McA Financial Group, Ltd. v. Enterprise Bank & Trust

OPINION

¶ 1 MCA Financial Group, Ltd. (MCA) appeals from an order requiring it to disgorge over $118,000 in fees paid to it by Enterprise Bank & Trust (Enterprise), arguing that, because MCA was not a party to the underlying proceeding, it was not subject to the trial court’s jurisdiction. It also contends the court erred by failing to hold an evidentiary hearing on the merits of the disgorgement claim and by failing to conclude Enterprise had waived any objection to MCA’s fees. Because we agree the court lacked jurisdiction, its order must be vacated.

Factual and Procedural Background

¶2 “We view the facts in the light most favorable to upholding the trial court’s ruling.” Hammoudeh v. Jada, 222 Ariz. 570, ¶ 2, 218 P.3d 1027, 1028 (App.2009). In April 2009, Enterprise agreed to loan $4,182,000 to Americana Nogales, LLC (Americana) to acquire a hotel in Santa Cruz County. The following year, Enterprise filed a lawsuit alleging that Americana had defaulted on its loan obligations by failing to remit payments as required under the loan agreement and promissory note. 2 In addition to seeking monetary relief, Enterprise requested that a receiver be appointed pursuant to a provision in the deed of trust that Americana had executed to secure the loan.

¶ 3 In January 2011, the trial court appointed “Robert Itkin of MCA Financial Group, Ltd.” as receiver in an order that directed him to, among other things, “operate, manage, maintain, preserve and protect the Receivership Property; ... employ any person or firm to collect, manage, lease, maintain and operate the Receivership Property[; and] hire ... consultants, property management companies, brokers and any other personnel or employees which the Receiver deems necessary to assist it in the discharge of its duties.” Enterprise subsequently filed an “Oath of Receiver,” in which Itkin swore to “faithfully discharge the duties of receiver” and “obey all orders of the Court.” Itkin executed this oath on a line designated for his signature.

¶ 4 From January to October 2011, MCA on a monthly basis submitted bills to Enterprise for “professional services” rendered by several of its employees, including Itkin. Enterprise paid the invoices by checks made out to “MCA Financial Group.” In October, Enterprise filed a “Notice of Receiver’s Change of Firm,” in which it stated that Itkin, who had been “appointed as Receiver over the subject collateral pursuant to this Court’s Order,” had become a managing director at Simon Consulting Group, LLC. Following Itkin’s departure, both he and MCA continued to perform management and consulting services, but MCA ceased billing for Itkin’s services. In November 2012, the trial court granted Enterprise’s application to appoint a new receiver, Resolute Commercial Services, LLC (Resolute), and an amended *493 order of appointment was filed to reflect this change.

¶ 5 The following month, Itkin filed a receivership report “containing, among other things, all receivership expenses, fees, and a narrative description of [his] performed duties and related information for the period of [his] appointment as Receiver.” In response, Enterprise filed a motion objecting to Itkin’s receivership report and requesting disgorgement of fees it had paid to MCA on the ground the fees were excessive. MCA, not having been joined by Enterprise as a party for purposes of its disgorgement motion or any other matter, entered a special appearance “for the limited purpose of responding to the allegations and arguments contained in [Enterprise’s motion],” and argued that such a motion for relief from a non-party who had “never served as the receiver” was “procedurally improper” and should be summarily denied on that basis. In the alternative, MCA requested an eviden-tiary hearing to determine whether the fees charged were, in fact, excessive. The trial court heard argument on the motion in September 2018, and took the issues raised by the parties, including the necessity of an evidentiary hearing, under advisement. In October, the court issued a ruling that determined a reduction of fees was warranted because “MCA did not [] execute their duties appropriately.” Implicitly denying MCA’s request for an evidentiary hearing on the matter, the court granted Enterprise’s motion and ordered MCA to disgorge $118,185.93. Its order expressly referred to the period when “MCA served as receiver.”

Discussion

¶ 6 On appeal, MCA argues the trial court lacked jurisdiction to enter the disgorgement order because MCA was a “third-party vendor” that was “never appointed receiver” or “joined as a party to the case.” Relying on precedents in which we have declined to uphold rulings against non-parties who were not given “a full opportunity to contest” their liability, Heinig v. Hudman, 177 Ariz. 66, 71, 865 P.2d 110, 115 (App.1993); see also Spudnuts, Inc. v. Lane, 139 Ariz. 35, 37, 676 P.2d 669, 671 (App.1984), MCA argues that the court’s ability to approve the receiver’s expenses did not obviate the joinder requirement because “the only party over whom the trial court had jurisdiction relevant to this dispute was [Itkin].” In support of its factual claim that Itkin served as the receiver in an individual capacity, MCA relies on the court’s order designating “Robert Itkin of MCA Financial Group, Ltd.” as receiver, and points to Itkin’s departure from MCA as evidence that the receiver role was filled by Itkin in his personal capacity.

¶ 7 Enterprise responds that, although It-kin was the receiver “in a very technical sense,” the agency relationship between Itkin and MCA “bound MCA to the terms of the Receivership Order, including the court oversight provisions” that allowed the trial court to exercise control over compensation. 3 In support of its agency theory, Enterprise points to evidence that MCA transmitted bills and collected fees for Itkin’s receiver services. Observing that MCA posted the receiver’s bond and performed certain receivership tasks, Enterprise also argues the court had the ability to exercise control over fees and expenses directed to both Itkin and MCA. We review the court’s exercise of personal jurisdiction de novo. Desarrollo Immobiliario y Negocios Industriales De Alta Tecnologia De Hermosillo, S.A De C.V. v. Kader Holdings Co., 229 Ariz. 367, ¶ 10, 276 P.3d 1, 5 (App.2012); Arizona Tile, L.L.C. v. Berger, 223 Ariz. 491, ¶ 8, 224 P.3d 988, 990 (App.2010).

Appellate Jurisdiction

¶ 8 Because MCA was neither named as a party to Enterprise’s disgorgement request nor ever served with process, we first examine our own jurisdiction to consider the merits of this appeal. 4 See Musa v. *494 Adrian, 130 Ariz. 311, 312, 636 P.2d 89, 90 (1981) (appellate court has independent duty to consider its jurisdiction). “Generally, a person who is not a party to an action is not aggrieved and cannot appeal from findings adverse to him.” Wieman v. Roysden, 166 Ariz. 281, 284, 802 P.2d 432, 435 (App.1990); see also Ariz. R. Civ.App. P. 1 (limiting right of appeal to “any party aggrieved by the judgment”). However, this court has held that a non-party with a “direct, substantial and immediate” interest who “would be bene-fitted by reversal of the judgment” is entitled to appeal under Rule 1, Ariz. R. Civ.App. P. Wieman, 166 Ariz. at 284, 802 P.2d at 435 (attorney permitted to appeal attorney fee award imposed against him), quoting Abril v. Harris, 157 Ariz. 78, 81, 754 P.2d 1353, 1356 (App.1987) (same). MCA is clearly an aggrieved non-party with a direct and substantial interest in the trial court’s disgorgement order. We also, however, must determine whether that order is one that may be appealed. See AR.S. § 12-2101 (enumerating “[¿judgments and orders that may be appealed”).

¶ 9 Under § 12-2101(A)(4), appeal may be taken from “a final order affecting a substantial right made in a special proceeding or on a summary application in an action after judgment.” Our supreme court has held that a court order requiring a receiver to pay a claim is “appealable as a final judgment.” 5 In re Prescott State Bank, 36 Ariz. 419, 424, 286 P. 189, 191 (1930); see also Johnson v. Superior Court, 68 Ariz. 68, 72, 199 P.2d 827, 830 (1948) (where court order allows or disallows claim to moneys from receivership or estate “order is not intermediate but final”); cf. Ross v. White, 46 Ariz. 304, 306-07, 50 P.2d 12, 13 (1935) (court’s denial of petition for payment of legal services on behalf of insolvent bank not an “interlocutory order,” but “final judgment of the court” and “final order”). 6 Here, the contested matter was not the receiver’s conduct, which would not be appealable until the final accounting, see Ritter v. Ariz. Cattle Co., 34 Ariz. 278, 286, 271 P. 25, 28 (1928), but rather the trial court’s order directing MCA, a non-party, to pay the receivership. As such, the order was the converse of, but similar to, an order that the receiver pay a third party and, logically, also a final order. Stated differently, the order “was clearly final on all of [MCA’s] rights in the affected property.” Kemble v. Porter, 88 Ariz. 417, 419, 357 P.2d 155, 156 (1960); see Huston v. F.D.I.C., 800 S.W.2d 845, 847 (Tex.1990) (trial court order “that resolves a discrete issue in connection with any receivership has the same force and effect as any other final adjudication of a court, and thus, is appeal-able”).

*495 ¶ 10 We also must determine, however, whether the disgorgement proceeding was a “special proceeding” pursuant to § 12-2101(A)(4). Our supreme court has held that where a party “institutes a proceeding against the person in charge of the funds to obtain moneys from the receivership or estate, ... such action is a separate proceeding in the same sense that it would have been had an independent suit been filed.” Johnson, 68 Ariz. at 72, 199 P.2d at 830; see also Black’s Law Dictionary (9th ed.2009) (defining “special proceeding” as “[a] proceeding that can be commenced independently of a pending action and from which a final order may be appealed immediately”). Thus, a court order allowing or disallowing a claim for moneys from a receivership or estate “is the final action of the court in a special proceeding in the case.” Johnson, 68 Ariz. at 72, 199 P.2d at 830. Similarly, a proceeding to order a third party to pay the receivership is of the same species and finality. See Huston, 800 S.W.2d at 847.

¶ 11 Having determined that the subject order here satisfies the first clause of § 12-2101(A)(4) as “a final order affecting a substantial right made in a special proceeding,” we last consider whether it also must satisfy the latter portion of § 12-2101(A)(4) referring to an order entered “in an action after judgment.” A plain reading of the statute would suggest that subsection (A)(4) pertains to two separate types of final orders: (1) one “affecting a substantial right made in a special proceeding”; and (2) a final order made “on a summary application in an action after judgment.” In applying subsection (A)(4), our supreme court has determined that an order was appealable without considering whether it was “after judgment.” Miller v. Superior Court, 88 Ariz. 349, 351-52, 356 P.2d 699, 700 (1960) (removal of trustee ap-pealable as affecting substantial rights of parties to removal proceeding). And we note that other states with similar jurisdictional statutes have separate provisions for the two types of final orders. See, e.g., State v. Jacques, 253 Neb. 247, 570 N.W.2d 331, 335 (1997) (three types of final orders reviewable on appeal including “(2) an order affecting a substantial right made during a special proceeding, and (3) an order affecting a substantial right made on summary application in an action after judgment is rendered”); 7 Ross v. Ross, 94 Ohio App.3d 123, 640 N.E.2d 265, 268 (1994) (noting statutory guideline for determining final order includes: “(2) An order (a) affecting a substantial right, and (b) made in (i) a special proceeding, or (ii) upon a summary application in a motion after judgment, is final.”). 8 We conclude we have jurisdiction over MCA’s appeal under § 12-2101(A)(4), and we have amended the caption to accurately reflect the proper parties to this appeal.

Trial Court Jurisdiction

¶ 12 Enterprise’s failure to include or join MCA as a party below, however, remains relevant to our analysis of MCA’s due process argument. Athough collaterally involved in the underlying receivership through its performance of services in connection with the management of the receivership estate, MCA never was served with process, or named in either Enterprise’s lawsuit, the receivership proceedings, or the disgorgement motion as a party against whom relief was sought. Therefore, under basic principles of due process and in personam jurisdiction, it was not subject to the trial court’s jurisdiction. See Safeway Stores, Inc. v. Ramirez, 99 Ariz. 372, 379, 409 P.2d 292, 297 (1965) (“For the court to have personal jurisdiction over a defendant ... [the] party *496 being served must clearly be given notice that he is being served as a defendant in the case.”); Barlage v. Valentine, 210 Ariz. 270, ¶ 4, 110 P.3d 371, 373 (App.2005) (“Proper, effective service on a defendant is a prerequisite to a court’s exercising personal jurisdiction over the defendant.”); see also Sec. & Exch. Comm’n v. Ross, 504 F.3d 1130, 1138 (9th Cir.2007) (noting “ ‘[sjervice of process is the mechanism by which the court [actually] acquires’ the power to enforce a judgment against the defendant’s person or property”), quoting United States v. 2,164 Watches, More or Less Bearing a Registered Trademark of Guess?, Inc., 366 F.3d 767, 771 (9th Cir.2004) (alterations in Ross).

¶ 13 Here, the trial court did not address the issue of personal jurisdiction in its ruling, nor, as MCA points out, has Enterprise cited any authority to support its contention that a court may order a non-party to disgorge compensation merely because such compensation had been paid in connection with a receivership. This absence of authority is not surprising, however, in light of our prior decisions concerning the imposition of non-party liability.

¶ 14 In Spudnuts, for example, the trial court had granted a post-judgment motion to amend the pleadings to add an additional party-defendant. 139 Ariz. at 35, 676 P.2d at 669. On appeal, we observed that “‘[t]he parity] to be added must be properly brought before the court or no judgment can be entered or enforced.’ ” Id. at 36, 676 P.2d at 670, quoting Sarne v. Fiesta Motel, 79 F.R.D. 567, 570 (E.D.Pa.1978). We reversed the judgment, concluding the additional defendant could not be subjected to liability without violating due process because “the court does not obtain jurisdiction over the person” where “service of process does not comply with the statutory requirements.” Id. at 37, 676 P.2d at 671.

¶ 15 Similarly, in Heinig v. Hudman, we rejected appellant’s argument that a judgment against one party could be converted into a judgment against his wife where it was clear from the record that she never had been a party to the underlying proceeding. 177 Ariz. at 70, 865 P.2d at 114. We were not persuaded by the fact that she had “sat through the arbitration hearing” and “may have assisted in presenting [her husband’s] case.” Id. Rather, the spouse was entitled to “a full opportunity to contest ... liability” in a subsequent action against her as a named defendant in order to satisfy the strictures of due process. Id. at 71, 865 P.2d at 115. We thus agree with MCA that the trial court was precluded from asserting jurisdiction over it when there had been no service of process in the underlying action or a full opportunity to contest the allegations against it.

¶ 16 Enterprise contends, however, that the trial court’s order nevertheless was sanctioned by its authority over the actions of the receiver. See Mashni v. Foster ex rel. Cnty. of Maricopa, 234 Ariz. 522, ¶ 17, 323 P.3d 1173, 1178 (App.2014) (receiver’s authority derived “ ‘solely from the act of the court’ ”; receiver is “‘subject of its order only’”), quoting Sawyer v. Ellis, 37 Ariz. 443, 448, 295 P. 322, 324 (1931); Cauble v. Osselaer, 150 Ariz. 256, 258, 722 P.2d 983, 985 (App. 1986) (fixing of receiver’s fee within court’s discretion). This argument rests on the court’s finding that MCA served as court-appointed receiver — a determination we review for clear error. See Mashni 234 Ariz. 522, ¶ 17, 323 P.3d at 1178 (interpretation of appointment order question of fact); Gravel Res. of Ariz. v. Hills, 217 Ariz. 33, ¶ 14, 170 P.3d 282, 287 (App.2007) (appellate court will affirm factual findings unless clearly contrary to evidence).

¶ 17 As noted above, the trial court’s appointment order states: “It is hereby ordered, adjudged and decreed that ... Robert Itkin of MCA Financial Group, Ltd., is hereby appointed Receiver.” In contrast, the court’s order designating Resolute as receiver reads: “It is hereby ordered, adjudged and decreed that ... Resolute Commercial Services, LLC, acting by and through its principal, Jeremiah Foster, is hereby appointed Receiver in this action.” Moreover, the oath of receiver was signed “Robert J. Itkin,” with no reference to MCA See Focus Point Props., LLC v. Johnson, 235 Ariz. 170, ¶¶ 32-33, 330 P.3d 360, 366-67 (App.2014) (relying on signature block as evidence of capacity in which signature bound); Ferra- *497 rell v. Robinson, 11 Ariz.App. 473, 475, 465 P.2d 610, 612 (App.1970) (same).

¶ 18 On this record, we cannot conclude that Itkin was appointed receiver in conjunction with MCA. Had that been the ease, Enterprise would have had to amend the order of appointment when Itkin left MCA to join Simon Consulting Group, LLC, just as it did when Resolute later was appointed to replace Itkin. See Sawyer, 37 Ariz. 443, 448, 295 P. 322, 324 (receiver’s authority “derived solely from the act of the court appointing him”). Instead, Enterprise merely submitted a “Notice of Receiver’s Change of Firm” that listed his new mailing address. Indeed, even Enterprise acknowledges that MCA’s contention regarding the identity of the receiver is “true in a very technical sense,” echoing the position it took in correspondence immediately before Itkin’s departure from MCA: “the receiver is in the name of the individual (Rob[ert Itkin]) not the company (MCA).” Consequently, because the evidence in the record contravenes the trial court’s finding on this point, we cannot uphold its order requiring MCA to disgorge compensation on this ground. 9

¶ 19 Finally, we reject Enterprise’s argument that an agency relationship between Itkin and MCA operated to confer personal jurisdiction over MCA. We are unaware of any authority for the proposition that a plaintiff can expand the trial court’s jurisdiction merely by alleging an agency relationship between a court-appointed receiver and an unserved third party. Were this the case, the strictures of due process could be avoided altogether to reach the assets of a stranger to the underlying proceeding without providing such third party either notice or an opportunity to be heard. 10 This notion is flatly inconsistent with established jurisprudence on the limits of jurisdiction; as a result, it cannot serve to support the challenged ruling. Cf. Planning Grp. of Scottsdale, L.L.C. v. Lake Mathews Mineral Props., Ltd., 226 Ariz. 262, ¶ 14, 246 P.3d 343, 347 (2011) (exercise of jurisdiction must comport with “‘traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice’ ”), quoting Int’l Shoe Co. v. Washington, 326 U.S. 310, 316, 66 S.Ct. 154, 90 L.Ed. 95 (1945).

Attorney Fees and Costs

¶ 20 MCA has requested an award of its attorney fees and costs for both the trial court action and this appeal pursuant to A.R.S. § 12-341.01(A), which governs recovery of attorney fees in an “action arising out of a contract.” MCA contends “its fees for its work as a vendor were received in accordance with its contract directly paid by Enterprise.” Despite this assertion, MCA has not identified such a contract nor does it appear in the record. More importantly, neither the disgorgement motion nor the resulting order was predicated on any contractual considerations but rather on the court’s mistaken view of MCA as the receiver in the proceeding. See Cauble v. Osselaer, 150 Ariz. at 260-61, 722 P.2d at 987-89 (claim for reduction in receivership charges does not “arise out of a contract”). Thus, any agreement relating to MCA’s services was not the “essential basis” of the disgorgement action. See Chaurasia v. Gen. Motors Corp., 212 Ariz. 18, ¶ 25, 126 P.3d 165, 173 (App.2006); see also Lewin v. Miller Wagner & Co., Ltd., 151 Ariz. 29, 37, 725 P.2d 736, 744 (1986) *498 (mere existence of contract does not justify fees award where contract only “peripherally involved in a cause of action”); In re Larry’s Apartment, L.L.C., 249 F.3d 832, 836 (9th Cir.2001) (where contract “merely somewhere within the factual background,” fees under § 12-341.01(A) not awardable). 11 Accordingly, we deny MCA’s attorney fees request. But, as the prevailing party on appeal, MCA is entitled to a cost award upon compliance with Rule 21. See AR.S. § 12-341; Assyia v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 229 Ariz. 216, ¶32, 273 P.3d 668, 675 (App.2012) (cost award mandatory in favor of successful party).

Disposition

¶ 21 For all of the foregoing reasons, the trial court’s order requiring MCA to disgorge $118,185.93 in fees is vacated.