Opinion
The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2).
NOT FOR PUBLICATION. (See Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure Rule 32.1)
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. D.C. No. 1:10-cv-02026-AWI-DLB. Anthony W. Ishii, District Judge, Presiding.
JACOB WINDING, DBA Top to Bottom Cleaning Service, Plaintiff - Appellant, Pro se, Stockton, CA.
For NDEX WEST, LLC, as Trustee, Defendant - Appellee: Edward A. Treder, Attorney, Thomas K. Agawa, Esquire, Attorney, Barrett Daffin Frappier Treder & Weiss, LLP, Diamond Bar, CA.
For WELLS FARGO BANK, NA, Defendant - Appellee: Daniel A. Armstrong, Attorney, Jeremy E. Shulman, Attorney, Robert Collings Little, Esquire, Attorney, Anglin, Flewelling, Rasmussen, Campbell & Trytten LLP, Pasadena, CA; Mark T. Flewelling, ANGLIN, FLEWELLING, RASMUSSEN, etc., Pasadena, CA.
Before: FISHER, GOULD, and BYBEE, Circuit Judges.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.
Jacob Winding, dba Top to Bottom Cleaning Service, appeals pro se from the district court's judgment dismissing his action alleging fraud and other claims arising from foreclosure proceedings. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review de novo. Knievel v. ESPN, 393 F.3d 1068, 1072 (9th Cir. 2005). We affirm.
The district court properly dismissed Winding's claim for declaratory relief because Winding failed to allege facts showing that he held a lien in a senior position of priority to defendants' lien. See Cal. Civ. Code § 1214 (the date of recording determines priority of liens in California); see also O'Meara v. De Lamater, 52 Cal.App.2d 665, 126 P.2d 671, 672 (Cal. Ct.App. 1942) (" [A]ssignment back to the maker of the note and mortgage merge[s] the equitable title with the legal title and extinguishe[s] the mortgage." ).
The district court properly dismissed Winding's claims for fraud and cancellation of instruments because Winding failed to allege facts showing that defendants misrepresented the priority of their lien. See Lazar v. Superior Court, 12 Cal.4th 631, 49 Cal.Rptr.2d 377, 909 P.2d 981, 984 (Cal. 1996) (elements of fraud under California law).
The district court did not abuse its discretion in granting Wells Fargo's request for judicial notice because the court properly examined the requested documents and determined that their accuracy could not reasonably be questioned. See Fed.R.Evid. 201; Ritter v. Hughes Aircraft Co., 58 F.3d 454, 458 (9th Cir. 1995) (standard of review).
The district court did not abuse its discretion in granting Wells Fargo's motion to strike Winding's claim for punitive damages because Winding did not allege facts demonstrating malice, oppression, or fraud. See Cal. Civ. Code § 3294 (requirements for punitive damages under California law); Nurse v. United States, 226 F.3d 996, 1000 (9th Cir. 2000) (standard of review).
The district court did not abuse its discretion in awarding attorney's fees for Wells Fargo's successful motion to expunge the notice of lis pendens. See Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 405.38 (directing the award of attorney's fees to a prevailing party on a motion concerning expungement unless the party opposing the motion acted with substantial justification or other circumstances make the award unjust); Hemmings v. Tidyman's, Inc., 285 F.3d 1174, 1200 (9th Cir. 2002) (standard of review).
We lack jurisdiction to review the post-judgment award of attorney's fees filed on November 1, 2011. See Culinary & Serv. Emps. Union, AFL-CIO Local 555 v. Haw. Emp. Benefit Admin., Inc., 688 F.2d 1228, 1232 (9th Cir. 1982) (" Where no notice of appeal from a post-judgment order awarding attorneys' fees is filed, the court of appeals lacks jurisdiction to review the order." ).
We do not consider matters not specifically and distinctly raised and argued in the opening brief, or arguments and allegations raised for the first time on appeal. See Padgett v. Wright, 587 F.3d 983, 985 n.2 (9th Cir. 2009) (per curiam).
Winding's contention that he was denied effective assistance of counsel is unpersuasive. See Nicholson v. Rushen, 767 F.2d 1426, 1427 (9th Cir. 1985) (per curiam) (" Generally, a plaintiff in a civil case has no right to effective assistance of counsel." ).
Winding's motion for leave to file an oversized reply brief is granted, and we instruct the Clerk to file the reply brief submitted on September 4, 2012.
AFFIRMED.