115 P.2d 401 | Idaho | 1941
Lead Opinion
[EDITORS' NOTE: THIS PAGE CONTAINS HEADNOTES. HEADNOTES ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL PRODUCT OF THE COURT, THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT DISPLAYED.] *685
This action was commenced by Idaho Gold Dredging Corporation, hereafter called the mining company, against Boise Payette Lumber Company, hereafter called the lumber company, and United Pacific Insurance Company, formerly United Pacific Casualty Insurance Company, hereafter called the surety, to recover $5,000 alleged to have been paid by the mining company to its attorneys for their services rendered in a suit prosecuted by the lumber company against the mining company, wherein the former sought to enjoin the collection of a judgment against it and in favor of the latter. In the injunction suit an undertaking was given, as required by I. C. A., sec.
"NOW, THEREFORE, we, the undersigned, in consideration of the issuing of said injunction do jointly and severally undertake in the sum of $5,000 and promise to *688 the effect that in case said injunction shall issue the said plaintiff will pay to the said party enjoined such costs, damages and reasonable counsel fees not exceeding the sum of $5,000 as such party may incur or sustain by reason of the injunction if the court finally decide that the plaintiff was not entitled thereto."
The case has been before us heretofore on appeal from a judgment of dismissal following the sustaining of a demurrer to the complaint (Idaho Gold D. Corp. v. Boise Payette L. Co.,
The lumber company and surety filed an answer to the complaint and incorporated therein was a cross-complaint, by the former against the mining company, wherein it was alleged that the mining company had recovered a judgment against the lumber company in the sum of $100,000, together with costs, inIdaho Gold Dredging Corporation v. Boise Payette LumberCompany,
A general demurrer to the cross-complaint was sustained. The issues framed by the complaint and the answer thereto were tried to a jury and, at the close of evidence introduced on behalf of the mining company, on motion made by counsel for the lumber company and the surety, a nonsuit was granted and a judgment of dismissal of the action was entered. The mining company has appealed from the judgment and the lumber company and the surety have cross-appealed, stating in their notice:
"NOW, THEREFORE, Said defendants, Boise Payette Lumber Company a corporation and United Pacific Insurance Company, a corporation, formerly United Pacific Casualty Insurance Company, a corporation, hereby appeal to the Supreme Court of the State of Idaho from so much of the judgment so made and entered in the above entitled cause on or about the twenty-fifth day of April, 1940, as bars the said defendant from obtaining judgment on said cross-complaint and as renders final the order and decision of said court sustaining plaintiff's demurrer to said cross-complaint." *690
Luther W. Tennyson and the firm of Hawley Worthwine were attorneys for defendant (appellant here) in the injunction suit. They demurred to the complaint, the demurrer was sustained, and a judgment dismissing the suit followed. An appeal was taken to this court and the judgment was affirmed (
In this case appellant proved the services rendered by its attorneys in the injunction suit, and the reasonable value thereof. To prove payment of the attorneys' fees, it introduced in evidence, as plaintiff's exhibit 1, a receipt which is as follows:
"Dated at Boise, Idaho, this 20th day of October, 1936.
HAWLEY WORTHWINE, By Jess Hawley By Luther W. Tennyson."
A number of efforts were made by appellant's counsel to introduce testimony explaining the presence of the word "expenses" in the receipt, and to show that the entire sum of $5,000 was paid to the attorneys as fees, and no part of it as expenses. Questions seeking to elicit such testimony were objected to and the objections were sustained. As an example, S.K. Atkinson, president of appellant corporation, was asked by its counsel, with respect to the word "expenses" appearing in the receipt:
"Q. Mr. Atkinson, of that five thousand dollars, how much was attorneys' fees and how much was expenses, if you know?"
Mr. EBERLE (of counsel for respondent): "Well now just a moment. It's an attempt to vary that receipt. *691 If there's any statement that he has, or any evidence as to the items and division, that should be produced; but not his testimony to change that receipt."
The COURT: "The objection is sustained."
The following tender of proof was made:
Mr. JOHNSTON (counsel for appellant): "If the court please, I offer to prove by this witness that the words 'fees and expenses' were in the receipt merely for the purpose of obtaining a full release from all liability, and did not refer to any known expenses whatsoever."
Mr. EBERLE: "We object to the offer because apparently the intention is to alter the purport of the instrument from a receipt to a general release, and there is nothing ambiguous about 'fees and expenses' which needs explanation, or any reason given why they were inserted."
The COURT: "The objection is sustained and the offer denied."
These rulings were erroneous. A simple receipt is onlyprima facie evidence of the truth of statements receipts therein, and parol evidence is admissible to explain or contradict it. (Braghorn v. Moore,
As part of the cross-examination of appellant's witness, Atkinson, there was introduced in evidence defendant's exhibit 3, being a contract entered into June 20, 1929, between Claude W. Gibson and Hawley Hawley, referred to in the contract as "the attorneys" and the mining company, therein referred to as "the client." The contract was one of employment of said attorneys by appellant, wherein they agreed to act as its attorneys in an action to be commenced against the lumber company to recover for damages to appellant's mining claims caused by oil and grease being placed on the watershed of Grimes Creek and its tributaries by the lumber company in its logging operations.
In that contract it was agreed:
"I. That said attorneys are empowered and agree to prepare the papers and file an action in the District *692 Court of Idaho in and for Ada County, or other proper Court, to enforce said claim or claims or cause or causes of action for and on behalf of said client and against said Lumber Company or other proper parties, and to prosecute the same to judgment in said Court, using their best efforts that such judgment be for said client; to appear and defend all appeals taken by the defendant in said action; to take such appeals for such client as they deem proper or advisable; and generally to collect on said claims and causes of action or any of them or on any judgment for said client by execution or otherwise, whenever the same may be lawfully done. If re-trial of the action is ordered or authorized by Court it shall be optional with the said attorneys to continue as the client's attorneys in said re-trial, and if they elect not to continue they shall thereby forfeit all right to compensation under this agreement."
In the contract it was further stipulated that the sole compensation of the attorneys was to be certain percentages of the money, or property, received or collected, as a result of the action, or of a compromise or settlement thereof.
It appears from the record that Luther W. Tennyson became and was successor of Claude W. Gibson, and that the firm of Hawley Worthwine became and was successor of Hawley Hawley, as attorneys for the mining company.
After defendant's exhibit 3 was introduced appellant attempted to prove, by parol evidence, that after the injunction suit was commenced an agreement was entered into between the mining company and its counsel for the payment of attorneys' fees for services to be rendered in that suit. Numerous questions were propounded to the witness, Atkinson, by appellant's counsel, the apparent purpose of which was to show that an oral agreement had been reached between the mining company and its attorneys for the payment of fees for services to be rendered in the injunction suit. Objections were sustained to these questions, whereupon counsel for appellant made the following tender of proof:
"If the court please, I offer to prove by this witness *693 that there was a complete novation of this contract, [defendant's exhibit 3] so far as the injunction case was concerned, and that it was understood and agreed between Hawley and Worthwine and Luther W. Tennyson on one hand and the Idaho Gold Dredging Corporation on the other, completely abrogating the terms of that contract so far as it may have applied to it and so far as the contract for fees in the injunction action was concerned."
Mr. EBERLE: "And we object to the offer of proof upon the ground and for the reason that such an understanding would be without consideration; would not be binding upon the parties hereto; it is not within the issues, and does not tend to prove or disprove any of the issues in this case."
The COURT: "As made, I will have to sustain the objection — to the offer as made. The offer is denied, and the objection is sustained."
Counsel for appellant propounded this question to the witness, Atkinson:
"Q. Will you tell in your own words, Mr. Atkinson, just what you said and just what the attorneys said at the time these fees of $5,000 were paid?"
Mr. EBERLE: "Now we would like to make a formal objection at this time. We don't know what this proof is going to be.
"It is immaterial and irrelevant, and does not tend to prove any issue in the case, and the question is too general to object any more definitely."
The COURT: "Let me see the receipt."
(The Court examines plaintiff's exhibit 1.)
The COURT: "Now read the question."
(Pending question read.)
(The Court examines defendant's exhibit 3.)
The COURT: "The objection is sustained. That would be immaterial in this case."
Luther W. Tennyson, a witness called by appellant, testified that he and the firm of Hawley Worthwine were attorneys for the mining company in the injunction suit. He was asked by appellant's attorney:
"Q. Was there ever any understanding, Mr. Tennyson, *694 that you were to receive any specific amount for your services in the injunction action?"
Mr. EBERLE: "And we object to that as calling for a conclusion of the witness, and not material or within the issues."
. . . . . . . . . . . .
The COURT: "You may answer that."
"A. There was never any understanding that we would receive any specific amount for our services in the injunction case."
"Q. What was the understanding?"
The COURT: "Just a minute."
Mr. EBERLE: "Well, we object to that as calling for a conclusion of the witness, and at variance of the contract introduced in evidence as exhibit 3, and not within the issues."
The COURT: "If there was an agreement for attorneys' fees, there wouldn't be a quantum meruit action. The objection is sustained."
That ruling was erroneous. If there was an agreement of employment by the mining company of the attorneys, and no agreement as to the amount of their fees, and thereafter a reasonable attorney's fee was agreed upon and paid, an action to recover the amount so paid can be maintained on the injunction bond.
This question was propounded to the witness by counsel for appellant:
"Will you state, Mr. Tennyson, what was said concerning the relations of yourself and the Idaho Gold Dredging Corporation in the injunction action?"
Mr. EBERLE: "We object to that —"
"Q. (Mr. Johnston continuing) " — if anything?"
Mr. EBERLE: "We object to that as being immaterial. The contract; exhibit 3, covers all these services, and cannot be changed or varied, and any such change would be without consideration."
The objection was sustained.
The injunction suit was commenced February 15, 1935 (Boise Payette Lbr. Co. v. Idaho Gold D. Corp.,
"Now, the question comes up in connection with the new action brought by the lumber company against your company. That, of course, was not in any way covered by our contract. I am not sure what procedure is going to be necessary to enforce our judgment. It is possible that we will have to sue the First National Bank. Of course, whatever is necessary to be done will have to be done no matter what procedure it entails, but this new action and any other actions and, of course, appeals from this new action require additional attorneys' fees. I am inclined to think without getting too deeply into the matter that it would be a good idea for you and for the attorneys to enter into a contract to cover all phases of the situation regardless of the number of actions which may be brought. I personally feel that it would be a fair proposition for you to take your $7500 out of the judgment, then Mr. Tennyson and myself take our $250 and $2500 respective cost allowances out, and then divide the balance of the judgment 50-50, the attorneys agreeing to do all the law work involved in the situation.
"We should get together on this."
After Mr. Hawley had identified the copy of the letter as one he had written to the mining company, he was asked by counsel for appellant:
"Q. Will you state what conversations or communications you may have had with them after that letter was written, concerning the subject matter of the letter?"
Mr. EBERLE: "We object to that as being immaterial, irrelevant, and not within the issues; and an attempt, apparently, to vary and change the contract with reference to services."
The COURT: "The objection is sustained."
The ruling was erroneous. Parties to a written contract may, by oral agreement, made subsequent to its execution, modify its terms or further contract with respect to its subject matter. (Miller v. Donovan,
*696
A question is presented here as to the admissibility of evidence of the value of services performed by appellant's attorneys in opposing the petition to the Supreme Court of the United States for a writ of certiorari. The language of the bond is: "the said plaintiff will pay to the said party enjoined such costs, damages and reasonable counsel fees not exceeding the sum of $5,000 as such party may incur or sustain by reason of the injunction if the court finally decide that the plaintiff was not entitled thereto."
The purpose of the suit was to prevent, by injunction, the collection of the judgment which the mining company had recovered against the lumber company. In this case, reported in
"The trial court held the complaint insufficient and this court affirmed the action of the trial court. (
The petition for writ of certiorari was a part of the litigation commenced by the lumber company to prevent, by injunction, the collection of the mining company's judgment, and made it necessary for the mining company to be represented by counsel in opposition thereto. The court, having finally decided the lumber company was not entitled to injunction, reasonable attorneys' fees, not exceeding $5,000, which appellant had paid, or had become liable to pay by reason of it, including compensation for services rendered in opposition to the petition for writ of certiorari, are within the meaning of the bond and of the statute requiring it to be given. Evidence offered to prove the amount and value of services rendered *697 by the mining company's counsel in opposition to the petition for the writ of certiorari should have been admitted.
The cross-appeal presents for review the ruling of the trial judge sustaining the demurrer to the cross-complaint. The lumber company sought by the cross-complaint to recover damages from the mining company because of its failure to convey the mining claims to the former, pursuant to a statement made in this court, in the mining company's brief and in oral argument by its counsel, when the injunction suit was being heard on appeal, as follows:
"We are authorized by the mining company to say that if the lumber company wants that land it can have it and we will give a deed to it and let the lumber company recoup its losses."
We are unable to construe that statement to mean that the mining company was offering to convey its claims to the lumber company in an effort to convince us the judgment of the trial court dismissing the injunction suit, for failure of the complaint to state a cause of action, should be affirmed. There is nothing in the opinion affirming that judgment which would justify a suspicion that our decision was based on any such theory. An offer by the mining company, however made, to deed the mining claims to the lumber company, could have no bearing on the question before us, which was: Were the facts stated in the complaint sufficient to constitute a cause of action, or to justify granting to the plaintiff in that case the injunctive relief sought by it? What the mining company was willing to do, or intended to do, with its claims could have no possible bearing on that question. The lumber company did not accept the offer of title to the claims, but continued the litigation, as heretofore pointed out.
The demurrer to the cross-complaint was properly sustained, for the reason that the attorneys for the mining company had no authority to bind their client by the statement relied on by the lumber company as a basis for its cross-complaint. I. C. A., §
"An attorney and counselor has authority:
"1. To bind his client in any of the steps of an action *698 or proceeding, by his agreement filed with the clerk, or entered upon the minutes of the court, and not otherwise."
The unaccepted offer relied on by cross-complainant was not an agreement; was not filed with the clerk as such, and was not entered upon the minutes of the court.
We approve the action of the trial judge in sustaining the general demurrer to the cross-complaint, and we find no merit in the cross-appeal.
The judgment of nonsuit, dismissing the action of the mining company, is reversed and the cause is remanded for a new trial. Costs are awarded to appellant.
Givens, Acting Chief Justice, Holden, J., and Sutphen, D.J., concur. Sutton, D.J., concurs in the conclusion.
Addendum
Respondents filed a petition for rehearing, and a brief in support thereof, and we requested counsel for appellant to reply to certain contentions therein set forth, in substance, as follows:
1. That we erred in holding compensation for services rendered by appellant's attorneys, in opposition to the application to the Supreme Court of the United States for a writ of certiorari, was within the meaning of the injunction bond and the statute requiring it to be given.
2. That the attorney fee contract required the performance of all services necessary to recover judgment, as well as the performance of all services necessary to the collection of any judgment recovered in the action for damages.
3. Conceding the contract was amended, as claimed by appellant, what consideration can be found to support the amendment?
Appellant's counsel has replied to our request by filing a written discussion of the points inquired about and respondents' counsel have filed a reply thereto.
Were the services rendered by appellant's attorneys in opposition to the application to the Supreme Court of the *699
United States for a writ of certiorari within the meaning of the injunction bond and the statute requiring it to be given? After our decision and the going down of the remittitur in case No. 6247, Boise-Payette Lumber Company v. Idaho Gold DredgingCorporation,
Our order required the lumber company to deposit with the First National Bank of Idaho $15,000 in bonds or treasury notes of the United States, and that the condition of the deposit be to the effect that if the lumber company failed to make application for the writ on or before August 20, 1936, or failed to obtain an order granting the application, or to make its plea good in the Supreme Court of the United States, it would answer for all damages and costs which the mining company might sustain by reason of the stay; that the bank should, after ten days' notice of such failure, if the judgment be not paid in full prior to the expiration of ten days, turn over and deliver to the mining company such securities to be sold, and the proceeds thereof to be applied to the purpose for which the deposit was made.
The petition for rehearing, and briefs filed in support of it, convinces us our order requiring the lumber company to give security that it would pay all damages and costs which the mining company might sustain by reason of the stay, in case of the former's failure to successfully prosecute its application for the writ of certiorari, and its compliance therewith by giving such security, substituted the security so given for the injunction bond *700 so far as any liability growing out of the application for the writ of certiorari was concerned, and that evidence of such liability was not admissible in this action on the injunction bond.
The action of the court in requiring the lumber company to give security, as a condition for a stay of execution of the judgment pending the application for a writ of certiorari, had escaped our recollection. In the light of the petition for rehearing and briefs furnished us in support thereof, we are of the opinion we erred in deciding that: "Evidence offered to prove the amount and value of services rendered by the mining company's counsel in opposition to the petition for the writ of certiorari should have been admitted." Our decision, heretofore announced, is modified accordingly.
Next comes the contention of respondents that the attorney fee contract required the performance of all services necessary to recover judgment, as well as the performance of all services necessary to the collection of any judgment recovered, and the contention that, conceding the contract was amended, as claimed by appellant, the amendment would be without consideration and consequently void.
The injunction suit was commenced February 15, 1935. Shortly thereafter, to-wit, March 4, 1935, Mr. Hawley, of the firm of Hawley and Worthwine, wrote a letter to the mining company concerning the attorney fee contract, in which, among other things, it was stated:
"Now the question comes up in connection with the new action [evidently referring to the injunction suit] brought by the Lumber Company against your company. That, of course, was not in any way covered by our contract. . . . appeals from this new action require additional attorneys' fees."
If a controversy arose between the attorneys and the mining company as to whether the contingent fee contract obligated the attorneys to perform all necessary services in defending against the injunction suit and because of such controversy the contingent fee contract was modified or amended, and if under and pursuant to the terms of the amendment the mining company thereafter *701 actually paid counsel for such services, out of its own funds, not with money which would have belonged to the attorneys under the contingent fee contract if not modified, then and in such case, the recovery of a reasonable attorney fee, not exceeding the amount actually paid and not exceeding the limit of the bond, may be had.
"Where a modified agreement has been fully executed, it will not be disturbed for want of consideration." (17 C.J.S. Sec. 376, pp. 861, 862, 863; State v. American Surety Co. (Ore.),
Except as herein modified the decision heretofore rendered is adhered to and the petition for rehearing is denied.
GIVENS, Presiding Justice, and SUTPHEN, D.J., concur.
Addendum
I concur in the foregoing opinion except the following paragraph thereof:
"If a controversy arose between the attorneys and the mining company as to whether the contingent fee contract obligated the attorneys to perform all necessary services in defending against the injunction suit and because of such controversy the contingent fee contract was modified or amended, and if under and pursuant to the terms of the amendment the mining company thereafter actually paid counsel for such services, out of its own funds, not with money which would have belonged to the attorneys under the contingent fee contract, if not modified, then and in such case, the recovery of a reasonable attorney fee, not exceeding the amount actually paid and not exceeding the limit of the bond, may be had."
I dissent from that paragraph: First, because it makes the right to modify or amend a contract dependent on the existence of a controversy between the parties thereto as to its terms, whereas that right depends only on their willingness and agreement to do so; second, we should not *702 assume to attempt to state the law applicable to the facts of the case, in the absence of knowledge as to what the facts are.
Addendum
I concur in the opinion of Justice Holden (on petition for rehearing) except as to that portion of the opinion which seems to make the mining company's right of recovery contingent upon the existence of a controversy between the attorneys and the mining company as to the meaning of the contingent fee contract. The right of recovery, I think, is contingent solely upon whether or not the fee contract was, in fact, modified and an additional fee actually paid, the modification thus becoming fully executed.
I am opposed to applying to contracts between attorney and client the doctrine that the existence of a controversy between parties to an executory contract will serve as a consideration for a modification of the contract.
