Jerry Lee Gaudet Versus Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC and/or Mosaic Crop Nutrition, LLC; Savage Services Corporation; Clements Service Station, Inc., A/K/A Clement's Towing; Denis Clement; Kingsmill Auto Service, Inc.; Robert J. "Bob" Kinsgmill; Mr. D, the Savage Services Driver; Mr. X, Mr. Y, and Mr. Z, Mosaic Employees

• Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal
• Decided: February 5, 2025
• Docket: 24-CA-389
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

JERRY LEE GAUDET NO. 24-CA-389

VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT

MOSAIC FERTILIZER, LLC, ET AL. COURT OF APPEAL

STATE OF LOUISIANA

ON APPEAL FROM THE TWENTY-THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF ST. JAMES, STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 40,635, DIVISION "D" HONORABLE STEVEN C. TUREAU, JUDGE PRESIDING

February 05, 2025

TIMOTHY S. MARCEL JUDGE

Panel composed of Judges Jude G. Gravois, Scott U. Schlegel, and Timothy S. Marcel

AFFIRMED TSM JGG

DISSENTS WITH REASONS SUS COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT/APPELLANT, MOSAIC FERTILIZER Louis M. Grossman Mark A. Marionneaux John F. Jakuback Lana D. Crump Katie D. Bell Forrest E. Guedry

COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT/APPELLEE, SAVAGE Matthew C. Nodier Daniel E. Brauner Amanda E. McGowen Kimberly L. Wood MARCEL, J.

This appeal concerns a discovery dispute in a suit arising from burn injuries

sustained by plaintiff, Jerry Lee Gaudet, while attempting to recover an overturned

truck owned by defendant Savage Services Corporation ("Savage"), inside the

Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC facility in St. James Parish. Third-party, former defendants

Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC and Mosaic Crop Nutrition, LLC (collectively “Mosaic”),

seek supervisory review of an April 26, 2024 district court judgment granting a

Motion to Compel a response to a Notice of Deposition for Records Only with

Subpoena Duces Tecum issued by defendant Savage to Mosaic. This judgment

was certified as a partial final judgment under La. C.C.P. art. 1915 because Mosaic

are no longer defendants in the main demand, having previously settled claims

with plaintiff. For the following reasons, we affirm the judgment of the district

court.

BACKGROUND

On August 9, 2023, Savage filed a Notice of Deposition for Records Only

Subpoena Duces Tecum on the Mosaic defendants seeking the production of

documents relating to plaintiff's accident at the Mosaic facility. Documents

described in the subpoena include: copies of general liability insurance policies

issued to Mosaic, correspondence between plaintiff and Mosaic, a copy of the

settlement agreement between plaintiff and Mosaic, the identities of persons

interviewed by Mosaic during the course of its investigation of the incident,

personnel files for specific Mosaic employees, communications between Mosaic

and OSHA, all documents relating to the accident, and other specified documents.

The subpoena was effectively served on Mosaic’s registered agent for service of

process. Mosaic did not produce the requested documents.

On February 15, 2024, Savage filed a Motion to Compel seeking

enforcement of the subpoena and the production of the requested documents.

1 24-CA-389 Following a hearing on the motion, the district court issued a judgment on April

26, 2024 granting the motion. A motion staying the execution of the district court's

judgment pending the appeal was granted. Mosaic’s timely appeal follows.

Appellants raise four assignments of error which may be summarized as (1)

the district court lacks the jurisdiction and authority to issue an in-state subpoena to

a non-party, non-resident; (2) the district court abused its discretion in upholding

and enforcing the subpoena despite its noncompliance with La. C.C.P. art. 1354(H)

and La. C.C.P. art. 1353; (3) the district court abused its discretion in hearing a

motion to compel on a discovery dispute despite the moving party failing to

conduct a Rule 10.1 discovery conference and without a Rule 10.1 certificate of

conference; and (4) the district court abused its discretion in failing to hear and rule

on document specific and categorical objections to document requests in the non-

party subpoena despite written objections. We consider these assignments of error

in our discussion below.

DISCUSSION

Standard of Review

In ruling on discovery matters, the district court is vested with broad

discretion and, upon review, an appellate court should not disturb such rulings

absent a clear abuse of discretion. Khoobehi Props., LLC v. Baronne Dev. No. 2,

L.L.C., 16-506 (La. App. 5 Cir. 3/29/17), 216 So. 3d 287, 303.

Authority of the District Court to Subpoena a Nonparty

Mosaic raises as its first assignment of error that the district court lacks the

jurisdiction and authority to issue an in-state subpoena to a non-party, non-resident.

As support for its argument that a Louisiana court cannot order a non-party, non-

resident witness to appear and/or produce documents at a deposition in Louisiana,

Mosaic cites the Louisiana Supreme Court in Phillips Petroleum Co. v. OKC Ltd.

P'ship, 634 So.2d 1186, 1188 (La. 1994). We find the Phillips case distinguishable

2 24-CA-389 from the case before us. In Phillips, the court found that the only “presence” of the

non-party corporation sought to be deposed was designation of an agent for service

of process. Id. In contrast, Mosaic maintains a facility in Louisiana, and that

facility is where the accident occurred. Mosaic also employs workers in Louisiana.

We find no error or abuse of discretion in the district court's ruling that Mosaic is

subject to the subpoena power of a Louisiana court. See Molaison v. Cust-O-Fab

Specialty Servs., LLC, 21-585 (La. App. 5 Cir. 6/1/22), 343 So.3d 866. This

assignment of error is without merit.

Noncompliance with Article 1354 and Article 1353

In its second assignment of error, Mosaic contends the district court abused

its discretion in upholding and enforcing the subpoena duces tecum despite its

noncompliance with La. C.C.P. art. 1354(H) and La. C.C.P. art. 1353. It is

undisputed that the subpoena duces tecum served on Mosaic by Savage did not

reproduce in full the provisions of Article 1354. Additionally, Savage did not

deposit witness fees and expenses as provided for under La. C.C.P. art. 1353.

Under the facts presented, Mosaic contends the district court abused its

discretion by not striking the subpoena duces tecum for its non-conformity with

La. C.C.P. art. 1354, which sets forth the requirements of a subpoena duces tecum.

Subsection (H) of that Article states, “[s]ubpoenas duces tecum shall reproduce in

full the provisions of this Article.” Mosaic argues that the inclusion of the word

“shall” contained in La. C.C.P. art. 1354(H) makes the inclusion of such language

mandatory, and that Savage's failure to follow the provision means that the district

court should have struck the subpoena duces tecum as null and void. Mosaic cites

no case or jurisprudence in support of such an enforcement mechanism. Further,

Mosaic has not argued that they were unaware of the procedures for objecting to a

subpoena duces tecum.

3 24-CA-389 The text of the article itself provides no remedy for failing to follow the

mandatory requirement of subsection (H). However, the 2008 comments on

Article 1354 suggest what was intended by the inclusion of subsection (H):

(c) In order to inform the subpoenaed person of the procedures for objecting to a subpoena duces tecum, Paragraph H adds the requirement that all subpoenas duces tecum reproduce the provisions of this Article. It is suggested that the subpoena forms include a prominent notice that Article 1354 appears in full on the back of the form. [emphasis added]

While the article text includes the term “shall”, comment (c) reflects that it

was not the legislative intent for compulsory invalidation of subpoenas

duces tecum that omit a recitation of La. C.C.P. art. 1354. Imposing the

remedy sought by Mosaic, beyond creating an enforcement mechanism not

crafted by the legislature in the text of the Article, would be detrimental to

judicial efficiency. Therefore, we find the district court’s failure to vacate or

strike the subpoena duces tecum for non-compliance with La. C.C.P. art.

1354(H) was not an abuse of its discretion.

Mosaic also argues in this assignment of error that the district court abused

its discretion by failing to strike the subpoena as null and void for Savage’s failing

to deposit witness fees and expenses. La. C.C.P. art. 1353 states that “no subpoena

shall issue until the party who wishes to subpoena the witness first deposits with

the clerk of court a sum of money sufficient to pay all fees and expenses to which

the witness is entitled by law.” Additionally, La. R.S. 13:3661(C) states, “[n]o

witness shall be subpoenaed to attend a trial or hearing unless the party who

desires the testimony of the witness has deposited with the clerk of court the

estimated attendance fee and travel expenses.”

As noted above, Savage did not deposit witness expenses and fees with the

clerk of court when it requested issuance of its subpoena duces tecum. Mosaic

argues that this failure to tender that deposit means that the subpoena is null and

4 24-CA-389 void. Savage responds by arguing that these statutes are not applicable in this case

because the subpoena in question was issued only for the production of documents,

not to summon witnesses to testify.

On the record before use, we note the subpoena request was for the

production of certain documents; it did not command the appearance of a witness

to give testimony. Therefore, we find the district court’s denial of Mosaic’s

request to strike the subpoena duces tecum for non-compliance with La. C.C.P. art.

1353 was not an abuse of its discretion.

This assignment of error is without merit.

Failure to Conduct a Rule 10.1 Conference or Provide Rule 10.1 Certificate

Mosaic’s third assignment of error asserts the district court abused its

discretion in hearing a motion to compel on a discovery dispute when the moving

party failed to conduct a Rule 10.1 discovery conference and include a Rule 10.1

Certificate of Conference in the motion. There is no factual dispute regarding this

assigned error. Savage did not include a Rule 10.1 Certificate of Conference in its

Motion to Compel, nor did Savage formally request a Rule 10.1 Conference before

filing that motion. Rule 10.1 of the District Court Uniform Rules states:

(a) Before filing any motion to compel discovery, the moving party or attorney shall confer in person or by telephone with the opposing party or counsel for the purpose of amicably resolving the discovery dispute. The moving party or attorney shall attempt to arrange a suitable conference date by written notice sent at least five (5) days before the conference date, unless an earlier date is agreed upon or good cause exists for a shorter time period. If by telephone, the conference shall be initiated by the person seeking the discovery responses.

(b) No counsel for a party shall file, nor shall any clerk set for hearing, any motion to compel discovery unless accompanied by a "Rule 10.1 Certificate of Conference" as set forth below…

(c) If the court finds that the parties or counsel have failed to confer in good faith, or have willfully failed to confer, the court may impose, at its discretion, sanctions on the non-conferring party, including attorney fees and costs.

5 24-CA-389 In support of this assignment of error, Mosaic argues that the term “shall”

contained in subparts (a) and (b) of the rule impose a mandatory obligation, and the

only proper remedy for failure to conduct a Rule 10.1 discovery conference is

dismissal of Savage’s Motion to Compel. We disagree.

The district court rules are intended to govern interactions between the

courts, counsel, and litigants, and to ensure the administration of justice in an

efficient and effective manner. Uniform Rules - District Courts Rule 1.0. The trial

court has great discretion in the construction, interpretation, application, or

enforcement of its own rules. At Your Serv. Enterprises, Inc. v. Swope, 07-1620

(La. App. 4 Cir. 1/14/09), 4 So.3d 138, 141; Miller v. Miller, 35,934 (La. App. 2

Cir. 5/8/02), 817 So.2d 1166, 1172, writ denied, 02-1890 (La. 10/25/02), 827 So.2d

1154. The rules should not be construed so literally as to defeat their intended

purpose. Id. Further, appellant’s proposed interpretation disregards subpart (c)

that expressly provides trial courts with discretion to enforce the rule.

Upon review, we find no abuse of discretion in the district court's decision

not to dismiss Savage's Motion to Compel for failing to include a Rule 10.1

Certificate of Conference or conducting a formal Rule 10.1 Conference. The

evidence and transcripts in the record indicate that counsel for Savage and counsel

for Mosaic engaged in multiple informal conferences concerning the production of

documents in response to the subpoena prior to the filing of the Motion to Compel.

Thus, the district court acted soundly within the discretion expressly referenced in

subpart (c) of the rule. This assignment of error is without merit.

Purported Failure to Consider Written Objections

Finally, Mosaic argues that the district court abused its discretion in failing

to hear and rule on document specific and categorical objections to document

requests in the non-party subpoena despite written objections. However, Mosaic

offers no legal support for its argument, and we find no support in the record for its

6 24-CA-389 claim that “[t]he district court did not in any way consider these specific and

categorical objections…” The record indicates that the district court considered

and rejected Mosaic's written objections. Mosaic has not sought review of that

determination, but instead has requested that this Court remand the matter back to

the district court for reconsideration, providing us with only a designated record

that precludes us from evaluating the merits of those objections. This assignment

of error is without merit.

CONCLUSION

Upon review of the designated record before us and considering arguments

of counsel on appeal, we find no abuse of the district court's broad discretion in its

judgment granting Savage’s Motion to Compel. The judgment of the district court

is affirmed.

AFFIRMED

7 24-CA-389 JERRY LEE GAUDET NO. 24-CA-389

SCHLEGEL, J., DISSENTS WITH REASONS

The word “shall” means “shall.” Thus, I respectfully dissent. La. R.S. § 1:3

and La. C.C.P. art. 5053 unequivocally state that “[t]he word ‘shall’ is mandatory

and the word ‘may’ is permissive.”

The majority, however, suggests that because “[t]he text of the article itself

provides no clear remedy for failing to follow the mandatory requirement of

subsection (H),” the Court should look to the comments for guidance on the

legislature’s intent. I disagree.

The law is not ambiguous so there is no reason to look to the comments.

“When the wording of a Section is clear and free of ambiguity, the letter of it shall

not be disregarded under the pretext of pursuing its spirit.” La. R.S. § 1:4.

Moreover, the law itself, not a comment to the law, is the solemn expression

of legislative will, and it is the Court’s duty to apply it as written. As stated in

Police Jury of Calcasieu Par. v. Indian Harbor Ins. Co., 24-449 (La. 10/25/24),

395 So.3d 717, 723 (internal citations omitted):

Legislation is the solemn expression of legislative will; as such, statutory interpretations are primarily the search for legislative intent. The interpretation of any statute begins with the statute itself. When the law in question is clear and unambiguous, and its application does not lead to absurd consequences, it shall be applied as written; no further interpretation in search of legislative intent is required.

1 24-CA-389 The statute at issue, La. C.C.P. art. 1354(H), clearly and unambiguously

requires that “[s]ubpoenas duces tecum shall reproduce in full the provisions of

this Article.” When the legislature mandates that certain steps “shall” be taken,

Courts are not free to excuse noncompliance. If we ignore mandatory

requirements and instead consider them as optional just because the violation

appears harmless, we begin to erode trust in our system of justice.

It is undisputed that the subpoena duces tecum issued and served on Mosaic

did not include the language of La. C.C.P. art. 1354 as required by section (H),

which provides: “[s]ubpoenas duces tecum shall reproduce in full the provisions of

this Article.” (Emphasis added). Accordingly, I would reverse the judgment of the

trial court and require that a new subpoena be issued in compliance with statutory

requirements to give effect to the language of La. C.C.P. art. 1354(H).

2 24-CA-389 SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CURTIS B. PURSELL

CHIEF JUDGE CLERK OF COURT

SUSAN S. BUCHHOLZ FREDERICKA H. WICKER CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK JUDE G. GRAVOIS MARC E. JOHNSON STEPHEN J. WINDHORST LINDA M. WISEMAN JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR. FIRST DEPUTY CLERK SCOTT U. SCHLEGEL TIMOTHY S. MARCEL FIFTH CIRCUIT MELISSA C. LEDET JUDGES 101 DERBIGNY STREET (70053) DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL STAFF POST OFFICE BOX 489 GRETNA, LOUISIANA 70054 (504) 376-1400

(504) 376-1498 FAX www.fifthcircuit.org

NOTICE OF JUDGMENT AND CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY I CERTIFY THAT A COPY OF THE OPINION IN THE BELOW-NUMBERED MATTER HAS BEEN DELIVERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM RULES - COURT OF APPEAL, RULE 2-16.4 AND 2-16.5 THIS DAY FEBRUARY 5, 2025 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, CLERK OF COURT, COUNSEL OF RECORD AND ALL PARTIES NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, AS LISTED BELOW:

24-CA-389 E-NOTIFIED 23RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT (CLERK) HONORABLE STEVEN C. TUREAU (DISTRICT JUDGE) LOUIS M. GROSSMAN (APPELLANT) MARK A. MARIONNEAUX (APPELLANT) ROBERT L. RAYMOND (APPELLEE) MATTHEW C. NODIER (APPELLEE)

MAILED RENEE C. MCKAY (APPELLEE) AMANDA E. MCGOWEN (APPELLEE) FORREST E. GUEDRY (APPELLANT) ATTORNEY AT LAW DANIEL E. BRAUNER (APPELLEE) JAY M. JALENAK, JR. (APPELLANT) 1100 POYDRAS STREET KIMBERLY L. WOOD (APPELLEE) JOHN F. JAKUBACK (APPELLANT) SUITE 1700 ATTORNEYS AT LAW LANA D. CRUMP (APPELLANT) NEW ORLEANS, LA 70163 6663 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY ATTORNEYS AT LAW BATON ROUGE, LA 70806 POST OFFICE BOX 3513 J. ROBERT ATES (APPELLEE) BATON ROUGE, LA 70821 ATTORNEY AT LAW KATIE D. BELL (APPELLANT) POST OFFICE BOX 368 ATTORNEY AT LAW HONORABLE JOEL T. CHAISSON, II NEW SARPY, LA 70078 POST OFFICE DRAWER 3513 (APPELLEE) BATON ROUGE, LA 70821 DISTRICT ATTORNEY TWENTY-NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT POST OFFICE BOX 680 HAHNVILLE, LA 70057