Whitney Bank v. Davis-Jeffries-Hunold, Inc. et al

Filing 22

ORDER granting 9 Motion for Default Judgment as to Davis-Jeffries-Hunold, Inc.; granting 16 Motion for Default Judgment as to Michael Shane Jefferies. Plf's requests for reasonable attorney's fees and costs are DENIED with leave to re-file. Signed by Judge Kristi K. DuBose on 7/10/2012. (sdb)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
WHITNEY BANK,
Plaintiff,
vs.
DAVIS-JEFFRIES-HUNOLD, INC.,
MICHAEL SHANE JEFFRIES, and
D. ROBERT DAVIS,
Defendants.

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CIVIL ACTION NO. 12-0076-KD-C

ORDER
This action is before the Court on plaintiff Whitney Bank’s motion for default judgment
against defendant Davis-Jeffries-Hunold, Inc., (doc. 9) and motion for default judgment against
defendant Michael Shane Jeffries (doc. 16). Upon consideration and for the reasons set forth
herein, the motions are GRANTED in part as follows:
I.

Background

On February 9, 2012, Whitney Bank (Whitney) filed its complaint against Davis-JeffriesHunold, Inc. (DJH), Michael Shane Jeffries (Jeffries) and D. Robert Davis (Davis) (doc. 1).
Previously, DJH executed a mortgage and commercial mortgage note in favor of Whitney (docs.
1-1, 1-2). Jeffries and Davis executed continuing unlimited guaranties in favor of Whitney
wherein they guaranteed DJH’s debt (doc. 1-3). DJH defaulted on the loan, Whitney accelerated
the debt, and foreclosed upon the real property pursuant to the power of sale in the mortgage
(doc. 1, doc. 9-2, doc. 16-2, Affidavit of Richard D. Buntin, Vice President, Whitney Bank). The
foreclosure sale to a third party resulted in a deficiency balance (Id., doc. 1-4, foreclosure deed).
Whitney brings Count One of its complaint to recover the deficiency balance due under

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the terms of the loan documents and guaranties (doc. 1). Whitney seeks judgment against the
defendants, jointly and severally, in the amount of $144,891.07, which consists of the principal
balance of $140,540.76 plus accrued interest in the amount of $4,350.31 (accruing at the per
diem rate of $64.93), prejudgment interest, accruing late charges and fees, and a reasonable
attorney’s fee and costs (doc. 1, doc. 9-3, doc. 16-3, Affidavit of Counsel Annie J. Dike).
Davis was served with a copy of the summons and complaint by certified mail and he
filed an answer (doc. 3, doc. 4). DJH and Jeffries were served with a copy of the summons and
complaint by certified mail (doc. 3, doc. 6, doc. 16-1). DJH and Jeffries did not answer or
otherwise defend. Upon Whitney’s application, the Clerk entered default as to DJH and Jeffries
(doc. 8, doc. 15). Whitney now moves for summary judgment as to Davis (doc. 10) and for
default judgment as to Jeffries and DJH (doc. 9, doc. 16).
II.

Jurisdiction

This Court has jurisdiction based on diversity of citizenship, 28 U.S.C. § 1332 (doc. 1).
Whitney is a Louisiana banking organization. Davis is an Alabama citizen, DJH is a corporation
formed under the laws of Alabama and Jeffries is either a citizen of Alabama1 or Missouri.2 The
amount in controversy is met because the deficiency balance due as alleged in the complaint,
$144,891.07, exceeds the jurisdictional amount of $75.000 (doc. 1, p. 9).
Because Whitney seeks a judgment by default against DJH and Jeffries, the Court must

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The complaint was signed by counsel for Whitney and thus subject to Rule 11(b)(3) of
the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure which provides that “[b]y presenting to the court a pleading
. . . an attorney . . . certifies that to the best of the person's knowledge, information, and belief,
formed after an inquiry reasonable under the circumstances. . . the factual contentions have
evidentiary support”. Therefore, the Court will accept these jurisdictional allegations as true.
2

The return of service as to Jeffries shows that he was served with the summons and
complaint in Holt, Missouri (doc. 16-1).

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next determine whether it has personal jurisdiction over these defendants.3 “The concept of
personal jurisdiction comprises two distinct components: amenability to jurisdiction and service
of process. Amenability to jurisdiction means that a defendant is within the substantive reach of a
forum's jurisdiction under applicable law. Service of process is simply the physical means by
which that jurisdiction is asserted.” Baragona v. Kuwait Gulf Link Transport Co, 594 F.3d 852,
854 -855 (11th Cir. 2010) (citing Prewitt Enterprises, Inc. v. Organization of Petroleum
Exporting Countries, 353 F.3d 916, 925 n. 15 (11th Cir. 2003) (“Personal jurisdiction is a
composite notion of two separate ideas: amenability to jurisdiction, or predicate, and notice to
the defendant through valid service of process.”); see, e.g., Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. v.
Johannesburg Consol. Investments, 553 F.3d 1351, 1360 (11th Cir. 2008) (“Service of process is
a jurisdictional requirement: a court lacks jurisdiction over the person of a defendant when that
defendant has not been served.”) (citation omitted); In re Worldwide Web Systems, Inc., 328 F.3d
1291, 1299 (11th Cir. 2003) (“Generally, where service of process is insufficient, the court has
no power to render judgment and the judgment is void.”). “It is axiomatic that absent good
service, the Court has no in personam or personal jurisdiction over a defendant.” Nationwide
Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Creation's Own Corp., S.C., 2011 WL 6752561, 2 (M.D. Fla. November
16, 2011) (citations omitted)
As to service of process, Rule 4(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides for
3

The Court must address service of process and personal jurisdiction because a default
judgment is invalid and ineffective unless the Court has personal jurisdiction over the
defendants. Rash v. Rash, 173 F.3d 1376, 1381 (11th Cir.1999); Oldfield v. Pueblo De Bahia
Lora, S.A., 558 F.3d 1210, 1217 (11th Cir. 2009) (“an in personam judgment entered without
personal jurisdiction over a defendant is void as to that defendant”) (citations omitted); see also
System Pipe and Supply, Inc. v. M/V Viktor Kurnatovskiy, 242 F.3d 322, 324 (5th Cir. 2001)
(“When entry of default is sought against a party who has failed to plead or otherwise defend, the
district court has an affirmative duty to look into its jurisdiction both over the subject matter and
the parties.” ).

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serving an individual within the jurisdiction of the district courts of the United States but does
not provide for service by certified mail. However, Rule 4(e)(1) allows for service “following
state law for serving a summons in an action brought in courts of general jurisdiction in the state
where the district court is located....”. Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(e)(1). In that regard, the Alabama Rules
of Civil Procedure provide for service by certified mail, return receipt requested, sent by counsel
and effective upon the date of delivery to the “named addressee or the addressee’s agent as
evidenced by signature on the return receipt.” Ala. R. Civ. P. Rule 4(i)(2)(B)(ii) and (C).
The Court finds that it has personal jurisdiction over DJH. See Citibank, N.A. v. Data
Lease Financial Corp., 904 F.2d 1498, 1502 (11th Cir. 1990) (finding the District Court for the
Southern District of Florida had personal jurisdiction over defendant Data Lease and its directors
because they were citizens of Florida). Whitney filed a Notice of Service of Summons and
Complaint stating that DJH had been served on February 15, 2012 (doc. 9-1). The Certified Mail
Return Receipt showed that D. Rob Davis had signed for DJH (doc. 3-1). Whitney did not
provide any evidence as to whether Davis was the registered agent for service as to DJH or was
otherwise authorized to accept service. However, the Government Records of the Alabama
Secretary of State indicate that he is the registered agent for service of process. See
http://www.sos.state.al.us. The Records also indicate that DJH was formed in Fairhope,
Baldwin County, Alabama and its principal address and registered office street address are there.
As to Jeffries, Whitney filed a Notice of Service of Summons and Complaint and a
Certified Mail Return Receipt (doc. 6, doc. 6-1, doc. 16, doc. 16-1). These documents show that
the Jeffries signed the Receipt for the summons and complaint which were mailed to Jeffries in
Holt, Missouri. Service by certified mail on a non-resident defendant is allowed under Ala. R.
Civ. P. 4.2(b) (“ Service outside of this state under this rule shall include service by certified

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mail”); Miles v. McClung, 385 So.2d 1326, 1327 (Ala. Civ. App. 1980) (“ At the onset, we note
that Rule 4.2(b), ARCP], allows service on nonresident defendants by certified mail.”).
“A federal district court sitting in diversity may exercise personal jurisdiction to the
extent authorized by the law of the state in which it sits . . .” Meier v. Sun International Hotels,
Ltd., 288 F.3d 1264, 1269 (11th Cir. 2002). The district court may assert personal jurisdiction
over a nonresident defendant “only to the extent permitted by the long-arm statute of the forum
State, and only if the exercise of jurisdiction comports with the requirements of the Due Process
Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.” Branch Banking and Trust Co. v. W.K. Brent Broaderip,
2010 WL 3955794, 2 (S.D.Ala. Sept. 21, 2010) (quoting Vermeulen v. Renault, U.S.A. Inc., 975
F.2d 746, 753 (11th Cir.1992), opinion modified and superseded on other grounds by Vermeulen
v. Renault, U.S.A., Inc., 985 F.2d 1534 (11th Cir.), cert. denied sub nom.Vermeulen).
Alabama’s long-arm statute, Ala. R. Civ. App. 4.2, “authorizes Alabama courts to assert
jurisdiction to the fullest extent constitutionally permissible.” Mutual Serv. Ins. Co. v. Frit
Indus., Inc., 358 F.3d 1312, 1319 (11th Cir. 2004). Therefore, the “ ‘two-part inquiry collapses
into one determination: whether exercising personal jurisdiction over a non-[resident] defendant
would offend due process.’ ” Branch Banking and Trust Co, 2010 WL 3955794 at 2 (quoting
Clark v. Deal, 2009 WL 902533, at *2 (M.D. Ala. Mar. 31, 2009)) (bracketed text added);
Vermeulen, 975 F.2d at 753 (“When the courts of the forum State have interpreted the forum's
long-arm statute to confer jurisdiction to the limits allowed by federal due process, state law need
not be applied: we need only ask whether the exercise of jurisdiction over the nonresident
defendant comports with due process.”)
“Due process requires both that the defendant have ‘certain minimum contacts’ with the
forum state, and if such minimum contacts exist, that the exercise of jurisdiction over the

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defendant ‘does not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.’ ” Branch
Banking and Trust Co, 2010 WL 3955794 at 3 (quoting Burnham v. Superior Ct. of Cal., 495
U.S. 604, 110 S.Ct. 2105 (1990) quoting Int'l Shoe Co. v. Washington, 326 U.S. 310, 316, 66
S.Ct. 154, 90 L.Ed. 95 (1945)). “In assessing a defendant's ‘minimum’ contacts with the forum
state, courts have distinguished between contacts establishing ‘specific’ and ‘general’
jurisdiction.” Branch Banking and Trust Co., 2010 WL 3955794 at 3 (citation omitted).
General jurisdiction exists where the defendant's connection to the forum state is
“continuous and systematic.” Helicopteros Nacionales de Colombia v. Hall, 466 U.S. 408, 416,
104 S.Ct. 1868 (1984). Specific jurisdiction exists where a party's activities in the forum are
related to the cause of action alleged in the complaint. It has long been recognized
that a court has the minimum contacts to support specific jurisdiction only where
the defendant purposely avails itself of the privilege of conducting activities
within the forum State, thus invoking the benefits and protections of its laws. The
requirement that there be minimum contacts is grounded in fairness. It assures
that the defendant's conduct and connection with the forum State [is] such that he
should reasonably anticipate being haled into court there.
Branch Banking and Trust Co., 2010 WL 3955794 at 3 quoting Consol. Dev. Corp. v. Sherritt,
Inc., 216 F.3d 1286, 1291 (11th Cir. 2000) (internal citations and quotation marks omitted), cert.
denied, 534 U.S. 827, 122 S.Ct. 68 (2001). The Alabama Supreme Court has also explained that
“[d]epending on the quality and quantity of the contacts jurisdiction may be either general or
specific” Ex parte Barton, 976 So.2d 438, 443 (Ala. 2007). “General jurisdiction applies where a
defendant's activities in the forum state are substantial or continuous and systematic, regardless
of whether those activities gave rise to the lawsuit.... A court has specific jurisdiction when a
defendant has had few contacts with the forum state, but those contacts gave rise to the lawsuit.”
Id. (internal quotations and citations omitted).
In order to determine “minimum contacts” with the forum state, the Court must weigh the
facts of each case. Kulko v. Califonia Superior Ct., 436 U.S. 84, 92, 98 S.Ct. 1690 (1978)
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(“[T]he International Shoe ‘minimum contacts' test is not susceptible to mechanical application;
rather, the facts of each case must be weighed to determine whether the requisite ‘affiliating
circumstances' are present.”) (citations omitted). The loan documents that form the basis of this
litigation all include a choice of law provision selecting Alabama law as the controlling law and
if recorded, were recorded in the Probate Court of Baldwin County, Alabama where the real
property at issue is located. The majority of the loan documents indicate an execution in either
Baldwin County or Mobile County, Alabama. Whitney, as Lender, shows an address in Mobile,
Alabama. Defendants as borrowers or mortgagors show an address in Fairhope, Alabama.
Jeffries and Davis incorporated DJH in Alabama in 2002 and it is still an existing
corporation. Alabama Secretary of State, Government Records, http://www.sos.state.al.us.
Jeffries signed the Commercial Mortgage Note, two of the Changes in Terms of Agreement, and
the Mortgage, Security Agreement and Financing Statement, as President of DJH (docs. 1-1, 12). The notary’s attestation indicates that Jeffries signed in Baldwin County, Alabama (Id.)
Davis’ answer implies that Jeffries moved to Missouri at some time after executing the loan
documents (doc. 4) (“To the best of my knowledge, Michael Jeffries has left the state of
Alabama. His last known location was in Missouri”). These facts establish sufficient minimum
contacts such that Jeffries should reasonably anticipate being brought into court in Alabama and
the exertion of personal jurisdiction over Jeffries comports with due process.
III.

Choice of Law

“[A] federal court in a diversity case is required to apply the laws, including principles of
conflict of laws, of the state in which the federal court sits.” Manuel v. Convergys Corp., 430
F.3d 1132, 1139 (11th Cir. 2005) (citing Klaxon Co. v. Stentor Elec. Mfg. Co., 313 U.S. 487, 496
(1941)). Alabama courts follow the traditional conflict-of-law principles of lex loci contractus

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and lex loci delicti. Lifestar Response of Ala., Inc. v. Admiral Ins. Co., 17 So. 3d 200, 213 (Ala.
2009). Thus, in Alabama, contract claims are governed by the laws of the state where the
contract was made, unless the contracting parties chose a particular state’s laws to govern their
agreement. Cherry, Bekaert & Holland v. Brown, 582 So. 2d 502, 506 (Ala. 1991). In this
action, the parties chose the State of Alabama (doc. 1-1, pp. 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, doc. 1-3, pp. 3, 6, 8).
therefore, the laws of the State of Alabama shall apply.
IV.

Notice

Also, this Court generally requires that some notice be given to defendants between the
time of service of the summons and complaint and the entry of a default judgment. See, e.g.,
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. v. Surek, 2011 WL 5289254, 2 (S.D.Ala. Nov. 4, 2011);
Pennsylvania Nat. Mut. Cas. Ins. Co. v. King, 2012 WL 1712670, 2 n.4 (S.D.Ala. May 15,
2012) (“Certificates of Service confirm that Penn National mailed copies of both its Application
for Entry of Default (doc. 23) and its Motion for Default Judgment (doc. 33) to Treasure Coast
by and through its sole member and registered agent, Jewett. As such, there can be no doubt that
Treasure Coast has received unequivocal, repeated notice of these ongoing default proceedings.
In light of that fact, the Court finds that no further notice or invitation to Treasure Coast is
warranted or required prior to entry of default judgment.)
The Court is satisfied that defendants DJH and Jeffries had notice of the default
proceedings. They were served with the summons and complaint. The summons contains a
warning: “If you fail to respond, judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief
demanded in the complaint. You also must file your answer or motion with the court” (doc. 1).
Additionally, Whitney served the defendants by U.S. Mail with a copy of the applications for
entry of default and the motions for default judgment (Certificate of Service, docs. 7, 9, 12, 16).

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IV.

Findings of Fact

On April 14, 2006, DJH executed a Commercial Mortgage Note in the amount of
$497,250.00 in favor of Whitney (doc. 1-1). The Note contains a provision wherein the “Obligor
[DJH] agrees to pay the reasonable fees and costs of any attorney-at-law employed by Bank to
recover sums owed or to protect Bank’s interests with regard to this note. Obligor further agrees
to pay any and all charges, fees, costs, and/or taxes levied or assessed against Bank in connection
with this Note or against any collateral provided of this Note.” (doc. 1-1, p. 3). The Note was
renewed and modified on May 14, 2007 (doc. 1-1, p. 4-5), June 14, 2008 (doc. 1-1, p. 6-7),
January 14, 2009 (doc. 1-1, p. 8-10), and September 1, 2009 (doc. 1-1, p. 11-13). DJH remained
indebted for the balance due on the Note and for attorney’s fees and costs. (Id.)
Also on April 14, 2006, Jeffries executed a Continuing Guaranty to guaranty the debt of
DJH. The Guaranty provides that the “Guarantor jointly, severally, and unconditionally
guarantees to Bank the prompt payment of all obligations and liabilities of Borrower to Bank, . . .
including . . . attorney’s fees, expenses of collection and costs . . .” (doc. 1-3, p. 1). Jeffries
waived “all notice and pleas of presentment, demand, dishonor and protest.” (doc. 1-3, p. 1).
The Note was secured by a Mortgage executed by DJH in favor of Whitney on April 14,
2006 (doc. 1-2). The Mortgage granted Whitney a security interest in Lots 5, 6 23, 29, 30, 38, 44
and 57 located in Sedgefield Subdivision in Baldwin County, Alabama (doc. 1-2). The
Mortgage was modified effective September 1, 2009 (doc. 1-2, p. 13-14). At that time, the
principal balance was $306,850.00 and Lots 5, 23, and 44 had been sold. The Mortgage
Modification Agreement set a final maturity date of September 1, 2011 (Id.) All other terms of
the Mortgage remained in effect. (Id.) DJH defaulted under the terms of the Mortgage and the
Modification and Whitney accelerated the debt due (doc. 1, doc. 16-2, Buntin Affidavit, ¶ 12).

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Jeffries defaulted under the terms of the Continuing Guaranty (Id.)
Pursuant to the power of sale in the Mortgage, which provided for non-judicial
foreclosure of the real property, Whitney conducted a foreclosure sale on December 5, 2011. A
third party purchased the real property but the sale resulted in a deficiency balance due (doc. 162, Buntin Affidavit, ¶ 13-15, doc. 1-4, Foreclosure Deed).
At the time of filing the complaint, the deficiency balance was $144,891.07 which
consisted of principal in the amount of $140,540.76 and interest in the amount of $4,350.31 (doc.
1). Interest accrued at the per diem rate of $64.93 (doc. 1). At the time of filing the motion for
default judgment as to DJH, Whitney alleged that the deficiency balance was $147,033.76 which
consists of a principal balance in the amount of $129,879.00, accrued interest of $15,354.76, and
an appraisal fee of $1,800.00 (doc. 9). At the time of filing the motion for default judgment as to
Jeffries, Whitney alleged that the deficiency balance was $149,695.89 which consists of a
principal balance in the amount of $129,879.00, accrued interest of $18,016.89, and an appraisal
fee of $1,800.00 (doc. 16).
Whitney also seeks a reasonable attorney’s fee and costs (doc. 1). At the time of filing
the motion for default judgment as to DJH, Whitney moved for $20,842.97 as attorney’s fees and
expenses (doc. 9, doc. 9-3, Dike’s Affidavit ). At the time of filing the motion for default
judgment as to Jeffries, Whitney moved for $22,731.73 as attorney’s fees and expenses (doc. 16,
doc. 16-3, Dike’s Affidavit).
V.

Analysis

The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure establish a two-part process for obtaining a default
judgment. Fed. R. Civ. P. 55. If “a party against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is
sought has failed to plead or otherwise defend, and that failure is shown by affidavit or

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otherwise, the clerk must enter the party’s default.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a). After default has been
entered, if the “claim is for a sum certain or a sum that can be made certain by computation” the
clerk must enter default judgment. Fed.R.Civ.P. 55(b)(1). In all other circumstances, such as
here, “the party must apply to the court for a default judgment.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2).
Importantly, a “default judgment must not differ in kind from, or exceed in amount, what is
demanded in the pleadings.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(c).
Rule 55(b)(2) also provides that the Court may conduct a hearing to enter a judgment if
the Court needs to “conduct an accounting”, “determine the amount of damages”, “establish the
truth of any allegation by evidence” or “investigate any other matter.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2).
Upon review of the docket, the motion for default judgment, and supporting evidence, the Court
finds that a hearing is not necessary. Securities and Exchange Commission v. Smyth, 420 F.3d
1225, 1231–32 & n. 13 (11th Cir. 2005) (where “all essential evidence is already of record,” a
hearing is generally not required).
The Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has held that although “a default is not
treated as an absolute confession by the defendant of his liability and of the plaintiff's right to
recover, a defaulted defendant is deemed to admit the plaintiff's well-pleaded allegations of fact.
The defendant, however, is not held to admit facts that are not well-pleaded or to admit
conclusions of law.” Tyco Fire & Sec., LLC v. Alcocer, 218 Fed. Appx. 860, 863 (11th Cir.
2007) (per curiam) (citations and internal quotations omitted). Moreover, “before entering a
default judgment for damages, the district court must ensure that the well-pleaded allegations of
the complaint ... actually state a cause of action and that there is a substantive, sufficient basis in
the pleadings for the particular relief sought.” Id. (emphasis omitted). Therefore, Whitney must
establish a Aprima facie liability case” against the defendants. Pitts ex rel. Pitts v. Seneca Sports,

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Inc., 321 F. Supp. 2d 1353, 1357 (S.D. Ga. 2004) (citations omitted). Also, when assessing
damages, the Court has “an obligation to assure that there is a legitimate basis for any damage
award it enters.” Anheuser Busch, Inc. v. Philpot, 317 F.3d 1264, 1266 (11th Cir. 2007).
Overall, “there is a strong policy of determining cases on their merits” and therefore
defaults are viewed “with disfavor.” In re Worldwide Web Systems, Inc., 328 F.3d 1291, 1295
(11th Cir. 2003). “Since this case involves a default judgment there must be strict compliance
with the legal prerequisites establishing the court's power to render the judgment.” Varnes v.
Local 91, Glass Bottle Blowers Ass'n of U.S. and Canada, 674 F.2d 1365, 1369 (11th Cir. 1982)
Under Alabama law, loan documents are governed under contract law. See Penick v.
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge F & A M of Alabama, Inc., 46 So.3d 416, 428 (Ala.,
2010) (construing terms of a mortgage, notes and modification agreement). In that regard, “[i]f
the terms within a contract are plain and unambiguous, the construction of the contract and its
legal effect become questions of law for the court and, when appropriate, may be decided by a
summary judgment.” Diamond v. Bank of Alabama, 43 So.3d 552, 563 (Ala. 2009) (construing
terms of a promissory note, guaranty, line of credit and letter of credit and finding documents
underlying loan transaction were not ambiguous) (citations omitted). See Peppertree
Apartments, Ltd. v. Peppertree Apartments, 631 So.2d 873, 878 (Ala. 1993) (AThe intention of
the parties controls when a court construes the terms of a promissory note, and that intention is to
be derived from the provisions of the contract, if the language is plain and unambiguous.@).
In order to prevail on its breach of note claim against DJH, Whitney must establish the
following elements of a breach-of-contract claim “(1) a valid contract binding the parties; (2) the
plaintiff's performance under the contract; (3) the defendant's nonperformance; and (4) resulting
damages.” Shaffer v. Regions Financial Corp., 29 So.3d 872, 880 (Ala. 2009); Vision Bank v.

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Algernon Land Co., L.L.C., 2011 WL 1380062, 7 (S.D. Ala. Apr. 12, 2011); Wachovia Bank,
NA v. L&H Investments, LLC, 2010 WL 3825572, *4 (M.D. Ala., Sep. 24, 2010).
In order to prevail on its breach of guaranty agreement claim, Whitney must establish the
existence of Jeffries’s guaranty, default on the underlying Note by DJH, and nonpayment by
Jeffries as the guarantor. Branch Banking and Trust Co. v. Broaderip, 2011 WL 3511774, 3
(S.D.Ala. Aug. 11, 2011) (“Every suit on a guaranty agreement requires proof of the existence of
the guaranty contract, default on the underlying contract by the debtor, and nonpayment of the
amount due from the guarantor under the terms of the guaranty.”) quoting Delro Industries, Inc.
v. Evans, 514 So.2d 976, 979 (Ala. 1987); see also e.g., Vision Bank v. Algernon Land Co., LLC,
2011 WL 1380062, *7–8 (S.D.Ala. Apr. 12, 2011); Sharer v. Bend Millwork Sys., Inc., 600
So.2d 223, 225–226 (Ala. 1992).
The guaranty at issue is a continuing guaranty. Generally an additional element of notice
of DJH’s default to Jeffries as the guarantor must also be proven. However, Jeffries waived “all
notice and pleas of presentment, demand, dishonor and protest.” (doc. 1-3, p. 1). See, e.g.,
Sharer, 600 So.2d at 226. In that regard, “[t]he language of the guaranty is controlling in
determining whether the holder of the guaranty is under a duty to notify the guarantor of a
default by the principal, and notice need not be given when the terms of the guaranty expressly
dispense with the need for it.” Wells Fargo Bank v. Richard D. Horne, LLC, 2010 WL 5376341,
*3 at n.1 (S.D.Ala. Dec. 27, 2010); see also RBC Bank v. CMI Electronics, Inc., 2010 WL
2719096, *2 (M.D. Ala. Jul. 8, 2010) (“[i]n the case of a continuing guaranty, it is also necessary
to prove that the guarantor received notice of the debtor's default, unless that right has been
waived by the terms of the guaranty contract.”). Therefore, notice to Jeffries was not required.
Moreover, when a contract is “one of absolute guaranty,” as in this case, “the failure of

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the principal to pay the debt within the time provided in the principal contract fixed the liability
of the guarantors, without regard to the question of the principal's solvency or insolvency, and
the plaintiff was under no duty to the guarantors to pursue its remedy against the principal as a
prerequisite to its right to recover against the guarantors.” Ehl v. J.R. Watkins Medical Co., 112
So. 426, 426 (Ala. 1927); In re Southern Cinemas, Inc., 256 B.R. 520, 527 (Bkrtcy. M.D.Fla.
2000) (holding under Alabama law that “[i]n order to be entitled to enforce the obligation of the
contract of guaranty, the creditor must show that the guaranteed debt or obligation is due.”).
DJH and Jeffries failed to answer or otherwise defend this case. As to the merits of
Whitney’s motion for default judgment, the Court is satisfied that the allegations of the
complaint state a cause of action for breach of the Commercial Mortgage Note and breach of the
Continuing Guaranty. Whitney alleges that it loaned funds to DJH, that the loan was in default
because DJH failed to pay under the terms of the Note, that Jeffries failed to pay under the terms
of the Guaranty, that a foreclosure sale was held pursuant to the terms of the Mortgage, and a
deficiency balance remained due after the sale. Review of the loan documents attached to the
complaint shows that DJH was obligated to pay the Note and that Jeffries was obligated to pay in
the event of DJH’s default. Therefore, Whitney alleged a sufficient factual basis for relief.
As evidence of the debt due, Whitney submitted the Affidavit of Richard D. Buntin, a
Vice-President of Whitney wherein he verified the facts as plead in the complaint and that all
copies attached were true, correct and genuine (doc. 16-2, p 4). Buntin verified that the parties
entered into the respective Notes and Guaranty agreements, that DJH defaulted on payment of
the Note, that a foreclosure sale was held, that a deficiency balance remains due on the Note after
the foreclosures, and that DJH and Jeffries are jointly and severally liable for the deficiency as
well as Whitney’s reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. (doc. 16-2). Buntin’s affidavit testimony

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is sufficient evidence of the balance due on the Note. See Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Vergos,
2012 WL 206169, *2 (S.D.Ala. Jan. 24, 2012) (“Alabama law provides that the proffer of a copy
of the note and affidavit testimony as to the amounts due under the note, as well as the
defendant's failure to make the required payments, is sufficient to establish a plaintiff's case to
recover a note.”) (citing Griffin v. American Bank, 628 So.2d 540, 543 (Ala. 1993) (affidavit
submitted by bank president)).
VI.

Damages

On motion for default judgment, the “ court has an obligation to assure that there is a
legitimate basis for any damage award it enters.” Anheuser Busch, Inc. v. Philpot, 317 F.3d 1264,
1266 (11th Cir. 2003). Also, a “default judgment must not differ in kind from, or exceed in
amount, what is demanded in the pleadings.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(c). In the complaint, Whitney
demands judgment against the defendants, jointly and severally, in the total amount of
$144,891.07, which consists of the principal balance of $140,540.76 plus accrued interest in the
amount of $4,350.31 (doc. 1, p. 10). Whitney also demands accrued prejudgment interest as
provided by the loan documents (doc. 1, p. 10). Therefore, Whitney is entitled to an award of
interest accrued since the complaint was filed.4
As to accrued interest, in the motion for default judgment as to DJH, Whitney alleged
that the deficiency balance was $147,033.76 which consists of a principal balance in the amount
of $129,879.00, accrued interest of $15,354.76, and an appraisal fee of $1,800.00 (doc. 9). In the
4

The complaint indicates that interest accrues at the per diem rate of $64.93. (Id.) The
most recent Change in Terms of Agreement showed a principal balance due of $306,850.00 and
a change in terms to a fixed interest rate of .06% per annum calculated on a 360 day year (doc. 11, p. 11). The Change in Terms also indicated that post-default interest would accrue at the rate
of 18% per annum based on a 360 day year. However, Whitney did not specify which interest
rate was applied to calculate the per diem rate.

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motion for default judgment as to Jeffries, Whitney alleged that the deficiency balance was
$149,695.89 which consists of a principal balance in the amount of $129,879.00, accrued interest
of $18,016.89, and an appraisal fee of $1,800.00 (doc. 16; doc. 16-2, Buntin Affidavit).
The principal balances in the motions for default judgment ($129,879.00) are not
consistent with the principal balance in the complaint ($140,540.76). Also, the appraisal fee of
$1,800.00 appears to be a cost of collecting the debt and more appropriately addressed with the
request for the attorney’s fees and costs. Therefore, the Court cannot ascertain the amount of
interest accrued since the complaint was filed. Accordingly, Whitney is ORDERED to provide
the Court with supporting evidence to resolve this conflict and establish the specific amount of
damages to which it is entitled under the terms of the DJH loan documents and Jeffries’
guaranty, including proof of the correct principal balance due on the deficiency after the
foreclosure sale, accrued interest, and the per diem rate of interest, on or before July 24, 2012.
VII.

Attorneys’ Fees and Costs

In the motion for default judgment against DJH, Whitney moves for $20,842.97 as
attorneys’ fees and costs (doc. 9, p. 2) and in the motion for default judgment against Jeffries,
Whitney moves for $22,731,73 as attorneys’ fees and costs (doc. 16, p. 2). In support of each
request, Whitney provides the Court with substantially identical affidavits by its counsel Annie J.
Dike (doc. 1-6, doc. 10-5, doc. 9-3, doc. 16-3). In each, Dike states that the “terms of the Loan
Documents” provide that defendants “shall be responsible for reasonable attorney’s fees in the
event of the default” (Id.). Dike then states an amount due for attorney’s fees and costs and gives
her opinion that “this amount is reasonable . . .” (Id.)
As the movant, Whitney bears the burden of establishing the “reasonableness” of the
attorney’s fees requested. American Civil Liberties Union of Ga. v. Barnes, 168 F.3d 423, 427

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(11th Cir.1999). In this court, a determination as to the reasonableness of attorney’s fees begins
with a determination of the reasonable hourly rate multiplied by the hours reasonably expended.
See Norman v. Housing Authority of City of Montgomery, 836 F.2d 1292, 1303 (11th Cir.1988)
(applying a three-part framework for calculating the lodestar and explaining that before the
calculation, the court should determine the reasonable hourly rate and hours reasonably
expended). In that regard, “[s]atisfactory evidence at a minimum is more than the affidavit of the
attorney performing the work.” Norman, 836 F. 2d at 1299, citing Blum, 465 U.S. at 896 n. 11,
104 S.Ct. at 1547 n.11; Wachovia Bank, Nat. Ass'n v. Motes Const. & Development, Inc., 2009
WL 4898355, 3 (S.D.Ala., 2009) (finding that an affidavit by an associate which did not contain
supporting documentation of time spent on tasks or information regarding counsel’s skill and
experience levels was not sufficient to support a claim for attorney’s fees and costs).
Therefore, Dike’s affidavit testimony is not satisfactory evidence that the attorney’s fees
charged by her firm are reasonable. As an initial consideration, costs are not delineated
separately from attorney’s fees . Also, Dike failed to provide any documentary evidence to show
the hourly rate charged, the number of hours worked, and the type of work performed. Nor did
she provide information regarding the skill, knowledge, or experience of the attorneys
performing the work. In sum, Whitney failed to provide the Court with any documentation to
support its request. Thus, the Court lacks sufficient information to determine whether the
attorneys’ fees and costs requested are reasonable. Accordingly, Whitney’s motions for
attorney’s fees and costs are DENIED with leave to re-file on or before July 24, 2012.
VIII.

Conclusion

Accordingly, it is ORDERED that Whitney’s motions for default judgment as to Jeffries
and DJH are GRANTED in part as set forth herein, and Whitney’s requests for reasonable

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attorney’s fees and costs are DENIED with leave to re-file.
Final judgment shall issue upon resolution of the current pay-off balance and the
reasonableness of the attorney’s fees and costs. Brandon, Jones, Sandall, Zeide, Kohn, Chalal &
Musso, P.A. v. MedPartners, Inc., 312 F.3d 1349, 1355 (11th Cir. 2002) (“In this Circuit, a
request for attorneys' fees pursuant to a contractual clause is considered a substantive issue....”);
Ierna v. Arthur Murray International, Inc., 833 F.2d 1472, 1476 (11th Cir. 1987) (“When the
parties contractually provide for attorneys' fees, the award is an integral part of the merits of the
case.”).
DONE and ORDERED this 10th day of July, 2012.
/s/ Kristi K. DuBose
KRISTI K. DUBOSE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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