Court Opinion

ID: 4422960
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-08-05 21:57:41.962581+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:51:16.090892
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

 MELISSA GRAVES and BRYAN
 GRAVES, husband and wife; BRYAN                  No. 78616-4-1
 GRAVES as Guardian Ad Litem for
 MAKENA GRAVES, a minor,                          DIVISION ONE

                      Plaintiffs,                 UNPUBLISHED OPINION

              V.
                                                  FILED: August 5,2019
 JOSHUA WELSHANS and JANE DOE
 WELSHANS, husband and wife; and
 STAFF PRO, INC., a foreign
 corporation, and AEG LIVE NW, LLC, a
 foreign corporation; and STOOPID
 TOURING, INC., d/b/a the band
 SLIGHTLY STOOPID, a California
•Corporation,

                     Defendants,

             and

TED BUCK,

                     Appellant.

       MANN, A.C.J. — Attorney Ted Buck challenges a trial court's imposition of
monetary sanctions for violations of orders in limine. Because the record

establishes an adequate basis for imposition of sanctions, the trial court did not

abuse its discretion. We affirm.
No. 78616-4-1/2

                                              I.

       Melissa Graves was attending an outdoor music concert when another

concertgoer, Joshua Welshans, decided to breach a security barrier, climb up

onto the stage, and launch himself into the crowd. Welshans landed on Graves,

seriously injuring her. Graves sued Welshans, Slightly Stoopid (the band), AEG

Live NW, Inc. (the concert promoter), and Staff Pro, Inc. (the security and crowd

management company hired by the venue). Graves reached a settlement with

Slightly Stoopid and AEG, and the case proceeded to trial against Welshans and

Staff Pro. Ted Buck represented Staff Pro.

                                             A.

       All parties filed motions in limine. Relevant to this appeal are the trial

court's orders on the following motions.1

                                             1.

       At the time of her injury, Graves and her family lived in a three-story home

with a spiral staircase. Because she had extreme difficulty getting from floor to

floor after the injury, Graves originally made a claim for damages related to

modifying her existing home so that she could continue to live in it. The

modification proved unfeasible, and by the time the case proceeded to trial,

Graves had moved to a new home. Graves abandoned the claim related to the

home modification.

        'Only the court's rulings on Welshans's motions in limine were memorialized in a
written order. The trial court informed parties that they were welcome to submit written
orders reflecting the court's rulings, but that "[c]andidly, it's not necessary. The record is
the record."

                                                   2
No. 78616-4-1/3

       Graves moved to exclude any evidence that she retained an expert to

perform a home modification analysis. Staff Pro agreed, and the trial court

granted the motion.

       Graves subsequently moved to prohibit any party from "directly or

indirectly mentioning, referring to, interrogating concerning, or attempting to

convey to the jury in any manner the fact that the Plaintiffs have changed their

residence." Graves argued that "[e]vidence that the Plaintiffs moved their

residence will generate jury speculation about the source of the money to fund

the move." Staff Pro objected, arguing that "there's going to be a number of

photos and other items that are shown to the jury of Ms. Graves in her old

residence when 1 think she had difficulty moving around and the jury needs to be

informed that she is now in this new residence where she may not have those

same difficulties." Staff Pro requested the trial court reserve ruling on the motion.

The trial court agreed:

       I think I need to know more. The court does reserve on this. I will
       say that it may very well be impractical not for this evidence to
       come forth given the damage issue.

       So we might be looking at, again, a curious juror may make a
       certain inference, what have you, but would not expect that line to
       be crossed and that or arguing what's improper, which is, oh, there
       must have been — how did you have this money to move into this
       new house, et cetera. I mean, that's their concern, so that's likely,
       that's likely where we're headed just to telegraph that to you.

                                             3
No. 78616-4-1/4

                                           2.

       Graves moved to exclude evidence of "the fact and the amount of the

settlement" with Slightly Stoopid and AEG, pursuant to ER 408.2 The trial court

ruled that it would apply ER 408 and exclude "evidence related to the

settlement." The court noted that "this rule also does not require exclusion when

the evidence is offered for another purpose," and informed parties that if they

planned to do so,"we discuss that outside the presence of the jurors."

       Graves subsequently sought to remove Slightly Stoopid and AEG from the

case caption, arguing that the jury would speculate about the existence of and

amount of a settlement. The trial court granted the motion to amend the caption,

but stated: "The fact that other parties were at play is part of the trial. Jurors will

know that. This will also serve to reflect the reality of what has occurred."

                                           3.

       Part of Staff Pro's defense was that Welshans committed the intentional

tort of battery, entitling it to segregation of damages. Welshans moved to

preclude any testimony about his intent. He also moved to preclude Staff Pro

       2 ER  408 provides that:
       In a civil case, evidence of(1)furnishing or offering or promising to
       furnish, or(2) accepting or offering or promising to accept a valuable
       consideration in compromising or attempting to compromise a claim
       which was disputed as to either validity or amount, is not admissible to
       prove liability for or invalidity of the claim or its amount. Evidence of
       conduct or statements made in compromise negotiations is likewise not
       admissible. This rule does not require exclusion of any evidence
       otherwise discoverable merely because it is presented in the course of
       compromise negotiations. This rule also does not require exclusion when
       the evidence is offered for another purpose, such as proving bias or
       prejudice of a witness, negating a contention of undue delay, or proving
       an effort to obstruct a criminal investigation or prosecution.

                                                4
No. 78616-4-1/5

from arguing that he committed battery in its opening statement. Graves similarly

moved to preclude "opinion[s] regarding the nature of Welshans' conduct—

whether intentional, negligent or reckless."

       Staff Pro agreed that it did not plan to discuss the legal elements of

battery in its opening statement, but did plan to argue that Welshans "intended to

leap off the stage and into the crowd." As to Welshans's intent, the court ordered

as follows:

      All right. The motion is granted in part. That is, there's agreement
      that experts ought not be testifying to their insight about subjective
      state of minds, but I don't think at this point the court can go further
      than that.

The court also granted the motion precluding Staff Pro from arguing that

Welshans committed battery in its opening statement.

                                         4.

      Staff Pro moved to exclude any speculation that Welshans would have

acted differently had there been more security personnel barricading the stage.

The trial court granted the motion.

                                         B.

       Parties gave opening statements on January 9, 2018. Staff Pro made

reference to AEG and Slightly Stoopid as follows:

      MR. BUCK: In fact, the people who say that AEG did something
      wrong were Plaintiffs' own experts, because they sued AEG and
      they sued the band. And their expert said,"AEG," what was it? "It
      was a grievous deviation for" —

      MR. BULZOMI: Excuse me, Your Honor. I object to the content of
      the opening statement. Pretrial order.

                                               5
. No. 78616-4-1/6

        THE COURT: Objection sustained. You may continue.

        MR. BULZOMI: And a corrective instruction to the jury to disregard
        it.

       THE COURT: The jurors will disregard the most recent statement
       regarding claims. Counsel, you may continue.

        MR. BUCK: May we have a sidebar, Your Honor?

       THE COURT: Not at this time.

        During a later sidebar conference, Graves argued that Staff Pro's

 reference to the other parties violated the order in limine.

       There was a clear and deliberate violation of the motion in limine.
       The Court ruled that the fact that we sued AEG and Slightly Stoopid
       was not to be mentioned and Counsel drove right through it and
       mentioned it. It was deliberate. It wasn't accidental. It was tactical. It
       puts us into the position of having to hope that the Court's
       instruction to disregard somehow unrings that bell. And it puts us in
       the position of maybe having to move for a mistrial.

       This has to stop now. And I think Counsel should be sanctioned.

       Staff Pro objected, arguing that it had not mentioned the settlement nor

 made any statements subject to exclusion by ER 408.

       We informed the Court that we intended to follow ER 408. The fact
       that they were parties has nothing to do with ER 408, which is the
       only basis that was set forth in the motion in limine for the exclusion
       of evidence of settlement.

       We had a conversation with this Court before the case ever started
       about the fact that these other entities being parties was going to
       come out. It can't help but come out and there is no rule of
       evidence which says that it shouldn't come out. And this Court has
       never ruled that that fact should not come out.

       The trial court responded as follows:

        But, Mr. Buck, a curious juror is now wondering,"Oh, others have
        been, not only are we going to be asked to consider who is
        responsible." That was what opening statements were all about,
No. 78616-4-1/7

       this party is more responsible, they should have done X. They
       should have done Y. But now on not a factual plane, but a legal
       plane, a curious juror is wondering,"What became of those
       lawsuits? Has that happened before? What did those jurors do?
       And what were those settlements? And how does that inform our
       verdict form when we try to allocate percentage of liability?" That's
       the problem.

       And the fact that you don't see that as a problem is another
       problem, Counsel.

Graves argued that Staff Pro could not have misunderstood the court's intent that

Slightly Stoopid and AEG not be referred to as parties because it had granted the

motion to remove them from the case caption.

       MR. BULZOMI: Well, we moved to amend the caption to reference,
       to remove reference to those parties so the jury wouldn't be
       speculating why they've been sued and why they're not here. If this
       doesn't run through that motion, I don't know what does. And you
       granted that motion, Your Honor.

       THE COURT: Correct, as well.

The court declined to impose sanctions at that time. It suggested the parties

consider drafting a limiting instruction.

       The following day, January 9, Staff Pro cross-examined Anthony Davis,

Graves's expert witness on crowd security and management. Staff Pro indicated

it planned to ask Davis what materials he relied upon in forming his opinions.

Graves objected, arguing that the materials included pleadings indicating that

Slightly Stoopid and AEG were former parties. Staff Pro argued that such

questioning did not violate the order in limine because it did not pertain to the

settlement. The trial court stated: "The concern is you're not going to say it

directly, but you're going to allow that reasonable inference from a juror. That's

the concern, and that's called Evidence Rule 403." The trial court accused Buck

                                             7
No. 78616-4-1/8

of encouraging the jury to speculate regarding the existence of a settlement with

Slightly Stoopid and AEG.

       I'm not sure you do understand, Mr. Buck, because you don't want
       to have any sort of sanitation. You want to get into everything that's
       occurred in the case, except, I guess, what the ultimate settlements
       have been.

       The trial court encouraged parties to craft a limiting instruction addressing

the status of Slightly Stoopid and AEG. The parties agreed that the jury should

be instructed as follows:

      You may hear reference to AEG and Slightly Stoopid as parties or
      defendants. You are not to speculate in any way about why AEG
      and Slightly Stoopid are not defendants in this particular trial.

       On January 10, Staff Pro continued its cross-examination of Davis, asking

Davis about various statements he had made in his deposition. Buck asked if

Welshans's conduct constituted a "trespass." Graves objected, arguing this

called for a legal conclusion. The court sustained the objection. Buck then asked

if Davis "described what Welshans did as a sucker punch." When Davis stated

that he did not remember, Buck referred to a portion of the deposition where

Davis stated "a stage diver like Mr. Welshans commits battery." Buck asked if it

"would almost be like sucker punching an unsuspecting person, where you

assault someone —" Graves again objected.

       Buck also asked Davis about portions of Welshans's deposition in which

Welshans stated that, if security had been more formidable, he would not have

attempted to get on the stage. When Welshans objected, Buck apologized,

stating that he had unintentionally violated an order protecting his own client.

                                             8
No. 78616-4-1/9

       I intended to impeach him with a piece of material in his deposition,
       and I started reading too early. And the plaintiffs objected and Mr.
       Welshans' attorney objected. And, Your Honor, they were right. I
       went back and looked at it last night. It not only was subject to the
       motion in limine, but it was stupid because it only hurts my client. .
       . . And I will rely on the Court's good judgment as to what an
       appropriate remedy would be.

       I will also inform the Court that I told my client what happened, that
       I made a mistake, and that the results, whatever the Court
       determines, are my responsibility.

The court stated "The court has perceived a pattern that I'm concerned about,

but I want to take the night to think about it."

       The following four days of testimony are not part of the record on appeal.

However, on January 23, Graves presented the testimony of expert witness Dr.

Kathryn Reid, a rehabilitation counselor. During cross-examination, Buck asked

the court to clarify its ruling on testimony regarding the home modification and

Graves's move.

       MR. BUCK: I believe Dr. Seroussi has already testified about the
       new house, that the stairs are no longer a problem because of the
       single floor.

       I want to make sure that, because this was an issue that we had
       talked about earlier in the case, that to my recollection of that
       testimony was accurate for this reason: The testimony of the
       current witness was that there was no addition for home
       modification within the life care plan because of a cost benefit
       analysis. And the reality, of course, is that the reason there's no
       home modification is because they bought a new home.

       MR. BULZOMI: The reality is, Your Honor, we did a cost benefit
       analysis. I mean, it's tactics, it's work product, among other things.

       THE COURT: So what are you asking of the Court?

       MR. BUCK: I just want to make sure that this is not going to tread
       upon any of your rulings. As I understand it, I don't think it will, but I
       felt in an abundance of caution I should do that.

                                               9
No. 78616-4-1/10

       THE COURT: I think we're on the same page, correct?

       MR. BULZOMI: So is he permitted to inquire about the move?

       THE COURT: He's — no. He's entitled to inquire to track with the
       direct examination, which was it was a cost benefit analysis.

       Buck proceeded to ask Dr. Reid about the home modification.

       MR. BUCK: And you were asked in direct examination about an
       item that used to be on the life care plan that is no longer, and that
       would be the home modification that was originally bid out by
       Braitmayer — Brightmeyer [sic]; is that right?

       DR. REID: Yes.

       MR. BUCK: And that was described as a cost benefit analysis that
       didn't work out. But isn't — the real reason is that they recently
       bought a new house that didn't require —

       MR. BULZOMI: Objection, Your Honor. Motion in limine.

       THE COURT: Sustained. The jurors will disregard the most recent
       question.

       After the jury was excused for the afternoon recess, Graves argued that

Buck's questions violated the order in limine. Buck denied that he had

intentionally violated the court's order:

       Your Honor, that isn't — that isn't what I heard at all. I specifically
       brought this attention to the Court — this to the Court's attention —
       because she said that the reason that they didn't have that in the
       life care plan was because of a cost benefit analysis, which is not
       true. The truth is they didn't need it. Braitmayer had done an
       evaluation of their old house. The new house doesn't require those
       changes. That's specifically why I brought it up. And I [did] not hear
       the Court say anything about me not being able to ask about that.
       For heaven's sakes, I had just asked you about this. And that is not
       what you ruled, Your Honor. I don't — I didn't — frankly, I didn't
       understand why you sustained the objection.

                                             10
No. 78616-4-1/1 1

The court responded:"So I had ruled that you can inquire about the cost benefit

analysis but not the specifics of the house and the move. We'd dealt with that

pretrial." The court sua sponte announced that it would impose monetary

sanctions against Buck:

       So a curious juror is wondering: Where would those funds come
       from. And we'll recall earlier motions in limine that were violated,
       such as: Without Court permission and in violation of the then
       motion in limine to get into reference to other parties and lawsuits.
       That was after the motion in limine that was violated with regard to
       the cross-examination of the witness Davis. That's in addition to the
       motion in limine that was — that we heard, then violated, when Mr.
       Buck launched into "assault and battery." This is in addition to the
       cross-examination expert, which brought in another illegitimate
       piece of evidence, that was the hindsight intention of Mr. Welshans.
       And now not only referencing a new home but referencing that it
       was purchased.

       So the — it's possible Mr. Buck misunderstood the Court's ruling
       here, oddly had sought clarification, which normally is the best
       practice, yet this becomes now the fifth motion in limine that's been
       violated by Mr. Buck.

       Terms are imposed on Mr. Buck in a substantial degree. The exact
       amount will be determined at the end of trial and it will be informed
       by the balance of conduct.

       On February 9, 2018, the parties filed a notice of settlement. The trial court

subsequently entered a written order imposing sanctions, memorializing its

earlier oral ruling as follows:

       During the course of jury trial, counsel for defendant Staff Pro, Mr.
       Ted Buck, violated multiple Orders In Limine on, at least, four
       occasions. When it became apparent during the course of trial that
       such pattern was evident(and after considering argument of
       counsel)the Court determined that these knowing violations should
       not be ignored nor condoned.

       Accordingly, the Court concludes that terms are required, especially
       in light of a previous admonishments during the trial holding the

                                              11
No. 78616-4-1/12

       requests for sanctions in abeyance. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED,
       ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that terms in the amount of $4,000
       are assessed; Mr. Buck is to pay said terms within thirty days to an
       independent law related charity such as the King County Bar
       Foundation, or to the Clerk of this Court.

       Staff Pro moved for reconsideration, claiming that the record did not

support the trial court's finding of multiple violations. It contended that Buck

violated only one order, which was on its own motion. Staff Pro also argued that

Buck was never given an opportunity to respond before the trial court imposed

sanctions.

       The trial court denied reconsideration and reiterated its earlier ruling:

       The Court previously held: During the course of jury trial, counsel
       for defendant Staff Pro, Mr. Ted Buck, violated multiple Orders In
       Limine on, at least, four occasions.1 When it became apparent
       during the course of trial that such pattern was evident(and after
       considering argument of counsel) the Court determined that these
       knowing violations should not be ignored nor condoned.

      Movant argues that he violated only one court Order and
      challenges each and every order.2 Plaintiffs respond that "[Nis
      violations cannot be taken as anything other than calculated and
      intentional violations done for tactical purposes in an attempt to
      gain an advantage before the jury. The Court's Order Sanctioning
      [sic] Mr. Buck is certainly appropriate under the circumstances, and
      even more severe sanctions would also be appropriate." As is often
      the case in trial and life, the truth resides in the middle ground.

       From the Court's more objective vantage point, the court was in the
       best position to assess counsel's actions, credibility, and
       stratagems during this multi-week trial. While defense counsel
       concedes that he "inadvertently" violated a court's Order, pattern
       illuminates intent. A review of the record illustrates just how much
       time was devoted to addressing Mr. Buck's compliance with pretrial
       motions.3 The Court even provided notice to counsel by expressing
       its concern about the developing pattern.4 It was clear that the letter
       as well as the spirit of the Court's Orders were violated.

       Accordingly, the Court denies the CR 59 Motion for
       Reconsideration, especially in light of a previous admonishments

                                             12
No. 78616-4-1/13

      during the trial, and in holding the requests for sanctions in
      abeyance. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND
      DECREED that terms in the amount of $4,000 are reassessed; in
      measuring the quality and quantity of the violations, Plaintiff's
      suggestion to impose more severe "sanctions" is denied. Mr. Buck
      is to pay said terms within fourteen days to the King County Bar
      Foundation, or to the Clerk of the Court.

       1   Another was deemed a misunderstanding.

         is disappointing that counsel perceives no issue with his
      2 It
      comportment, even in hindsight.

      3    Mr. Buck is a talented, experienced trial attorney who knew better.

      4 Defendant's counsel repeatedly lobbed ER 403 explosive, at the
      time inadmissible, topics into the trial [e.g. "parties
      sued/lawsuits/defendants," implying out of court settlements which
      invites speculation, "assault and battery", Welshans' hindsight
      intention, reference to plaintiffs new house that exceeded and did
      not track the direct examination, "summary judgmena

Buck appeals.

                                          II.

                                          A.

      As a preliminary matter, we address the request made by the King County

Prosecutor's Office to file an amicus brief on behalf of King County Superior

Court. Buck objects, arguing, amongst other things, that the brief is untimely.

       Filing an amicus brief requires permission of the court. RAP 10.1(e), RAP

10.6(a). An amicus brief must be filed "not later than 45 days after the filing of the

last brief of respondent." RAP 10.2(0(2). Buck filed an opening brief in this court

on December 17, 2018. Any respondent's brief would have been due on January

16, 2019. None of the parties chose to file a respondent's brief. On February 17,

2019, Buck filed a one-page reply brief, noting the lack of a respondent's brief.

                                                13
No. 78616-4-1/14

       Amicus curiae did not file its brief until April 9, 2019, 83 days after the due

date for the respondent's brief and 51 days after Buck filed his reply. Because

the brief is untimely under RAP 10.2(0(2), we do not consider it.3

                                             B.

        Buck contends that the trial court's imposition of sanctions was an abuse

of discretion because the claimed violations did not occur. We disagree; the

portion of the record provided by Buck shows that at least three out of the four

violations identified by the court occurred.

       Contempt of court occurs when, amongst other things, an individual

disobeys any lawful order of the court. RCW 7.21.010(1)(b). A court may impose

a monetary sanction for contempt of court. RCW 7.21.020. The contempt statute

limits the summary imposition of punitive sanctions for contempt to not more than

$500 for each incident of sanctionable conduct. RCW 7.21.050(2). But a court

may resort to its inherent power to punish contempt and impose sanctions

exceeding this limitation if it finds that the statutory basis would be inadequate.4

State v. Boatman, 104 Wash. 2d 44, 48, 700 P.2d 1152(1985).

       This court reviews a trial court's decision to find a person in contempt and

impose sanctions for abuse of discretion, and affords it wide latitude in its

        3 Amicus acknowledges that the brief was filed after the deadline contemplated
by RAP 10.2(0(2) but contends this court should permit the filing of the brief because no
respondent's brief was filed. We reject this claim as clearly not contemplated by the
appellate rules.
        4 Though the legal basis for the sanctions is not apparent from the record, the
amount of the sanctions indicates the trial court exercised its inherent contempt power.
In the portion of the record before us on appeal, there is no indication that the trial court
made the required finding that statutory contempt sanctions were inadequate.
Nevertheless, Buck does not raise this claim and we do not consider it.

                                                  14
No. 78616-4-1/15

determination of which sanctions are appropriate. State v. Dugan, 96 Wash. App.
346, 351, 979 P.2d 885 (1999); Wash. State Physicians Ins. Exch. & Ass'n v.

Fisons Corp., 122 Wash. 2d 299, 338, 858 P.2d 1054 (1993). A trial court abuses its

discretion when it exercises it in a manifestly unreasonable manner or bases its

decision on untenable grounds or reasons. State v. Powell, 126 Wash. 2d 244, 258,

893 P.2d 615(1995).

       We agree with Buck that referring to Slightly Stoopid and AEG as former

parties or stating that they had been sued by Graves did not violate the trial

court's order in limine. The parties had repeated disagreements about the

manner in which former parties could be described. But the order prohibited

parties only from mentioning settlement negotiations. At no time did the trial court

order that Staff Pro could not discuss the former parties in any other context. In

fact, the trial court, upon granting the motion to amend the caption, stated "[t]he

fact that other parties were at play is part of the trial" and "[j]urors will know that."

It was an abuse of discretion for the trial court to sanction Buck on this basis.

       However, we conclude that Buck violated the remaining orders identified

by the trial court, and that these violations served as an adequate basis for the

sanctions order.5

       As for the issue of Graves's home, the court granted Graves's motion in

limine prohibiting testimony that a home modification analysis had been

        5 Because we conclude the trial court's sanctions were supported by the record,
we do not address Buck's claim that the trial court violated due process by failing to
identify an alternative basis for the sanctions.

                                               15
No. 78616-4-1/16

performed. It initially reserved ruling on whether parties could mention Graves

had moved to a new home. Prior to Dr. Reid's testimony, Buck asked for

clarification of the court's ruling. The court ruled that Buck was prohibited from

discussing the move but was "entitled to inquire to track with the direct

examination, which was it was a cost benefit analysis." Nevertheless, Buck asked

Dr. Reid whether Graves had "recently bought a new house."

       Buck contends that Graves opened the door to discussion of the move.

Dr. Reid testified that Graves did not follow through with the home modification

because of a "cost benefit analysis." Buck argues this testimony was untrue —

that Graves actually abandoned the home modification because the family

moved — and that it "left the impression that Graves was still struggling to get

around in the old, cramped house." A trial court has discretion to admit evidence

that might otherwise be inadmissible if a party "opened the door" to the evidence

by being the first to raise a subject during examination of a witness. Ano v.

Martin 118 Wash. App. 553, 562, 76 P.3d 787(2003). But the trial court apparently

disagreed that the door had been opened, and prohibited Buck from mentioning

the move at al1.6 Buck does not challenge the merits of the trial court's

evidentiary ruling, and we decline to review it.

       As for the issue of Welshans's intent, the trial court clearly prohibited

witnesses from speculating as to Welshans's intent in jumping from the stage, or

whether Welshans would not have jumped if there had been more security.

       6 Buck raised the argument that the testimony opened the door in his motion for
reconsideration.

                                             16
No. 78616-4-1117

Despite this, Buck repeatedly asked Davis if Welshans committed assault or

battery—both of which possess an intent element. Buck also elicited testimony

that the lack of security influenced Welshans's actions. Buck does not dispute

that this testimony was a violation of the court's order in limine, and that he would

"rely on the Court's good judgment as to what an appropriate remedy would be."

It was not an abuse of discretion to sanction Buck for violating these three orders

in limine.

       Buck contends that the trial court deprived him of due process by

imposing sanctions without specifically identifying the contemptuous behavior

and by not providing him a means to respond.

       Due process requires notice and an opportunity to respond before a court

utilizes its inherent power to impose sanctions. Geonerco, Inc. v. Grand Ridge

Properties IV, LLC, 159 Wash. App. 536, 544, 248 P.3d 1047 (2011). Here, Buck

had adequate notice of the basis for the trial court's sanctions. While the

sanctions order did not specifically identify each order in limine violated, both the

court's oral ruling and the written order denying reconsideration specifically

identified the four orders in limine at issue. Furthermore, Buck was granted an

opportunity to respond. After each objection by Graves, Buck had the opportunity

to explain why he did or did not believe that his conduct violated the orders in

limine. And Buck filed a motion for reconsideration in which he fully briefed his

objections. The trial court set a briefing schedule and permitted Staff Pro to file a

                                             17
No. 78616-4-1/18

reply.7 Buck fails to establish that the imposition of sanctions violated due

process.

      Affirmed.

WE CONCUR:
                                           1     004, 4-C.7":.

      7  King County Local Civil Rule 59(b) provides that a response to a motion for
reconsideration may only be filed at the request of the court.

                                            18