. Hosp. Sys., 685 S.W.2d 307, 310

(Tex. 1985). Noor, Odhav, and Reddy’s no-evidence motion sufficiently identified

the specific elements of unjust enrichment which, they contend, lack evidence.

      The Northwest Doctors separately challenge the propriety of summary

judgment on their unjust enrichment claim against general partner Koch. The

Doctors contend that Koch “had a significant economic interest to ensure [Apex’s]

success, and that the use of their investment funds for Apex’s operations personally

benefited him.”     But the acquisition of operating capital for Apex through

distribution of limited partnership interests does not create a personal benefit in the

nature of unjust enrichment.

      Regardless of whether Koch was aware of Apex’s financial distress, the

Northwest Doctors failed to adduce evidence that the influx of money resulting

from Apex’s existing plans to sell limited partnership units resulted in more than

an incidental benefit to the original investors. Koch’s personal investment history

with Apex illustrates this point. Koch made a second investment in Apex at or

near the same time the Northwest Doctors purchased their limited partnership

units. Like them, Koch signed the limited partnership agreement, and, like them,

Koch lost his investment when Apex went bankrupt. The Northwest Doctors and

Koch were in the same position as other investors in the company, and the doctors

                                          14
point to no evidence showing that Koch or any of the other original investors

received an improper individual benefit or payment that the doctors did not. We

therefore hold that the trial court correctly granted summary judgment in favor of

the original investors on the doctors’ unjust enrichment claim.

                                    Conclusion

      We hold that the trial court correctly granted summary judgment in favor of

the original investors. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

      All pending motions are dismissed as moot.

                                              Jane Bland
                                              Justice

Panel consists of Justices Higley, Bland, and Lloyd.

                                         15