Court Opinion

ID: 6322050
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-03-10 20:09:57.930473+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:20:33.910956
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Estate of Campbell v. US Claims OPO, L.L.C., 2022-Ohio-711.]

                                          COURT OF APPEALS
                                         STARK COUNTY, OHIO
                                      FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

    ESTATE OF ANQUEZ CAMPBELL, ET                        :    JUDGES:
    AL.                                                  :
                                                         :
                                                         :    Hon. Earle E. Wise, Jr., P.J.
           Plaintiff-Appellant                           :    Hon. William B. Hoffman, J.
                                                         :    Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
    -vs-                                                 :
                                                         :    Case No. 2021CA00086
                                                         :
    US CLAIMS OPO LLC DBA US                             :
    CLAIMS                                               :
                                                         :
                                                         :
           Defendant-Appellee                            :    OPINION

  CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                                   Appeal from the Stark County Court of
                                                             Common Pleas, Case No.
                                                             2021CV00022

  JUDGMENT:                                                  AFFIRMED

  DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                                    March 10, 2022

  APPEARANCES:

    For Plaintiff-Appellant:                                  For Defendant-Appellee:

    JAY E. KRASOVEC                                           OWEN J. RARRIC
    DAVID L. FIRESTINE                                        MATTHEW W. ONEST
    BETSY B. HARTSCHUH                                        4775 Munson St. NW
    405 Rothrock Road, #103                                   P.O. Box 36963
    Akron, OH 44321                                           Canton, OH 44735-6963
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                           2

Delaney, J.

       {¶1} Plaintiff-Appellant Natasha Wells-Niklas appeals the July 16, 2021

judgment entry of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas.

                          FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

                                     A Wrongful Death

       {¶2} On July 12, 2014, Anquez Campbell, age 15 years old, drowned while

swimming at a business owned by Baylor Beach Park, Inc., located in Stark County, Ohio.

At the time of his death, Anquez Campbell was survived by his mother and next of kin,

Ida Campbell.

       {¶3} Ida Campbell retained Plaintiff-Appellant Natasha Wells-Niklas, an attorney

with Mills, Mills, Fiehly & Lucas, LLC, to represent her legal interests after her son’s death.

                         Non-Recourse Civil Litigation Advance

       {¶4} On or about October 22, 2015, Ida Campbell, individually and as

Administratrix/Executor and beneficiary of the Estate of Anquez Campbell, executed a

document entitled, “Purchase, Sale, Assignment and Equitable Lien Agreement”

(“Agreement”) with Defendant-Appellee US Claims OPO LLC dba US Claims (“USC”).

USC is a limited liability corporation that, pursuant to a contract, advances money to

plaintiffs involved in personal injury litigation in exchange for purchasing a portion of the

potential proceeds of the litigation. The transaction is called a “non-recourse civil litigation

advance.” See R.C. 1349.55(A)(1). USC’s principal place of business is in Moorestown,

New Jersey. In the Agreement, Ida Campbell agreed to sell an interest in her anticipated

proceeds from the wrongful death action to USC. USC paid Ida Campbell $32,459.86,

which included fees, costs, and a payoff to a prior legal funding company.
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                        3

       {¶5}    The terms of the Agreement included an arbitration provision. The

a rbitration provision stated in pertinent part:

       8. AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE

       a. Agreement. USC and I agree that any and all controversies, claims,

       disputes, suits or causes of action arising out of, or relating to this

       Agreement, to the negotiations thereto related or to the breach thereof, or

       to the formation, validity and/for enforceability of this agreement to arbitrate

       or the Agreement (each, a “Claim”), including the question of arbitrability of

       any such Claim, shall be settled by binding arbitration. This agreement to

       arbitrate is binding upon and inures to the benefit of each of USC's and my

       respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, as

       applicable (each, a “Party,” and collectively, the “Parties”).

       ***

       d. The Arbitrator. The arbitration shall be held before a single neutral

       arbitrator, to be selected by agreement between the Parties from the roster

       of neutrals of the New Jersey Academy of Mediators and Arbitrators for the

       region of central New Jersey (the Roster”).

       ***

       e. Arbitration Process. The arbitration will be held in central New Jersey.

       {¶6} As part of the Agreement, Ida Campbell signed page one of Exhibit A, an

“Irrevocable Letter of Instruction to Counsel.” The letter, addressed to Attorney Wells-

Niklas, states in pertinent part:
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                           4

          This letter, along with a copy of the [Agreement], will confirm that I am

          irrevocably assigning an interest in the proceeds from any judgment or

          settlement of my pending Case (as described above) to [USC].

The letter instructed Attorney Wells-Niklas to, among other duties, satisfy USC’s lien

pursuant to the Agreement before disbursing any settlement or judgment proceeds.

          {¶7} Also made part of the Agreement, Attorney Wells-Niklas signed page two

of Exhibit A, entitled an “Acknowledgement of Counsel” (“Acknowledgement”), which

states:

          I, Natasha Wells Niklas, Esquire, as your attorney, acknowledge the receipt

          of the above Irrevocable Letter of Instruction to Counsel (the “Letter”) and

          further acknowledge notice of the fact that you, my client(s) have granted

          USC a security interest and lien in the Proceeds of your Case under the

          Agreement. I acknowledge that, pursuant to the Agreement, you have

          assigned a portion of your Proceeds to USC, and that additional portions of

          your Proceeds may be assigned by you to USC through one or more

          Addenda subject to the terms of the Agreement. I also acknowledge that I

          will follow all of your irrevocable instructions outlined in the Letter and will

          honor the terms of your Agreement, as it may be amended by one or more

          Addenda. * * * I further represent that all disbursements of funds in

          connection with the Case, including your Proceeds, will be through my

          attorney trust account, and that I will take the necessary steps so that all

          payments made by the defendant or insurer in connection with the case are

          made directly to me or my firm for deposit in my attorney trust account. Prior
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                          5

       to making any distribution to you or anyone else, I will contact USC to

       ascertain the amount due and will not pay any portion of your proceeds,

       other than the “Permitted Liens”, to you or on your behalf until USC's lien is

       satisfied in full. * * * In the event of a dispute with USC, I agree that the only

       disbursement that will be made from the proceeds will be for Permitted

       Liens, that the remainder of the proceeds will be held by me in my attorney

       trust account until such dispute is resolved, and that any such dispute would

       be subject to arbitration under Section 8 of the Agreement.

       ***

       I certify that I am the attorney of record in the above-captioned case. I

       further certify that I received a copy of and reviewed the Agreement, that all

       costs and fees have been disclosed by USC, including the annualized rate

       of return applied to calculate the amount to be paid by you, that I am being

       paid on a contingency basis per a written fee agreement, and that the

       representation set forth in the Agreement are true and accurate to the best

       of my knowledge. This acknowledgement and certification shall be deemed

       a material part with the USC's Agreement.

       {¶8} The miscellaneous terms of Agreement stated that, “together with the

Disclosure and Exhibit, [this] constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the

parties with respect to the purchase of the specific portion of the Proceeds contemplated

hereby * * *.” If any portion of the Agreement was deemed invalid or unenforceable, “it

would not affect the validity or enforceability of (i) any other part of this Agreement, and
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                     6

the Agreement shall be modified to the extent legally possible to legally carry out the

intent of this Agreement and (ii) any Agreement between USC and any other party.”

       {¶9} On or about December 29, 2015, Ida Campbell executed a document

entitled, “Addendum #1 to Purchase, Sale, Assignment and Equitable Lien Agreement”

(“Addendum”), whereby Ida Campbell agreed to sell an additional portion of the proceeds

of the wrongful death action to USC. Pursuant to the Addendum, USC paid Ida Campbell

$11,000, inclusive of fees and costs. The Addendum contained a provision where, “Per

the Agreement (as it may have been amended), the terms and conditions of which are

incorporated by reference and reaffirmed hereby in their entirety, I sold USC a portion of

my Proceeds * * *. This Addendum and the rights and obligations of the parties thereto

related are subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement.” Attorney Wells-Niklas

signed the Addendum, stating, “I hereby acknowledge the purchase and sale of the

Additional Property by my client(s), as set forth above.”

                                 Wrongful Death Action

       {¶10} On January 13, 2016, the Stark County Probate Court appointed Ida

Campbell as the Administrator of the Estate of Anquez Campbell.

       {¶11} On March 15, 2016, Ida Campbell, as Administrator of the Estate of Anquez

Campbell, filed a wrongful death action against Baylor Beach Park, Inc. in the Stark

County Court of Common Pleas. Attorney Wells-Niklas represented Ida Campbell. On

February 27, 2017, Attorney Wells-Niklas notified the trial court she had changed her

address due to a change in law firms. The wrongful death action was dismissed without

prejudice on March 8, 2017.
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                       7

       {¶12} Ida Campbell refiled the wrongful death action on May 18, 2017,

represented by Attorney Wells-Niklas.

       {¶13} Ida Campbell passed away on September 18, 2018. At the time of her

death, Ida Campbell was survived by her next of kin and minor son, Victor Perry, and her

adult son, William Campbell. Pursuant to the Last Will and Testament of Ida Campbell,

Paris Davie was named the Executor of the Estate of Ida Campbell. An estate was opened

for Ida Campbell and the USC non-recourse civil litigation advance was not made part of

her estate.

       {¶14} On January 22, 2019, the Stark County Probate Court named Paris Davie

as the successor Administrator of the Estate of Anquez Campbell.

       {¶15} On February 6, 2019, the trial court substituted Paris Davie, Administrator

of the Estate of Anquez Campbell, as the plaintiff in the wrongful death action.

       {¶16} On September 20, 2019, an Application to Approve Settlement and

Distribution of Wrongful Death and Survival Claims was filed in the Estate of Anquez

Campbell pending before the Stark County Probate Court. The application stated there

had been an offer of full settlement in the wrongful death action in the amount of $325,000.

The narrative statement in support of the application stated that following the payment of

costs, case expenses, and a contingent fee agreement attorney’s fee, the wrongful death

beneficiaries would receive a net of $181,999.56. The wrongful death beneficiaries listed

in the application were the Estate of Ida Campbell, Victor Perry, and William Campbell.

The application detailed the proposed distribution of the assets, but it did not provide for

any payments to USC.
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                        8

       {¶17} On December 30, 2019, the Stark County Probate Court approved the

settlement and distribution of the wrongful death claims. The Estate of Ida Campbell

received $3,000; Victor Perry received $110,000; William Campbell received $50,000;

and the Victor Perry Guardianship Account received $25,147.61. The court ordered

payment of $25,836.29 to the attorney for reimbursement of case expenses and

$108,333.32 for attorney fees.

                              USC Demand for Arbitration

       {¶18} On May 20, 2020, USC notified Paris Davie, William Campbell, attorney

Nicholas Laudato, and Attorney Wells-Niklas by letter that it was aware the wrongful death

action had been settled for $325,000. USC stated it was not notified of the death of Ida

Campbell, the settlement, or probate proceedings until it received a letter from Attorney

Wells-Niklas dated February 17, 2020. The application to approve the settlement and

distribution of the wrongful death proceeds did not provide for any payment to USC.

       {¶19} Because USC had not been paid its “Property” as described in the

Agreement, pursuant to the Agreement, USC initiated a Demand for Arbitration. It stated

in the letter that under paragraph 7(d) of the Agreement, a single arbitrator was selected

by agreement of the parties from the Roster of Neutrals of the New Jersey Academy of

Mediators and Arbitrators for the region of Central New Jersey. USC selected Richard

Steen, Esq.

       {¶20} Arbitration before the selected mediator was scheduled for January 11,

2021. Attorney Wells-Niklas challenged the jurisdiction of the Arbitrator to hear the case.

By order on July 15, 2020, the Arbitrator permitted the parties to submit applications and

briefs on the issue. On October 20, 2020, the Arbitrator determined it had jurisdiction over
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                         9

disputes arising out the Agreement based on the terms of the Agreement and

Acknowledgment. By signing the Acknowledgment, the Arbitrator determined that

Attorney Wells-Niklas was required to participate in arbitration and her application

challenging jurisdiction was denied.

       {¶21} On November 6, 2020, USC filed an Amended Demand for Arbitration. In

the amended demand for arbitration, USC dismissed its arbitration demand against

William Campbell and attorney Nicholas Laudato; the only remaining parties were Paris

Davie, as Executor of the Estate of Ida Campbell and Attorney Wells-Niklas. In the

amended     arbitration   demand,    USC    alleged   that,   “[d]espite   Attorney   Niklas’s

acknowledgment and awareness of USC’s lien against the Proceeds of the Wrongful

Death Case, USC has not been paid. In sum, the Administrator of the Estates of both Ida

Campbell and Anquez Campbell, with the assistance of Atty [sic] Niklas and her law firm,

sought to distribute Proceeds that belonged to USC to the attorneys, heir, and

beneficiaries. As of this date, USC is owed a total of $121,006.00.”

                      Declaratory Judgment and Injunctive Relief

       {¶22} On January 8, 2021, the Estate of Anquez Campbell, Paris Davie, William

Campbell, Victor Perry, and Attorney Wells-Niklas filed a Complaint with the Stark County

Court of Common Pleas requesting declaratory judgment and injunctive relief. In their

request for declaratory relief, the plaintiffs argued that as non-parties to the USC contract,

they had no obligation to be forced into arbitration with USC. They requested injunctive

relief to enjoin USC from compelling their presence at the January 11, 2021 arbitration.

       {¶23} Simultaneously, the plaintiffs filed a Motion for Temporary Restraining

Order and Preliminary and Permanent Injunctive Relief to prevent their attendance at the
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                       10

January 11, 2021 arbitration. The trial court granted the TRO and set the matter for an

evidentiary hearing on January 21, 2021.

       {¶24} On January 20, 2021, USC filed a Combined Brief in opposition to the

plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary junction and Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motion to dismiss the

complaint of Attorney Wells-Niklas. In the motion, USC first argued the trial court should

deny the motion for preliminary injunction and/or declaratory judgment action as to the

Estate of Anquez Campbell, Paris Davie, William Campbell, and Victor Perry because

there was no justiciable controversy between those parties and USC. The amended

arbitration demand dismissed those parties because they were not parties to the

Agreement. USC next argued that Attorney Wells-Niklas’ complaint failed because it did

not contain sufficient factual allegations to plausibly state a claim. When Attorney Wells-

Niklas signed the Acknowledgement, she expressly agreed to be bound to the terms of

the Agreement, which included an arbitration provision. The Acknowledgement was a

material part of the Agreement and by its terms, incorporated into the Agreement.

       {¶25} Attorney Wells-Niklas filed a response to the Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motion to

dismiss. In her response, she reiterated her request for declaratory judgment that she

was not a party to the Agreement. She next argued that pursuant to R.C. 1349.55, the

Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct defined her responsibilities as the attorney for the

Estate of Anquez Campbell, not the terms of the Acknowledgment. Further, while this was

a matter of first impression in Ohio, other state courts have found that a letter of

acknowledgement signed by the attorney pursuant to a non-recourse civil litigation

advance did not create a contractual relationship between the non-recourse lender and

the attorney, thereby preventing enforcement of an arbitration clause against the attorney.
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                           11

       {¶26} In reply, USC asserted the question presented to the trial court was not

whether Attorney Wells-Niklas was liable under the terms of the Acknowledgement or

Agreement. The question was whether Attorney Wells-Niklas agreed to arbitrate any

dispute under the Agreement when she signed the Acknowledgment. USC noted that

Attorney Wells-Niklas did not dispute in her briefing that she signed the Acknowledgement

that included an agreement to arbitrate any dispute under the Agreement. Under plain

contract law and case law addressing the issue, USC argued Attorney Wells-Niklas was

contractually obligated to participate in arbitration, where the question of her liability under

the Agreement would be determined.

       {¶27} On July 16, 2021, the trial court issued its judgment entry granting the Civ.R.

12(B)(6) motion of USC. The trial court first dismissed the Estate of Anquez Campbell,

Paris Davie, William Campbell, and Victor Perry as plaintiffs because they were not

named in the Amended Demand for Arbitration. The trial court next found the Agreement

and Acknowledgement were interrelated documents that together governed the

transaction between Ida Campbell and USC. By its terms, the Acknowledgment signed

by Attorney Wells-Niklas constituted a material part of the Agreement and Addendum,

which contained an express agreement to arbitrate any dispute under the Agreement.

Therefore, Attorney Wells-Niklas was bound by the arbitration clause.

       {¶28} The trial court dismissed the Complaint for Declaratory Judgment and

Injunctive Relief to allow all claims and issues in the matter be arbitrated in the pending

New Jersey arbitration. It is from this judgment that Attorney Wells-Niklas now appeals.

                                 ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR

       {¶29} Attorney Wells-Niklas raises one Assignment of Error:
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                       12

       {¶30} “THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DISMISSING NIKLAS’ ACTION FOR

PRELIMINARY AND PERMANENT INJUNCTION PRECLUDING ARBITRATION OF

CLAIMS BROUGHT AGAINST HER BASED ON ITS HOLDING THAT AN ATTORNEY

ACKNOWLEDGING INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY A CLIENT REGARDING REPAYMENT

OF A NONRECOURSE CIVIL LITIGATION ADVANCE SUBJECTS THE ATTORNEY TO

CIVIL LIABILITY AND THE ADVANCE CONTRACT’S COMPULSORY ARBITRATION

CLAUSE.”

                                        ANALYSIS

       {¶31} In her sole Assignment of Error, Attorney Well-Niklas argues the trial court

erred when it granted USC’s motion to dismiss. Upon our de novo review, we disagree.

                                   Standard of Review

       {¶32} Our standard of review on a Civil Rule 12(B) motion to dismiss is de novo.

Huntsman v. State, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2016CA00206, 2017-Ohio-2622, 2017 WL

1710432, ¶ 20, citing Greeley v. Miami Valley Maintenance Contractors Inc., 49 Ohio

St.3d 228, 551 N.E.2d 981 (1990). USC argued that Attorney Wells-Niklas’ complaint

should be dismissed for failure to state a claim. A motion to dismiss for failure to state a

claim upon which relief can be granted is procedural and tests the sufficiency of the

complaint. State ex rel. Hanson v. Guernsey County Bd. of Commissioners, 65 Ohio St.3d

545, 605 N.E.2d 378 (1992). Under a de novo analysis, we must accept all factual

allegations of the complaint as true, and all reasonable inferences must be drawn in favor

of the nonmoving party. Byrd v. Faber, 57 Ohio St.3d 56, 565 N.E.2d 584 (1991). In order

to dismiss a complaint pursuant to Civil Rule 12(B)(6), it must appear beyond doubt that
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                          13

the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of the claim that would entitle plaintiff to

relief. York v. Ohio State Highway Patrol, 60 Ohio St.3d 143, 573 N.E.2d 1063 (1991).

                   Contract Interpretation to Determine Arbitrability

       {¶33} USC seeks to enforce the arbitration provisions of the Agreement against

Attorney Wells-Niklas. Attorney Wells-Niklas raises multiple arguments as to why the trial

court erred in dismissing her complaint for declaratory judgment and request for injunctive

relief to bar USC from compelling her to arbitration. She first contends that under Ohio

law governing non-recourse civil litigation advances, the liability of the attorney

representing the consumer in the civil action is limited by the jurisdiction of the Ohio Rules

of Professional Conduct. Second, Attorney Wells-Niklas argues that because she

executed only the Acknowledgement, she is not bound to the terms of the Agreement as

a party to the Agreement, including the arbitration provisions found in Section 8 of the

Agreement.

       {¶34} Upon examination, the narrow issue before this Court’s is whether Attorney

Wells-Niklas is subject to the terms of the arbitration provisions in the Agreement. We

cannot reach the issue of any alleged liability under the Agreement until the matter of

forum is determined.

       {¶35} The Supreme Court of Ohio outlined four principles to guide determinations

of arbitrability in Council of Smaller Enterprises v. Gates, McDonald & Co., 80 Ohio St.3d

661, 687 N.E.2d 1352 (1998). It held:

       “The first principle is that ‘“arbitration is a matter of contract and a party

       cannot be required to submit to arbitration any dispute which he has not

       agreed so to submit.” * * * This axiom recognizes the fact that arbitrators
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                       14

      derive their authority to resolve disputes only because the parties have

      agreed to submit such grievances to arbitration.’ AT & T Technologies, 475

      U.S. at 648–649, 106 S.Ct. at 1418, 89 L.Ed.2d at 655, quoting [United

      Steelworkers of Am. v.] Warrior & Gulf [Navigation Co. (1960) ], 363 U.S.

      [574] at 582, 80 S.Ct. [1347] at 1353, 4 L.Ed.2d [1409] at 1417.

      “The second principle is that ‘the question of arbitrability—whether a[n] * * *

      agreement creates a duty for the parties to arbitrate the particular

      grievance—is undeniably an issue for judicial determination. Unless the

      parties clearly and unmistakably provide otherwise, the question of whether

      the parties agreed to arbitrate is to be decided by the court, not the

      arbitrator.’ Id., 475 U.S. at 649, 106 S.Ct. at 1418, 89 L.Ed.2d at 656.

      “The third rule is, ‘in deciding whether the parties have agreed to submit a

      particular grievance to arbitration, a court is not to rule on the potential

      merits of the underlying claims.’ Id., 475 U.S. at 649, 106 S.Ct. at 1419, 89

      L.Ed.2d at 656.

      “The fourth principle is that ‘where the contract contains an arbitration

      clause, there is a presumption of arbitrability in the sense that “[a]n order to

      arbitrate the particular grievance should not be denied unless it may be said

      with positive assurance that the arbitration clause is not susceptible of an

      interpretation that covers the asserted dispute. Doubts should be resolved

      in favor of coverage.”’ Id., 475 U.S. at 650, 106 S.Ct. at 1419, 89 L.Ed.2d

      at 656, quoting Warrior & Gulf, supra, 363 U.S. at 582–588, 80 S.Ct. at
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                         15

        1353, 4 L.Ed.2d at 1417.” Council of Smaller Enterprises, 80 Ohio St.3d at

        665–666, 687 N.E.2d 1352.

Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati v. Aetna Health, Inc., 108 Ohio St.3d 185, 2006-Ohio-

657, 842 N.E.2d 488, 2006 WL 357261, ¶¶ 10-14.

        {¶36} “Both the Ohio General Assembly and Ohio courts have expressed a strong

public policy favoring arbitration.” Aljaberi v. Neurocare Ctr., Inc., 5th Dist. Stark No.

2018CA00154, 2019-Ohio-2181, 2019 WL 2354803, ¶ 20 quoting Hayes v. Oakridge

Home, 122 Ohio St.3d 63, 2009-Ohio-2054, 908 N.E.2d 408. Accordingly, there exists a

presumption in favor of arbitration when the disputed issue falls within the scope of the

arbitration agreement. Premier Homes, Inc. v. Hanna Commercial, LLC, 2019-Ohio-1336,

134 N.E.3d 888, ¶ 17 (5th Dist.) citing Eagle v. Fred Martin Motor Co., 157 Ohio App.3d

150, 2004-Ohio-829, 809 N.E.2d 1161, ¶ 14 (9th Dist. Summit), citing Williams v. Aetna

Fin. Co., 83 Ohio St.3d 464, 471, 700 N.E.2d 859 (1998). Arbitration agreements

interpreted under Ohio law are “valid, irrevocable, and enforceable, except upon grounds

that exist at law or in equity for the revocation of any contract.” R.C. 2711.01(A); Eagle at

¶ 16.

        {¶37} Because an arbitration clause in a contract is generally viewed as an

expression that the parties agreed to arbitrate disagreements within the scope of the

arbitration clause and is to be upheld just as any other provision in a contract should be

respected, we analyze this matter using the rules of contract interpretation. Bentley v.

Cleveland Browns Football Co., 194 Ohio App.3d 826, 2011-Ohio-3390, 958 N.E.2d 585,

¶ 14 (8th Dist.) citing Council of Smaller Ents. v. Gates, McDonald & Co., 80 Ohio St.3d

661, 668, 687 N.E.2d 1352 (1998). When confronted with an issue of contract
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                            16

interpretation, our role is to give effect to the intent of the parties. SPG, Inc. v. First St.

Dev., L.L.C., 2016-Ohio-2824, 64 N.E.3d 340, ¶ 37 (5th Dist.) citing Gen. Elec. Capital

Corp. v. Tartan Fields Golf Club, Ltd., 5th Dist., 2013-Ohio-4875, 1 N.E.3d 463, ¶ 19 citing

Westfield Ins. Group v. Affinia Dev., L.L.C., 2012-Ohio-5348, 982 N.E.2d 132, ¶ 21 (5th

Dist.). We will examine the contract as a whole and presume that the intent of the parties

is reflected in the language of the contract. In addition, we will look to the plain and

ordinary meaning of the language used in the contract unless another meaning is clearly

apparent from the contents of the agreement. When the language of a written contract is

clear, a court may look no further than the writing itself to find the intent of the parties. “As

a matter of law, a contract is unambiguous if it can be given a definite legal meaning.”

Sunoco, Inc. (R & M) v. Toledo Edison, Co., 129 Ohio St.3d 397, 2011-Ohio-2720, 953

N.E.2d 285, ¶ 37 citing Westfield Ins. Co. v. Galatis, 100 Ohio St.3d 216, 2003-Ohio-

5849, 797 N.E.2d 1256, ¶ 11.

       {¶38} Attorney Wells-Niklas argues she only signed the Acknowledgement and

therefore is not a party to the Agreement or bound by its terms, including the arbitration

provision. This argument, however, asks this Court to ignore the plain language of the

Acknowledgement that by her signature, Attorney Wells-Niklas agreed to be bound.

Having reviewed the Agreement and the Acknowledgment attached to the complaint, we

find for the reasons set forth below that Attorney Wells-Niklas is subject to the arbitration

provision of the Agreement.

       {¶39} First, by signing the Acknowledgment, Attorney Wells-Niklas expressly

acknowledged receipt of the Agreement and the Irrevocable Letter of Instruction to

Counsel, and she certified that she had reviewed the Agreement. She undeniably agreed
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                          17

to follow all the “irrevocable instructions outlined in the Letter and will honor the terms of

your Agreement, as it may be amended by one or more Addenda.”

       {¶40} Also, by signing the Acknowledgement, Attorney Wells-Niklas was aware

that the Acknowledgement “shall be deemed a material part of the USC’s Agreement.”

The Agreement likewise states that, “together with the Disclosure and Exhibit, [this]

constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the

purchase of the specific portion of the Proceeds contemplated hereby * * *.” Page one of

Exhibit A is the Irrevocable Letter of Instruction to Counsel and page two of Exhibit A is

the Acknowledgment of Counsel. The plain language of the Agreement incorporates the

Irrevocable Letter of Instruction to Counsel and the Acknowledgment to collectively

constitute the Agreement.

       {¶41} Second, the Agreement contains an arbitration provision in Section 8,

wherein “all controversies, claims, disputes, suits or causes of action arising out of or

relating to [the] Agreement, * * *, including the question of arbitrability of any such Claim,

shall be settled by binding arbitration.” (Emphasis sic.)

       {¶42} Third, and most importantly to our determination of arbitrability, the

Acknowledgement signed by Attorney Wells-Niklas contains its own express provision for

arbitration:

       In the event of a dispute with USC, I agree that the only disbursement that

       will be made from the proceeds will be for Permitted Liens, that the

       remainder of the proceeds will be held by me in my attorney trust account

       until such dispute is resolved, and that any such dispute would be subject

       to arbitration under Section 8 of the Agreement.
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                        18

       {¶43} Attorney Wells-Niklas contends she is not a party to the Agreement and not

bound by its terms. Using the four guidelines provided by the Ohio Supreme Court to

determine arbitrability, we have reviewed the documents pursuant to the rules of contract

interpretation and find that while Attorney Wells-Niklas may arguably not be a party to the

Agreement, she is contractually bound to participate in arbitration based on the plain and

unambiguous language of the Acknowledgment. The Acknowledgment, which is a

material part of the Agreement, clearly states that if there is a dispute under the

Agreement, the matter is to be resolved by arbitration. By signing the Acknowledgement,

Attorney Wells-Niklas expressly agreed to be bound by the arbitration provision stated in

the Acknowledgment and governed by the Agreement.

       {¶44} In order to dismiss a complaint pursuant to Civil Rule 12(B)(6), it must

appear beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of the claim

that would entitle plaintiff to relief. We find by the plain language of the Acknowledgement,

Attorney Wells-Niklas can prove no set of facts in support of her claim that she is not

bound to participate in arbitration with USC. As to Attorney Wells-Niklas’ remaining

arguments, such as she is protected from liability by the Ohio Rules of Professional

Conduct, we refer to the third rule of determining arbitrability: “in deciding whether the

parties have agreed to submit a particular grievance to arbitration, a court is not to rule

on the potential merits of the underlying claims.” Council of Smaller Enterprises v. Gates,

McDonald & Co., 80 Ohio St.3d 661, 687 N.E.2d 1352 (1998).

       {¶45} The sole Assignment of Error is overruled.
Stark County, Case No. 2021CA00086                                                19

                                  CONCLUSION

      {¶46} The judgment of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.

By: Delaney, J.,

Wise, Earle, P.J. and

Hoffman, J., concur.