Tudor Insurance v. 1st National Title Insurance Agency, LLC
Tudor Insurance v. 1st National Title Insurance Agency, LLC
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER DENYING FIDELITY NATIONAL’S MOTION TO INTERVENE
Before the Court is Fidelity National Title Insurance Company’s (Fidelity) Motion to Intervene.
Plaintiff Tudor Insurance Company (Tudor) filed this case seeking a “judicial declaration that its errors and omissions liability policy does not provide coverage for defendant 1st National Title Insurance Agency’s (1st National) liability arising from 1st National’s involvement in a series of transactions concerning a parcel of real estate located in Draper, Utah.”
The subject property and the transactions surrounding it are involved in two lawsuits filed in the Utah State Courts. First, in 2008, a lawsuit was filed by Shane Morris seeking to terminate all competing interests and to quiet title in the subject property in favor of Mr. Morris. Off-Piste Capital, among others, was named as a defendant in the Morris Action. Pursuant to the title insurance policy issued by 1st National, Off-Piste demanded that Fidelity provide it with a defense in the Morris Action. Next, in 2010, Fidelity filed a lawsuit against 1st National alleging that 1st National breached an agency agreement between Fidelity and 1st National because of 1st National’s negligence in handling the Off-Piste Capital transaction.
Finally, in December 2011, Tudor filed the instant action in this Court against 1st National. Tudor seeks declaratory relief and rescission of the errors and omissions policy it issued to 1st National. Fidelity filed the instant Motion to Intervene on January 18, 2012.
DISCUSSION
A. Intervention as a Matter of Right
Rule 24(a) provides:
On timely motion, the court must permit anyone to intervene who: (1) is given an unconditional right to intervene; or (2) claims an interest relating to the property or transaction that is the subject of the action, and is so situated that disposing of the action may as a practical matter impair or impede the movant’s ability to protect its interest, unless existing parties adequately represent that interest.7
Accordingly, under 24(a)(2) which is applicable here, a movant may intervene as of right if: (1) the application is “timely”; (2) the movant “claims an interest relating to the property or transaction that is the subject of the action”; (3) the movant’s interest may be impaired or impeded by resolution of the action; and (4) the movant’s interest is not adequately protected by existing parties.
1. Timeliness
There is no opposition to the timeliness requirement by any of the parties. This case is in the early stages of litigation and the Court finds that Fidelity’s Motion to Intervene is timely.
Whether or not Fidelity has an interest in the subject of this litigation is a much more difficult question. Fidelity argues that it has an interest in this litigation because it will determine “Tudor’s obligations toward 1st National, particularly whether Tudor must cover losses Fidelity ... incurred as a result of 1st National’s wrongdoing.”
The courts in this Circuit have repeatedly stated that a proposed intervener’s interest in the proceedings must meet a “‘direct, substantial, and legally protectable’ ”
In San Juan the Tenth Circuit undertook a comprehensive review of the DSL test from its beginnings to its modern day application. The court stated that the “DSL test misses the point [because] [t]he central concern in deciding whether intervention is proper is the practical effect of the litigation on the applicant for intervention.”
i. Principles of Distinction
Also of importance to the instant ease is the principle of distinction mentioned by the San Juan court. That court stated “Our previous decisions under Rule 24(a)(2) have distinguished between cases that implicate solely private rights and cases that raise an issue of public interest.”
ii. Economic Injury Principle
The Tenth Circuit has also held that the threat of economic injury from the outcome of litigation gives an applicant for intervention the requisite interest.
Hi. Analysis
With the principles annunciated in these cases in mind the Court now turns to the question at hand, whether Fidelity has a sufficient interest in the instant litigation? As noted by my colleague from a sister court in this Circuit, “The Tenth Circuit has not addressed the specific issue of whether an injured party with a contingent interest in insurance policy proceeds may intervene as a matter of right in a declaratory judgment action between the insurer and the alleged tortfeasor/insured.”
In Crowley, an insurance company filed a declaratory judgment action to determine its obligations arising from a directors and officers’ liability policy issued to the defendants who had been sued for tort claims by a bankruptcy trustee in another action. The trustee sought to intervene in the declaratory judgment action arguing that he had an interest in the litigation. The Magistrate Judge rejected the trustee’s arguments con-
Tudor and 1st National — who both oppose Fidelity’s intervention — argue Crowley is directly on point. Just like in that case, “Fidelity is a stranger to Tudor’s contract of insurance with 1st National” and it has not secured a judgment in the other action filed against 1st National in state court. In opposition, Fidelity argues the Crowley court disregarded the Tenth Circuit’s generally liberal view in allowing intervention without explaining why. Fidelity asserts that Crowley’s reasoning is suspect and instead, this Court should adopt the approach found in San Juan. The Court is not persuaded by Fidelity’s position. Contrary to Fidelity’s assertions, the Tenth Circuit’s approach in San Juan is not incompatible with Crowley.
In San Juan the Tenth Circuit drew a distinction between when to apply a more liberal standard in allowing intervention. This relaxed view was appropriate in cases that raise an issue of public interest.
3. Whether Fidelity’s Interest may be Impaired or Impeded
To satisfy this requirement Fidelity must show that the disposition of Tudor’s case against 1st National “may as a practical matter impair or impede [Fidelity’s] ability to protect its interest.”
Here, just like the Court determined previously in addressing the question of the adequacy of Fidelity’s interest in this litigation, the chance that Fidelity’s interest may be impaired or impeded is remote. Nothing in this action will prevent Fidelity from maintaining its action in state court against 1st National. Further, there is nothing before the Court indicating that 1st National is facing insolvency if they do not prevail in the instant matter. And, even if as alleged by Fidelity its losses exceed $2,000,000 from the other action, the concerns raised about 1st National’s ability to cover such losses are conjecture at this point. Therefore, the Court finds Fidelity’s interest will not be impaired or impeded by this action.
4. Adequacy of Representation by Existing Parties
The burden is on the applicant seeking intervention to show that the representation by the existing parties may be in
Fidelity argues that 1st National “may not be able to adequately represent Fidelity” and that it “appears that 1st National’s position is adverse to [its] position.”
Here, Fidelity and 1st National have identical interests — to obtain a judicial declaration that Tudor is obligated to provide maximum coverage under the errors and omissions liability policy it issued to 1st National. In the Tenth Circuit, representation is presumed adequate when the purported intervener’s objective is identical to that of the one of the parties.
Therefore, even if Fidelity’s interest in this litigation was found sufficient under Rule 24(a), Fidelity’s Motion to Intervene would still be denied because Fidelity has failed to meet its burden to show that 1st National’s representation is inadequate to protect its interests.
B. Permissive Intervention
Rule 24(b)(1) provides: “On timely motion, the court may permit anyone to intervene who: (A) is given a conditional right to intervene by a federal statute; or (B) has a claim or defense that shares with the main action a common question of law or fact.”
Accordingly, under Rule 24(b) the Court, in its discretion, may or may not permit intervention, even if the Rule’s requirements are otherwise satisfied.
Because Fidelity’s interests are aligned with 1st National in this case, the Court finds it is unnecessary to allow Fidelity to intervene under 24(b)(1). Further, allowing Fidelity to intervene would likely increase the costs of this litigation for Tudor, because Fidelity would be making the same arguments as 1st National asserting that the
ORDER
For the foregoing reasons Fidelity’s Motion to Intervene as a matter of right, or in the alternative via permission, is DENIED.
. Docket no. 10.
. Fed.R.Civ.P. 24(a).
. Fed.R.Civ.P. 24(b).
. Pursuant to civil rule 7-1 (f) of the Rules of Practice for the United States District Court for the District of Utah, the Court has concluded that oral argument is not necessary and will deter
. Op. p. 1.
. Fidelity was formally known by Lawyers Title Insurance Company.
. Fed.R.Civ.P. 24(a) (2011) (all citations to the Federal Rules are to the 2011 revised edition). The Court notes that in 2007 Rule 24 was amended as part of the general restyling of the Civil Rules to make them easier to understand and more consistent with each other. The changes were only for stylistic purposes.
. See Genesis Ins. Co. v. Crowley, 2005 WL 3989772, *2 (D.Colo.) (finding that the motion to intervene was timely because it was in the early stages of litigation); see also Utah Ass’n of Counties v. Clinton, 255 F.3d 1246, 1250 (10th Cir. 2001) ("The timeliness of a motion to intervene is assessed 'in light of all the circumstances, including the length of time since the applicant knew of his interest in the case, prejudice to the existing parties, prejudice to the applicant, and the existence of any unusual circumstances.’ ”) (quoting Sanguine, Ltd. v. United States Dep't of Interior, 736 F.2d 1416, 1418 (10th Cir. 1984)).
. Mem. in supp. p. 6.
. Op. p. 4 (quoting City of Stilwell v. Ozarks Rural Elec. Coop. Corp., 79 F.3d 1038, 1042 (10th Cir. 1996)) (emphasis omitted).
. Coalition of Arizona/New Mexico Counties for Stable Economic Growth v. Dep’t of the Interior, 100 F.3d 837, 840 (10th Cir. 1996) (quoting Vermejo Park Corp. v. Kaiser Coal Corp. (In re Kaiser Steel Corp.), 998 F.2d 783, 791 (10th Cir. 1993)); see also San Juan County, Utah v. United States, 503 F.3d 1163, 1192 (10th Cir. 2007); Utahns for Better Transp. v. U.S. Dep’t of Transp., 295 F.3d 1111, 1115 (10th Cir. 2002); Ozarks, 79 F.3d at 1042.
. Reply p. 2.
. Id. atp. 5.
. 503 F.3d 1163.
. Id. at 1193.
. Id.; see Hobson v. Hansen, 44 F.R.D. 18, 24 (D.D.C. 1968) (stating that "required for intervention is a direct, substantial, legally protectable interest in the proceedings”).
. See e.g., Security Insurance Co. of Hartford v. Schipporeit, Inc., 69 F.3d 1377 (7th Cir. 1995); Illinois v. Sarbaugh, 552 F.2d 768 (7th Cir. 1977); United States v. Union Elec. Co., 64 F.3d 1152 (8th Cir. 1995); Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, Inc. v. Citizens for Community Action, 558 F.2d 861 (8th Cir. 1977); So. Cal. Edison Co. v. Lynch, 307 F.3d 794 (9th Cir. 2002); Yniguez v. Arizona, 939 F.2d 111 (9th Cir. 1991).
. See e.g., Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. v. U.S. Nuclear Reg. Comm., 578 F.2d 1341, 1345 (10th Cir. 1978) (failing to identify any interest of the interveners as being "legally protectable").
. San Juan, 503 F.3d at 1199.
. Id.
. Id. at 1201.
. Id. (quoting 6 James Wm. Moore et al., Moore’s Federal Practice § 24.03[2][c], at 24-35 (3d ed. 2006)); see also Utah Ass’n of Counties v. Clinton, 255 F.3d 1246, 1251-53 (10th Cir. 2001); Coalition, 100 F.3d at 840-44.
. 386 U.S. 129, 136, 87 S.Ct. 932, 17 L.Ed.2d 814 (1967).
. San Juan, 503 F.3d at 1201.
. Utahns for Better Transportation, 295 F.3d at 1115.
. Ozarks 79 F.3d at 1042.
. Genesis, 2005 WL 3989772, *3 (D.Colo.).
. See Teague v. Bakker, 931 F.2d 259 (4th Cir. 1991); Security Ins. Co. of Hartford v. Schipporeit, Inc., 69 F.3d 1377 (7th Cir. 1995) (citing Hartford Accident and Indemnity Co. v. Crider, 58 F.R.D. 15 (N.D.Ill. 1973)); Continental Ins. Co. v. Law Office of Thomas I. Walker, 171 F.R.D. 183 (D.Md. 1997); TIG Specialty Ins. Co. v. Financial Web.com, Inc., 208 F.R.D. 336 (M.D.Fla. 2002); St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Summit-Warren Indus. Co., 143 F.R.D. 129, 134 (N.D.Ohio 1992); New Hampshire Ins. Co. v. Greaves, 110 F.R.D. 549 (D.R.I. 1986).
. See Liberty Mutual Ins. Co. v. Treesdale, Inc., 419 F.3d 216 (3rd Cir. 2005); In re HealthSouth Corp. Ins. Litigation, 219 F.R.D. 688 (N.D.Ala. 2004); General Star Indemnity Co. v. Virgin Islands Port Authority, 224 F.R.D. 372 (D.C.V.I. 2004); Ace American Ins. Co. v. Paradise Divers, Inc., 216 F.R.D. 537 (S.D.Fla. 2003); Redland Ins. Co. v. Chillingsworth Venture, Ltd., 171 F.R.D. 206 (N.D.Ohio 1997); Independent Petrochemical Corp. v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co., 105 F.R.D. 106 (D.D.C. 1985), aff'd without opinion 784 F.2d 1131 (Table) (D.C.Cir. 1986).
. 2005 WL 3989772.
. San Juan, 503 F.3d at 1201.
. Id. at 1201.
. Ozarks, 79 F.3d at 1042.
. See e.g., Natural Resources Defense Council, 578 F.2d at 1345 (failing to identify any interest of the interveners as being "legally protectable”).
. Fed.R.Civ.P. 24(a)(2).
. Utahns for Better Transp., 295 F.3d at 1116 (quoting Utah Ass'n, 255 F.3d at 1253).
. Natural Resources, 578 F.2d at 1345.
. Id.
. Ozarks, 79 F.3d at 1042-43.
. National Farm Lines v. I.C.C., 564 F.2d 381, 383 (10th Cir. 1977); see also Trbovich v. United Mine Wkers., 404 U.S. 528, 538 n. 10, 92 S.Ct. 630, 30 L.Ed.2d 686 (1972).
. Sanguine, Ltd. v. U.S. Dept. of Interior, 736 F.2d 1416, 1419 (10th Cir. 1984).
. Natural Resources Defense Council, 578 F.2d at 1346.
. Ozarks, 79 F.3d at 1042 (quoting Bottoms v. Dresser Indus., Inc., 797 F.2d 869, 872 (10th Cir. 1986)); see also Northwest Forest Resource Council v. Glickman, 82 F.3d 825, 838 (9th Cir. 1996) (“Where an applicant for intervention and an existing party 'have the same ultimate objective, a presumption of adequacy of representation arises.’ ") (quoting Oregon Envtl. Council v. Oregon Dep't of Envtl. Quality, 775 F.Supp. 353, 359 (D.Ore. 1991)).
. Reply p. 9.
. Ozarks, 79 F.3d at 1042; Bottoms, 797 F.2d at 872.
. Ozarks, 79 F.3d at 1042-43.
. Fed.R.Civ.P. 24(b)(1).
. Id. at 24(b)(3).
. See Kiamichi R. Co., Inc. v. Nat'l Mediation Bd., 986 F.2d 1341, 1345 (10th Cir. 1993); Ozarks, 79 F.3d at 1043.
. See Crowley, 2005 WL 3989772, *5 (D.Colo.) (recommending that the movant not be allowed to permissively intervene because they would make the same legal arguments as the current defendants); General Ins. Co. of America v. Rhoades, 196 F.R.D. 620 (D.N.M. 2000) (denying request for permissive intervention because injured party's interest in insurance coverage was adequately represented and where injured party's pleadings and litigation position would merely duplicate the insured’s).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- TUDOR INSURANCE COMPANY v. 1ST NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE AGENCY, LLC
- Status
- Published