Partners v. Sunde, 39244–5–II.

• Decision Date: 07 September 2011
• Docket Number: No. 39244–5–II.,39244–5–II.
• Citation: 163 Wash.App. 473,260 P.3d 915
• Parties: UNIFUND CCR PARTNERS, Respondent/Cross–Appellant,v.Paul B. SUNDE, Appellant/Cross–Respondent.
• Court: Washington Court of Appeals

163 Wash.App. 473

260 P.3d 915

UNIFUND CCR PARTNERS, Respondent/Cross–Appellant,

v.Paul B. SUNDE, Appellant/Cross–Respondent.

No. 39244–5–II.

Court of Appeals of Washington, Division 2.

Sept. 7, 2011.

Deanna L. Johnson, D.L. Johnson Law Office, Michael David Kinkley, Scott Kinkley, Michael D. Kinkley P.S., Spokane, WA, for Appellant/Cross–Respondent.Patrick James Layman, Nicholas R. Filer, Suttell & Hammer P.S., Bellevue, WA, for Respondent/Cross–Appellant.

QUINN–BRINTNALL, J.

[163 Wash.App. 476] ¶ 1 This case concerns a debt collection action involving two credit card accounts. Paul B. Sunde appeals the trial court's order granting summary judgment in favor of debt collector Unifund CCR Partners regarding a U.S. Bank account. Sunde also appeals an attorney fee award related to the U.S. Bank account debt collection action. Unifund cross appeals the trial court's denial of summary judgment regarding a Chase Bank account claim. We affirm summary judgment with respect to the U.S. Bank account and Unifund's reasonable attorney fees award. But because the Washington foreign jurisdiction statute of limitations escape clause, RCW 4.18.040, applies, we hold that the trial court erred when it found the Chase Bank account claim time barred under Delaware law. Accordingly, we reverse with respect to the Chase Bank account and remand for further proceedings.

FACTS

¶ 2 Unifund is a company that purchases existing debts from original debt holders and collects those debts from the original debtors. On September 5, 2006, Unifund filed a debt collection action in Cowlitz County against Sunde for a U.S. Bank credit card account (U.S. Bank Account) in the amount of $22,428.80. On March 21, 2007, Unifund filed an amended complaint changing the amount owed on the U.S. Bank Account to $24,729.36, and adding a Chase Bank credit card account (Chase Account) debt for $26,435.45.

[163 Wash.App. 477] ¶ 3 After attempting to serve Sunde with process, Unifund eventually summoned Sunde by publication in April and May, 2007. Unifund filed a motion and declaration for default judgment on June 8, but it voluntarily withdrew the motion when Sunde filed an answer on June 4. Sunde asserted that Unifund failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted and that Unifund's claims were barred by waiver, estoppel, laches, the applicable statute of limitations, and the doctrine of unclean hands.

¶ 4 On December 17, Unifund filed its first motion for summary judgment to which Sunde responded on January 3, 2008. Sunde argued that Unifund's claims were barred under the statute of frauds, a three-year statute of limitations, and the doctrine of laches. Unifund voluntarily withdrew its first summary judgment motion. Unifund then filed its second motion for summary judgment on April 18. Sunde filed his opposition on June 5, asserting the same arguments as in his first opposition and adding that both the Delaware statute of limitations and the doctrine of laches barred the Chase Account debt claim.

¶ 5 On October 13, Unifund filed an amended motion for summary judgment on both accounts for a total sum of $56,198, plus interest, and $1,150 in attorney fees. Sunde opposed summary judgment on November 12, for the same reasons asserted in his June 5 opposition. On January 7, 2009, Sunde filed a supplemental brief arguing that Unifund lacked standing to bring the debt collection claims because it had failed to establish valid assignments of the accounts. In response, Unifund filed a third supplemental declaration in support of its then pending motion for summary judgment. Sunde did not support any of his oppositions to Unifund's motions with affidavits or other documentation.

¶ 6 The trial court heard argument on Unifund's amended motion on February 26, and issued a letter ruling on March 16, granting Unifund summary judgment regarding the U.S. Bank Account debt, plus interest and attorney fees, but denying Unifund summary judgment regarding the Chase Account debt. The trial court found no issues of material fact, noting that Sunde failed to file any declarations contradicting Unifund's assertions of fact. The trial court then concluded as a matter of law that

1) the debts owed by Mr. Sunde on the Chase and U.S. Bank credit cards were assigned to Unifund; 2) that the Statute of Frauds does not apply; 3) that a six-year statute of limitations applies to the U.S. Bank account collection efforts; 4) that Delaware's 3–year statute of limitation applies to the Chase account and is not tolled; and, 5) laches is not an appropriate equitable remedy in this case where [Sunde] voluntarily incurred the debt and simply did not pay it.

2 Clerk's Papers (CP) at 321–22. Accordingly, the trial court dismissed Unifund's Chase Account debt collection claim.

DISCUSSION

¶ 7 Sunde argues that the trial court erred when it found Unifund had standing as a real party in interest to sue to collect the debts and that Unifund failed to adequately support its debt claims. Sunde bases his argument on assertions that Unifund lacked personal knowledge of the original debtor's business practices, hearsay, the business records exception to hearsay, and court treatment of electronic records. Sunde also appeals the award of attorney fees to Unifund. Unifund cross appeals the trial court's dismissal of its Chase Account claim, arguing that the Delaware tolling statute applied in a manner that triggers Washington's escape clause, RCW 4.18.040.

¶ 8 We review summary judgment orders de novo. Torgerson v. One Lincoln Tower, LLC, 166 Wash.2d 510, 517, 210 P.3d 318 (2009) (citing Troxell v. Rainier Pub. Sch. Dist. No. 307, 154 Wash.2d 345, 350, 111 P.3d 1173 (2005)). Summary judgment is appropriate only if the pleadings, affidavits, depositions, and admissions on file demonstrate the absence of any genuine issues of material fact, and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. CR 56(c). A material fact is one upon which the outcome of the litigation depends in whole or in part. Atherton Condo. Apartment–Owners Ass'n Bd. of Dirs. v. Blume Dev. Co., 115 Wash.2d 506, 516, 799 P.2d 250 (1990) (citing Morris v. McNicol, 83 Wash.2d 491, 494, 519 P.2d 7 (1974)). And we consider all facts submitted and the reasonable inferences therefrom in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Atherton, 115 Wash.2d at 516, 799 P.2d 250.

Assignment and Standing

¶ 9 Sunde contends that Unifund lacked standing to bring the debt collection claims because it failed to establish valid assignments of the two accounts. Sunde asserts that an affidavit by a Chase Bank employee confirming the sale of the account to Unifund is insufficient to establish assignment of the Chase Account because Unifund did not include exhibits directly referencing Sunde's account number. Similarly, Sunde argues that a bill of sale exhibit referencing the U.S. Bank Account failed to specifically identify Sunde's account and is therefore also insufficient to establish assignment. Sunde's challenges to Unifund's standing fail.

A. Chase Account Assignment to Unifund

¶ 10 As an initial matter, we note that the Chase Account credit card agreement included a Delaware choice of law clause. Although both parties appear to agree that Delaware law applies to the Chase Account dispute, Sunde argued at the February 26 hearing that he thought Unifund had “to show the assignments under current Washington law, and show it effectively before [it could] have standing to sue for the[ ] debts.” Report of Proceedings (RP) (Feb. 26, 2009) at 15. Sunde was incorrect and Delaware law applies to the Chase Account debt claim.

¶ 11 Under Delaware law, whether a party is a “real party in interest” is a matter of defense to be raised by affirmative allegation. Katz v. Exclusive Auto Leasing, Inc., 282 A.2d 866, 867 (Del.Super.Ct.1971) (citing Blau v. Lamb, 314 F.2d 618, 620 (2nd Cir.), cert. denied, 375 U.S. 813, 84 S.Ct. 44, 11 L.Ed.2d 49 (1963)). “In order to avail himself of the defense of real party in interest, the defendant has the burden of proof of showing that the plaintiff has not such a right as to afford the protection of res judicata when the suit is terminated.” Katz, 282 A.2d at 867 (citing Blau, 314 F.2d at 620). A “real party in interest” is an “executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, trustee of an express trust, a party with whom or in whose name a contract has been made for the benefit of another, or a party authorized by statute” who “may sue in that person's own name without joining the party for whose benefit the action is brought.” Del. Ch. Ct. R. 17(a).

¶ 12 Sunde raised this affirmative defense framed as an argument that Unifund failed to prove assignment under Washington law in a supplemental brief to his opposition to Unifund's October 2008 amended motion for summary judgment. In that brief, without citing any authority, Sunde asserted that because Unifund failed to attach a bill of sale or assignment contract specifically referencing Sunde's Chase Account and because the “best evidence of the Assignment is either a Bill of Sale or an Assignment from April 2004,” the Chase employee affidavit alone was insufficient to establish assignment. 2 CP at 294.

¶ 13 Unifund submitted an affidavit of sale from a Chase Bank employee that included Sunde's name, account number, amount owed, and date of sale to Unifund, April 28, 2004. Unifund later submitted a bill of sale showing that “Bank One, Delaware NA” sold accounts to Unifund effective April 20, 2004. 2 CP at 306. Attached to the bill of sale was a redacted spreadsheet showing Sunde's name, account number, address, date of last payment, first date of delinquency, and current balance.

¶ 14 Delaware law does not support Sunde's bald assertion that the “best evidence” of assignment is a bill of sale or assignment contract. Indeed, it does not appear Delaware law requires any particular document from Unifund at all because under Delaware law, it is...