Marconi v. Savage

[Cite as Marconi v. Savage, 2016-Ohio-289.]

Court of Appeals of Ohio
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA

JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
No. 102619

ELAINE MARCONI
PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT

vs.

CORRINE SAVAGE, ET AL.
DEFENDANTS-APPELLEES

JUDGMENT:
AFFIRMED

Civil Appeal from the
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CV-11-763485

BEFORE: Laster Mays, J., Jones, A.J., and S. Gallagher, J.

RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: January 28, 2016
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT

J. Michael Drain
147 Bell Street, Suite 202
Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022

Scott M. Kuboff
Joseph J. Triscaro
DeMarco & Triscaro Ltd.
30505 Bainbridge Road, Suite 110
Solon, Ohio 44139

Dan A. Morell
Michael D. Schmit
Dan Morell & Associates Co.
250 Spectrum Office Building
6060 Rockside Woods Boulevard
Independence, Ohio 44131

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE

Frank R. Desantis
James L. Defeo
Hope Y. Lu
Thomas M. Rizert
Thompson Hine L.L.P.
3900 Key Center
127 Public Square
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
ANITA LASTER MAYS, J.:

{¶1} Plaintiff-appellant Elaine Marconi (“Marconi”) appeals the trial court’s

denial of: (1) Marconi’s request to engage in additional discovery against

defendant-appellee Corrine Savage (“Savage”); (2) Marconi’s motion for attorney fees

pursuant to R.C. 2323.51(A) based on Savage’s frivolous conduct; and (3) Marconi’s

request for a hearing on the issue of attorney fees. We find these arguments to be

without merit and affirm the findings of the trial court.

I. BACKGROUND AND FACTS

{¶2} This court entertained a prior appeal in Marconi v. Savage, 8th Dist.

Cuyahoga No. 99163, 2013-Ohio-3805, appeal not accepted, Bank of Am., N.A. v. Mark,

137 Ohio St.3d 1474, 2014-Ohio-176, 2 N.E.3d 269 (“Marconi I”). We draw from that

opinion in formulating a concise history of this dispute, because a clear understanding of

the background is a prerequisite to addressing Marconi’s post-dismissal arguments.

{¶3} Marconi and Savage are neighbors. Savage owns the driveway between the

properties. Marconi possesses an easement that allows her to access her garage.

Marconi purchased her home from her mother’s estate. Id. at ¶ 4. The mother sued

Savage in 1997 for interfering with her easement interest by parking vehicles in the

driveway, obstructing access to Marconi’s garage. The mother died prior to judgment

and the action was dismissed with prejudice. Id.

{¶4} Marconi filed for a temporary restraining order while serving as the

executor of her mother’s estate to prevent Savage from pouring a concrete curb dividing
the driveway and due to parking by Savage’s visitors obstructing Marconi’s access. Id.

at ¶5. An agreed entry settling the case was entered into and read into the record on

October 2002. The entry included a retention of jurisdiction clause by the court, if

required to enforce the agreement. The agreement also provided that the gate between the

properties was to remain open for ingress and egress and was not to be used to block

Marconi’s access. Id. at ¶ 6.

{¶5} Marconi filed to enforce the settlement agreement in 2010, requesting the

removal of a fence that had been constructed by Savage that was trespassing onto her

property. Marconi admitted knowledge of the three-inch encroachment at the time of the

2002 settlement. The trial court determined that no material breach of the settlement

agreement had occurred and ordered that the easement and fence remain in place. The

parties were directed to respect each other and maintain their properties in reasonable

condition. Id. at ¶ 7.

{¶6} In 2011, Marconi filed the pending action to quiet title, for declaratory

judgment regarding the easement, the fence encroachment by Savage and other relief

relating to harassment and misconduct by Savage. Marconi alleged Savage erected a

fence on the driveway without obtaining building permits and that the fence encroached

on her property. The complaint also alleged that Savage intended to interfere with

Marconi’s use of the property and caused her emotional distress. The trial court granted

summary judgment in Savage’s favor based on res judicata and held that Savage’s

conduct did not rise to the level of extreme and outrageous conduct required to support a
finding of emotional distress.

{¶7} This court affirmed the trial court’s decision in Marconi I:

We agree, consistent with principles of res judicata, that all of Marconi’s
present claims have been, or could have been, resolved in the prior litigation
between the parties. In so concluding, we find that Marconi is bound by the
terms of the 2002 settlement agreement that the court most recently
enforced, in similar litigation, in 2011. Finally, we see no equitable basis for
denying preclusive effect to the prior litigation between the parties because
Marconi offers no plausible basis for failing to bring her claims at any
previous point. The court did not err by finding that Marconi is precluded
from raising them in this case.

Id. at ¶ 2.

{¶8} We also concluded in Marconi I:

The allegation that Savage engaged in threats and harassment was by itself
insufficient to satisfy the element that the conduct complained of was so
extreme and outrageous that it went beyond all possible bounds of decency
and can be considered completely intolerable in a civilized community. * *
*

The complaint did not state what words Savage allegedly said to Marconi.
On that basis, the court could not find that anything Savage allegedly said to
Marconi was so outrageous to establish as a matter of law the tort of
intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Id. at ¶ 31.

{¶9} Upon return to the trial court to entertain the counterclaims, changes of

counsel occurred. Savage filed for leave to amend the counterclaim and Marconi filed a

46-page objection. Marconi argued that Savage’s claims were groundless and that she

had become the neighborhood bully, threatening to sue everyone.

{¶10} The court extended discovery to September 2014. Marconi filed a
response to the amended counterclaims and asserted that Savage had been harassing her,

storing garbage in front of Marconi’s house, releasing vicious dogs, and caused damage

to Marconi’s property by constructing a carport resulting in run-off and impeding access.

{¶11} On September 15, 2014, both parties filed dispositive motions. Savage

filed for partial summary judgment claiming that she was entitled to the declaratory

judgment (Count 2 of her amended counterclaim) for Marconi’s abandonment of the

easement as evidenced by a building permit that had been secured by Marconi who

acquired an adjacent lot that included a driveway Marconi could use to access her

property. She also claimed entitlement to judgment on her action to quiet title since the

new driveway access constituted an abandonment of the easement (Count 4). Savage

also sought judgment on three of Marconi’s affirmative defenses because (1) any claim

was waived by the 2002 agreement; (2) there is no evidence supporting estoppel; and (3)

there are no circumstances supporting compulsory joinder.

{¶12} The motion was supported by affidavits from Savage and from one of

Savage’s attorneys who possessed actual knowledge regarding the 2010 issues as well as

public records obtained regarding Marconi’s building permit. There are also

photographs depicting the driveway and fence and a copy of related deeds.

{¶13} Savage claimed that, during the fall of 2014, Marconi applied for a building

permit with the city of Cleveland to build a fence along her easement. The application

was accompanied by an affidavit stating she purchased the adjacent lot at 7908 Maryland

Avenue that contains a driveway and garage and that she would not use the common
driveway, “that I am removing.” Savage said that Marconi excavated the easement area

and built a six-foot fence around the area that blocked her access to the garage via the

shared driveway.

{¶14} Marconi sought summary judgment on all counterclaims. She stated that

Savage’s counterclaims were groundless and brought in bad faith. Her motion recounted a

pattern of harassment that existed for years and continued up to the date of the filing.

{¶15} The motion included a link to an authenticated Youtube video filmed by a

WKYC television news investigation crew depicting a 1997 encounter between Marconi,

her 87-year-old mother and Savage’s ex-husband, Alvin Savage, Jr., who is no longer a

party to this case. Alvin was parked in the shared area of the driveway so that Marconi

and her mother could not get in or out instead of parking in the garage area that would not

have impeded access. Alvin, who did not respond politely, eventually moved the car.

The clip closes with a reference to the lawsuit that Marconi’s mother subsequently filed.

{¶16} The motion also recounts the history of lawsuits and Savage’s violations of

Cleveland property ordinances. Marconi argued that Savage has ignored the terms of the

settlement agreement by blocking the driveway with vehicles and trash containers and

erecting a fence on Marconi’s property without a building permit. Savage also releases

her dogs into the yard when Marconi entertains guests in her backyard. A number of

Youtube videos are proffered to substantiate the activities complained of and Savage also

complained to the city about the condition of Marconi’s property and more.

{¶17} Marconi defends that she was constructively ejected from the easement by
Savage’s continued interference, so the intent required to establish abandonment was

lacking. Marconi also argued that she erected the fence to protect herself and guests

from the campaign of harassment and that Savage’s testimony at a 2011 housing hearing

declaring that Marconi’s and Savage’s property consisted of two driveways, side by side,

constitutes judicial estoppel. Marconi supported her motion with an affidavit

accompanied by 293 exhibits.

{¶18} On September 19, 2014, just four days after the dispositive motions were

filed by the parties, Savage dismissed all claims without prejudice. Marconi filed for a

motion for attorney fees based on R.C. 2323.51, Civ.R. 11 and for conduct in bad faith,

alleging that Savage’s counterclaims were just another step in the long-term pattern of

harassment against Marconi. Marconi also sought discovery to substantiate the motion

and filed a motion to compel. An affidavit by Marconi’s friend, Tom Meyer,

accompanied by a number of exhibits, was filed in November 2014, supporting Marconi’s

claims.

{¶19} In January 2015, the trial court issued an entry denying the motions for

attorney fees and to compel discovery. The court granted a protective order to Savage and

her counsel barring additional discovery and stated they need not respond to outstanding

discovery. Finally, the trial court held that “plaintiff is hereby barred from submitting

any further discovery requests in this matter to defendant Savage or her counsel.” This

appeal ensued.

II. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
 {¶20} Marconi argues the trial court erred by (1) denying Marconi the right to

discovery regarding the bad faith counterclaims and frivolous conduct; (2) denying

attorney fees pursuant to R.C. 2323.51(A) for frivolous conduct and Civ.R. 11 sanctions;

and (3) denying Marconi’s request for a hearing regarding the attorney fees based on

Savage and her counsel’s conduct, constituting an abuse of discretion. We find the

assigned errors to be without merit and affirm the trial court’s judgment.

A. Bad Faith, Sanctions, and Attorney Fees

{¶21} We begin with Marconi’s second assignment of error.

{¶22} “Ohio law provides two separate mechanisms for an aggrieved party to

recover attorney fees for frivolous conduct: R.C. 2323.51 and Civ.R. 11.” Bikkani v.

Lee, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 89312, 2008-Ohio-3130, ¶ 18. “Although both authorize

the award of attorney fees as a sanction for frivolous conduct, they have separate

standards of proof and differ in application.” Id.; Harden v. Naughton, 8th Dist.

Cuyahoga No. 99182, 2013-Ohio-2913, ¶ 12.

1. R.C. 2323.51

{¶23} The discretion to award sanctions and attorney fees under R.C. 2323.51

is legislatively vested in the trial court. Therefore,

[A] decision on whether to award sanctions under R.C. 2323.51 will not be
reversed absent an abuse of discretion. State ex rel. Striker v. Cline, 130
Ohio St.3d 214, 2011-Ohio-5350, 957 N.E.2d 19, ¶ 11, citing Ron
Scheiderer & Assocs. v. London, 81 Ohio St.3d 94, 98, 689 N.E.2d 552
(1998).

Brown v. Carlton Harley-Davidson, Inc., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 101494,
2014-Ohio-5157, ¶ 6. An abuse of discretion “connotes more than an error of law or

judgment; it implies that the court’s attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary or

unconscionable.” (Citations omitted.) Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219,

450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983).

{¶24} The standard for determining frivolous conduct under R.C. 2323.51 is

objective. It “is determined without reference to what the individual knew or believed.”

Hardin v. Naughton, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99182, 2013-Ohio-2913, ¶ 14, citing State

Farm Ins. Co. v. Peda, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2004-L-082, 2005-Ohio-3405, and Ceol v.

Zion Indus., Inc., 81 Ohio App.3d 286, 289, 610 N.E.2d 1076 (9th Dist.1992).

{¶25} The Ohio Supreme Court has elaborated:

Frivolous conduct, as contemplated by R.C. 2323.51(A)(2)(a), is judged
under an objective, rather than a subjective standard, * * * and must
involve egregious conduct. Frivolous conduct is not proved merely by
winning a legal battle or by proving that a party’s factual assertions were
incorrect. Ohio Power Co. v. Ogle, 4th Dist. Hocking No. 12CA14,
2013-Ohio-1745, ¶ 29-30 (“A party is not frivolous merely because a claim
is not well-grounded in fact. * * * [R.C. 2323.51] was designed to chill
egregious, overzealous, unjustifiable, and frivolous action. * * * [A] claim
is frivolous if it is absolutely clear under the existing law that no reasonable
lawyer could argue the claim”), quoting Hickman v. Murray, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. CA-15030, 1996 Ohio App. LEXIS 1028, 1996 WL
125916, *5 (Mar. 22, 1996).

State ex rel. DiFranco v. S. Euclid, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 97713, 2015-Ohio-4915, ¶
15.

{¶26} A tripartite test is applied to determine whether R.C. 2323.51 has been

violated:

First, the court must determine whether the claim was frivolous; and,
 second, the court must determine whether the aggrieved party was adversely

affected. R.C. 2323.51. If these determinations are made, the court then

must finally determine what amount of reasonable attorney fees, costs, and

expenses should be awarded to the aggrieved party. Lable & Co. v.

Flowers, 104 Ohio App.3d 227, 661 N.E.2d 782 (1995); Ceol v. Zion

Industries, Inc., 81 Ohio App.3d 286, 610 N.E.2d 1076 (1992).

Sigmon v. S.W. Gen. Health Ctr., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 88276, 2007-Ohio-2117, ¶ 14.

{¶27} The statute defines two types of frivolous conduct, “(1) conduct that serves

only to harass or maliciously injure the opposing party in a civil action; and (2) conduct

that is unwarranted under existing law and for which there is

no good faith argument for an extension, modification, or reversal of existing law.” Id.

at ¶ 16, citing R.C. 2323.51. Marconi argues that both components apply.

{¶28} Marconi’s motions were triggered by Savage’s Civ.R. 41 dismissal of the

amended counterclaims without prejudice. The motions asserted that Savage and her

counsel dismissed the claims because they knew that they were groundless when

instituted, and that the counterclaims, as amended, were only advanced to harass Marconi

and to cause her to incur legal bills.

{¶29} A party has an absolute right to one dismissal without prejudice under

Civ.R. 41(A)(1)(a):

[E]xercising this right cannot be properly considered “frivolous conduct”
pursuant to R.C. 2323.51. See Sturm v. Sturm, 63 Ohio St.3d 671, 590
N.E.2d 1214 (1992); Gammons v. O’Neill, 1994 Ohio App. LEXIS 3636
(8th Dist.1994); Indus. Risk Insurers v. Lorenz Equip. Co., 69 Ohio St.3d
 576, 579, 635 N.E.2d 14 (1994) (holding that “a trial court may not take any
action that allows prejudice to flow from the plaintiff’s first voluntary
dismissal”); Frazee v. Ellis Bros., Inc., 113 Ohio App.3d 828, 831, 682
N.E.2d 676 (1996) (holding that the court erred when it determined a party
was not entitled to voluntarily dismiss the action pursuant to Civ.R. 41(A)
after the court called the case for trial, because “a civil trial commences
when the jury is empaneled and sworn, or, in a bench trial, at opening
statements”).

Wheeler v. Best Emp. Fed. Credit Union, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 92159,

2009-Ohio-2139, ¶ 43. The dismissal here was the first dismissal and, standing alone,

does not constitute a violation of R.C. 2323.51.

{¶30} Savage offers that each counterclaim was warranted under existing law

and supported by fact as demonstrated by the record. We preface our analysis by stating

that the mere fact that a claim may not be successful is not enough to warrant sanctions

under R.C. 2323.51. Reddy v. Plain Dealer Pub. Co., 2013-Ohio-2329, 991 N.E.2d

1158, ¶ 39 (8th Dist.), citing Halliwell v. Bruner, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 77487, 2000

Ohio App. LEXIS 5896, *23-24 (Dec. 14, 2000).

{¶31} Count 4 of the amended counterclaim states that Marconi has abandoned the

easement. Marconi argues that the claim is frivolous and is not supported by law because

Savage constructively ejected Marconi by continuing acts of harassment. Cited to support

the lack of legal basis is L.I.D. Dev. Co. v. S. Euclid, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 67282, 1995

Ohio App. LEXIS 1864 (May 4, 1995). The test for abandonment under L.I.D. is nonuse

as well as an affirmative intention to abandon the easement.

{¶32} The intent to abandon may be evidenced by acts demonstrating that intent.

Id. at *6. Savage points to Marconi’s City of Cleveland Affidavit for Homeowner’s
Permit as evidence that Marconi abandoned the easement. Marconi stated in the affidavit

that she intended to tear up and stop using the common driveway, and that she had

purchased an adjacent lot and garage that she would use for ingress and egress for

driveway purposes. Therefore, there is legal and factual support for this cause of action.

{¶33} Savage argues that the counterclaims for negligence, trespass, and

nuisance were based on Marconi’s “failure to maintain her property, negligently tearing

up the driveway and installing rocks that caused water to flow underneath Appellee’s

driveway, and allowing her property to be used to videotape and conduct surveillance on

Appellee, her daughter, and her visitors.” Savage sets forth the case law governing a

property owner’s liability in negligence, nuisance, and trespass and details the activities

that serve as support for those actions. This, again, demonstrates a legal and factual

basis for the causes of action.

{¶34} The basis of the prescriptive easement claim is, as defined by Savage’s

asserted case law, an open and notorious use that is adverse to a neighbor’s property

rights, continuous, and lasts for 21 years or more.1 Savage states Marconi’s defense to

this claim is that Savage’s use was permissive. Yet Marconi’s affidavit supporting

summary judgment says that Savage trespasses every time she steps over the yellow line

dividing the easement area, contradicting Marconi’s argument as to permissive use.

Savage has advanced a basis for the claim.

1
Harris v. Dayton Power & Light Co., 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 25636,
2013-Ohio-5234, citing J.F. Gioia, Inc. v. Cardinal Am. Corp., 23 Ohio
App.3d 33, 37, 491 N.E.2d 325 (8th Dist.1985).
 {¶35} The counterclaim seeking that Marconi be designated a vexatious litigator

is not wholly without foundation under the applicable statute, R.C. 2323.52(A)(3).

Marconi has filed four lawsuits, including the current one, where this court affirmed the

trial court’s finding of res judicata in Marconi I.

{¶36} The last claim alleges a breach of the 2002 settlement agreement. The

agreement includes an indemnification for damage caused to the driveway by Marconi’s

guests and that access to the driveway would not be blocked. The factual allegations in

the record support a belief on the part of Savage that her access has been blocked or

impeded.

{¶37} Based on the foregoing, we disagree that no reasonable lawyer would

have brought this case in light of existing law. Sigmon, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 88276,

2007-Ohio-2117, ¶ 14. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion

for sanctions under R.C. 2323.51.

2. Civ.R. 11

{¶38} R.C. 2323.51 and Civ.R. 11 are not in conflict. “A plain reading of R.C.

2323.51 and Civ.R.11 reveals that although different language is used, both the statute

and the rule impose the same requirement on an attorney: to prosecute only claims having

merit under existing law.” Sigmon at ¶ 23. “A trial court’s decision to deny Civ.R. 11

sanctions can be reversed only if the trial court abused its discretion.” Fitworks

Holdings, L.L.C. v. Pitchford-El, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 88634, 2007-Ohio-2517, ¶ 13,

citing State ex rel. Fant v. Sykes, 29 Ohio St.3d 65, 505 N.E.2d 966 (1987).
 {¶39} We now shift from the objective analysis under R.C. 2323.51 to the

subjective Civ.R. 11 standard, which is dependent on what the individual knew or

believed:

The signature of an attorney or pro se party constitutes a certificate by the
attorney or party that the attorney or party has read the document; that to the
best of the attorney’s or party’s knowledge, information, and belief there is
good ground to support it; and that it is not interposed for delay. If a
document is not signed or is signed with intent to defeat the purpose of this
rule, it may be stricken as sham and false and the action may proceed as
though the document had not been served. For a willful violation of this
rule, an attorney or pro se party, upon motion of a party or upon the court’s
own motion, may be subjected to appropriate action, including an award to
the opposing party of expenses and reasonable attorney fees incurred in
bringing any motion under this rule. Similar action may be taken if
scandalous or indecent matter is inserted.

Civ.R. 11.

{¶40} Marconi argues that Savage’s counsel did not act in good faith, did not

examine the lack of evidence to support the counterclaims and signed off on assertions

based on “phantom facts, with no basis in the law.” She also asserts that Savage’s

conduct was willful and offered based upon “barren proof.” Savage did not, Marconi

argues, conduct an additional investigation to “yield a new basis for additional

Counterclaims.”

{¶41} We agree with Marconi’s position that subjective bad faith and willful

actions violate Civ.R. 11. See, e.g., Slater v. Motorists Mut. Ins. Co., 174 Ohio St. 148,

151, 187 N.E.2d 45 (1961). We do not, however, find that the standard has been met in

this case.

{¶42} In our analysis of R.C. 2323.51, we determined that the asserted grounds
for the amended counterclaims factually and legally meet the objective reasonable lawyer

test. State ex rel. DiFranco, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 97713, 2015-Ohio-4915, ¶ 15.

We also find, based on that analysis, that the record does not support a finding of

willfulness and bad faith in advancing those claims, or that Savage’s attorney(s) (1) failed

to read the pleading; (2) lacked grounds to support the pleading to the best of their

knowledge, information, or belief; or (3) filed the pleading for purposes of delay.

Rindfleisch v. AFT, Inc., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos. 84551, 84897, and 84917,

2005-Ohio-191, ¶ 16 (a trial judge must consider these three factors in determining

whether a violation of Civ.R. 11 has occurred.)

B. Discovery for Bad Faith, Sanctions, and Attorney Fees

{¶43} We now address Marconi’s first assignment of error arguing entitlement to

discovery to support the imposition of sanctions and fees. We find that the trial court did

not abuse its discretion in denying discovery.

{¶44} Marconi asserts that “[d]iscovery will expose the answers” to the grounds

for sanctions and fees. Distilled, Marconi’s arguments are based on the premise that if

the grounds for the counterclaims were valid and made in good faith, then Savage would

not have dismissed her claims. In order to prove the premise, Marconi seeks discovery.

Marconi also states that “[t]he entire record of Appellee’s case demonstrates the

weakness of the counterclaim * * *.” The question arises that, if that is the case, why is

additional discovery required to prevail?

{¶45} Be that as it may, the Third Appellate District addressed the propriety of
discovery for Civ.R. 11 sanctions in Holloway v. Holloway Sportswear, Inc.,

2012-Ohio-2135, 971 N.E.2d 1001, ¶ 29 (3d Dist.). The court was guided by the federal

case law interpretation of Fed.R.Civ.P. 11:

For purposes of Fed.R.Civ.P. 11, federal circuit courts have concluded that
trial courts “must to the extent possible limit the scope of sanction
proceedings to the record. Thus, discovery should be conducted only by
leave of the court, and then only in extraordinary circumstances.” Amwest
v. Mortg. Corp. v. Grady, 925 F.2d 1162, 1165 (9th Cir.1991), quoting
Fed.R.Civ.P. 11, Notes of 1983 Advisory Committee on Rules; Borowski v.
DePuy, Inc., 876 F.2d 1339, 1341 (7th Cir.1989), citing Indianapolis Colts
v. Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, 775 F.2d 177, 183 (7th Cir.1985);
Donaldson v. Clark, 819 F.2d 1551, 1560-1561 (11th Cir.1987);
McLaughlin v. Bradlee, 803 F.2d 1197, 1205, 256 U.S. App. D.C. 119
(D.C. Cir.1986).

(Emphasis added.) Holloway at ¶ 29.

{¶46} We do not find that this case presents exceptional and extraordinary

circumstances that would require delving into discovery or that the trial court abused its

discretion in limiting the scope of the sanctions proceedings to the record. Id. To allow

collateral proceedings on sanctions and fees to expand into a full blown relitigation of the

underlying issues is not in accord with the purpose of the rule and statute:

A motion for sanctions does not provide parties an opportunity to litigate
fully—conduct discovery, present and cross-examine witnesses * * *.”
[Klayman v. Barmak, 602 F.Supp.2d 110, 117 (D.D.C. 2009)]. The 1983
Advisory Committee on Rules noted that the limitation on discovery during
sanction proceedings was “[t]o assure that the efficiencies achieved through
more effective operation of the pleading regimen will not be offset by the
cost of satellite litigation over the imposition of sanctions * * *.”
Fed.R.Civ.P. 11, 1983 Advisory Committee Notes.

Holloway at ¶ 29. The first assignment of error is overruled.

C. Hearing Denial
 {¶47} Marconi’s third assigned error is the trial court’s denial of a hearing on

sanctions and fees. However, this court has already determined that where a trial court

has determined that the motions lack merit, “neither R.C. 2323.51 nor Civ.R. 11 require a

trial court to conduct a hearing before denying a motion for attorney fees.” Reddy v.

Plain Dealer Publishing Co., 2013-Ohio-2329, 991 N.E.2d 1158, ¶ 41 (8th Dist.), citing

Donaldson v. Todd, 2007-Ohio-6504, 881 N.E.2d 280, ¶ 9 (10th Dist.); First Place Bank

v. Stamper, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 80259, 2002-Ohio-3109.

{¶48} The exception to the no hearing required rule is the “arbitrary” denial of a

request for attorney fees.

An arbitrary denial occurs when (1) the record clearly evidences frivolous
conduct and (2) the trial court nonetheless denies a motion for attorney fees
without holding a hearing. Id. Similarly, if an arguable basis exists for an
award of sanctions under Civ.R. 11, a trial court must hold a hearing on the
motion. Fitworks Holdings, L.L.C. v. Pitchford-El, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.
88364, 2007-Ohio- 2517, ¶ 14, citing Capps v. Milhem, 10th Dist. Franklin
No. 03AP-251, 2003-Ohio-5212.

Bikkani v. Lee, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 89312, 2008-Ohio-3130, ¶ 31.

{¶49} We do not find that the trial court acted arbitrarily in denying a hearing.

The third assignment of error is overruled.

III. Conclusion

{¶50} The trial court’s order is affirmed.

It is ordered that appellee recover from appellant costs herein taxed.

The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
 It is ordered that a special mandate be sent to said court to carry this judgment into

execution.

A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of

the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

__________________________________________
ANITA LASTER MAYS, JUDGE

LARRY A. JONES, SR., A.J., and
SEAN C. GALLAGHER, J., CONCUR