Court Opinion

ID: 9714255
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 05:33:50.402586+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:24.620588
License: Public Domain

HOFFMAN, Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent. An attorney's representations are binding upon his client. See Mirka v. Fairfield of America, Inc. (1994), Ind.App., 627 N.E.2d 449, 450 n. 1 (in absence of fraud by attorney, client is bound by action of attorney even if attorney commits gross negligence); Farm Credit Services v. East of Decker (1993), Ind.App., 624 N.E.2d 491, 495 (general and long standing rule that absent fraud by attorney or collusion between attorney and opposing side, acts or omissions of attorney attributable to client). Here, it is established that Carolina received a letter from Andry's attorney at the time the complaint was filed, stating that the complaint need not be answered until Carolina was notified "in writing to have someone enter an appearance and file an Answer." Thus, Andry was bound to give notice of the necessity to file an answer prior to requesting a default judgment.
I would vote to reverse the trial court's decision.