Cook v. Wells Fargo
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This memorandum opinion was not selected for publication in the New Mexico Appellate Reports. Please see Rule 12-405 NMRA for restrictions on the citation of unpublished memorandum opinions. Please also note that this electronic memorandum opinion may contain computer-generated errors or other deviations from the official paper version filed by the Court of Appeals and does not include the filing date. 1 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO 2 DANIEL W. COOK, 3 Petitioner-Appellant, 4 v. NO. 31,419 5 WELLS FARGO BANK N.A., 6 SUCCESSOR TO WELLS FARGO BANK 7 NEW MEXICO, N.A., 8 Respondent-Appellee. 9 APPEAL FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF BERNALILLO COUNTY 10 Alan Malott, District Judge 11 Daniel W. Cook 12 Albuquerque, NM 87120 13 Pro Se Appellant 14 15 16 17 Sutin, Thayer & Browne, P.C. Michelle K. Ostrye Andrew J. Simons Albuquerque, NM 87103 18 Jay D. Hertz 19 Albuquerque, NM 87111 20 for Appellee 1 MEMORANDUM OPINION 2 KENNEDY, Judge. 3 I. INTRODUCTION 4 In 1997, Hydroscope Group, Inc. (HGroup) borrowed over $1.5 million from {1} 5 Wells Fargo. Daniel Cook (Cook) is the president, CEO, and chairman of HGroup. 6 HGroup defaulted on its debt to Wells Fargo. Cook entered into subsequent 7 agreements with Wells Fargo, on behalf of HGroup, pledging additional collateral in 8 order to persuade Wells Fargo to forbear from collecting on the debt. In 2003, an 9 HGroup stockholder who was disgruntled with what he alleged was Cook’s corporate 10 mismanagement of HGroup, filed a derivative suit against Cook and other HGroup 11 board members, and named Wells Fargo as an additional defendant because of its 12 status as HGroup’s creditor. Cook brought suit against Wells Fargo in 2005. The 13 cases were consolidated, and in 2009 the district court granted summary judgment for 14 Wells Fargo, awarding judgment on the debt, granting foreclosure on collateral and 15 the dismissal of all claims against it. 16 {2} Cook appeals the district court’s entry of nine different orders. Four of those 17 orders deal with summary judgment: one attacks the judgment itself, one attacks Wells 18 Fargo’s motion for summary judgment, and two seek reassessment of the district 19 court’s orders denying attacks on the order granting Wells Fargo’s summary judgment 2 1 motion. The remaining five orders deal with the district court’s sanctioning of Cook’s 2 duplicative filing methods, which unnecessarily prolonged this litigation. After 3 trudging through the procedural quagmire of this case, we join the list of courts that 4 have ruled against Cook. Although Cook asserts the district court committed 5 numerous errors, he repeatedly fails to adequately demonstrate any reversible error 6 under applicable appellate standards. Thus, we affirm. 7 II. BACKGROUND 8 The parties being aware of the facts and this being a memorandum opinion, we {3} 9 limit ourselves to a basic outline of the underlying debts and litigation, and present 10 additional facts for each issue as necessary. 11 A. Debts and Defaults 12 When HGroup entered into a credit agreement with Wells Fargo for a $1.5 {4} 13 million revolving credit line, it pledged various collateral to secure the loan.1 In 14 addition, Wells Fargo secured guarantees on that loan from Cook personally, 15 16 17 18 19 1 The collateral pledged included a license for Hydroscope technology and intellectual property, a security interest in 2,500 shares of HGroup’s stock in Hydroscope Inc., USA (HUSA), and a security interest in 1.5 million of Cooks’ shares of stock in HGroup. In addition, HGroup gave Wells Fargo a security interest in its inventory, equipment, general intangibles, accounts, and other rights to payment. 3 1 Hydroscope Inc., USA (HUSA),2 and four other companies.3 Cook signed the credit 2 agreement seven times: on behalf of the debtor company, the guaranteeing companies, 3 and his personal guarantee. HGroup subsequently defaulted on the debt owed to 4 Wells Fargo. 5 {5} As a result of HGroup’s default, HGroup pledged more collateral, this time 6 promising IP and patents from another one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, 7 Hydroscope Canada Inc. (HCAN). In exchange, Wells Fargo agreed to forbear from 8 collecting on HGroup’s debt for a time. HGroup again defaulted on its debts to Wells 9 Fargo, and Wells Fargo again agreed to extend its forbearance. In this second 10 forbearance agreement, HGroup and Cook conceded the validity of its debts, 11 stipulated that Wells Fargo had breached no duty to them and had fully performed all 12 its obligations, and released any claims they may have had against Wells Fargo. 13 HGroup defaulted again, and Wells Fargo made no further agreements to forbear. 14 B. Litigation 15 This litigation started in 2003 as a derivative suit against Cook and HGroup’s {6} 16 board members. Wells Fargo, named as an additional defendant because of its status 17 as HGroup’s creditor, counterclaimed against HGroup, HUSA, and HCAN. In 17 2 HUSA is a wholly owned subsidiary of HGroup. 3 18 Cook signed guarantees on behalf of all four of these companies—Universal 19 Infrastructure, Inc., U-Liner, Inc., American Liner, Inc. (Utah), and American Liner, 20 Inc. (New Mexico)—as executive vice president. 4 1 October 2004, Cook filed for personal bankruptcy.4 Cook brought suit against Wells 2 Fargo in November 2005. In his complaint, Cook asserted four claims: (1) breach of 3 contract; (2) misrepresentation; (3) aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty; (4) 4 violation of the Unfair Practices Act. The district court consolidated the two cases. 5 CBM Group, Inc. (CBM)5 was eventually joined as a party because it bought the 6 patents in 2005 that HCAN pledged to Wells Fargo in 2002 as collateral in the 7 forbearance agreement.6 8 III. DISCUSSION 9 In reviewing the nine orders that Cook appeals, we first analyze whether the {7} 10 district court properly granted summary judgment for Wells Fargo, as well as the 11 orders associated with the summary judgment proceedings. Next, we address the 12 district court’s dismissal of Cook’s “cross-complaint and counter claims” that he filed 13 after the district court granted summary judgment. Finally, we look at a preliminary 14 injunction, and orders enforcing that injunction, that the district court issued in 15 response to Cook’s vexatious litigation strategy. 4 16 The intricacies involving Cook’s bankruptcy in both the United States District 17 Court and the Bankruptcy Court are beyond the scope of our review here. For the sake 18 of brevity and clarity, we limit our mention of Cook’s bankruptcy to the largest extent 19 possible when discussing the issues before us. 20 5 CBM is a company that Cook created in July, 2005. 6 21 Cook signed this sale agreement as the chairman of the HCAN board and as 22 a principal of CBM. 5 1 A. Summary Judgment 2 Wells Fargo filed a motion for summary judgment in December, 2006. In its {8} 3 motion, Wells Fargo requested judgment against HGroup, HUSA, HCAN, and CBM 4 allowing it to collect on its debts and foreclose on the collateral pledged by those 5 entities. Wells Fargo also requested the dismissal of all claims asserted against it, 6 both in the derivative suit and in Cook’s complaint. Wells Fargo’s summary judgment 7 motion specifically excluded Cook from its request for relief, and did not seek to 8 recover on either Cook’s personal liability for his personal loan7 or his personal 9 liability as guarantor securing HGroup’s debt.8 10 {9} The district court held several hearings on the motions.9 An automatic 11 bankruptcy stay was in place during the first and second hearing because of Cook’s 12 personal bankruptcy. Accordingly, the district court declined to enter a written order 13 on Wells Fargo’s motion for summary judgment until the stay was lifted or 7 14 Wells Fargo issued a personal loan to Cook for $975,000, secured by a 15 mortgage on Cook’s home, Cook’s life insurance proceeds, and guaranteed by 16 HGroup. This loan is unrelated to the issues before us. 17 18 19 20 21 8 Although Wells Fargo’s motion for summary judgment claims that the motion would be “expanded to include claims against Cook[] and assets of [his] bankruptcy estate” in the event that the bankruptcy stay is lifted, no such expansion was made to the district court or to this court. We therefore do not address it, and deal only with the motion as the district court saw and granted it. 9 22 At all points during the summary judgment hearings below, HGroup, HUSA, 23 HCAN (collectively Hydroscope entities), and CBM were represented by counsel. 6 1 terminated. It did, however, make oral rulings. During the first hearing, the district 2 court expressed an intention to grant Wells Fargo’s motion. The next hearing 3 addressed the appropriate form the proposed orders would take. The corporate entities 4 ultimately agreed with Wells Fargo on the form and content of both orders, but the 5 district court again declined to issue an order on Wells Fargo’s motion. After the 6 second summary judgment hearing, the bankruptcy court annulled the automatic stay, 7 allowing state court proceedings to take place with respect to “any property in which 8 either the estate or the Debtors claim an interest.” The bankruptcy court also modified 9 the stay so that any party could seek, or continue to seek, whatever legal remedies it 10 desired in state court. 11 {10} As a result of the bankruptcy court’s annulment, Cook represented himself 12 during the third hearing. The district court gave HGroup, HUSA, and HCAN 13 (collectively, Hydroscope entities), as well as Cook, an opportunity to submit further 14 briefing on Wells Fargo’s summary judgment motion. In doing so, the district court 15 reasoned that, although it was required to look to the pleadings in deciding the motion, 16 Cook had filed no responsive pleading to the motion and the Hydroscope entities had 17 only joined CBM’s motions. 18 {11} Finally, during the last summary judgment hearing, at which Cook again 19 represented himself, the district court concluded that no genuine issues of material fact 7 1 existed to preclude granting summary judgment for Wells Fargo. The district court 2 reasoned that there was evidence that loans were made pursuant to an agreement to 3 pay them back, and nothing disputed that repayment of the loans was due and were 4 in default. It explained that “[t]he only defense that was presented . . . was whether 5 there was consideration” for the first forbearance agreement. The district court 6 concluded that there was no genuine issue of material fact as to the existence of debt 7 and default thereon. In its written order granting summary judgment for Wells Fargo, 8 entered the same day as the hearing, the district court awarded Wells Fargo judgment 9 against HGroup,10 HCAN,11 HUSA,12 and CBM.13 It also dismissed all claims that 10 Cook asserted against Wells Fargo. 11 1. Standard of Review 10 12 Wells Fargo was awarded the principal and interest due on both loans; 13 foreclosure of its security interest in 2,500 shares of HUSA stock and Hgroup’s 14 inventory, equipment, and general intangibles; senior security interest in collateral; 15 and attorney’s fees. 11 16 Wells Fargo was awarded foreclosure of HCAN’s intellectual property and 17 patents, excluding the patents which were part of the Cook bankruptcy estate; and 18 attorney’s fees. 12 19 Wells Fargo was awarded foreclosure on its security interest in HUSA’s 20 inventory, equipment, and general intangibles; foreclosure on its security interest in 21 HUSA’s intellectual property; and attorney’s fees. 13 21 Wells Fargo was awarded judgment of foreclosure of its security interest in 22 all intellectual property, including patents, acquired from HCAN; a senior security 23 interest in said IP; and attorney’s fees. 8 1 {12} Where, on appeal from the grant of summary judgment, no material issues of 2 fact are in dispute and an appeal presents only a question of law, we apply de novo 3 review. City of Albuquerque v. BPLW Architects & Eng’rs, Inc., 2009-NMCA-081, 4 ¶ 7, 146 N.M. 717, 213 P.3d 1146. Summary judgment is appropriate where there are 5 no genuine issues of material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter 6 of law. Self v. United Parcel Service, Inc., 1998-NMSC-046, ¶ 6, 126 N.M. 396, 970 7 P.2d 582. A genuine issue of fact “would allow a hypothetical fair-minded factfinder 8 to return a verdict favorable to the non-movant on that particular issue.” Romero v. 9 Philip Morris, Inc., 2009-NMCA-022, ¶ 12, 145 N.M. 658, 203 P.3d 873, rev’d on 10 other grounds by 2010-NMSC-035, 148 N.M. 713, 242 P.3d 280. “The movant need 11 only make a prima facie showing that he is entitled to summary judgment. Upon the 12 movant making a prima facie showing, the burden shifts to the party opposing the 13 motion to demonstrate the existence of specific evidentiary facts which would require 14 trial on the merits.” Roth v. Thompson, 1992-NMSC-011, ¶ 17, 113 N.M. 331, 825 15 P.2d 1241 (citation omitted). 16 {13} The non-moving party may not merely rely upon allegations or arguments, Dow 17 v. Chilili Coop. Ass’n, 1986-NMSC-084, ¶ 13, 105 N.M. 52, 728 P.2d 462, but instead 18 “must make an affirmative showing by affidavit or other admissible evidence.” 19 Schwartzman v. Schwartzman Packing Co., 1983-NMSC-010, ¶ 22, 99 N.M. 436, 659 20 P.2d 888. Conclusions made in an affidavit and “unsupported by any factual basis” 9 1 in the record are not sufficient to raise issues of material fact. Portales Nat. Bank v. 2 Bellin, 1982-NMCA-092, ¶ 19, 98 N.M. 113, 645 P.2d 986; see Mayfield Smithson 3 Enterprises v. Com-Quip, Inc., 1995-NMSC-034, ¶ 9, 120 N.M. 9, 896, P.2d 1156 4 (stating that “[g]eneralized conclusory allegations without factual support in the 5 record” are insufficient). 6 {14} “Where an opposing party does not deny or controvert facts stated in a 7 movant’s affidavit, the facts may be deemed to be admitted for the purpose of the 8 court’s ruling upon such matter.” Rios v. Danuser Mach. Co., Inc., 1990-NMCA-031, 9 ¶ 16, 110 N.M. 87,792 P.2d 419. Although summary judgment may not be entered 10 solely on the ground that the nonmovant failed to respond to the motion for summary 11 judgment, where the court holds a hearing, at which the nonmovant is allowed to 12 present arguments, and the district court then makes a determination on the undisputed 13 material facts, summary judgment is proper. See Varga v. Ferrell, 2014-NMCA-005, 14 ¶¶ 33-34, ___P.3d. ___. 15 2. The District Court Properly Dismissed Cook’s Claims 16 a. 17 The Summary Judgment Proceedings were not Against Cook as an Individual 18 Cook’s personal liability, whether as a guarantor of HGroup’s debt to Wells {15} 19 Fargo or as debtor of his personal loan, is not at issue in the case before us. In its 10 1 motion for summary judgment, Wells Fargo did not seek a judgment against Cook or 2 his bankruptcy estate. As emphasized in the order granting summary judgment, Wells 3 Fargo sought only to collect on the debts owed by HGroup, foreclose on collateral 4 pledged by the corporate entities, and dismiss all claims against it. In fact, the only 5 part of the order that affects Cook is the dismissal of the four claims against Wells 6 Fargo that he brought in his complaint. 7 {16} Cook’s claims—purportedly brought on behalf of the Hydroscope 8 entities—include breach of contract, misrepresentation, aiding and abetting a breach 9 of fiduciary duty, and violation of the Unfair Practices Act. Although the record is 10 somewhat unclear as to who owns the Hydroscope entities’ claims, we find some 11 support for the position that either Cook or his bankruptcy estate owned the claims 12 and defenses that the Hydroscope entities had against Wells Fargo. It appears HGroup 13 and its subsidiaries assigned their interest in claims and causes of action against Wells 14 Fargo to Cook in February 2005. However, in reviewing the record we also find clear 15 evidence that the corporate entities presented extensive legal 16 arguments throughout the summary judgment proceedings, including those supporting 17 the claims that Cook brought in his complaint. Filings made in the district court on 18 behalf of the corporate entities were signed by counsel, and counsel made arguments 19 on behalf of the corporate entities during hearings. 11 1 {17} We do not address whether Cook properly attempted to litigate these claims on 2 behalf of the corporate entities. See Chisholm v. Rueckhaus, 1997-NMCA-112, ¶¶ 5-6, 3 124 N.M. 255, 948 P.2d 707 (establishing rule that a non-attorney may not represent 4 another person in a legal proceeding and that a corporation can appear in court only 5 by an attorney at law); see also Martinez v. Roscoe, 2001-NMCA-083, ¶¶ 3-15, 131 6 N.M. 137, 33 P.3d 887 (holding that artificial legal entities require legal representation 7 by a licensed attorney); cf. Lee v. Catron, 2009-NMCA-018, ¶¶ 3, 5, 145 N.M. 573, 8 203 P.3d 104 (stating rule that “[w]here one is acting as a fiduciary for the benefit of 9 others, he may not represent arguments to a court pro se[,]” and holding that trustee 10 of trust engaged in unauthorized practice of law when he represented the trust pro se). 11 Assuming arguendo that Cook’s claims, which the district court dismissed in summary 12 judgment, belonged to Cook, were properly litigated by him below,14 and are properly 14 18 The district court initially gave Cook the opportunity to submit responsive 19 motions to Wells Fargo’s motion for summary judgment, without the district court 20 making any determinations as to Cook’s standing. The district court then decided 12 1 litigated by him in this court,15 the district court’s grant of summary judgment was still 2 proper. The reason for this conclusion is two-fold: all of HGroup’s and Cook’s claims, 3 counterclaims, and defenses against Wells Fargo were relinquished in the second 4 forbearance agreement, which was not disputed, and Cook failed to point to any 5 genuine issues of material fact which preclude summary judgment for Wells Fargo as 6 a matter of law. 7 b. 8 HGroup and Cook Released their Right to Sue Wells Fargo in Exchange for Wells Fargo’s Forbearance 9 In its motion for summary judgment, Wells Fargo asserted that all claims {18} 10 against it—including those Cook brought in his complaint—are barred by release, 11 ratification, and novation. We agree with regard to release. 12 i. Terms of the Second Forbearance Agreement 13 Wells Fargo’s motion states, and Cook did not ever dispute, as an undisputed {19} 14 material fact, that in September 2002, HGroup and Cook entered into a second 15 forbearance agreement. The clear terms of the second forbearance agreement 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Cook did not have standing, because the bankruptcy trustee owned Cook’s claims against Wells Fargo. The trustee did not object to the district court granting summary judgment for Well Fargo. Regardless of this ruling, the district court continued to allow Cook to continue to appear in court and submit filings. 15 Since the summary judgment proceedings, the trustee has abandoned all property interests in Cook’s bankruptcy estate, resulting in the return of Cook’s claims against Wells Fargo. See Abo Land Co. v. Tenorio, 1920-NMSC-053, ¶ 4, 26 N.M. 258, 191 P.141 (stating that upon abandonment of title by the trustee, property reverts back to the bankrupt). 13 1 acknowledge that HGroup had defaulted on its debt to Wells Fargo. The agreement 2 also contains a section entitled “release of prior claims[]” in which Cook and HGroup 3 confirm the validity of the first forbearance agreement and state that Wells Fargo fully 4 performed all duties “that it may have had, had, or now has” to Cook and HGroup. 5 Most importantly, the second forbearance agreement releases Wells Fargo from any 6 claims, counterclaims, and defenses which Cook and HGroup could bring against 7 Wells Fargo.16 8 ii. The Second Forbearance Agreement’s Release of Claims is a Valid Release 9 Under the clear language of the second forbearance agreement, Cook effectively {20} 10 relinquished whatever right he had to assert the claims in his complaint when he 11 signed the second forbearance agreement on his own behalf and on behalf of HGroup. 12 Releases are contractual in nature and are governed by traditional 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 16 The subsection reads as follows: [HGroup and Cook have no] defense, offset or counterclaim with respect to the payment of the Present Debt or performance of the Original Agreements, or any other document delivered to [Wells Fargo] in connection with any of the foregoing or with respect to any amount owing to Bank. To the extent [HGroup and Cook] has any claim, cause of action or demand whatsoever against [Wells Fargo], [HGroup and Cook] each hereby release, remise and discharge [Wells Fargo] . . . from any and all such claims, demands or causes, whether known or unknown, vested or contingent, from the beginning of time to the date of this Agreement and waive the provisions of any law . . . providing that a general release such as that contained herein does not extend to claims that a party does not know of or suspect to exist in its favor at the time it gives such release[.] 14 1 principles of contract law. McNiell v. Rice Engineering & Operating, Inc., 20032 NMCA-078, 133 N.M. 804, 70 P.3d 794; Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 284 3 cmt. c. (1981). The parties do not contest that the second forbearance agreement 4 constitutes a valid contract. See Board of Educ., Gadsden Independent School Dist. 5 No. 16 v. James Hamilton Const. Co., 1994-NMCA-168, ¶ 15, 119 N.M. 415, 891 6 P.2d 556 (stating rule that “the essence of a valid agreement is consideration” (internal 7 quotation marks and citation omitted)); Ritter v. Albuquerque Gas & Electric Co., 8 1943-NMSC-035, ¶ 19, 47 N.M. 329, 142 P.2d 919 (stating, “ ‘[n]o rule of law is 9 better settled than that an agreement to forbear proceedings at law or in equity to 10 enforce a well-founded claim is a sufficient consideration to support a promise’ ”). 11 {21} In exchange for their release of claims against Wells Fargo, HGroup and Cook 12 received Wells Fargo’s forbearance from foreclosing on HGroup’s debts. Ritter, 13 1943-NMSC-035, ¶ 47. The release therefore does not permit HGroup and Cook to 14 bring claims such as those in Cook’s complaint—particularly those arising out of any 15 alleged breach of the first forbearance agreement—against Wells Fargo. Our analysis 16 based on the parties’ release adequately addresses the issue of whether Cook’s claims 17 were properly dismissed. We therefore do not address whether Wells Fargo’s novation 18 and ratification arguments pass muster. 19 iii. 20 Wells Fargo Points to Evidence in the Record to Support its Assertion of Release 15 1 {22} In support of its assertion that the terms of this agreement are undisputed 2 material facts, Wells Fargo provided an affidavit attesting to its validity, and provided 3 a copy of the agreement as an exhibit thereto. In addition to failing to respond to 4 Wells Fargo’s motion, Cook did not contest the validity of the second forbearance 5 agreement, nor did he contest the significance of its terms. These facts are sufficient 6 to enter summary judgment, as a matter of law, for Wells Fargo as to the dismissal of 7 Cook’s claims. Self, 1998-NMSC-046, ¶ 6. Although Cook argued extensively against 8 summary judgment during the third and fourth hearings, in his briefing, he directs us 9 to no evidence or facts of record in the case. Arguments of counsel are not evidence 10 upon which a trial court can rely in a summary judgment proceeding. Trujilo v. Puro, 11 1984-NMCA-050, ¶ 16, 101 N.M. 408, 683 P.2d 963. Pursuant to the law governing 12 summary judgment, the district court held a hearing, Cook presented his arguments, 13 and the court based its decision on the undisputed material facts. Summary judgment 14 was therefore properly granted. We affirm the district court’s dismissal of Cook’s 15 claims in granting summary judgment for Wells Fargo. 16 c. 17 Summary Judgment was Properly Granted—No Genuine Issue of Material Fact Exists 18 Based on the undisputed facts asserted and supported in Wells Fargo’s motion {23} 19 for summary judgment, the district court was correct in concluding that a debt was 16 1 incurred and defaulted upon. The district court received uncontroverted evidence that 2 these debts existed and that HGroup defaulted. Wells Fargo proffered an affidavit 3 from a bank official attesting to the existence of the debts. It also provided copies of 4 the various notes, pledges of collateral, and guarantees from which the right to collect 5 arose. Wells Fargo is therefore entitled to collect that which it is owed. See NMSA 6 1978 § 55-9-607(a) (2013) (stating that secured party may collect payment, 7 performance, or proceeds from debtor or other person obligated on collateral); NMSA 8 1978 § 55-9-601(a)(1) (2006) (stating that, after default, secured party may “reduce 9 a claim to judgment, foreclose[,] or otherwise enforce the claim . . . by any available 10 judicial procedure.”). 11 {24} Cook attempts to argue that the agreement that gave Wells Fargo a security 12 interest in HCAN’s intellectual property was not supported by sufficient 13 consideration. This argument fails as a matter of law. Our courts have consistently 14 found forbearance alone to be sufficient consideration to support a contract. See Ritter 15 1943-NMSC-035, ¶ 19 (stating, “ ‘[n]o rule of law is better settled than that an 16 agreement to forbear proceedings at law or in equity to enforce a well-founded claim 17 is a sufficient consideration to support a promise’ ”); see also Aragon v. Boyd, 196918 NMSC-016, ¶ 20, 80 N.M. 14, 450 P.2d 614 (citing with approval the statement that 19 “[t]he waiver of a right or forbearance to exercise the same is a sufficient 20 consideration for a contract, whether the right be legal or equitable, or exists against 17 1 the promisor or a third person, provided it is not utterly groundless.”(internal 2 quotation marks and citation omitted)). Wells Fargo’s forbearance was sufficient 3 consideration for the Hydroscope entities’ pledge of additional collateral. 4 {25} The undisputed facts clearly show that HGroup was indebted to Wells Fargo 5 and defaulted on those debts. While Wells Fargo undoubtedly met its burden to 6 present a prima facie case of entitlement to judgment as a matter of law, Cook has 7 failed to point to any material fact that would make dismissal of his claims in 8 summary judgment improper. We therefore affirm the district court’s grant of 9 summary judgment. 10 3. 11 District Court did not Abuse its Discretion in Denying Cook’s Attacks on the Summary Judgment 12 After the district court entered the order granting summary judgment, Cook {26} 13 filed several motions, all of which were aimed at reviving the summary judgment 14 proceedings. Pursuant to its grant of summary judgment, the district court entered an 15 order denying Cook’s motion to strike Wells Fargo’s motion for summary judgment.17 16 Cook contested that order through a Rule 1-059 motion to reconsider. Cook also 17 contested the grant of summary judgment itself through a motion to vacate. Both 17 19 Cook had filed this motion in January, 2009, approximately a month before 20 the district court issued its order granting summary judgment. 18 1 motions were denied in subsequent orders filed May 20, 2011.18 2 {27} We review the denial of a motion to reconsider for abuse of discretion. Wilde 3 v. Westland Development Co., Inc., ¶ 35, 148 N.M. 627, 241 P.3d 628. The denial of 4 a motion to vacate is also reviewed for abuse of discretion. Edward Family Ltd. 5 Partnership v. Brown, 2006-NMCA-083, ¶ 17, 140 N.M. 104, 140 P.3d 525. An abuse 6 of discretion occurs through application of the incorrect standard or substantive law, 7 reliance on clearly erroneous fact finding, or application of correct legal standards in 8 an incorrect manner. LaBalbo v. Hymes, 1993-NMCA-010, ¶ 11, 115 N.M. 314, 850 9 P.2d 1017. Having concluded that Wells Fargo’s motion for summary judgment was 10 properly granted, we hold that the district court did not abuse its discretion when it 11 denied Cook’s motion to strike Wells Fargo’s summary judgment motion and vacate 12 the judgment entered pursuant to it. We affirm. 13 B. Cook’s Cross Complaint and Counter Claims 14 After the order granting summary judgment, Cook filed a pleading entitled {28} 15 Counterclaims and Cross Complaint. In it, Cook made numerous claims against Wells 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 18 On April 6, 2009, before the district court was able to hold a hearing on the motion to vacate summary judgment and motion to strike Wells Fargo’s summary judgment motion, Cook appealed both orders from which those motions stemmed. On January 7, 2010, in response to this court’s proposed summary disposition where we proposed to hold that the orders appealed were not final, Cook requested that the appeal be returned to the district court. On March 18, 2010 we remanded the first appeal back to the district court for further proceedings. 19 1 Fargo. Wells Fargo filed a motion to strike or dismiss this pleading. After holding a 2 hearing on whether Cook was properly allowed to file such a pleading, the district 3 court dismissed it without prejudice. Cook filed a motion to reconsider the dismissal, 4 which the district court denied the same day. 5 1. Standard of Review 6 We review the district court’s decision to grant a motion to strike for an abuse {29} 7 of discretion. See Gallegos v. Nevada Gen. Ins. Co., 2011-NMCA-004, ¶ 8, 149 N.M. 8 364, 248 P.3d 912. An abuse of discretion occurs through application of the incorrect 9 standard or substantive law, reliance on clearly erroneous factfinding, or application 10 of correct legal standards in an incorrect manner. LaBalbo, 1993-NMCA-010, ¶ 11. 11 2. 12 The District Court Properly Dismissed Cook’s Counterclaims and Cross Complaint 13 The Rules of Civil Procedure require that Cook obtain the district court’s {30} 14 permission to file claims such as those listed in Cook’s Counterclaims and Cross 15 Complaint. Those claims fit, with some overlap, into three categories: (1) claims 16 asserted in Cook’s first complaint against Wells Fargo, which were already the subject 17 of the summary judgment action; (2) claims that had accrued when the original 18 complaint was filed but which had been omitted from it; (3) claims that accrued after 19 the first complaint was filed. 20 1 {31} The first category of claims is contemplated by Rule 1-013(A) NMRA. Under 2 that rule, a counterclaim is a claim brought against an opposing party, which “arises 3 out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the opposing party’s 4 claim.” Rule 1-013(A) NMRA (2009) (also requiring that the party has the claim at 5 the time of serving the pleading, and that the claim not require the presence of a third 6 party outside of the court’s jurisdiction). A party need not state a claim if, when the 7 action is commenced, the claim is the subject of another pending action. Rule 1-013 8 NMRA(A)(1) (2009). Cook’s claims that fall into this first category include claims for 9 breach of contract, fraud associated with the failure to contemporaneously execute 10 an agreement with a third party in accordance with the Forbearance Agreement, aiding 11 and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty, and violation of the Unfair Practices Act. 12 {32} The second category of claims is covered by Rule 1-013(F), allowing a party, 13 whose claim had accrued when the original pleading was filed but was omitted, to, 14 “by leave of court[,] set up the counterclaim by amendment.” Rule 1-013(F) NMRA 15 (2009); See Morrison v. Wyrsch, 1979-NMSC-093, ¶ 6, 93 N.M. 556, 603 P.2d 295 16 (holding that the addition of counterclaims by amendment is governed exclusively by 17 Rule 1-013(F)). A pleading may be amended “only by leave of court or by written 18 consent of the adverse party.” Rule 1-015(A) NMRA (2009). Cook’s claims, 19 contained in his Counterclaims and Cross Complaint, which fit in this category 20 include breach of good faith, negligent misrepresentation, intentional interference with 21 1 contract, civil conspiracy, and prima facie tort. 2 {33} The third category of claims is covered by Rule 1-013(E), allowing claims that 3 mature after the initial pleading is already served to, “with the permission of the court, 4 be presented as a counterclaim by supplemental pleading.” Rule 1-013(E) NMRA 5 (2009). A court may, upon motion of a party, permit that party to serve a supplemental 6 pleading setting forth “events which have happened since the date of the pleading 7 sought to be supplemented.” Rule 1-015(D) NMRA (2009). A supplemental complaint 8 is the proper method of bringing a cause of action that relates to the same matter but 9 did not exist at the time the suit was brought. See U.S. v. Rio Grande Dam & Irr. Co., 10 1906-NMSC-013, ¶ 15-17, 13 N.M. 386, 85 P. 393. The claims Cook brought that fit 11 into this category include spoliation of evidence and malicious abuse of process. 12 {34} Each claim against Wells Fargo in Cook’s Counterclaims and Cross Complaint 13 represent amendments or supplements to Cook’s original complaint that required the 14 prior consent of the district court to file. Cook concedes that he did not receive the 15 district court’s permission. Under Rule 1-013 and 1-015, these amendments and 16 supplements were properly dismissed for failure to obtain the consent of the court 17 prior to filing them. We conclude that the district court’s order dismissing Cook’s 18 pleading and denying the motion to reconsider was supported by the facts and law in 19 light of the duplicative nature of Cook’s claims. We agree with the district court and 20 affirm its order granting Wells Fargo’s motion to strike or dismiss Cook’s 22 1 counterclaims and cross complaint. 2 C. Preliminary Injunction 3 After filing his Counterclaims and Cross-Complaint, Cook filed multiple {35} 4 pleadings in the district court. In October 2009—after Cook filed no less than eight 5 filings duplicative of those resolved at other stages in the litigation, Wells Fargo asked 6 the district court to enjoin Cook from filing any motions, pleadings, or other filings 7 without the assistance of counsel or the district court’s permission. During the 8 ensuing hearing, the parties presented their arguments for and against a preliminary 9 injunction. The district court orally acknowledged the importance of Cook’s 10 constitutional right to access the courts. However, the district court also pointed out 11 that certain constitutional rights are “not unlimited, and when conduct is malicious, 12 oppressive, vexatious, and abusive and burdensome and repetitive, then there is a basis 13 at that point to put in a process that will review pleadings before they are filed.” The 14 district court emphasized that if Cook’s pleadings sought to litigate a new matter and 15 not something that had already been litigated or heard, he would be permitted to file 16 them. The district court issued the injunction, characterizing Cook’s litigation activity 17 as “abusive and vexatious.” 18 {36} Cook petitioned the New Mexico Supreme Court for a writ on October 26, 23 1 2009, in an attempt to prevent the enforcement of that injunction.19 The Supreme 2 Court denied the petition. Recognizing he was then well outside the deadline for 3 filing a notice of appeal with this Court, Cook then requested that the New Mexico 4 Supreme Court toll the deadline to timely appeal the injunction with this Court. That 5 request was denied January 27, 2010. 6 1. Cook’s Appeal from the Injunction is Untimely 7 The New Mexico Rules of Appellate Procedure require that an appeal be filed {37} 8 within thirty days after the judgment being appealed is filed in district court. Rule 129 201(A)(2) NMRA. Cook’s notice of appeal was filed June 20, 2011, well over a year 10 after the injunction was entered. In light of Cook’s own recognition of the procedural 11 deadline to file and the disinclination of the Supreme Court to extend it, as well as the 12 delay of more than a year and a half between the injunction and the appeal, we 13 conclude that Cook’s appeal of the injunction was untimely, and dismiss Cook’s 14 appeal of the injunction. 15 2. The District Court did not Err in Issuing Orders Enforcing the Injunction 16 Cook continued to file pleadings in the district court even after the district court 17 18 19 20 21 {38} 19 Cook’s pleading bore the title, “Notice of Appeal,” but was filed pursuant to NMRA 12-504. We therefore treat that pleading as a writ petition. Cf. Laumbach v. Board of County Com’rs of Sam Miguel County, 1955-NMSC-096, ¶ 15, 60 N.M. 226, 290 P.2d 1067 (holding that, regardless of what a pleading is entitled, if its contents reveal it is a request for a writ, it will be treated as a petition for writ). 24 1 issued its injunction. For instance, Cook entered a “Proposed Findings of Fact and 2 Conclusions of Law,” and an “Opposition Response.” These filings resulted in the 3 district court entering two orders enforcing the injunction: an order striking Cook’s 4 proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, and an order to strike and for 5 sanctions in response to Cook’s “Opposition Response.” Cook appeals both these 6 orders enforcing the injunction. 7 a. The Injunction Against Cook is Valid 8 Cook’s failure to timely appeal the district court’s injunction against him {39} 9 renders it binding on the district court. Cf. Ortiz v. Gonzales, 1958-NMSC-109, ¶ 24, 10 64 N.M. 445, 329 P.2d 1027 (stating that divorce decree that was not appealed from 11 was therefore “binding on the trial court where suit was brought to enforce it.”); Coe 12 v. City of Albuquerque, 1966-NMSC-196, ¶ 16, 76 N.M. 771, 418 P.2d 545 13 (concluding that portion of the trial court’s judgment that respondents did not appeal 14 remained in effect although other portions were held to be erroneous). 15 b. 16 The District Court did not Abuse its Discretion in Striking Pleadings Filed Contrary to the Terms of the Injunction 17 We review a district court’s decision to impose sanctions for an abuse of {40} 18 discretion. State ex rel. New Mexico State Highway and Transp. Dept. v. Baca, 199519 NMSC-033, ¶ 26, 120 N.M. 1, 896 P.2d 1148. An abuse of discretion occurs through 20 application of the incorrect standard or substantive law, reliance on clearly erroneous 25 1 factfinding, or application of correct legal standards in an incorrect manner. 2 LaBalbo,1993-NMCA-010, ¶ 11. 3 {41} The record in this case is monstrous—more than 4,000 pages—and this appeal 4 is just the latest step in a long, twisted litigation history. After the injunction was 5 issued, and despite the district court’s previous advice and admonitions against 6 violating the injunction, Cook continued to file with the court. The United States 7 District Court and the United States Bankruptcy Court have characterized Cook’s 8 litigation strategy as “vexatious and abusive.”. In re Cook, No. 7-04-17704-SA, 2012 9 WL 5408905, at *16 (Bankr. D.N.M. Nov. 6, 2012) (stating that this case’s 10 “unorthodox posture is almost wholly attributable to the efforts of pro se litigant 11 Daniel Cook. Mr. Cook’s filings have moved the suit hither and yon—from court to 12 court, judge to judge—forcing the parties and the courts to untangle novel, largely 13 unsupported arguments and procedural machinations.”) aff'd, 497 B.R. 167 (B.A.P. 14 10th Cir. 2013). We wholeheartedly agree with their characterization. 15 {42} Cook’s incessant filings have distorted this case, making it virtually 16 unrecognizable as the simple foreclosure action and summary judgment order that it 17 is. Cook does not dispute that he filed numerous duplicative pleadings and motions 18 in the courts listed above. He provides this Court with nothing demonstrating that the 19 limitations set by the district court were unduly burdensome on his constitutional 26 1 rights. It is clear from the record that the district court’s injunction restricts no more 2 than Cook’s “ability to hamstring the judicial system of this state with unapproved pro 3 se filings[.]” State ex rel. Bardacke v. Welsh, 1985-NMCA-028, ¶ 18, 102 N.M. 592, 4 698 P.2d 462 (stating also that “a less restrictive method of regulating access is not 5 required when the facts show a pattern of conduct which is either vexatious, 6 oppressive or for the purpose of harassment.”). 7 {43} Trial and appellate courts have “inherent power to impose a variety of sanctions 8 on both litigants and attorneys in order to regulate their docket, promote judicial 9 efficiency, and deter frivolous filings.”Baca, 1995-NMSC-033, ¶ 11. (internal 10 quotation marks and citation omitted). A court’s ability “to command the obedience 11 of its litigants” is necessary to the effective performance of judicial functions. Id. 12 Cook has failed to show any error in the district court’s enforcement of the 13 permissible injunction through its subsequent orders. As such, we conclude the district 14 court did not abuse its discretion. We affirm the district court’s order striking Cook’s 15 proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, and its order to strike and for 16 sanctions. 17 IV. CONCLUSION 18 In disposing of this case, we lament that it turned into such a laborious paper {44} 19 battle. We affirm the district court’s issuance of eight of the orders appealed, and 20 dismiss Cook’s appeal of the injunction as untimely. 27 1 {45} IT IS SO ORDERED. 2 3 ____________________________________ RODERICK T. KENNEDY, Judge 4 WE CONCUR: 5 ____________________________ 6 JAMES J. WECHSLER, Judge 7 ____________________________ 8 CYNTHIA A. FRY, Judge 28
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