Wgw Usa, Inc. And Tian Qing Guo v. Legacy Bellevue 530, Llc ( 2015 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
WGW USA, INC., a Washington
Corporation, No. 72939-0-
Appellant, DIVISION ONE
v.
UNPUBLISHED OPINION
LEGACY BELLEVUE 530, LLC, a
Washington Limited Liability Company,
Respondent.
LEGACY BELLEVUE 530, LLC, a
Washington Limited Liability Company, CO
Respondent,
v.
TIAN QING GUO, individually and the
marital community of TIAN QING GUO
and JANE DOE GUO, FILED: December 28, 2015
Appellants.
Trickey, J. — To succeed on a claim for negligent misrepresentation, based
on a broker's failure to disclose material information, the complaining party must
provide some evidence that the information was not readily ascertainable. Here,
given that a commercial tenant had actual knowledge ofa light rail expansion close
to the property, the undisclosed facts about Sound Transit's plans were readily
ascertainable. Therefore, the tenant is not entitled to rescind a lease based on
alleged negligent misrepresentation. We affirm.
No. 72939-0-1 / 2
FACTS
William Nelson began working for Legacy Commercial, LLC in 2007.
Legacy Commercial is the parent company of Legacy Bellevue 530, LLC (Legacy).
Legacy owns the property at 530 112th Avenue N.E., in downtown Bellevue,
Washington (the Property). Nelson's responsibilities included property
management.
For years, Sound Transit and the city of Bellevue have been working
together on the East Link Project, which will bring the link light rail, a commuter rail
service, through Bellevue. In December 2008, Sound Transit published a draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that identified a number of possible routes
and included the Property as a "potentially affected parcel[]."1 The EIS did not
specify the likelihood of acquiring any particular parcel, or whether Sound Transit
was contemplating a "partial" or "full" acquisition ofany specific parcel.2
Sound Transit released its final EIS in July 2011. Sound Transit chose C9T
(110th N.E. Tunnel Alternative) as the "preferred alternative" route at that time.
That route planned to have the light rail cross the Interstate 405 overpass at the
intersection of N.E. 6th Street and 112th Avenue N.E. The light rail would cross at
the north side of the intersection; the Property is on the south side. The final EIS
also included the Property as a "potentially affected parcel[]."3 It still did not specify
whether there would be full or partial acquisitions of specific properties. Later that
1 Clerk's Papers (CP) at 176-77, 180.
2WGW asserted in its reply brief and during oral argument that there was, at that time, a
50 percent chance that Sound Transit would need to condemn the property. That claim is
not supported by the record.
3 CP at 184.
No. 72939-0-1 / 3
year, the city of Bellevue and Sound Transit signed a "Memorandum of
Understanding," agreeing to route C9T.4 All of these documents were available to
the public online at Sound Transit's web site.
Nelson was aware of these developments. He attended at least one Sound
Transit open house on the subject. He believed that there was not a real threat of
Sound Transit needing to acquire the Property because the light rail path was
always depicted as crossing the north side of the street and because it would have
been very expensive for Sound Transit to acquire all the properties listed as
"potential property acquisition^]."5
During the fall of 2012, WGW USA, Inc. expressed interest in leasing the
Propertyfor a new restaurant. Tian Qing Guo is the president and sole shareholder
of WGW USA, Inc. (WGW). WGW hired real estate broker, Maci Lam, to help with
the negotiations. Nelson negotiated on behalf of Legacy.
Nelson notified WGW that Sound Transit intended to build a station two
blocks away from the Property. Nelson suggested that the light rail would increase
foot traffic, which would be good for business. Nelson did not mention the
possibility of Sound Transit acquiring the Property.
Neither Guo nor Lam asked Nelson anything about the possibility of Sound
Transit needing to condemn part or all of the Property. Nor did they conduct any
independent research on the proposed light rail project.
Representatives from WGW and Legacy signed a 10-year lease in
September 2012. The lease commenced on October 1, 2012. Guo personally
4 CP at 187-88.
5 CP at 252, 255-56
No. 72939-0-1/4
guaranteed the lease.
In March 2013, Sound Transit contacted Legacy to inform it that an
alternative plan for the light rail had been proposed. The new plan relocated the
track to the south side of the N.E. 6th Street overpass. The Bellevue City Council
approved Sound Transit's new plan in late April 2013. Because the track would
run on the south side of N.E. 6th Street, Sound Transit would have to put at least
one support column on the Property and, at least temporarily, condemn all or most
of the Property's parking lot by the second quarter of 2017.
By this time it was clear that WGW's restaurant was not doing well. Guo
decided to "cut [his] losses" and attempted to sell the business in April 2013.6
WGW's business broker contacted Nelson in mid-May to discuss the property.
Nelson informed the broker of Sound Transit's interest in the property. Because
of the potential condemnation, prospective purchasers lost interest in the
restaurant. The broker concluded that the business was not marketable. WGW
then hired attorneys who discovered the history of Sound Transit's designation of
the Property as a "potentially affected parcel[]."7
WGWfailed to make its rent payment for June 2013. WGW notified Legacy
that it was seeking rescission of the lease on June 18, 2013. Guo claimed he
would never have entered into the lease if he had known about the Property's
designation as a "potentially affected parcel[]."8 On June 20, 2013, Legacy served
WGW with a "Three Day Notice to Pay or Vacate."9 WGW abandoned the
6 CP at 265.
7 CP at 180.
8 CP at 401-02.
9 CP at 48, 75.
No. 72939-0-1 / 5
Property. Legacy, offering better terms (specifically a lower security deposit and
lower rent), leased the Property to XO Cafe, Inc.
WGW filed an action against Legacy for rescission of the lease based on
Legacy's alleged fraudulent or negligent misrepresentation. Legacy cross-claimed
against WGW for breach of the lease and against Guo for breach of his personal
guaranty. The parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment. The court ruled
in favor of Legacy on all motions. WGW and Guo timely appeal.
ANALYSIS
Evidentiary Ruling
WGW argues that several passages in Bruce Kahn's declaration, which it
relied on in the summary judgment hearing and again in its brief on appeal, are
admissible as expert opinions. We disagree.
The trial court granted Legacy's motion to strike portions of Bruce Kahn's
declaration because some of his opinions were "improper legal conclusions" and
"opinions based on speculation ratherthan evidence."10 We conclude that the trial
court properly excluded this evidence.11
Expert opinions are admissible if (1) the witness is "properly qualified," (2)
the witness "relies on generally accepted theories," and (3) the witness's
"testimony is helpful to the trier of fact." Philippides v. Bernard. 151 Wash. 2d 376,
393, 88 P.3d 939 (2004); ER 702. An expert may testify as to matters of law, but
experts may not testify as to conclusions of law. Hyatt v. Sellen Const. Co., Inc.,
10 The trial court did not specify which portions it had stricken.
11 We exclude, rather than strike, inadmissible materials submitted for consideration with
a motion for summary judgment. Cameron v. Murray, 151 Wash. App. 646, 658, 214 P.3d
150(2009).
No. 72939-0-1 / 6
40 Wash. App. 893, 899, 700 P.2d 1164 (1985); Everett v. Diamond, 30 Wash. App.
787, 791, 638 P.2d 605 (1981). Opinion testimony is improper when it explains
what legal duties apply and whether parties have fulfilled them. Hyatt, 40 Wash. App.
at 899; Everett, 30 Wn. App at 792. Expert testimony is also improper if its only
basis is theoretical speculation. Queen City Farms, Inc. v. Cent. Nat'l Ins. Co. of
Omaha, 126 Wash. 2d 50, 103, 882 P.2d 703 (1994).
We review a trial court's evidentiary rulings made in conjunction with a
summary judgment motion de novo. Ross v. Bennett, 148 Wash. App. 40, 45, 203
P.3d 383 (2008).
Here, Kahn is a licensed broker with 15 years of experience. WGW and
Guo assert that the following testimony from Kahn's declaration and supplement
declaration are admissible:
I note that Legacy tries to distinguish between commercial and
residential transactions in terms of a broker's duty to disclose
material information. There is no such distinction. While a Form 17
disclosure may be required for residential transactions, an owner's
broker's duty to disclose material information to either a prospective
buyer or tenant remains the same, whether in a commercial or
residential transaction.[12]
When the transaction is a purchase, one can reasonably expect the
prospective buyer to diligently investigate the property for possible
problems, and almost always, there are contingencies to allow for
the buyer to conduct a due diligence investigation. But when the
transaction is a lease, all the prospective lessee is concerned with,
beyond location and physical suitability of the property, is whether
the landlord can provide peaceful and quiet enjoyment for the lease
term. And ifthe landlord is negotiating a 10 year lease, such as the
lease in question, then the landlord has impliedly represented that
the landlord can provide peaceful and quiet enjoyment for the full
term of the lease.[13]
12 CP at 469.
13 CP at 361.
No. 72939-0-1 / 7
My final comment concerns the form condemnation clause in the 9-
17-12 lease. These clauses are intended to deal with condemnation
situations that are unforeseen when the lease was negotiated. They
are not meant to provide a shield to allow the property owner to
intentionally withhold information that a public agency already has
designated the leasehold property as a "potential property
acquisition."[14]
These passages attempt to define the scope of a broker's legal duty to
disclose information, a tenant's duty to investigate, and the legal significance of
stock language in a lease. This is improper expert opinion testimony about legal
matters. Additionally, this testimony is speculative. Kahn speculates about a
tenant's interests and what a tenant and landlord meant by certain contractual
language. Because this testimony contains improper legal conclusions and
opinions based on speculation, we exclude it as inadmissible.
Summary Judgment
WGW argues that the trial court improperly granted summary judgment in
favor of Legacy on the breach of contract, breach of personal guaranty, and
rescission claims. We disagree.
Summary judgment is appropriate when the moving party "show[s] that
there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that [it] is entitled to a
judgment as a matter of law." CR 56(c). We must "interpret all the facts and
inferences therefrom in favor" of the nonmoving party. Lyons v. U.S. Bank Nat'l
Ass'n, 181 Wash. 2d 775, 783, 336 P.3d 1142 (2014).
We review summary judgment rulings de novo. Lyons, 181 Wash. 2d at 783.
We engage in the same inquiry as the trial court. Lyons, 181 Wash. 2d at 783.
14 CP at 361.
No. 72939-0-1 / 8
Rescission
WGW seeks to rescind its lease with Legacy on the grounds of "negligent
and/or fraudulent misrepresentation."15 Legacy contends that WGW cannot
maintain an action for rescission because WGW is in default of the lease.
A tenant in default may maintain an action for rescission if it clearly
establishes such facts as would excuse performance. Eberhartv. Lind. 173 Wash.
316, 319, 23 P.2d 17 (1933). Negligent misrepresentation provides an excuse for
nonperformance and grounds for rescission. Bloor v. Fritz, 143 Wash. App. 718,
738, 180 P.3d 805 (2008). Therefore, if WGW is able to sustain its negligent or
fraudulent misrepresentation claims, its default would not prevent itfrom pursuing
rescission.16 We consider those claims next.
WGW argues that Nelson negligently misrepresented facts material to the
lease negotiations by failing to disclose them. In general, Nelson did not disclose
that Sound Transit had designated the Property as one that it might need to acquire
and that all of these plans would not be final for another couple years. We disagree
that itwas negligent misrepresentation not to disclose this information.
Failure to disclose material information may constitute misrepresentation of
that information. A claim of negligent misrepresentation may rest on an omission
by one party when that party has a duty to disclose information. Alexander v.
Sanford, 181 Wash. App. 135, 177, 325 P.3d 341 (2014), review granted, 181 Wash. 2d
15 Appellants' Br. at 38 (bold face omitted).
16 Legacy contends that the threat of condemnation was not a sufficient basis to rescind
the contract. See Lind, 173 Wash, at 319-20. However, WGW is not alleging that it is
entitled to rescission based on the possibility that the Property will be condemned; it is
alleging that Legacy misrepresented that possibility.
8
No. 72939-0-1 / 9
1022, 339 P.3d 634 (2014), dismissed. No. 90642-4 (Wash. May 8, 2015). Failure
to disclose that information is treated as if the party "had represented the
nonexistence of the matter that [it] has failed to disclose." Richland Sch. Dist. v.
Mabton Sch. Dist., 111 Wash. App. 377, 385, 45 P.3d 580 (2002) (quoting
Restatement (Second) of Torts § 551 (1977)). Some statutes create such a
duty. Colonial Imports. Inc. v. Carlton Nw., Inc.. 121 Wash. 2d 726, 732, 853 P.2d
913(1993).
Licensed real estate brokers have several mandatory disclosure
requirements. Under RCW 18.86.030(1), a "brokerowes to all parties to whom the
broker renders real estate brokerage services the following duties: . . . (d) [t]o
disclose all existing material facts known by the broker and not apparent or readily
ascertainable to a party."
Here, Nelson was performing "real estate brokerage services," because he
was negotiating a lease of real property. RCW 18.85.011(2), (16)(b), (17), .331;
RCW 18.86.010(H).17 Nelson did not disclose the following information that WGW
alleges is material:
(1) that Sound Transit had designated the Legacy Property as a
potential acquisition for the chosen route through downtown
Bellevue; (2) that Sound Transit's depiction of the light rail line on the
north side of the NE 6th Street overpass was subject to change, as
much more engineering work was required; (3) that even though
Sound Transit had shown the rail line as on the north side of the NE
6th Street overpass and the Legacy Property is on the south side,
Sound Transit may need to condemn the Legacy Property for
construction purposes; and (4) no final decision would be made until
2013.t18l
17 CP at 45.
18 Appellants' Br. at 32.
No. 72939-0-1/10
As noted above, Nelson did not have a duty to disclose information that was
readily ascertainable. Thus, we must consider whether this information was readily
ascertainable.
The statute does not define "readily ascertainable." We may use a standard
dictionary to determine the phrase's plain meaning. State v. Sullivan. 143 Wash. 2d
162, 175, 19 P.3d 1012 (2001). "Readily" means "with fairly quick efficiency:
without needless loss of time : reasonably fast" or "with a fair degree of ease:
without much difficulty : with facility." Webster's Third New International
Dictionary 1889 (2002). Webster's Dictionary defines "ascertain" as to "find out
or learn for a certainty (as by examination or investigation) : make sure of:
discover." Webster's at 126. Therefore, information is readily ascertainable to a
party ifthe party could discover it quickly or easily.
Facts are ascertainable if they are publically available. Legacy provided
undisputed evidence that all this information was a matter of public record.
Therefore, we hold that there is no genuine dispute that the undisclosed
information was ascertainable. The question is whether the information was
readily ascertainable.
WGW offers several reasons for its failure to investigate Sound Transit's
potential impact on the Property. These arguments seem to be acknowledgements
that WGW could have found the information, but that it was not readily
ascertainable.
WGW claims that it would have been "extremely difficult" for Guo or Lam to
discover Sound Transit's designation of the Property as a potentially affected
10
No. 72939-0-1 /11
parcel. It relies on Legacy's characterization of the information as a "needle in a
haystack in thousands upon thousands of pages on Sound Transit's website."19
But, WGW did not introduce any evidence of the difficulty in independently
discovering the undisclosed information over the Internet or with some other
method of inquiry. As the plaintiff, it is WGW's burden to produce some evidence
that the information was not readily ascertainable. See Young v. Kev Pharm.. Inc..
112 Wash. 2d 216, 225, 770 P.2d 182 (1989).
WGW also contends that the information was not readily ascertainable
because there was no reason to investigate. While the statute does not require a
reason to investigate, having a reason to investigate a particular subject makes
that investigation easier and faster. Therefore, a party's knowledge, or lack of
knowledge, about a subject may impact whether material facts are readily
ascertainable.
The two cases WGW cites provide limited support for this interpretation of
"readily." The first, Bloor. involved a negligent misrepresentation claim based on
a broker's failure to disclose material information under RCW 18.86.030. 143 Wn.
App. 718, 733, 180 P.3d 805 (2008). There, the undisclosed information was
published in a news article. Bloor, 143 Wash. App. at 726. The plaintiffs were able
to discover the house's history of drug manufacturing once they heard rumors that
the house was known as a "drug house." Bloor, 143 Wash. App. at 726. Thus, the
information was likely ascertainable beforethe plaintiffs purchased the house. But,
because the defendant argued solely that he did not know about the defect, the
19 Appellants' Br. at 36.
11
No. 72939-0-1/12
court did not address whether the undisclosed information was readily
ascertainable. Bloor. 143 Wash. App. at 733.
The second case, Sorrell v. Young, analyzes a similar situation, in which
the seller of a lot was required to disclose defects that were not "apparent or readily
ascertainable." 6Wn. App. 220, 225-27,491 P.2d 1312(1971). There, the plaintiff
did not realize that the lot he was purchasing had fill. Sorrell, 6 Wash. App. at 221.
The defect was not apparent and the plaintiff did not make any inquiries about the
existence of fill. Sorrell. 6 Wash. App. at 221. WGW argues that the reason the
existence of the fill was not readily ascertainable, even though it could have been
discovered by a soil inspection, was that the plaintiffs had no reason to inspectthe
soil. The court did not say anything to this effect in the opinion. Still, it held that
the plaintiff provided sufficient evidence that the existence offill was not "apparent
or readily ascertainable" without discussing how difficult it would have been for the
plaintiff to discover the fill before purchasing the property. Sorrell. 6 Wash. App. at
225-26.
However, WGW's situation is distinguishable from that of the Bloor and
Sorrell plaintiffs, who had no prepurchase knowledge of the defects in their
properties. WGW knew about the light rail expansion. Nelson told Lam and Guo
that Sound Transit was expanding the light rail and would be constructing a station
just blocks away from the Property. Nelson opined that the station would be good
for business because it would increase pedestrian traffic.
WGW argues that it did not have a reason to investigate the effects of the
Sound Transit expansion because Nelson always cast the light rail expansion in a
12
No. 72939-0-1/13
positive light. This is not persuasive. It is obvious that the construction of a light
rail station in close proximity to a restaurant could have both negative and positive
impacts.20 Once WGW knew about the light rail expansion, it had a reason to look
into the matter further.
Finally, WGW contends that the potential for condemnation was not readily
ascertainable because WGW was relying on Nelson's statutory duty to disclose
material facts. WGW's argument is circular because Nelson did not have a
statutory duty to disclose the information if itwas readily ascertainable. Therefore,
WGW must show that the information was not readily ascertainable before it relies
on Nelson's statutory duty to disclose it.
In short, Legacy's evidence, that WGW knew about the light rail expansion
in general, and that the undisclosed information was a matter of public record,
supports its position that all the undisclosed information in this case was readily
ascertainable. WGW has not introduced evidence that raises a genuine issue of
material fact on this issue.
Thus, Nelson did not have a statutory duty to disclose that information,
regardless ofwhether it was material. Accordingly, we need not address whether
the undisclosed information was material. Because Nelson did not have a duty to
disclose Sound Transit's designation of the Property as potentially affected, the
fact that he did not disclose it does not support a claim of negligent
20 WGW also relied on Kahn's declaration in support of its claim that it had a reduced
duty to investigate because WGW was a potential lessee, not a purchaser. As discussed
above, this portion of Kahn's declaration is inadmissible because it includes improper
legal conclusions and opinions based on speculation. WGW has not offered any legal
authority for that distinction.
13
No. 72939-0-1 /14
misrepresentation.
WGW next argues that Nelson's partial disclosures are tantamount to
fraudulent misrepresentation. Because WGW did not properly raise this argument
until its reply brief, we do not consider it.
In its opening brief, WGW refers to its claim as "[negligent and/or
[fraudulent [misrepresentation."21 But WGW does not discuss the elements of
fraudulent misrepresentation until its reply brief.22 In its reply brief, WGW raises
the argument that Nelson's "half-truths" and opinions amounted to affirmative
misrepresentations for the first time.23 We do not consider arguments raised for
the first time in a reply brief. Axess Int'l Ltd. v. Intercargo Ins. Co.. 107 Wash. App.
713, 719, 30 P.3d 1 (2001) ("An issue raised and argued for the first time in a reply
brief is raised too late.").
Finally, WGW bases its misrepresentation claims against Legacy on the
failure of Nelson, Legacy's alleged agent, to disclose material information. Legacy
asserts that WGW fails to meet its burden of showing an agency relationship, or
that Nelson's knowledge is imputed to Legacy. WGW relies on common law
principles of agency. It is not clear that WGW properly pleaded Legacy's vicarious
liability to the trial court. WGW's complaint was not designated in the clerk's
papers.24 Legacy asserts that WGW did not plead vicarious liability or offer any
21 Appellants' Br. at 38 (boldface omitted).
22 Appellants' Br. at 38; Appellants' Reply Br. at 15-25.
23 Appellants' Reply Br. at 18-20. In its opening brief, WGW states that the information
Nelson provided was misleading and inaccurate, but the claims it makes are based on his
"[f]ailure to [d]isclose." Appellants' Br. at 38-40 (boldface omitted).
24 RAP 9.6(b)(1)(C) requires the party seeking review to include the complaint in the clerk's
papers. However, we have a sufficient record to decide the case on other grounds.
14
No. 72939-0-1/15
proof that Nelson was an agent of Legacy in that complaint. Because we hold that
Nelson did not violate a statutory duty, we do not need to decide whether he was
Legacy's agent.25
We affirm the trial court's dismissal of WGW's claim for rescission because
the undisclosed information was readily ascertainable.26
Default and Breach of Personal Guaranty
WGW's only response to Legacy's motion for summary judgment on its
claims that WGW defaulted on the lease and that Guo breached his personal
guaranty, is that Legacy negligently or fraudulently misrepresented material facts.
As discussed above, we affirm the dismissal of those claims against Legacy.
Accordingly, WGW and Guo have no defense to Legacy's claims. We affirm the
trial court's granting of summary judgment to Legacy on the claims that WGW
defaulted on the lease and Guo breached his personal guaranty.
Attorney Fees
WGW argues that it is entitled to fees on appeal. It relies on its lease with
Legacy, which contained a clause that allows the prevailing party to collect attorney
fees. Because WGW is not the prevailing party, it is not entitled to attorney fees.
25 Additionally, both parties appear to assume that common laws ofagency apply. Neither
party addresses the statutory limitations on vicarious liability and imputed knowledge
contained in Washington's Real Estate Brokerage Relationships chapter. RCW
18.86.090, .100. These statutes depart from the common law of agency.
26 WGW initially brought its action for rescission based on both a failure of consideration
and the negligent or fraudulent misrepresentation claim argued before this court. CP at
142. We do not consider a failure of consideration argument because WGW has not
raised it on appeal.
15
No. 72939-0-1/16
We affirm.
WE CONCUR:
T^cJKe^e.,
16