Alex Von Kleist, Respondent V. Graoch 161-1, Inc., Et Al., Appellants (Majority)

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IL D 01iRT } APPEALS D I VISIMP, h 201 FEB 4 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE C! DIVISION II AM 9= 17 M 0( By Dt UTY No. 43138 -6 -II ALEX VON KLEIST, Consolidated with Nos. 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318- 4- 11, 43335- 4- 11, Respondent, and 43425 -3 -II) VIM PAUL J. LUKSHA, a Canadian citizen, and GREGORY COCHRANE, a Canadian citizen, Appellants, GRAOCH corporation, Washington 160 -1 and GP, GP, 161 - 1 and INC., a Washington . GRAOCH 161 GP, L. P., a GRAOCH limited partnership, INC., a Washington corporation, GRAOCH 160 CP, L. P., a Washington limited partnership, THE JACKALOPE FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a British Columbian limited partnership, GARY GRAY and JANE DOE GRAY, and the marital community thereof, LES PIOCH, a Canadian citizen, Defendants. HUNT, J. Gregory Cochrane and Paul J. Luksha appeal the superior court' s denial of their motions to vacate two default judgments against them' in Alex Von Kleist' s action for The second default judgment did not list Luksha as a judgment debtor; but his name appears on the third page of the judgment summary along with the other Defendants' names. We treat this as a scrivener' s error because Von Kleist' s second motion for default judgment named other Defendants, including Cochrane, but it did not name Luksha. Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -11, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 -II) 2 securities fraud , intentional 3 misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, accounting, 4 breach of contract, violation of Washington' s Consumer Protection Act, for their partnership. Cochrane and Luksha argue that the superior court lacked personal receivers and appointment of a jurisdiction over them and that there were other irregularities in procuring the judgments. Holding that improper service initially prevented the superior court from having personal jurisdiction over Cochrane and Luksha, we reverse its denial of their motion to vacate the first default judgment and remand to strike that judgment. Holding that proper service later bestowed personal jurisdiction over Cochrane, we affirm the superior court' s denial of his motion to vacate the second default judgment; but because Luksha was not similarly later served, we remand for the superior court to strike his name from the second default judgment summary. FACTS Alex Von Kleist is a Canadian citizen who resides in British Columbia, Gregory Cochrane and Paul J. Luksha, also Canadian citizens, are general partners in Graoch Associates Limited Partnership ( GALP), a Canadian limited partnership, which controls hundreds of corporate entities in Canada and the United States under' GALP President- Gary M: Gray' s management. a RCW 21. 20. 010. s RCW 25. 10. 210. RCW 19. 86. 090; RCW 19. 86. 093. s RCW 7. 60. 025. 2 Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 - II) I. VON KLEIST' S INVESTMENT IN WASHINGTON LIMITED PARTNERSHIP On the 1, 012,000 in Limited advice a of GALP general partner Les Pioch, Von Kleist decided to invest GALP controlled Washington limited partnership, " GRAOCH ASSOCIATES Partnership # 161" ( Graoch 161). Clerk' s Papers ( CP) at 1301. Pioch presented Von Kleist with various documents about Graoch 161 and explained to him that ( 1) Graoch 161 was a Washington " Loan 160) 7; ( and Funding vehicle" for " GRAOCH ASSOCIATES # 160 LP ,6 ( Graoch 2) Von Kleist' s investments would be returned and payable back to him no later than October 15, 2008; and ( 3) if Graoch 161 missed a repayment date, Von Kleist would be entitled to 18 percent investment. secure." CP compounded Based at on 1301. interest these per annum representations, until Graoch 161 repaid his ( Von Kleist' s) Von Kleist felt that his investment " would be. On November 15, 2007, Von Kleist entered into a " Subscription Agreement" with Graoch 161 to invest in that limited partnership. CP at 1302. A. Subscription Agreement: Forum Selection and Consent to Service by Mail This Agreement provided that ( 1) for $ 1, 012, 000, Von Kleist would acquire a limited 6,784, 000 partnership interest in-Graoch 161; ( 2) Graoch 161 would make one or more loans of $ to Graoch 160, due and payable no later than October 15, 2008 ( " Loan Repayment Date"); ( 3) within 30 days of the Loan Repayment Date, Von Kleist would receive a written option ( a) to remain a limited partner of Graoch 161 for an additional 12 months or ( b) to withdraw as a limited partner of Graoch 161 and to recover his total investments plus accrued distributions. 6CPat1301. 7 Graoch 160 was another GALP -controlled limited partnership in Washington. BCPat1302. 3 Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -I1, 43885 -2 -I1, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 -11) Section 16 of this Agreement contained provisions selecting Washington as a forum selection and allowing service by mail. Section 15 of this Agreement contained an assignment provision. Section 16 of the Agreement, provided, in pertinent part, This Subscription Agreement and all rights hereunder shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State Washington. of The undersigned hereby submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Washington and of the federal courts in the Western District of Washington with respect to any action or legal proceeding commenced by any person or entity relating to or arising out of this Subscription Agreement, the Partnership or the Partnership' s business, and consents to the service of process in any such action or legal proceeding by means of registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in care of the address set forth below on the signature page or such other address as the undersigned shall furnish in writing to the Partnership. CP at 1320. Von Kleist which signed the Agreement this Agreement referred. CP at as a " 1321. Subscriber "; he was the sole " undersigned" to Although there was a blank signature line for GALP President Gray, neither Gray nor anyone else signed the Agreement on behalf of the referenced 9; partnership " GALP general partner Pioch signed only as a " Witness." CP at 1321. On December 12, however; - month after Von Kleist had signed the Agreement, GALP a President bank wire Gray sent Von Kleist 10 a " written acceptance " transfer of $ 1, 012, 658. 23 to Graoch 161 in acknowledging receipt of Von Kleist' s satisfaction of the Agreement. Gray' s letter also represented that Von Kleist' s initial distribution check was enclosed and that the next check would be delivered in January. 9 CP at 1322. to Br. of Appellant at 28. M Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 - II) B. Breach of Agreement As the October 15, 2008 loan repayment date neared, Von Kleist had not received the promised written option to withdraw his partnership. He contacted Pioch about this " missing" option letter and explained that he wanted . o withdraw as -limited partner of Graoch 161 and to t recover his investments would receive payment and accrued distributions. Pioch repeatedly promised that Von Kleist in March 2009, but Von Kleist never received it. On July 17, 2009, Von Kleist contacted GALP general partner Cochrane requesting corporate information about Graoch Von Kleist sent a follow up email, to which Cochrane responded, promising to provide 161. financial statements, which, again, Von Kleist never received. On September 17, 2009 Von Kleist' s attorney, Stephen Pidgeon, sent demand letters to Graoch 161' and Luksha, financial s registered agent demanding statements full for service of process ( Bruce and complete $ for Graoch 161 Gray, Pioch, Cochrane, 1, 248, 845. 53 payment to Von Kleist and complete Graoch 160. and P. Weiland), Von Kleist received no response to these demand letters. II PROCEDURE - A. Superior Court Action Von Kleist Inc.; and sued Graoch 160; Graoch 161; Graoch 161 - 1 GP, Inc.; Graoch 160 -1 GP, The Jackalope Fund Limited Partnership; Gary Gray and Jane Doe Gray; Pioch; Cochrane; Luksha ( collectively, " Defendants ") for ( 1) accounting; ( 2) appointment of a receiver for Defendants under RCW 7. 60. 025; and ( 3) damages based on violations of chapter 21. 20 RCW securities fraud), intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract, and violation of chapter 19. 86 RCW ( Consumer Protection Act). 5 Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 - II) Von Kleist served Defendants with a summons and verified complaint; he served some of them personally and others by certified mail. On December 9, Von Kleist effected personal service on Bruce Weiland, attorney and registered agent for Graoch 161, Graoch 161 - 1 GP, Inc., Graoch 160, and 11, Von Kleist Cochrane, Graoch 160 GP, Inc., Pioch, The Jackalope Fund Limited served Luksha and with a summons and verified complaint. by certified mail. Partnership ( " The On December Jackalope Fund "), On December 18, Von Kleist secured personal service on Gray with a summons and verified complaint. 1. On January First default judgment 27, 2010, Von Kleist filed a motion for order of default against all Defendants for failure to appear or to indicate any intent to appear or to defend. That same day, the superior court entered an order of default against all Defendants, including Cochrane and Luksha, and a default judgment for $ 1, 245, 165. 31, listing all Defendants as judgment debtors. In March 2009, attorney David Spellman spoke with Pidgeon on behalf of the out -ofcountry Defendants to negotiate an order relieving them from the default judgment. The attorneys prepared a stipulation agreement and order vacating the superior court' s default order and default judgment against international Defendants: The Jackalope Fund, Luksha, Pioch, and Cochrane; they also discussed the possibility of settlement. On April 22, Pidgeon sent Spellman an email about the settlement and inquired whether Spellman had an offer; but he never heard back from Spellman with the court. about the settlement. The attorneys never signed the stipulation or filed it Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -I1, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 - II) 2. Second default judgment Von Kleist then secured personal service on all international Defendants, except Luksha. On February 18, complaint on 2010, Cochrane Von Kleist personally served the original summons and verified The Jackalope Fund. and On March 1, 2010, Von Kleist secured personal service on Pioch. On May 10, Von Kleist filed affidavits of service as to Cochrane, The Jackalope Fund, and Pioch; he also filed a second motion for default judgment as to these defendants, but he did default judgment as not include Luksha. That same day, the superior court entered a second to international defendants Cochrane, Pioch and The Jackalope Fund. Von Kleist did not include Luksha' s name in the second default judgment' s list of debtors, which included Cochrane, Pioch and The Jackalope Fund. Nevertheless, the second default judgment mentioned Luksha on the third page of the default judgment, which appears to have been a scrivener' s error. 3. Motion to vacate default judgments Defendants did not directly appeal either default judgment. Instead, on January 11, 2011, they filed motion to vacate both default judgments, arguing that -(1) the default judgments were - void under CR 60(b)( 5) for lack of personal jurisdiction over them, and ( 2) there were procedural irregularities in the grant of default judgments entitling them to vacation under CR 60( b)( 1). 11 On April 6, 2012, the superior court denied Defendants' CR 60 motion, ruling that there was no basis for vacating the default judgments because it had jurisdiction over the Defendants under the 11 In their motion to vacate, Defendants also argued that ( 1) Von Kleist had misrepresented his personal service under CR 60( b)( 4) on Gray and Weiland, and ( 2) procedural and jurisdictional problems warranted the vacation of the default however, pursue these two issues in this appeal. VA judgment under CR 60( b)( 11). They do not, Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 -II) Agreement' s" dispositive" " initial forum selection clause." Verbatim Report of Proceedings VRP) ( Apr. 6, 2012) at 7. B. Appeal from Denial of CR 60 Motion To Vacate Default Judgments Defendants Cochrane and Luksha also filed a separate Notice of Appeal appealed. seeking review of the superior court' s denial of their motion to vacate the default judgments entered against them. On November 20, 2012, ' a commissioner of our court dismissed the appeals of all Defendants except Cochrane and Luksha, who remain the only active appellants before us in this consolidated appeal. ANALYSIS Cochrane and Luksha argue that the superior court erred in denying their motion to vacate the default judgments under CR 60( b)( 5) and CR 60( b)( 1) on two alternative grounds: ( 1) The default judgments were void under CR 60( b)( 5) because the superior court lacked personal jurisdiction over them based on lack of proper personal service ( required under Washington' s long 12; arm statute) and ( 2) in the alternative, the default judgments against Cochrane and Luksha suffered from serious irregularities that warrant vacation under CR 60(b)( 1). We agree with Cochrane and Luksha that the superior court lacked personal jurisdiction over them and, therefore, the first default judgment was void. As for the second default judgment, however, the record shows that Von Kleist complied with the long arm statute' s service requirement when he personally served Cochrane with the summons and complaint on February 12 18; thus, the RCW 4.28. 185. second default judgment is not void as to Cochrane. The record also Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -11, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 -II) shows that Von Kleist neither named nor attempted to serve Luksha with the second motion for default. I. PERSONAL JURISDICTION Cochrane and Luksha first argue that both default judgments were void for lack of personal jurisdiction because ( 1) Von Kleist had not personally served them with his summons and complaint as required by Washington' s long arm statute; and ( 2) thus, the superior court in erred denying their motion to default judgments vacate under CR 60( b)( 5). Von Kleist counters that the Agreement' s forum selection ( Washington) clause rendered Washington' s long arm statute inapplicable; and, therefore, service by mail under CR 4( i)( 1)( D) established personal jurisdiction. 13 We hold that because Cochrane Washington' s long arm and Luksha did not consent statute governed service of process over to service by mail, ( 1) them, ( 2) Von Kleist did not properly serve them in person outside the state with his first motion for default so as to confer personal jurisdiction, and ( 3) the first default judgment was void for lack of personal jurisdiction. We further hold that the superior court similarly lacked jurisdiction to enter the -second default judgment as to Luksha. Finally we hold that the superior court did not lack jurisdiction over Cochrane to enter the second default judgment; therefore, we disagree with his assertion that the second default judgment was void as to him. 13 Von Kleist asserts that because CR 4( i)(1)( D) controls, instead of the long arm statute, no affidavit was 4. 28. 185( 4). on a necessary to show an attempt to serve Defendants in Washington. See RCW See also, contra, RCW 4. 28. 185( 2), which allows personal service outside the state defendant of an affidavit with minimum of such Washington service contacts, and subsection ( 4), stating that " service cannot 4. 28. 185( 4). See also RCW 4.28. 180. G0, be which requires the filing made within the state." RCW Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 -II) A. Standard of Review; Personal Jurisdiction over Nonresident Defendant Generally, we review for abuse of discretion a superior court' s ruling on a motion for relief from judgment 867 ( 2004). under CR 60( b). Showalter v. Wild Oats, 124 Wn. App. 506, 510, 101 P.3d A superior court abuses its discretion if it exercises discretion without tenable grounds or reasons. State ex. rel. Carroll v. Junker, 79 Wn.2d 12, 26, 482 P. 2d 775 ( 1971). We review de novo, however, a trial court' s denial of a motion to vacate a default judgment for lack of jurisdiction. Pumps, Inc., 154 Wn. App. final judgment that is void. 14 Ralph' s Concrete Inc., v. Concord Concrete Plumbing, 581, 585, 225 P. 3d 1035 ( 2010). CR 60( b)( 5) permits relief from a A default judgment entered against a person over whom the court has no personal jurisdiction is void, and a court has a nondiscretionary duty to vacate it. Scott v. Goldman, 82 Wn. App. 1, 6, 917 P. 2d 131, review denied, 130 Wn.2d 1004 ( 1996); In re Marriage ofMarkowski, 50 Wn. App. 633, 635, 749 P.2d 754 ( 1988). A superior court has personal jurisdiction over an out - - tate defendant if (1) the party of s asserting jurisdiction meets the requirements of Washington' s long arm statute, or ( 2) there is written consent to personal jurisdiction Ralph' s Concrete Plumbing, 154 Wn. App. at 584 -85 Washington courts may assert personal jurisdiction over out -of - tate defendant if long arm s statute is satisfied); Kysar v. Lambert, 76 Wn. App. 470, 484, 887 P.2d 431, review denied, 126 Wn.2d 1019 ( 1995) ( 14 In Morris review v. consent to Palouse River & personal Coulee jurisdiction City R. R., by written agreement); Voicelink Data 149 Wn. App. 366, 370 -71, 203 P.3d 1069, denied, 166 Wn.2d 1033 ( 2009), Division Three analyzed whether the trial court erred in denying defendant' discretion. s CR 60( b)( 5) motion to vacate for lack of jurisdiction under abuse of The court in Morris, however, reviewed de novo the specific question of whether service of process complied with statutory requirements at 371. 10 for jurisdiction. Morris, 149 Wn. App. Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 -II) Servs., Inc. arm v. statute, Datapulse, Inc., 86 Wn. App. 613, 620, 937 P. 2d 1158 ( 1997). Washington' s long extends the jurisdiction of Washington courts to out - - tate of s RCW 4. 28. 185, defendants, so long as both the long arm statute' s requirements and due process are satisfied. In re Marriage of Yocum, 73 Wn. App. 699, 702, 870 P. 2d 1033 ( 1994). The party asserting jurisdiction under the long arm statute has the burden of establishing its requirements " by prima facie Yocum, 73 Wn. evidence." defendant under long the committed one of the acts arm App. statute, listed in the at a To establish jurisdiction over an out - state of - 703. must ( party 5, ( statute' 1) show that the out - state defendant of - 2) personally serve the out - state defendant, of - and ( 3) file an affidavit of service that is " to the effect that service cannot be made within the state." RCW 4. 28. 185( 1), ( 2), ( 4). As an alternative to the long arm statute, a second, independent basis for personal jurisdiction is proof of consent to personal jurisdiction. Kysar, 76 Wn. App. consent at 487. A valid forum selection clause in a "` freely negotiated "' agreement is proof of Kysar, 76 Wn. App. at 484 ( quoting Burger King Corp. v. Rudzewicz, to jurisdiction. 471 U. S. 462, 472 n. 14, 105 S. Ct. 2174, 85 L. Ed. 2d 528 ( 1985)). B. Cochrane and Luksha Did Not Consent to Service - y Mail b Section 16 of the Subscription Agreement, into which Von Kleist and the Defendants entered, contained the following provision for forum selection, consent to personal jurisdiction, and consent to service by mail: This Subscription Agreement and all. rights hereunder shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Washington. The undersigned hereby submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Washington and of the federal courts in the Western District of 15 The long arm statute lists the acts that permit personal service outside Washington State for purposes of establishing personal jurisdiction in our courts. 11 See RCW 4. 28. 185( 1) -( 6). Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 -II) Washington with respect to any action or legal proceeding commenced by any person or entity relating to or arising out of this Subscription Agreement, the Partnership or the Partnership' s business, and consents to the service of process in any such action or legal proceeding by means of registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in care of the address set forth below on the signature page or such other address as the undersigned shall furnish in writing to the Partnership. CP at 1320. The plain language of this provision, however, bound only Von Kleist to personal jurisdiction in Washington by and service 16 mail. Cochrane and Luksha, both GALP partners, contend they did not consent to personal jurisdiction in Washington or to by service mail because the Agreement' s forum selection/ service by mail provision did not bind the Graoch 161 partnership and, therefore, could not bind them as partners. the Agreement was They argue that this provision was not binding on them because ( 1) a mere " offer" intended that the Agreement Agreement; ( 3) 17 from Von Kleist to invest in Graoch 161; ( 2) the parties would bind only Von Kleist, the 18 sole " undersigned " to the neither they nor any other Graoch 161 agent signed the Agreement; and ( 4) Graoch 161 did not assume the obligations stated in the Agreement, such as the forum selection and service 16 by mail provision. 19- We agree. - - - - We disagree with the superior court' s ruling that Section 16 of the Agreement governed all parties' selection of Washington as a forum and constituted all Defendants' consent to Washington court jurisdiction, including service by mail. 17 Br. of Appellant at 28. 18 Br. of Appellant at 29. 19 Von Kleist counters that because Cochrane and Luksha were partners of various Graoch including Graoch 161 and GALP, ( 1) they were bound by the actions of GALP' s other entities, partners, including Graoch 161' s acceptance of the Agreement; and ( 2) because all Defendants were third - arty beneficiaries of the Agreement that Von Kleist entered into with Graoch 161, p the Agreement should be binding on them. 12 Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 - II) A valid contract requires mutual assent, generally in the form of an offer and an Yakima County ( W. Valley) Fire Prot. Dist. No. 12 v. City of Yakima, 122 Wn.2d acceptance. 371, 388 -89, 858 P. 2d 245 ( 1993). objective manifestation for test" In interpreting contracts, Washington courts follow the contract formation. Wilson Court Ltd. P' ship v. Tony Maroni' s, Inc., 134 Wn.2d 692, 699, 952 P. 2d 590 ( 1998). A court determines the parties' intent by focusing on their objective manifestations as expressed in the agreement. McGuire v. Bates, 169 Wn.2d 185, 189, 234 P. 3d 205 ( 2010). A court will not read into a contract that is otherwise clear and unambiguous. Mayer v. Pierce County Med. Bureau, Inc., 80 Wn. App. 416, 420, 909 P. 2d 1323 ( 1995). The plain language of Section 16 of the Agreement expresses no intent to bind Graoch 161 ( and its partners) to service by mail. Rather, under this provision, only " the undersigned" Von Kleist) must accept service by mail: The undersigned hereby submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Washington and of the federal courts in the Western District of Washington with respect to any action or legal proceeding commenced by any person or entity relating to or arising out of this Subscription Agreement, the Partnership or the Partnership' s business, and consents to the service of process in any such action or legal proceeding by means of registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in care of the address set forth below on the signature page or such other address as the undersigned shall furnish in writing to the Partnership. CP at 1320 ( emphasis added). This reference to the " undersigned" unambiguously refers to Von Kleist, who signed as the sole subscriber and who was the only party who signed the Agreement in a binding 20 contractual capacity. The last clause of Section 16 " such other address as the 20 Pioch, the only other person who signed the Agreement, signed only as a witness, not as a Graoch 161 agent in a contractual capacity. 13 Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 - II) furnish in writing to the undersigned shall by that the service not " the Partnership" ( Graoch mail provision was 161). 21 further demonstrates the parties' intent Partnership " to bind only " the undersigned," namely Von Kleist, and CP at 1320 ( emphasis added). Although the Agreement contained a blank signature line for Gray, neither Gray nor any Graoch 161 CP w] itness." Cochrane or Agreement GALP or at representative signed the Agreement. Accordingly, the service by mail provision did not bind either 1321. Luksha; instead, it bound only the " and its Again, Pioch signed, but only as a provisions. undersigned," namely Von Kleist, to the 22 Because the Agreement did not bind Luksha and Cochrane, they did not consent to service by mail and, therefore, Washington' s long arm statute governs service of process here. 23 C. Service of Process under Washington' s Long Arm Statute Proper service of process is basic to personal jurisdiction. Pascua v. Heil, 126 Wn. App. 520, 526, 108 P. 3d 1253 ( 2005). 21 See, e. g., Oltman v. To subject defendants located outside our state to state court Holland Am. Line USA, Inc., 163 Wn.2d 236, 250, 178 P. 3d 981 ( 2008) forum selection clause not binding on third party who did not agree to the contract containing the clause). 22 Because we hold that the Agreement bound only Von Kleist, and not Graoch 161, we do not address whether the Agreement bound Cochrane and Luksha under partnership theory or third party beneficiary theory. 23 Cochrane and Luksha concede that the GALP partnership " accepted" Von Kleist' s Subscription Agreement when GALP President Gray acknowledged receipt of Von Kleist' s 1, 012, 000. Br. of Appellants at 28. This acceptance of Von Kleist' s offer to buy in as a Graoch 161 partner did not, however, constitute acceptance of the service by mail obligation under the Agreement, which, again, by its plain terms bound only the " undersigned," Von Kleist. CP at 1320. 14 Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 - II) jurisdiction, Washington' long s arm statute, RCW 4. 28. 185, requires personal service on them. 24 Cochrane and Luksha are Canadian citizens residing in Canada; thus, our long arm statute required personal service to confer jurisdiction over them in Washington courts. RCW 4. 28. 185. Cochrane and Luksha assert that Von Kleist failed to comply with Washington' s long arm statute because ( 1) he served them by mail instead of serving them in person as the statute requires; and ( 2) he failed to file the statutorily required affidavits of service before the superior court granted both default judgments. Cochrane and Luksha are correct that before obtaining the first default judgment, Von Kleist did Cochrane and Luksha with his not personally summons and complaint serve by them. Instead, Von Kleist served certified mail. 25 When Cochrane and Luksha did not respond, the superior court granted Von Kleist' s motion and entered the first default judgment against serve out of state - defendants Cochrane them on January and 27, 2010. Luksha, Because Von Kleist did not personally as required by the long arm statute, ( 1) Von Kleist failed to satisfy the long arm statute service requirements; and ( 2) as a result, the superior court lacked personal jurisdiction over Cochrane and Luksha to enter the first default judgment against them. 24 RCW 4. 28. 185( 2) states: Service of process upon any person who is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state, as provided in this section, may be made by personally serving the defendant outside this state, as provided in RCW 4. 28. 180, with the same force and effect as though personally served within this state. 25 Von Kleist argues that ( 1) the long arm statute personal service requirement did not apply here because Cochrane and Luksha contractually consented to service by mail; and ( 2) therefore, CR 4( i)( 1)( D)' s service by mail provision controlled instead. We disagree. Because we hold that the Agreement' s forum selection and consent to service by mail provision did not bind the Cochrane and Luksha to accept service by mail, we do not further address this argument. 15 Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 - II) For purposes of the second default judgment, however, Von Kleist complied substantially with the long arm statute to confer personal jurisdiction over Cochrane in Washington courts. Cochrane and Luksha do not dispute that before the superior court entered the second default judgment, Von Kleist had personally served his summons and complaint on Cochrane. Instead, Cochrane and Luksha contend that the second default judgment was void for lack of personal jurisdiction over them because ( 1) Von Kleist failed to file a timely affidavit of inability to serve Cochrane in Washington, as required under RCW 4. 28. 185( 4); and ( 2) Von Kleist did not personally serve Luksha. We first dispose of Cochrane and Luksha' s second point: Von Kleist did not name Luksha in his second motion for default judgment; nor did the second default judgment list Luksha as a debtor. Therefore, to the limited extent that the second default judgment arguably included Luksha, the superior court had no personal jurisdiction over him; and, other than ordering Luksha' s name stricken from the judgment summary, we do not further address the second default judgment as to him. We- next address Cochrane and Luksha' s first point whether VonVon Kleist timely filed an affidavit of inability to serve Cochrane in Washington to satisfy the long arm statute' s requirement. Personal service outside Washington state is valid under the long arm statute only when an affidavit is made and " filed to the effect that service cannot be made within the state" on 16 Consolidated Nos.. 43138- 6- 11 ( with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -I1, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 -II) the defendant. named RCW 4. 28. 185( 4). 26 If a plaintiff has not complied with this affidavit requirement, then there is no personal jurisdiction over the named defendant and any judgment entered against 335, 153 P. 3d that defendant 222 ( 2007). is void. The Sharebuilder Sec. Corp. v. Hoang, 137 Wn. App. 330, standard for meeting this RCW 4. 28. 185( 4) affidavit requirement, however, is substantial and not strict compliance. Barr v. Interbay Citizens Bank of Tampa, Fla., 96 Wn.2d 692, 696, 649 P.2d 827 ( 1982). Here, as Cochrane and Luksha acknowledge, Von Kleist personally served Cochrane on February 18, 2010. Von Kleist' s affidavit of service on Cochrane in Canada, and Pidgeon' s later declaration in support of Von Kleist' s motion for default judgment against international defendants, established that Cochrane is a Canadian citizen residing in Toronto, Ontario. Thus, Von Kleist' s affidavit of service as to Cochrane substantially complied with the long arm statute' s requirement that the affidavit of service include a statement " to the effect that service cannot be made within the state" of Washington. RCW 4.28. 185( 4). Cochrane and Luksha incorrectly assert, however, that Von Kleist waited until January 5, 2011, to file his affidavit27, which; therefore, was untimely because the statute required that it be 26 It is caselaw, not the long arm statute, that mentions filing of such affidavit should occur before" the court enters judgment. Sharebuilder Sec. Corp. v. Hoang, 137 Wn. App. 330, 33435, 153 P. 3d 222 ( 2007); see also RCW 4. 28. 185( 4). But neither Sharebuilder nor any other case of which we are aware specifically addresses and holds that such affidavit is insufficient if filed on the same day as judgment is entered, as was the case here, regardless of whether it is filed immediately before or after the judgment. 27 The January 5, 2011 affidavit, to which Cochrane and Luksha refer, is Pidgeon' s affidavit about service on the out - - tate defendants, filed in response to defendants' motion to vacate of s under CR 60( b)( 5). Pidgeon' s affidavit includes the timely May 10, 2010 affidavit of service as to Cochrane. 17 Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 - II) filed before the superior court entered default judgment on January 27, 2010, or May 10, 2010.28 On the contrary, the record shows that Von Kleist filed his affidavit of service on Cochrane on May 10, 2010, the same day the superior court entered the second default judgment against We hold that ( 1) Cochrane. 29 statute to confer personal this affidavit' s filing substantially complied with the long arm jurisdiction over Cochrane; ( 2) the superior court, therefore, had personal jurisdiction over him; and ( 3) the second default judgment was not void as to Cochrane for lack 30 of jurisdiction. II. CR 60( b)( 1) Motion To Vacate In the alternative, Cochrane and Luksha argue that even if the superior court had personal jurisdiction over them, the superior court erred in denying their motion to vacate the default judgments under CR 60( b)( 1) because there were procedural irregularities in entering these judgments. Having already held that the first default judgment was void as to both Cochrane and Luksha about and should have been vacated under CR 60( b)( 5), irregularities in the first default judgment. we need not reach their argument Thus, we address only whether the superior court erred in denying their CR 60( b)( 1) motion to vacate the second default judgment, which under our holding above, was potentially valid only as to Cochrane. 28 Moreover, the cases Cochrane and Luksha cite are distinguishable and do not apply here. These cases involved filing affidavits months after the entry of the default judgment, which is not what happened here. 29 RCW 4. 28. 185( 4). 30 As previously explained, however, the superior court did not have personal jurisdiction over Luksha and, thus, we remand to remove his name from the judgment summary in the second default judgment. 18 Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718- 041, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 - II) Cochrane and Luksha argue that the following " irregularities" occurred: ( 1) The superior court granted the second default judgment without previously amending or vacating the first default judgment; ( 2) an securing entry of the superior court granted the second default judgment without previously default defenses to Von Kleist' s Luksha; against Br. claims. of Appellants Cochrane and Luksha had meritorious 3) and ( 40. at The exclusive procedure for attacking an allegedly defective judgment is by appeal from the judgment, not by appeal from denial of a CR 60( b) 60( b) is motion. not Bjurstrom for substitute a Campbell, 27 Wn. v. App. 449, 451, 618 P. 2d 533 ( 1980). Bjurstrom, 27 Wn. appeal. App. at 451. CR An unappealed final judgment cannot be restored to an appellate track by means of moving to vacate and then appealing the denial of the motion. State v. Gaut, 111 Wn. App. 875, 881, 46 P. 3d 832 ( 2002). Because Cochrane or irregularity of and its entry is Luksha did not before us not appeal here. the second default judgment, 31 the validity Instead, we have before us their appeal of only the superior court' s denial of their motion to vacate the second default judgment under CR 60( b)( 1). In this more limited challenge, they fail. A. Standard of Review On review order of an denying a CR 60( b) motion to vacate a judgment, only the propriety of the motion' s denial, not the impropriety of the underlying judgment, is before us. Gaut, 111 Wn. vacate a 31 App. at 881. default judgment We will not disturb a superior court' s decision on a motion to unless the superior court has abused its discretion. Morin v. Burris, RAP 5. 2( a) requires that notice of appeal be filed within 30 days of entry of the judgment in the superior court. January Cochrane and Luksha did not file direct appeals from the superior court' s 2010 default judgment or its May 2010 default judgment. Instead, they waited until January 2011 and filed.a CR 60( b) motion to vacate these default judgments. 19 Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -I1, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 -II) 160 Wn.2d 745, 753, 161 P. 3d 956 ( 2007). A superior court abuses its discretion if it exercises discretion based on untenable grounds or reaches a decision based on untenable reasons. Morin, 160 Wn.2d at 753. B. No Abuse of Discretion Cochrane and Luksha argue that the superior court abused its discretion in denying their motion to vacate the second default judgment in two respects: ( 1) it did not first vacate the prior default judgment, which failure constitutes an " irregularity" warranting grant of their CR 60( b)( 1) motion to vacate the second default judgment; and ( 2) although the White 32 factors do not apply to a claim of irregularity, if these factors did apply here, Cochrane and Luksha had meritorious defenses" to Von Kleist' s claims, which support vacation of the default judgment as a matter of equity. 33 Br. of Appellants at 44. These arguments fail. Irregularities under CR 60( b)( 1) are those relating to failure to adhere to some prescribed rule or mode of proceeding. In re Guardianship ofAdamec, 100 Wn.2d 166, 174, 667 P. 2d 1085 ( 1983). Cochrane and Luksha fail to provide any authority to support their position that a superior court cannot issue a second default judgment without first vacating a previously 32 White vacate v. Holm, 73 Wn.2d 348, 352, 438 P. 2d 581 ( 1968). under CR 60( b)( 1) substantial evidence to appear timely to under the four White factors, support a prima was occasioned by facie defense to the mistake, inadvertence, Typically, we evaluate a motion to which look to claims; ( whether ( 1) there is 2) the moving party' s failure surprise, or excusable neglect; ( 3) the moving party acted with due diligence after notice of entry of default; and ( 4) no substantial hardship will result to the opposing party. 33 Cochrane and Luksha also argue that the superior court did not first issue a valid order of default against Luksha before entering the second default judgment, which failure constituted an irregularity" under CR 60( b)( 1). Br. of Appellants at 43. Having already held that the second default judgment did not apply to Luksha, we do not address this argument. 20 Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -II, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -44I, 43425 -3 -II) entered default judgment 34; nor are we independently aware of any such authority. Accordingly, Cochrane and Luksha fail to establish that the superior court' s entry of the second default judgment was an irregularity warranting vacation under CR 60(b)( 1). Focusing primarily on alleged equities, Cochrane and Luksha next contend that their meritorious defenses" to Von Kleist' s claims met the requirements for setting aside a default judgment under acknowledge the four part White test. 35 Br. part test does that this White four - of Appellants at not control a claim of 44. Yet they correctly irregularity. 36 We agree that Washington law is clear that vacating a default judgment for irregularity does not hinge on whether the defendant can show a meritorious defense. See Kennewick Irrigation Dist. v. 51 Parcels of Real Property, 70 Wn. App. 368, 371, 853 P.2d 488, review denied, 122 Wn.2d 1027 1993) ( White factors do that the not apply to alleged White factors apply to Cochrane Mosbrucker v. irregularity and Greenfield Implement, Inc., 54 Wn. under Luksha' s CR 60( b)( 1)). claim App. 647, 652, of But we disagree irregularity. See, 774 P. 2d 1267 ( 1989) ( e. g., a claim of irregularity is not controlled by the test set out in White, which applies to cases involving excusable neglect or inadvertence). We hold that Cochrane and Luksha fail to establish that the - - superior court abused its discretion in denying their motion to vacate the second default judgment under CR 60( b)( 1). Therefore, we affirm the superior court' s denial of this motion; nevertheless, for reasons previously explained, we agree that Luksha should not have been included in this second default judgment and that his name should be stricken on remand. We 34 The cases that Cochrane and Luksha cite do not support this proposition; rather, they address collateral issues. 31 See n.34. 36 See, e.g., CR 60(b)( 1). 21 Consolidated Nos. 43138 -6 -II (with 43718 -0 -II, 43885 -2 -I1, 43318 -4 -II, 43335 -4 -II, 43425 -3 - II) reverse the superior court' s denial of Cochrane and Luksha' s motion to vacate the first default judgment, entered January 27, 2010. We affirm the superior court' s denial of their motion to vacate the second default judgment entered May 10, 2010, with the exception of remanding to strike Luksha' s name from the third page of the second default judgment. A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW 2. 06. 040, it is so ordered. unt, J. We concur: 22

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