Family Law Attorney Liability Immunities: Malicious Prosecution - Abuse of Process - Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress - Litigation Privilege - Constructive Immunity From

8/19/2019 Family Law Attorney Liability Immunities: Malicious Prosecution - Abuse of Process - Intentional Infliction of Emotio…

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I.Liability Concerns in Handling Client’s Case, Cal. Prac. Guide Family L. Ch. 1-I

Cal. Prac. Guide Family L. Ch. 1-I

California Practice Guide--Family LawDatabase updated July 2015Judge William P. Hogoboom (Ret.) and Justice Donald B. King (Ret.); Contributing Authors: Judge Kenneth A.

Black (Ret.), Judge Thomas Trent Lewis, Michael Asimow, Bruce E. CoopermanChapter 1. The First Client Interview

I. Liability Concerns in Handling Client’s Case

1. [1:421] Attorney Professional Negligence (Malpractice) Exposure

a. [1:422] Standard of care

(1) [1:422.1] Discovery pursuant to family centered case resolution plan presumed to satisfy attorney’s duty of

care concerning existence of community property

b. [1:423] Damages liability

(1) [1:424] Economic losses

(2) Emotional distress

(a) [1:425] Generally not recoverable

(b) [1:426] Compare—egregious malpractice; breach of fiduciary duty

c. [1:427] Compare—ordinarily no malpractice liability to third parties

(1) [1:428] No malpractice liability to opposing party

(2) [1:430] No malpractice liability to dissolution client’s new spouse

(3) [1:431] No malpractice liability to custodial parent in county-initiated child support enforcement proceedings 2. [1:435] Tort Liability for Meritless Litigation and Abusive Litigation Tactics

a. [1:436] No malicious prosecution cause of action arising out of family law case

(1) [1:437] Rationale

(a) [1:437.1] “Unique propensity” for bitterness in family law cases

(b) [1:437.2] Sanctions remedy to curb abusive tactics “at source”

(c) [1:437.3] “Chilling effect” on meritorious motions/OSCs

(2) [1:438] Application—no malicious prosecution liability for meritless “subsidiary” motions/OSCs

(3) [1:440.5] Application—no malicious prosecution liability based on false child abuse allegations

(4) [1:440.10] Same result despite “inadequacy” of family law remedies

(5) [1:441] Compare—ordinary civil actions originating in family law proceedings

b. [1:442] Abuse of process

c. [1:443] Infliction of emotional distress

d. [1:444] Attorney-client civil conspiracy

e. [1:445] “Litigation privilege” defense ()

(1) [1:446] Torts subject to privilege

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2. [1:435] Tort Liability for Meritless Litigation and Abusive Litigation Tactics: As a matter of ethics,

counsel should of course decline cases that appear blatantly lacking in legal merit or intended solely to harass orinjure other persons (see ¶1:192 ff.). Also, as a matter of ethics, they should avoid harassing and deceptive

litigation tactics. Apart from ethical violations, however, meritless litigation and unwarranted litigation tactics

could expose the offending parties (counsel, client and witnesses included) to civil damages liability for a rangeof potential torts … although, as discussed below, the potential tort causes of action arising out of a family lawcase are limited.

a. [1:436] No malicious prosecution cause of action arising out of family law case: In general civillitigation, bringing suit “maliciously” and without “probable cause” may support a subsequent action against

client and attorney for malicious prosecution. [Crowley v. Katleman (1994) 8 C4th 666, 676, 34 CR2d 386,389; Soukup v. Law Offices of Herbert Hafif (2006) 39 C4th 260, 292, 46 CR3d 638, 663; see also Zamos v.Stroud (2004) 32 C4th 958, 970, 973, 12 CR3d 54, 63-64, 65 —attorney malicious prosecution liability may

also be based on continued prosecution of properly-initiated lawsuit after learning it lacks probable cause]

But a “bright line rule” closes the door to malicious prosecution claims arising out of domestic relations

motions, OSCs and most other proceedings in a family law action. [ Bidna v. Rosen (1993) 19 CA4th 27, 37,23 CR2d 251, 257-258; Begier v. Strom (1996) 46 CA4th 877, 886-888, 54 CR2d 158, 163-165; see S.A. v.

Maiden (2014) 229 CA4th 27, 36-37, 176 CR3d 567, 572-573 — Bidna reasoning applies to bar malicious prosecution action based on requests for domestic violence restraining orders (¶1:440.3); Siam v. Kizilbash

(2005) 130 CA4th 1563, 1572-1574, 31 CR3d 368, 376-377 — Bidna reasoning also applies to bar malicious prosecution action based on unsuccessful CCP § 527.6 civil harassment petitions; but see also ¶1:441]

(1) [1:437] Rationale: The “bright line” bar is an outgrowth of a weighing of the competing considerationsfor and against the cause of action in family law cases; but, in the final analysis, it is supported by a basic

judicial policy in favor of “curbing the evil of abusive litigation at its source rather than allowing it tometastasize into yet more litigation.” [ Bidna v. Rosen, supra, 19 CA4th at 37, 23 CR2d at 258]

(a) [1:437.1] “Unique propensity” for bitterness in family law cases: Bitterness and emotional distressoften form a “background noise” in family law litigation, making it extremely difficult to distinguish

truly “malicious” motions and OSCs from “ordinary” ones. [ Bidna v. Rosen, supra, 19 CA4th at 35, 23CR2d at 256; see also Green v. Uccelli (1989) 207 CA3d 1112, 1121-1122, 255 CR 315, 319-322]

(b) [1:437.2] Sanctions remedy to curb abusive tactics “at source”: Further, family law courts havethe “unique ability” to promptly discourage “litigation nonsense at its source” by way of a fees and costssanction order (Fam.C. § 271, ¶1:488, 14:230). Section 271 sanctions for “uncooperative conduct”frustrating the policy of the law to encourage settlement and reduce litigation costs are “commonconsiderations” in family law motion and OSC hearings. [ Bidna v. Rosen, supra, 19 CA4th at 35, 23CR2d at 256 (emphasis in original); see also Fam.C. § 3027.1 —sanctions for false allegations of childabuse or neglect (¶7:318.1 ff.)]

“It would be absurd to allow a separate malicious prosecution action to be filed when full compensationfor any loss incurred in responding to an inappropriate motion can be obtained in the underlying actionas part of the hearing on the motion.”

[Green v. Uccelli, supra, 207 CA3d at 1123, 255 CR at 320-321 (also noting disciplinary action isanother remedy to redress attorney’s “unprofessional conduct”); see also Sheldon Appel Co. v. Albert &

Oliker (1989) 47 C3d 863, 873, 254 CR 336, 341 (dictum expressing preference for use ofcourt-imposed sanctions rather than any expansion of circumstances supporting malicious prosecution


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remedy to curb unjustified litigation)]

(c) [1:437.3] “Chilling effect” on meritorious motions/OSCs: Family law remedies require a “special

sensitivity and flexibility.” The risk that an unsuccessful OSC or motion might draw a separate malicious

prosecution action could have a “chilling effect” on the ability to obtain meritorious OSC/motion relief.

This “chilling effect” particularly runs counter to strong public policy favoring access to the courts insupport and custody matters. [ Bidna v. Rosen, supra, 19 CA4th at 35, 23 CR2d at 256; Green v. Uccelli,

supra, 207 CA3d at 1121-1122, 255 CR at 319-322; see also Chauncey v. Niems (1986) 182 CA3d 967,979, 227 CR 718, 727 (emphasizing need for flexibility in family law matters)]

(2) [1:438] Application—no malicious prosecution liability for meritless “subsidiary” motions/OSCs: Meritless motions and OSCs in a family law action (or any ongoing proceeding) must be redressed in the

underlying action itself—typically, by seeking sanctions (see ¶1:485 ff.).

Such “subsidiary” proceedings in an ongoing action lack sufficient “independent existence” to support a

malicious prosecution cause of action and, in family law proceedings, are in any event barred by the“bright line rule.” [ Bidna v. Rosen, supra, 19 CA4th at 35-38, 23 CR2d at 256-258 (citing text); Lossing v.

Super.Ct. (Mason) (1989) 207 CA3d 635, 636-639, 255 CR 18, 18-20; see also Begier v. Strom (1996) 46CA4th 877, 886, 54 CR2d 158, 164, fn. 8]

• [1:439] Not prevailing on an OSC re Contempt to enforce a prior court order in ongoing litigationcannot be the basis for a malicious prosecution action against the moving party’s attorney. [ Lossing v.

Super.Ct. (Mason), supra, 207 CA3d at 636, 639, 255 CR at 18, 20]

• [1:440] Nor will a malicious prosecution action lie against an attorney who brings an OSC re Contemptto enforce an order in an underlying dissolution action and then has it withdrawn from the family lawcalendar . [Green v. Uccelli, supra, 207 CA3d at 1121, 255 CR at 319]

In the “bitter” atmosphere of marriage dissolution proceedings, it is not unusual for the parties to delay

carrying out the court’s orders; hence, it is not uncommon for contempt proceedings to be brought andthen dropped when a party subsequently complies.

Therefore, contempt proceedings should not be the basis for malicious prosecution suits, which could produce a “chilling effect” upon access to the family law court to enforce orders and upon the “vigorous

representation to which the client is entitled.” [Green v. Uccelli, supra, 207 CA3d at 1121-1122, 255 CRat 319-322 —appropriate remedy is request for sanctions in underlying action]

• [1:440.1] Even egregious cases of successive “bad faith” family law motion or OSC proceedings brought solely to coerce the opposing party into a desired result cannot give rise to a malicious

prosecution cause of action. The remedy is a sanctions award in connection with each discrete proceeding, or a separate OSC for sanctions within a short time thereafter. [ Bidna v. Rosen, supra, 19CA4th at 38, 23 CR2d at 258 —H had no malicious prosecution remedy against W who (with financial

backing from her mother) brought 6 totally meritless ex parte applications and OSCs on custody matterto coerce H into finally giving up custody of child]

• [1:440.2] No malicious prosecution cause of action arises from an unsuccessful attorney

disqualification motion or an unsuccessful motion for reconsideration. They are simply “subsidiary” procedural actions within an ongoing lawsuit, which are appropriately redressed by the court’s broad


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power to control judicial proceedings (sanctions, etc.). [Silver v. Gold (1989) 211 CA3d 17, 23-24, 259

CR 185, 188 (disqualification motion); Adams v. Super.Ct. (Vu) (1992) 2 CA4th 521, 528, 3 CR2d 49,52 (reconsideration motion)]

• [1:440.3] No malicious prosecution cause of action will lie against an attorney or his or her client basedon a request for an initial domestic violence restraining order, filed in the family law court, nor based onsubsequent requests for extensions, renewals and/or amendments of the initial restraining order.

“[A] request for a domestic violence restraining order is a family law motion … The fact the DVPAauthorizes restraining orders not only for the protection of persons traditionally considered ‘family

members,’ but also persons who may not traditionally be considered ‘family members,’ does not preclude a request for a DVPA restraining order from constituting a family law motion within themeaning of Bidna.” [S.A. v. Maiden (2014) 229 CA4th 27, 37, 176 CR3d 567, 573 (emphasis in

original)][1:440.4] Reserved.

(3) [1:440.5] Application—no malicious prosecution liability based on false child abuse allegations: Injecting false child abuse allegations into a family law custody proceeding may draw sanctions “inaddition to any other remedy provided by law” (Fam.C. § 3027.1; see ¶7:318.1 ff.). But that does not trump Bidna’s “bright line” prohibition.

False child abuse allegations made in a family law action cannot be met with malicious prosecutionliability because a malicious prosecution cause of action never has been an authorized remedy for abusivefamily law proceedings. [ Begier v. Strom (1996) 46 CA4th 877, 887-888, 54 CR2d 158, 165; see also Siamv. Kizilbash (2005) 130 CA4th 1563, 1572-1574, 31 CR3d 368, 376-377 —no malicious prosecution action

based on unsuccessful CCP § 527.6 civil harassment petition falsely charging child abuse][1:440.6 - 1:440.9] Reserved.

(4) [1:440.10] Same result despite “inadequacy” of family law remedies: Concededly, sanctions in theunderlying proceeding may not always provide the aggrieved party with a fully “adequate” remedy. For

example, a sanctions award cannot provide compensation for emotional distress; nor may it include“punitive damages.” [ Bidna v. Rosen, supra, 19 CA4th at 36, 23 CR2d at 257]

More significantly, a sanctions award provides no remedy as against a third party who, acting on behalf ofthe opposing spouse, is the one actually responsible for waging the expensive “campaign of attrition”

against the aggrieved spouse. [See Bidna v. Rosen, supra, 19 CA4th at 36, 23 CR2d at 257 —W’s mother (anon-spousal party) used her superior resources to finance W’s meritless custody motions/OSCs against H]“Nevertheless, despite the arguable ‘inadequacy’ of family law remedies, we hold that no malicious

prosecution action may arise out of unsuccessful family law motions or OSC’s.” [ Bidna v. Rosen, supra, 19CA4th at 37, 23 CR2d at 257-258]

(5) [1:441] Compare—ordinary civil actions originating in family law proceedings: Occasionally, afamily law case operates as the vehicle to pursue a cause of action that really belongs on the civil side ofthe superior court. The Bidna “absolute bar” does not apply “to otherwise ordinary civil pleadings allegingordinary civil causes of action that, for whatever reason, originate in family law proceedings.” [ Nicholsonv. Fazeli (2003) 113 CA4th 1091, 1098-1099, 6 CR3d 881, 888 —none of Bidna’s reasons for its absolute

bar apply to ordinary civil actions originating in family law proceedings]

• [1:441.1] Trust was joined in dissolution action by parties’ stipulation and W filed a complaint against


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Trust in the dissolution action seeking a constructive trust and declaratory relief. Thereafter, Trust filed a

cross-complaint seeking possession of personal property in W’s possession alleged to be trust property oralternatively damages for loss of trust property.

Trust eventually voluntarily dismissed its cross-complaint. After an arbitrator found that the propertysought by the trust belonged to W, W filed a malicious prosecution action against H, the trustees andtrust’s attorney, alleging the cross-complaint was maliciously prosecuted without probable cause. The Bidna “bright line” rule did not bar the malicious prosecution cause of action:

The cross-complaint did not raise any family law issues. Although characterizing the property in

question as trust property might have had some impact on the parties’ CP division, Trust did not seek tocharacterize the property as CP or SP but rather as trust property.

Had Trust’s cross-complaint been separately filed in the superior court, “there would be no question thatit could support a malicious prosecution action … The mere fact that the cross-complainants used the

family law division case number and that the cross-complaint was filed in the family law division did not

transform the Trust’s ordinary civil action against [W] into a family law motion, OSC or other inherentlyfamily law proceeding.” [ Nicholson v. Fazeli, supra, 113 CA4th at 1098-1099, 6 CR3d at 888]

b. [1:442] Abuse of process: An “abuse of process” cause of action arises where court processes in a lawsuit

are utilized for an unauthorized purpose and with an ulterior motive to achieve a “collateral advantage.”Abuse of process claims typically arise from improper or excessive attachments or improper use of discovery.[ Rusheen v. Cohen (2006) 37 C4th 1048, 1056-1057, 39 CR3d 516, 522; Bidna v. Rosen (1993) 19 CA4th 27,40, 23 CR2d 251, 259-260; see Spellens v. Spellens (1957) 49 C2d 210, 229-233, 317 P2d 613, 624-627 —Hliable for abuse of process when he instituted claim and delivery action against W to coerce W into dropping

her action over validity of their marriage]

Unlike malicious prosecution, abuse of process may not rest on the alleged improper filing or maintenance of

a lawsuit; there must be evidence defendant committed some willful, unauthorized act in a lawsuit that goes beyond the legitimate object of the “process” involved. [See Rusheen v. Cohen, supra; Oren Royal Oaks

Venture v. Greenberg, Bernhard, Weiss & Karma, Inc. (1986) 42 C3d 1157, 1168-1170, 232 CR 567,574-575; see also S.A. v. Maiden (2014) 229 CA4th 27, 42-43, 176 CR3d 567, 577-578 —neither initiationnor continued prosecution of allegedly meritless DVPA restraining order proceedings could support H’sabuse of process cause of action]

No abuse of process cause of action lies absent allegations of “misuse of the tools of litigation otherwiseavailable in the regular conduct of court proceedings.” [See Bidna v. Rosen, supra, 19 CA4th at 40, 23 CR2dat 260 (emphasis added; internal quotes omitted)—complaint alleging only fact of multiple child custody

proceedings used to oppress H does not state abuse of process cause of action; Silver v. Gold (1989) 211CA3d 17, 24-25, 259 CR 185, 189 —no abuse of process cause of action arising from filing motion to

disqualify counsel with improper motive; Palmer v. Zaklama (2003) 109 CA4th 1367, 1381, 1 CR3d 116,126 —no abuse of process cause of action based on improper recordation of lis pendens]

c. [1:443] Infliction of emotional distress: Conceivably, there may be cases where particularly egregiousconduct in a family law proceeding could give rise to a cause of action for intentional or negligent infliction

of emotional distress (which may fill the gap left by an “inadequate” sanctions remedy, ¶1:441).

However, “intentional infliction” claims are difficult to prove (the conduct in question must be “so extremeas to exceed all bounds of that usually tolerated in a civilized community”;


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Family Law Attorney Liability Immunities: Malicious Prosecution - Abuse of Process - Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress - Litigation Privilege - Constructive Immunity From