Clay v. Hoffer, Unpublished Decision (8-10-2005)
Clay v. Hoffer, Unpublished Decision (8-10-2005)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 3} On February 1, 1994, Mr. Clay filed a pro se civil rights action in federal court, alleging that the arresting officers had used excessive force. He requested assistance from Mr. Hoffer, who later filed a notice of appearance. On October 11, 1994, the case was dismissed for failure to prosecute. After multiple Civ.R. 60(B) motions and rulings, Mr. Clay filed a legal malpractice claim against Mr. Hoffer on April 9, 1996, almost 18 months after the dismissal. Mr. Hoffer moved for summary judgment on the basis that the statute of limitations had expired. On October 29, 2004, the trial court granted the motion and ended the case.
{¶ 4} On February 11, 2005, Mr. Clay moved for relief from judgment, but was denied. Mr. Clay timely appealed, and asserts three assignments of error. We have consolidated the assignments of error to facilitate review.
{¶ 5} Mr. Clay asserts that the trial court erred in its rulings on summary judgment. Accordingly, he implies that this Court should reverse the trial court's denial of his motion for relief from judgment. We disagree.
{¶ 6} A trial court's grant or denial of a Civ.R. 60(B) motion for relief from judgment is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. Strack v. Pelton (1994),
{¶ 7} A party may challenge a judgment under Civ.R. 60(B) by showing: (1) the party has a meritorious defense or claim; (2) a circumstance arises under Civ.R. 60(B)(1)-(5); and (3) the motion is made within a reasonable time. GTE Auto. Elec., Inc. v. ARCIndus., Inc. (1976),
{¶ 8} Mr. Clay is plainly protesting the trial court's October 29, 2004 order, which granted summary judgment to Mr. Hoffer. Mr. Clay did not appeal that order, rather he filed a motion for relief from judgment in the trial court. He has now put the denial of that motion before us on appeal. However, Mr. Clay fails to meet his burden on appeal. See App.R. 16(A)(7); Loc.R. 7(A)(7). Mr. Clay failed to allege or demonstrate any circumstance arising under Civ.R. 60(B)(1)-(5) to support relief from judgment. See GTE Automatic, 47 Ohio St.2d at paragraph two of the syllabus. Furthermore, Mr. Clay failed to allege or show an abuse of discretion. These assignments of error are overruled.
Judgment affirmed.
The Court finds that there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common Pleas, County of Summit, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(E). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is instructed to mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the mailing in the docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
Costs taxed to Appellant.
Exceptions.
Carr, P.J., Moore, J., Concur.
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