Fogal v. Stature Construction (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 29, 2009)(Alcala)
(confirmation of arbitration award, nonsignatory, open courts constitutional challenge, no waiver of right to
arbitrate)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Elsa Alcala
Before Justices Taft, Keyes and Alcala
01-07-00456-CV Mary Fogal and Robert Fogal v. Stature Construction, Inc., Jorge Casimiro, Tom Thibodeau
and Bernie Kane
Appeal from 80th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Lynn Bradshaw-Hull
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This is an appeal following the trial court's final judgment confirming an arbitration award. The judgment orders
appellees, Stature Construction, Inc., Jorge Casimiro, Tom Thibodeau, and Bernie Kane (collectively "Stature")
to pay appellants, Mary and Robert Fogal, $37,308.40 and post-judgment interest. In five issues, the Fogals
challenge the trial court's decision to send the parties to arbitration, and alternatively, the trial court's decision
to confirm the arbitrator's award. In its sole counter-issue, Stature asserts that the trial court impermissibly
modified the arbitration award by adding post-judgment interest. We conclude the trial court properly sent the
case to arbitration and properly confirmed the award. We also conclude that Stature failed to preserve its
counter-issue for appellate review. We affirm.
Background
The Fogals purchased a new-construction townhome by entering into an earnest money contract, which
contained an agreement to arbitrate disputes. In pertinent part, the arbitration clause stated,
18. MEDIATION AND BINDING ARBITRATION:
Any controversy or claim whether such claim sounds in contract, tort, or otherwise, arising out of or relating to
(i) this Agreement, (ii) any branch of the Agreement, (iii) the subject matter of the Agreement, (iv) the
commercial or economic relationship of the parties to the Agreement, (v) any representations or warranties,
express or implied,
relating to the Agreement, (vi) any violations of any statute relating to the Agreement or the subject matter of
the Agreement, and /or (vii) any related agreements between the parties to the Agreement ("the disputes")
shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the Construction Industry Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association ("AAA") and the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States Code), and
Judgement upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be confirmed, entered, and enforced in any court
having jurisdiction.
The earnest-money contract identified "Robert and Mary J. Fogal" as "Buyer" and "Tremont Homes" as "Seller."
The Fogals soon discovered a roof leak and requested that Stature make repairs, but Stature refused. The
leak eventually caused mold to grow in the home. Facing impending litigation over the costs for the repairs,
Stature filed for an American Arbitration Association (AAA) proceeding against the Fogals seeking declaratory
judgment that Stature was not responsible for damages to the Fogals' home. However, the arbitrator terminated
the arbitration proceeding when Stature failed to pay the required deposits. According to Stature, the
declaratory judgment was no longer needed after the house was foreclosed, so it opted not to pay the fees to
continue the arbitration.
The Fogals eventually learned that Stature had failed to disclose construction defects in the roofing that were
known to Stature prior to sale. The Fogals then filed suit against Stature, alleging statutory and common-law
fraud, and violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA).
Stature moved to compel arbitration. The Fogals objected to the motion to compel arbitration by asserting the
same issues that are presented in this appeal. The Fogals asserted that the arbitration agreement was
procedurally and substantively unconscionable due to the inconspicuous print. The Fogals also claimed that
Stature could not enforce the arbitration agreement because that agreement was between the Fogals and
Tremont Homes, which is not an assumed name of Stature. The Fogals further contended that Stature waived
its right to demand arbitration by previously demanding then failing to pursue the previously filed arbitration
proceeding.
Stature responded to the Fogals' objections to its motion to compel arbitration by claiming it had the right to
enforce the arbitration clause in the earnest-money contract between the Fogals and Tremont Homes, even
though the contract contained no reference to either Stature or Tremont Custom Homes. First, Stature
presented other documents related to the sale of the house purchased by the Fogals to show that Stature,
rather than Tremont Homes, was the seller of the house. The settlement statement from the closing of the
house purchase and the Special Warranty Deed conveying the house to the Fogals identify Stature as the
seller of the house. Thus, Stature presented other documents related to the sale of the house that showed it
was the seller of the house rather than Tremont Homes, which was shown as the seller on the earnest-money
contract.
Second, Stature presented evidence to show that Stature did business under the name "Tremont Custom
Homes," and that the earnest money contract's reference to "Tremont Homes" was a scrivener's error in that
the seller should have been shown as Tremont Custom Homes. Jorge Casimiro, Stature's president, stated,
"During this time period, Stature conducted business under three assumed names: Simon Homes, Stature
Homes and Tremont Custom Homes." The record shows testimony by Thomas Thibodeau, another Stature
officer. Thibodeau was asked, "What was Tremont Homes at the time [the Contract] was executed in February
2004?" Thibodeau responded, "Well. As I mentioned, it should have been Tremont Custom Homes. And that
was a marketing name for Stature Construction, Inc." Stature, therefore, presented evidence that the contract's
reference to Tremont Homes should have been Tremont Custom Homes, which was a marketing name used by
Stature. After the Fogals bought their house, Stature filed an assumed name certificate for Tremont Custom
Homes, but not for Tremont Homes.
After a hearing, the trial court granted the order to compel arbitration and the case was litigated before an
arbitrator. The arbitrator held a three-day hearing, which was transcribed at the request of the Fogals. The
Fogals called six witnesses and offered 17 exhibits, 16 of which were admitted into evidence. Stature rested
without presenting witnesses or introducing any evidence.
The arbitrator found that the Fogals breached the earnest money contract by filing suit in district court, and
awarded Stature $14,597.50 in attorney's fees plus $146.10 in expenses. The arbitrator granted the Fogals'
common-law fraud claim, awarding the Fogals $40,832.00 in damages while denying recovery for medical
expenses and exemplary damages. The arbitrator denied the Fogals' claims for statutory fraud, for damages
under the DTPA, for costs and attorney's fees under the Texas Residential Construction & Liability Act (RCLA),
and for a declaration that Jorge Casimiro and Tom Thibodeau were alter egos of Stature Construction, Inc. The
arbitrator charged Stature with all fees and expenses of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) as well as
compensation of the arbitrator, ordering Stature to reimburse the Fogals $11,220. The net result of the
arbitrator's award was $37,308.40 for the Fogals. Concerning the common-law fraud claim, the arbitrator found:
This Arbitrator does grant the Common Law Fraud claim. There was sufficient evidence of Stature
Construction, Inc.'s involvement in ongoing litigation regarding a defective roofing system on the Fogals' home.
Although Stature claims there were substantial repairs and replacement on this "new" home, there was
evidence Stature was still completing repairs just a few weeks before closing. The nondisclosure of material
fact(s) element was satisfied along with the other required elements. Further, once the Fogals made their initial
complaints about leaks in their home, Stature should have handled such complaints immediately in light of the
undisclosed prior leaks and problems with the home. The lack of diligence by Stature was considered when
evaluating the calculation of damages.
After the arbitrator issued its award, the Fogals filed a "Motion to Vacate Arbitration Award, Motion for New Trial
and Alternatively, Plaintiffs' Motion to Modify and Enter Arbitration Award." In the motion, the Fogals asserted
the same issues that are presented in this appeal. The Fogals challenged the trial court's decision to confirm
the arbitrator's award by asserting that the arbitrator should have referred the case back to the trial court when
the arbitrator found that the entire agreement was obtained by fraud because that finding necessarily made the
arbitration clause an agreement obtained by fraud. The Fogals also contended that the arbitrator conducted
the hearing so as to substantially prejudice the Fogals' rights by excluding certain evidence and by the
sequence of the evidence presented. The Fogals further contended that enforcement of the arbitration clause
violated the open courts and due process provisions in the constitution. Alternatively, the Fogals claimed they
should not have to pay Stature's attorneys' fees or any costs of the arbitration, and the Fogals should be
awarded pre- and post-judgment interest. The trial court affirmed the arbitrator's award, adding post-judgment
interest.
The Trial Court's Order Compelling the Parties to Arbitrate
The Fogals assert that the trial court erred by compelling the parties to arbitrate. In three issues that challenge
the trial court's decision to send the parties to arbitration, the Fogals assert Stature cannot enforce the
arbitration clause in the earnest money contract because the arbitration clause was procedurally
unconscionable due to inconspicuous print; Stature, a nonsignatory, did not file an assumed name certificate
for Tremont Homes, which was the entity that entered the arbitration clause with the Fogals; and Stature waived
its right to demand arbitration by abandoning a previously filed arbitration proceeding.
A. Standard of Review
"Whether an enforceable agreement to arbitrate exists is a legal question entitled to de novo review." In re
Kepka, 178 S.W.3d 279, 286 (Tex. App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 2005, orig. proceeding [leave dism'd]); Mohamed
v. Auto Nation USA Corp., 89 S.W.3d 830, 835 (Tex. App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 2002, no pet.). The parties do
not dispute that the arbitration agreement is governed by the FAA. See 9 U.S.C.S. §§ 1-307 (LexisNexis 2008).
Under the FAA, a party to a contract containing an arbitration agreement may challenge the arbitration
agreement itself on "grounds as exist at law or in equity for revocation of any contract." 9 U.S.C.S. § 2; see also
In re Poly-America, L.P., 262 S.W.3d 337, 347 (Tex. 2008) (citing First Options of Chicago, Inc. v. Kaplan, 514
U.S. 938, 944, 115 S. Ct. 1920, 1924 (1995)) ("In determining the validity of an agreement to arbitrate under
the FAA, courts must first apply state law governing contract formation.").
The law favoring arbitration does not go so far as to create an obligation to arbitrate where none exists. See
Volt Info. Scis., Inc. v. Bd. of Trs. of Leland Stanford Junior Univ., 489 U.S. 468, 478, 109 S. Ct. 1248, 1255
(1989) (arbitration "is a matter of consent, not coercion"); In re Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc., 166 S.W.3d 732,
738 (Tex. 2005) (FAA "does not require parties to arbitrate when they have not agreed to do so") (quoting Volt,
489 U.S. at 478, 109 S. Ct. at 1255). Although there exists a strong presumption favoring arbitration, "the
presumption arises only after the party seeking to compel arbitration proves that a valid arbitration agreement
exists." Kepka, 178 S.W.3d at 286; Mohamed, 89 S.W.3d at 835; see also Fleetwood Enters., Inc. v. Gaskamp,
280 F.3d 1069, 1073 & n.5 (5th Cir. 2002) ("[F]ederal policy favoring arbitration does not apply to the
determination of whether there is a valid agreement to arbitrate between the parties . . ."; further, "the federal
policy favoring arbitration does not extend to a determination of who is bound . . . ."). "Under the FAA, ordinary
principles of state contract law determine whether there is a valid agreement to arbitrate." Kellogg Brown &
Root, 166 S.W.3d at 738.
B. Procedural Unconscionability Due to Inconspicious Print
In their second issue, the Fogals assert that "the trial court erred in compelling arbitration where the agreement
to arbitration was unconscionable and inconspicuous." The Fogals contend that the clause is procedurally
unconscionable under the public policy of Texas, as now codified in Texas Property Code section 420.003.
If an agreement to arbitrate exists encompassing the claims in question, and the party opposing arbitration has
failed to prove its defenses, then a trial court has no discretion; its only option is to compel arbitration. In re
FirstMerit Bank, N.A., 52 S.W.3d 749, 753-54 (Tex. 2001). In the context of enforcement of an arbitration
agreement, defenses refer to unconscionability, duress, fraudulent inducement, and revocation. Id. at 756.
Procedural unconscionability refers to the fairness of the circumstances surrounding adoption of the arbitration
clause. See In re Luna, 175 S.W.3d 315, 319 (Tex. App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 2004, orig. proceeding). Texas
Property Code section 420.003 provides that after September 1, 2007 an arbitration clause in a new-home
contract must "be conspicuously printed or typed in a size equal to at least 10-point bold type or the computer
equivalent." See Tex. Prop. Code Ann. § 420.003 (Vernon Supp. 2008). The legislative note to the statute
states that "this Act applies only to [new homes that are required to be registered under the comprehensive act]
that are filed on or after September 1, 2007." See id. The public policy of Texas, therefore, is to now require the
conspicuous printing. See Fairfield Ins. Co. v. Stephens Martin Paving, L.P., 246 S.W.3d 653, 665 (Tex. 2008) (
"The legislature determines public policy through the statutes it passes."). Because the Fogals' agreement was
signed prior to 2007, section 420.003 does not apply to this agreement. See Tex. Prop. Code Ann. § 420.003.
We hold the Fogals' agreement does not violate the policy as stated in section 420.003 because that section
does not apply to this agreement due to the effective date of the section. See id.
To the extent that the Fogals are asserting a policy argument concerning the conspicuousness of the print
other than as codified in section 420.003, we conclude the argument is waived due to inadequate briefing. See
Tex. R. App. P. 38.1(h). In their brief, the Fogals state that the current font requirements were the preexisting
policy of Texas, but they provide no authority to support the statement, nor do they provide anything but a
conclusory assertion that this must have been the policy then because it is now the codified law. Moreover, the
Fogals suggest that this arbitration agreement is inconspicuous, but they do not explain how it was
inconspicuous and how it would have violated any then applicable policy. We hold the Fogals have waived any
policy complaint outside Property Code section 420.003. See Tex. Prop. Code Ann. § 420.003.
We overrule the second issue.
C. Stature as Non-Signatory to Agreement Signed by Tremont Homes
In their first issue, the Fogals state, "The District Court erred in compelling arbitration where no valid assumed
name certificate was on file for the entity named in the agreement containing the arbitration clause." In their
reply brief, the Fogals clarify this position by stating that "arbitration, if any, can only be compelled by the party
signing the agreement and not by Appellee Stature."
1. Enforcement by Non-Signatory
"Because arbitration is contractual in nature, the FAA generally 'does not require parties to arbitrate when they
have not agreed to do so.'" Kellogg Brown & Root, 166 S.W.3d at 738. Federal and Texas state courts have
recognized, however, that "'[i]t does not follow . . . that under the [FAA] an obligation to arbitrate attaches only
to one who has personally signed the written arbitration provision'; instead, under certain circumstances,
principles of contract law and agency may bind a non-signatory to an arbitration agreement." Id.
Here, at first blush, Stature appears to be a non-signatory to the agreement because the agreement that
contained the arbitration clause was signed by the Fogals and Tremont Homes. However, the evidence shows
Stature was doing business under the name "Tremont Custom Homes," which was the entity that should have
been listed on the earnest-money contract that referred to Tremont Homes. Moreover, the deed for the house
purchased by the Fogals shows that Stature was the seller of the townhouse referred to in the earnest-money
contract. The Fogals do not dispute that Stature was the seller of the townhouse, that Stature was doing
business as Tremont Custom Homes, or that Thibodeau said the reference to Tremont Homes in the
earnest-money contract was meant to reference Tremont Custom Homes. Instead, the Fogals assert that
Stature could not compel the arbitration because it did not file an assumed name certificate for Tremont Homes.
2. The Lack of an Assumed Name Certificate
According to the Fogals, Stature later filed an assumed name certificate stating it was doing business as
"Tremont Custom Homes," but it has not filed an assumed name certificate for "Tremont Homes." However, the
failure to file an assumed name certificate does not invalidate the agreement to arbitrate.
Under the Assumed Business or Professional Name Act,
Any corporation, limited partnership, registered limited liability partnership, or limited liability company which
regularly conducts business or renders professional services in this state under an assumed name, or which
may be required by law to use an assumed name in this state to conduct such business or render such
services, shall file in the office of the Secretary of State . . . a certificate setting forth:
(1) the assumed name under which such business or professional service is or is to be conducted or rendered .
. . .
Tex. Bus. & Comm. Code Ann. § 36.11(a) (Vernon 2002). But failure to register an assumed name does not
impair the validity of any contract, according to the Texas Business and Commerce Code section 36.25, which
states:Failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter by any person shall not impair the validity of any
contract or act by such person nor prevent such person from defending any action or proceeding in any court
of this state, but such person shall not maintain an action or proceeding in any court of this state arising out of
a contract or act in which an assumed name was used until an original, new, or renewed assumed business or
professional name certificate has been filed as required by this chapter. In an action or proceeding brought
against a person that has not complied with this chapter, the plaintiff or other party bringing the suit or
proceeding may recover, if the court shall so determine, expenses incurred, including attorney's fees, in
location and effecting service of process on such person.
Tex. Bus. & Comm. Code Ann. § 36.25 (Vernon 2002). An entity's failure to comply with the statute does not
affect the entity's capacity to defend a suit. Sixth RMA Partners, L.P. v. Sibley, 111 S.W.3d 46, 55 (Tex. 2003).
Under the Business and Commerce Code, therefore, the failure of Stature to file an assumed name certificate
for Trement Homes does not invalidate the agreement, and could not be a basis for finding the arbitration
clause unenforceable. See Tex. Bus. & Comm. Code Ann. § 36.25.
We overrule the Fogals' first issue.
D. Waiver of Arbitration by Invocation of Litigation
In their fifth issue, the Fogals assert that Stature waived its right to demand arbitration when it filed and later
abandoned the original arbitration proceedings.
"[A] party waives an arbitration clause by substantially invoking the judicial process to the other party's
detriment." Perry Homes v. Cull, 258 S.W.3d 580, 590-91 (Tex. 2008). Waiver is a legal question for the court
based on the totality of the circumstances, and asks whether a party has substantially invoked the judicial
process to an opponent's detriment, the latter term meaning inherent unfairness caused by "a party's attempt
to have it both ways by switching between litigation and arbitration to its own advantage." Id. at 597. The Fogals
cite In re Bruce Terminix Company in support of their argument, but Terminix likewise asks whether the appellee
waives his right to demand arbitration by substantially invoking the judicial process to the appellant's detriment.
See 988 S.W.2d 702, 704 (Tex. 1998).
Stature never invoked litigation through the judicial process. Stature demanded arbitration, then failed to pay
the arbitration fee, resulting in the dismissal of the arbitration. After that, the Fogals filed suit. Stature
responded by filing a motion to compel arbitration. Thus, Stature has never sought to invoke the litigation
process. Instead, it has only sought arbitration for resolution of the disputes between it and the Fogals. Stature
has not attempted to "have it both ways by switching between litigation and arbitration." See Perry Homes, 258
S.W.3d at 597. We hold Stature did not waive its right to demand arbitration by previously demanding
arbitration.
We overrule the Fogals' fifth issue.Trial Court's Denial of Motion to Vacate Award
In their third issue, the Fogals assert "the trial court erred in failing to modify or vacate the arbitration award
because the arbitrator found the entire agreement was procured by fraud." Although the Fogals mention
modification of the award in their statement of this issue, what they seek as a remedy is the trial court's vacation
of the entire award. Moreover, although the caption of the issue relates only to the finding by the arbitrator that
the earnest-money contract was obtained by fraud, within this issue are subissues discussing related reasons
why the trial court should have vacated the award.
A. Standard of Review
The court of appeals reviews de novo a trial court's decision to confirm or vacate an arbitration award under
the FAA. Myer v. Americo Life, Inc., 232 S.W.3d 401, 407 (Tex. App.--Dallas 2007, no pet.). A district court may
vacate an award under the FAA only if (1) the award was procured by fraud, corruption, or undue means; (2)
there was evidence of partiality or corruption among the arbitrators; (3) the arbitrators were guilty of misconduct
that prejudiced the rights of a party; or (4) the arbitrators exceeded their powers. 9 U.S.C.S. § 10(a).
B. Arbitrator's Finding that Entire Contract Was Procured by Fraud
As part of their third issue, the Fogals contend the entire agreement is void, including the arbitration clause,
since the arbitrator found the agreement was fraudulently obtained. The Fogals contend that, although the
issue of fraudulent inducement of the entire agreement must go to the arbitrator, once the arbitrator determines
the entire agreement was obtained by fraud, that finding "vitiates all obligations contained in an agreement,"
including the arbitration clause. The Fogals assert that "the rule of severability rests 'on the assumption that
there is an underlying agreement.'" The Fogals contend that once the arbitrator finds the agreement is
obtained by fraud, the rule of severability no longer applies, and the finding by the arbitrator that the entire
agreement was obtained by fraud requires the arbitrator to determine that the arbitration clause is also
obtained by fraud. At that point, the Fogals contend the arbitrator should cease the arbitration hearing and
require the entire case be sent to the trial court for litigation. The Fogals do not cite to any authority to support
their position.
Stature responds that an agreement to arbitrate is treated as an entirely different contract between the parties,
even if the arbitration clause is subsumed within a larger contract. Stature explains that unless a party can
prove that the specific arbitration clause itself was procured by fraud, as opposed to the entire agreement
which contains the arbitration clause, the arbitration agreement is valid and all disputes encompassed by its
terms must be arbitrated.
The defense of fraudulent inducement "must specifically relate to the Arbitration Addendum itself, not the
contract as a whole, if [it is] to defeat arbitration. Defenses that pertain to the entire installment contract can be
arbitrated." FirstMerit Bank, 52 S.W.3d at 756. "[W]hile fraud in the inducement of an arbitration agreement is a
defense to arbitration, whether the sellers made any misrepresentations in the inducement of the underlying
contract relates to the contract's validity and can be arbitrated." Id. at 755. Though the Fogals correctly note
that a contract induced by fraud is no contract at all because it lacks agreement of the parties, see
Schlumberger Tech. Corp. v. Swanson, 959 S.W.2d 171, 178 (Tex. 1997), this does not affect arbitrability of
the dispute. See Will-Drill Resources, Inc. v. Samson Resources Co., 352 F.3d 211, 219 (5th Cir. 2003). As the
Fifth Circuit explained,
[T]he separability doctrine rests on the assumption that there is an underlying agreement. That one of the
parties later disputes the enforceability of that agreement does not change the fact that at some point in time,
the parties reached an agreement, and that agreement included the decision to arbitrate disputes arising out
the agreement. The existence of this agreement provides the arbitrator with the authority required to decide
whether the agreement will continue to exist. Even if the arbitrator concludes that the agreement was void, and
the parties are returned to their pre-agreement positions as if the agreement never existed, the agreement
existed long enough to give the arbitrator the power to decide the dispute. Id.
We conclude the determination by the arbitrator that Stature committed common-law fraud does not establish
that the arbitration clause was obtained by fraud because the arbitration clause is severed from the entire
agreement. See id. Moreover, the procedure for challenging whether an arbitration agreement was obtained by
fraud is to be held before the trial court, when the trial court is determining whether to compel arbitration. See
First Options, 514 U.S. at 943, 115 S. Ct. at 1924. After the trial court orders the case to be sent to arbitration,
the arbitrator is not determining the effectiveness of the arbitration agreement but rather the remaining part of
the contract that is severed from the arbitration agreement. See W. Dow Hamm III Corp. v. Millennium Income
Fund, L.L.C., 237 S.W.3d 745, 753 (Tex. App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, orig. proceeding & no pet.) ("[U]nless
an arbitration agreement provides otherwise, a court may determine only matters of substantive arbitrability . . .
." (citing Howsam v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., 537 U.S. 79, 84, 123 S. Ct. 588, 592 (2002))). The arbitrator
does not revisit the trial court's determination about the effectiveness of the arbitration clause. See First
Options, 514 U.S. at 943, 115 S. Ct. at 1924 ("[A]rbitration is simply a matter of contract between the parties; it
is a way to resolve those disputes--but only those disputes--that the parties have agreed to submit to
arbitration."). We hold the trial court did not err by refusing to vacate the arbitrator's award based on the
arbitrator's finding that Stature committed common-law fraud under the contract.
C. Violation of Open Courts
Also within their third issue, the Fogals assert that they are "entitled to have the award partially or totally
vacated on public policy grounds" because "this State has a long history of avoiding the obligations of contracts
found to be fraudulent or illegal." The Fogals contend that because the arbitrator found the entire agreement
was tainted by fraud, compelling them to arbitrate violates procedural due process of the United States
Constitution and the open courts provision of the Texas Constitution. See U.S. Const. amends. V, XIV ;Tex.
Const. art. I, §§ 13, 19. The Fogals cite Earle v. Ratliff in support of their claim, but the issue in Ratliff was
whether a statute's limitations period, not contractual arbitration proceedings, violated the open courts
provision. See 998 S.W.2d 882, 889 (Tex. 1999) ("The Open Courts provision of the Texas Constitution does
not permit a well-established common-law cause of action to be restricted by statute in a way that is
unreasonable or arbitrary in view of the statute's purpose.").
Although the arbitrator determined that the entire agreement was obtained by fraud, the arbitration clause is
severed from the agreement. See Forest Oil Corp. v. McAllen, 268 S.W.3d 51, 56 (Tex. 2008) ("While an
arbitration agreement procured by fraud is unenforceable, the party opposing arbitration must show that the
fraud relates to the arbitration provision specifically, not to the broader contract in which it appears."). The
Fogals present no evidence that the arbitration clause was fraudulently obtained. Because there is no evidence
of fraud as to the arbitration clause, there is no evidence that enforcement of the arbitration clause would
violate the public policy of Texas.
D. Challenges to Arbitrator's Evidentiary Hearing on the Merits
As part of their third issue, the Fogals assert the arbitrator substantially prejudiced the Fogals' rights by
refusing to hear the claims of fraudulent inducement separate from all other claims. The Fogals state, "By
denying [the Fogals] an opportunity to be heard initially on the issues of fraud and fraudulent inducement and
by ordering [the Fogals] to present all of their claims together, the arbitrator conducted the hearing in a manner
which substantially prejudiced [the Fogals'] rights."
The FAA provides as a ground for vacating an award that the "arbitrators refus[ed] to hear evidence pertinent
and material to the controversy." 9 U.S.C.S. §10(a)(3). An arbitrator is not bound to hear all the evidence
tendered by the parties as long as each party is given an adequate opportunity to present evidence and
arguments. Babcock & Wilcox Co. v. PMAC, Ltd., 863 S.W.2d 225, 234 (Tex. App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 1993,
writ denied) (applying FAA). Although they contend the arbitrator erred by not listening to the evidence in the
sequence they wanted the evidence heard, that complaint fails to assert that the arbitrator refused to hear
evidence. We cannot vacate or modify an arbitrator's award merely because the arbitrator refused to hear the
fraud claims separate from the other claims. See id.
In a footnote within the third issue, the Fogals contend the arbitrator refused to hear evidence of damage to
credit reputation as an element of the fraud claim. The Fogals assert that this "refusal alone is grounds to
vacate the award." The record shows that the arbitrator held a three-day hearing, at which the Fogals called six
witnesses and admitted 16 exhibits. Although the arbitrator limited the post-foreclosure evidence, the Fogals
were given an adequate opportunity to present evidence and arguments. See id. The arbitrator's award cannot
be invalidated merely because the arbitrator indicated a desire not to admit post-foreclosure evidence. See id.
Because the Fogals have not shown that the arbitrator failed to give them an opportunity to present evidence
and arguments, the trial court did not err by refusing to vacate the award. See id.
We overrule the third issue.
Trial Court's Modification of Arbitrator's Award In their fourth issue, the Fogals alternatively assert that the
judgment should be modified by striking the award of attorney's fees to Stature, charging Stature with the costs
in the bill of costs and for the court reporter, and adding an award for pre-judgment interest to the Fogals. In its
sole counter-issue, Stature asserts the trial court impermissibly modified the arbitration award by adding
post-judgment interest.
A. Law Concerning Modification of Arbitrator's Award
Texas law favors arbitration. IPCO-G. & C. Joint Venture v. A. B. Chance Co., 65 S.W.3d 252, 255 (Tex.
App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 2001, pet. denied). Because arbitration is favored as a means of dispute resolution,
courts indulge every reasonable presumption in favor of upholding the award. Id. at 256. An arbitration award
has the same effect as a judgment of a court of last resort, and a court reviewing the award may not substitute
its judgment for the arbitrator's merely because the court would have reached a different decision. Id. Every
reasonable presumption must be indulged to uphold the arbitrator's decision, and none is indulged against it.
Id. A mistake of fact or law is insufficient to set aside an arbitration award. Id. In the absence of a statutory or
common-law ground to vacate or to modify an arbitration award, a reviewing court lacks jurisdiction to review
other complaints. Id. The FAA allows an arbitration award to be modified in the event (1) the award has an
evident material miscalculation or material mistake; (2) the arbitrators awarded based on a matter not submitted
to them; or (3) the form of the award is imperfect in a way that does not affect the merits. 9 U.S.C.S. § 11.
The Fogals contend that the FAA allows the trial court to modify the arbitrator's award because the award has
an evident material miscalculation or material mistake, and the form of the award is imperfect in a way that does
not affect the merits. See id. "These grounds speak to errors that are clerical in nature rather than legal."
Quinn v. NAFTA Traders, Inc., 257 S.W.3d 795, 798 (Tex. App.--Dallas 2008). The Fifth Circuit has defined
"evident material miscalculation or material mistake":
"[W]here the record that was before the arbitrator demonstrates an unambiguous and undisputed mistake of
fact and the record demonstrates strong reliance on that mistake by the arbitrator in making his award, it can
fairly be said that the arbitrator 'exceeded [his] powers . . . .'" We interpret the term "undisputed" to mean we
should look to see whether there is any rational basis for disputing the truth of the fact.
McIlroy v. Paine Webber, Inc., 989 F.2d at 820 (5th Cir. 1993) (internal citation omitted); see also Valentine
Sugars, Inc. v. Donau Corp., 981 F.2d 210, 214 (5th Cir. 1993); Ehrich v. A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc., 675 F.
Supp. 559, 565-66 (D.S.D. 1987) (finding calculation of interest based on wrong number of months to be
"evident miscalculation of figures"). "One federal court of appeals has indicated that a miscalculation of figures
is 'evident' only if it appears on the face of the arbitration award itself." McGrath v. FSI Holdings, Inc., 246
S.W.3d 796, 813 (Tex. App.--Dallas 2008, pet. denied) (citing Apex Plumbing Supply, Inc. v. U.S. Supply Co.,
Inc., 142 F.3d 188, 194 (4th Cir. 1998). An award is imperfect in a matter of form not affecting the merits of the
controversy when the parties have a stipulation or agreement that the arbitrator's award fails to take into
account. See Lummus Global Amazonas, S.A., v. Aguaytia Energy Del Peru, S.R. LTDA, 256 F. Supp. 2d 594,
634-36 (S.D. Tex. 2002); see also Atl. Aviation, Inc. v. EBM Group, Inc., 11 F.3d 1276, 1283-84 (5th Cir. 1994).
B. The Fogals' Motion to Modify the Award
The Fogals contend the arbitrator improperly (1) awarded Stature attorney's fees as damages, (2) failed to
include the amount for their bill of costs and for the court reporter in those costs that Stature must pay; and (3)
failed to include pre-judgment interest in the award. (1) The Fogals have not explained how these three rulings
by the arbitrator are an evident material miscalculation or material mistake, or that these rulings do not affect
the merits. Because the rulings by the arbitrator are not evident material miscalculations or material mistakes,
and do affect the merits, we must uphold the arbitrator's award. See Babcock, 863 S.W.2d at 234-35 (holding
arbitrator's calculation of damages was within arbitrator's discretion, not material miscalculation); AIG Baker
Sterling Heights, L.L.C. v. Am. Multi-Cinema, Inc., 508 F.3d 995, 999-1001 (11th Cir. 2007) (holding no material
mistake or miscalculation when award did not compensate for payments never submitted to arbitrator);
Blumberg v. Bergh, No. 02-04-00138-CV, 2005 WL 1047592, at *6 (Tex. App.--Fort Worth May 5, 2005, no
pet.) (holding trial erred by adding post-judgment interest to arbitration award); McGrath, 246 S.W.3d at 813
(holding trial court properly refused to modify arbitrator's award by adding attorney's fees because no evidence
of material miscalculation).
We overrule the Fogals' fourth issue.
C. Stature's Counter-Issue
Stature contends that the trial court erred by modifying the arbitrator's award to add post-judgment interest.
The Fogals reply that Stature failed to preserve the issue of post-judgment interest for appeal by not making a
timely request, objection, or motion to the trial court. See Tex. R. App. P. 33.1. "To preserve a complaint of
error in the judgment, a party must inform the trial court of its objection in a timely filed motion to modify,
correct, or reform the judgment, motion for new trial, or some other similar method." In re Estate of Bendtsen,
230 S.W.3d 823, 831 (Tex. App.--Dallas 2007, pet. denied); see also Ortiz v. Collins, 203 S.W.3d 414, 427
(Tex. App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 2006, pet. denied) (holding same). We hold error is waived due to Stature's
failure to preserve the error at trial.
We overrule Stature's sole issue. Conclusion
We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Elsa Alcala
Justice
Panel consists of Justices Taft, Keyes, and Alcala.
1. We note that the arbitrator's award does not reference any statute in its damages award in favor of Stature.
The award makes clear that the arbitrator included attorney's fees in calculating damages caused by the
Fogals' breach of the arbitration agreement. Moreover, the Fogals admit they never submitted their Bill of Costs
to the arbitrator, though all expenses were incurred prior to issuance of the arbitrator's award.