398 S.E.2d 747 | Ga. Ct. App. | 1990
A simplified statement of the relevant facts in the instant appeal
1. Two of the appellants are the sole shareholders of a corporation which had previously been represented in various labor matters by the same law firm that represents appellee in the instant action and, on this basis, appellants moved to disqualify appellee’s counsel. The denial of this motion to disqualify appellee’s counsel is enumerated as error.
Assuming, for purposes of this appeal only, that appellee and appellants are opposing parties and that the prior representation of the corporation is equivalent to a prior representation of appellants themselves and that the motion to disqualify was timely, appellants have nevertheless “failed to carry their burden of proof under the ‘substantial relationship test,’ which requires that the movant show that the present litigation and the former matter in which [they were] represented by opposing counsel are substantially related. See Crawford W. Long Mem. Hosp. [of Emory Univ.] v. Yerby, 258 Ga. 720 (1) (373 SE2d 749) (1988). . . . Appellants do not show how the [various labor matters at issue in the prior representation are] substantially related to appellants’ [alleged breach of warranty of title]. Appellants even admitted as much in their brief when they stated that [appellee’s counsel ‘is not representing directly adverse parties on substantially related matters]. . . .’ Moreover, there was no evidence that client confidences or secrets had been or would be disclosed, or that any other improper actions had been or would be taken. This case is not like that of Crawford W. Long Mem. Hosp., supra, the holding of which ‘is limited to representation involving the same general subject matter. . . . (C)ases (involving) different general subject matter(s), e.g., adverse representation involving contractual disputes, real-property matters, and unrelated tort claims would not contravene the rule.’ [Cits.]” (Emphasis in original.) Knoxville Med. Investors v. Nat. Healthcorp, 192 Ga. App. 460, 461 (2) (385 SE2d 110) (1989). Not only are the general subject matters entirely different, no imper
Insofar as Mrs. Pickert’s liability for breach of warranty of title is actually concerned, it is undisputed that Mrs. James’ paramount title was established in a legal proceeding in which Mrs. Pickert and appellants were joined. Reese v. Manget, 53 Ga. App. 637 (2) (186 SE 880) (1936). The judgment in that legal proceeding establishes that, at the time of the conveyance by Mrs. Pickert, prescriptive title was in Mrs. James and that Mrs. Pickert’s warranty of title was, therefore, breached at the time of her conveyance. Mansell v. Pappas, 156 Ga. App. 272, 273 (2) (274 SE2d 588) (1980). Compare Finn v. Lifsey, 169 Ga. 599 (150 SE 908) (1929). Contrary to appellants’ assertions on appeal, any transactions between Mrs. James and appellee regarding the adjoining parcel would have had no bearing whatsoever on Mrs. James’ right to assert her prescriptive title to that separate parcel which Mrs. Pickert conveyed (see Bridges v. Henson, 216 Ga. 423 (2) (116 SE2d 570) (1960)) and those extraneous transactions certainly would have no current bearing on the validity of appellee’s instant claim for breach of warranty of title, against Mrs. Pickert.
Appellee met the initial burden as a movant for summary judgment and made a prima facie showing of Mrs. Pickert’s liability for breach of warranty of title. In opposition, there was no showing that a genuine issue of material fact remained as to Mrs. Pickert’s liability. It follows that the trial court correctly granted partial summary judgment in favor of appellee.
Judgment affirmed.