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Theede v. Jacobs, Anderson, Potter, & Chaplin LLP
671 F. App'x 978
9th Cir.
2016
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Background

  • Robert L. Theede, proceeding pro se, sued after eviction from a commercial rental unit, asserting federal and state claims including a § 1983 unlawful search/seizure claim, breach of contract, fraud/misrepresentation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
  • The district court granted summary judgment for defendants on all claims and denied Theede’s Rule 60(b) reconsideration motion.
  • Theede appealed the summary judgment and denial of reconsideration to the Ninth Circuit.
  • The Ninth Circuit reviewed the district court’s grant of summary judgment de novo and the denial of reconsideration for abuse of discretion.
  • The panel affirmed, concluding Theede failed to raise genuine disputes of material fact as to constitutional/state-action elements, contract breach, fraudulent intent, and extreme/outrageous conduct.
  • Theede’s post-appeal jury-trial motions were denied; the disposition is unpublished and decided without oral argument.

Issues

Issue Plaintiff's Argument Defendant's Argument Held
Whether defendants violated § 1983 by unlawfully searching/seizing property or acting under color of state law Theede argued his constitutional/statutory rights were violated during eviction and property handling Defendants argued no constitutional violation occurred and they did not act under color of state law Summary judgment for defendants: Theede failed to raise a genuine dispute on violation or state action
Whether defendants breached the lease agreement Theede contended defendants breached lease terms in eviction/possession actions Defendants maintained they did not breach the lease Summary judgment for defendants: no triable issue of breach raised
Whether defendants committed fraud/misrepresentation Theede alleged misrepresentations made with intent to defraud/deceive him Defendants denied making fraudulent misrepresentations or intent Summary judgment for defendants: no genuine dispute of misrepresentation/intent
Whether defendants’ conduct supports intentional infliction of emotional distress Theede argued defendants’ actions regarding his property were extreme/outrageous causing severe distress Defendants argued conduct was not extreme/outrageous as required under California law Summary judgment for defendants: Theede failed to show extreme and outrageous conduct

Key Cases Cited

  • West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42 (establishing § 1983 requires action under color of state law)
  • Franklin v. Fox, 312 F.3d 423 (private-party state-action analysis requires significant state involvement)
  • Vasquez v. County of Los Angeles, 349 F.3d 634 (standard of de novo review on appeal)
  • Henry v. Gill Indus., Inc., 983 F.2d 943 (appellate affirmance may rest on any record-supported basis)
  • Daniels v. Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc., 201 Cal. Rptr. 3d 390 (elements of breach of contract under California law)
  • Robinson Helicopter Co. v. Dana Corp., 102 P.3d 268 (elements of fraud/misrepresentation under California law)
  • Hughes v. Pair, 209 P.3d 963 (elements for intentional infliction of emotional distress in California)
  • Casey v. Albertson’s Inc., 362 F.3d 1254 (standard and grounds for Rule 60(b) reconsideration)
  • Padgett v. Wright, 587 F.3d 983 (appellate courts need not consider issues not presented to district court)
Read the full case

Case Details

Case Name: Theede v. Jacobs, Anderson, Potter, & Chaplin LLP
Court Name: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Date Published: Dec 22, 2016
Citation: 671 F. App'x 978
Docket Number: 14-16708
Court Abbreviation: 9th Cir.