# Oakworth Capital Bank v. RC Nashville Development Partners, LLC

> District Court, M.D. Tennessee · July 2, 2024

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10669824

## Case

- **Court:** District Court, M.D. Tennessee
- **Decided:** July 2, 2024
- **Opinion:** 100trialcourt
- **Cited by:** 0 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

## Citator (automated)

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- Full citator and citing cases: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10669824

## How later opinions describe it (automated extraction)

- applying the elements of a breach of contract to a breach of a personal guaranty

## Opinion text

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE

OAKWORTH CAPITAL BANK )
) Case No. 3:23-cv-01145
v. )
)
RC NASHVILLE DEVELOPMENT )
PARTNERS, LLC and TIMOTHY J. MORRIS )

To: Honorable Eli J. Richardson, United States District Judge

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

This pro se civil case has been referred to the Magistrate Judge for pretrial proceedings
under 28 U.S.C. §§ 636(b)(1)(A) and (B), Rule 72 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and
the Local Rules of Court. (Docket No. 29.)
Pending before the Court is Plaintiff Oakworth Capital Bank’s motion for summary
judgment (Docket No. 32) against Defendant Timothy J. Morris (Docket No. 32), to which
Defendant Morris responded in opposition (Docket No. 37) and Plaintiff replied in support
(Docket No. 38).1 For the reasons discussed below, the undersigned respectfully recommends
that Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment (Docket No. 32) be GRANTED.
I. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND2
Plaintiff, an Alabama charted bank, filed its complaint against Defendants Timothy J.
Morris (“Morris”) and RC Nashville Development Partners, LLC (“RC Nashville”) on October

1 The Court notes that Plaintiff has not sought summary judgment against the other
defendant in this matter, RC Nashville Development Partners, LLC. Instead, and as discussed in
detail below and in the Court’s separate orders, Plaintiff moved for entry of default against RC
Nashville, which the Court granted. However, Plaintiff has not moved for default judgment
against RC Nashville.
2 Any statements of made in this section about the underlying dispute are contextual only.
Statements of facts considered for purposes of the instant motion for summary judgment are
detailed below.
28, 2023. (Docket No. 1.) In short, Plaintiff asserts that it entered into a loan with RC Nashville,
which was executed by Morris as managing member of RC Nashville, and which was amended
by a promissory note. (Id. at ¶¶ 7–8.) Separately, and in conjunction with the loan, Morris
executed a guaranty to Plaintiff. (Id. at ¶ 9.) Plaintiff asserts that RC Nashville and Morris failed

to pay Plaintiff when the note matured. (Id. at ¶ 12.) Accordingly, Plaintiff initiated this lawsuit
and asserted the following three claims: (1) breach of note against RC Nashville; (2) breach of
guaranty against Morris; and (3) unjust enrichment against RC Nashville and Morris.
After filing its complaint, Plaintiff filed executed returns of summons indicating that it
served Morris and RC Nashville on November 9, 2023. (Docket Nos. 12, 13.) On December 1,
2023, Plaintiff filed a motion for entry of default against Morris and RC Nashville. (Docket No.
15.) However, in an order dated December 13, 2023, the Court denied the motion as to Morris,
due to his interim submission of a responsive letter (Docket No. 16), and denied the motion
without prejudice as to RC Nashville. (Docket No. 20.)
In his response, Morris, representing himself pro se, purportedly acted on his own behalf

and on behalf of RC Nashville. (Docket No. 16.) In the letter, Morris “submit[ted] the following
responses to Civil Action No. 3:23-cv-01145”:
As to Count 1 – Breach of Note (RC Nashville).
Response: Agree as Stated

As to Count 2 – Breach of Guaranty (Morris)
Response: Agree as Stated

As to Count 3 – Unjust Enrichment (Defendents [sic])
Response: Disagree, as there were and continue to be extenuating circumstances
associated with this matter which I am still working on to satisfy with Plaintiff.
These discussions are on-going with Plaintiff as of the date of this submission and
I am hopefully that a mutually agreeable solution can be achieved in the very near
future.

(Id.).
The Court informed Morris many times that he could not represent RC Nashville because
he is not an attorney. (Docket No. 23 at 1 n.2.) Despite providing RC Nashville with several
opportunities to obtain counsel to represent it, RC Nashville failed to do so. Accordingly, as
detailed in its April 15, 2024 order, the Court granted Plaintiff’s motion for entry of default
against RC Nashville and entered default against RC Nashville. (Docket No. 30.)3

II. MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
On April 19, 2024, Plaintiff filed the instant motion for summary judgment.4 (Docket No.
32.) The motion is accompanied by a declaration from Greer Redden (Docket No. 32-1), a
declaration from Ross M. Johnson (Docket No. 32-2), a memorandum of law (Docket No. 33),
and a statement of undisputed material facts (Docket No. 34). The Court set a briefing schedule
and reminded Morris of the import of a motion made under Rule 56(a). The Court cautioned
Morris that he was required to specifically respond to Plaintiff’s statement of undisputed facts
(Docket Entry No. 34) in accordance with Local Rule 56.01(c), or else “the asserted facts shall
be deemed undisputed for purposes of summary judgment pursuant to Local Rule 56.01(f).”

(Docket No. 36.)
In its motion, Plaintiff asserts that Morris does not dispute the allegations that he
breached the guaranty because, in his answer, Morris responded “Agree as Stated” to the claim
for breach of guaranty. (Docket No. 32 at 2.) Accordingly, Plaintiff argues that there is no

3 In its April 15, 2024 order, the Court provided a lengthy history of the procedure
surrounding the entry of default against Defendant RC Nashville. (Docket No. 30 at 1–3.)
4 Plaintiff styled its motion as a “Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings, or, in the
Alternative, Motion for Summary Judgment.” (Docket No. 32.) However, as detailed in the
Court’s prior order (Docket No. 29), because Defendant RC Nashville Development Partners,
LLC had not filed an answer, the Court found that the pleadings had not closed for purposes of
Rule 12(c) and a motion for judgment on the pleadings was premature. Accordingly, the Court
treated the instant motion as one for summary judgment. (Docket No. 36 at 1 n.1.)
genuine issue as to any material fact and that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law against
Morris on Count 2 of its Complaint for breach of guaranty. (Id.)
Plaintiff submitted six separate statements of material facts to support its motion, which
are listed verbatim as follows:

1. On August 9, 2022, RC Nashville Development Partners, LLC (“RC
Nashville”) and Plaintiff entered into a revolving line of credit loan
(“Loan”), as evidenced by that certain Promissory Note, payable to the
order of Plaintiff, in the maximum principal amount of Ten Million and
00/100 Dollars ($10,000,000.00) as modified and amended by those
certain Amendments to Loan Documents dated January 12, 2023 and
April 10, 2023 (collectively the “Note”).
2. In conjunction with and as a condition of Plaintiff providing the Loan to
RC Nashville, on August 9, 2022, Morris executed a Continuing Guaranty
of all present and future indebtedness and obligations of RC Nashville
arising out of the Loan from Plaintiff (the “Guaranty”).
3. Pursuant to the terms of the Guaranty, Morris, among other obligations,
unconditionally, absolutely, and irrevocably guaranteed to Plaintiff the full
and prompt payment and performance when due of all amounts owed by
RC Nashville to Plaintiff under the Loan and Note.
4. The Note matured and was due and payable on August 9, 2023 (“Maturity
Date”).
5. Morris failed to make the required payments under the Note and Guaranty
on or before the Maturity Date.
6. The Defendants RC Nashville, as maker of the Note, and Morris as
guarantor of the Note, have defaulted on the Note and Guaranty causing
damages to Plaintiff in the amount of $11,463,882.90, plus reasonable
attorneys’ fees and expenses equal to $64,255.27, court costs, and post-
judgment interest.
(Docket No. 34 (citations omitted).)
In response to the motion for summary judgment, Morris asked the Court to “consider a
postponement of a final ruling on this matter until July 15, 2024,” by which time he asserted he
would have a “solution to secure the Plaintiff a significant paydown of this outstanding debt.”
(Docket No. 37 at 3.) However, Morris failed to explicitly respond to the statement of undisputed
material facts, despite the Court’s clear instruction to do so.
In its reply, Plaintiff argued that Morris’s response to the motion was a concession that
there is no material issue of fact. (Docket No. 38.) It also pointed to Morris’s failure to explicitly

respond to the statements of material fact as required under Local Rule 56.01(c). (Id.)
III. STANDARD OF REVIEW
A motion for summary judgment is reviewed under the standard that summary judgment
is appropriate if “the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and
the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Rule 56(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure. See also Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322–23 (1986). A genuine issue of
material fact is a fact which, if proven at trial, could lead a reasonable jury to return a verdict for
the non-moving party. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986).
The party bringing the summary judgment motion has the initial burden of identifying
portions of the record that demonstrate the absence of a genuine dispute over material facts.

Pittman v. Experian Information Solutions, Inc., 901 F.3d 619, 627–28 (6th Cir. 2018). If the
summary judgment movant meets that burden, then, in response, the non-moving party must set
forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. Id. at 628.
A party asserting that a fact cannot be or genuinely is disputed – i.e., a party seeking
summary judgment and a party opposing summary judgment, respectively – must support the
assertion by citing to materials in the record, including, but not limited to, depositions,
documents, affidavits or declarations. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1)(A). On a motion for summary
judgment, a party may object that the supporting materials specified by its opponent “cannot be
presented in a form that would be admissible in evidence.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(2). Upon such
an objection, the proponent of the supporting material must show that the material is admissible
as presented or explain how it could be presented in a form that would be admissible. Thomas v.
Haslam, 303 F. Supp. 3d 585, 624 (M.D. Tenn. 2018).
In considering whether summary judgment is appropriate, the Court must “look beyond

the pleadings and assess the proof to determine whether there is a genuine need for trial.”
Sowards v. Loudon Cnty., 203 F.3d 426, 431 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 531 U.S. 875 (2000). The
Court must view the evidence and all inferences drawn from underlying facts in the light most
favorable to the party opposing the motion. See Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio
Corp., Ltd., 475 U.S. 574, 587 (1986); Gribcheck v. Runyon, 245 F.3d 547, 550 (6th Cir. 2001).
IV. ANALYSIS
1. Local Rule 56.01 and Plaintiff’s Initial Burden Under Rule 56 of the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure

Under the Local Rules, “any motion for summary judgment . . . must be accompanied by
a separate, concise statement of the material facts as to which the moving party contends there is
no genuine issue for trial.” Local R. 56.01(b). Each of these facts “must be set forth in a separate,
numbered paragraph,” “must be supported by specific citation to the record,” and “the word
‘response’ must be inserted and a blank space provided that is reasonably calculated to allow the
non-moving party sufficient space to respond to the assertion that the fact is undisputed.” Id.
Any party opposing a motion for summary judgment must respond specifically to each
asserted fact by either “(1) [a]greeing that the fact is undisputed; (2) [a]greeing that the fact is
undisputed for the purpose of ruling on the motion for summary judgment only; or (3)
[d]emonstrating that the fact is disputed.” Local R. 56.01(c). For each fact that is disputed, there
must a “specific citation to the record.” Id. Pro se parties are not excused from this requirement.
See id.
The Local Rules contemplate the resulting ramifications if a party does not respond to the
statement of material facts in a timely manner: “If a timely response to a moving party’s
statement of material facts . . . is not filed within the time periods provided by these rules, the
asserted facts shall be deemed undisputed for purposes of summary judgment.” Local R. 56.01(f)

(emphasis added).
Here, Plaintiff filed a statement of undisputed material facts with its motion for summary
judgment in compliance with the Local Rules. However, Morris failed to respond to these
assertions. Accordingly, the Court must accept these unaddressed asserted undisputed facts as
true.
Local Rule 56.01(f) applies only to “facts, not argument, conclusions, or legal
principles.” New Century Found. v. Robertson, 400 F. Supp. 3d. 684, 690 n.1 (M.D. Tenn.
2019); see also Local R. 56.01(f) (providing that unaddressed “asserted facts shall be deemed
undisputed for purposes of summary judgment” (emphasis added)). Accordingly, even though
Morris did not explicitly respond to Plaintiff’s statement of undisputed material facts, the Court

still must examine the evidence Plaintiff offers in support of its motion for summary judgment to
determine if it has met its initial burden. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); Celotex Corp., 447 U.S. at 330;
Carver v. Bunch, 946 F.2d 451, 454–55 (6th Cir. 1991) (“[A] party moving for summary
judgment always bears the burden of demonstrating the absence of a genuine issue as to a
material fact . . . regardless if an adverse party fails to respond.”); Pewitte v. Hiniger, No. 3:17-
cv-00822, 2020 WL 2218754, at *9 (M.D. Tenn. May 6, 2020).
2. Breach of Guaranty
To bring a breach of personal guaranty, a plaintiff must demonstrate “(1) the existence of
an enforceable contract, (2) the breach of the contract, and (3) damages resulting from the
breach.” Hard Surfaces Solutions, LLC v. Construction Mgmt., Inc., 544 F.Supp.3d 825, 832–33
(M.D. Tenn Jun. 21, 2021) (quoting BP Prod. N. Am. Inc. v. Premier Oil Co., LLC, No. 2:11-
CV-2162-JPM-CGC, 2013 WL 12251287, at *4 (W.D. Tenn. Dec. 26, 2013)) (citing C & W
Acquisition, LLC v. Oggs, 230 S.W.3d 671, 676–77 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007) (applying the

elements of a breach of contract to a breach of a personal guaranty)).
The Court finds that Plaintiff has carried its initial burden to demonstrate the absence of a
genuine issue of material fact as to its claim against Morris for breach of guaranty.5 As to the
first element of a breach of guaranty claim, in its statement of undisputed material facts, Plaintiff
asserts that it extended to RC Nashville a revolving line of credit loan as evidenced by a
promissory note and subsequent amendments. (Docket No 34 at ¶ 1.) Plaintiff refers to the note
and other loan documents attached to the complaint as Exhibit A. (Docket No. 1-1.) Plaintiff
also asserts that Morris executed a continuing guaranty of all indebtedness and obligations of RC
Nashville arising out of the loan and note. (Docket No. 34 at ¶¶ 1–2.) Specifically, Plaintiff
asserts that Morris guaranteed the full and prompt payment of all amounts owed by RC Nashville

under the loan and note. (Docket No. 34 at ¶ 3.) Plaintiff attached the guaranty executed by
Morris to the complaint as Exhibit B. (Docket No. 1-3.) In support of these assertions, Plaintiff
relies on its complaint, the note (including amendments) and guaranty attached to the complaint,
and Morris’s answer (Docket No. 16) in which he agrees to the allegations of the complaint as
stated. (Docket No. 34 at ¶¶ 1–3.)

5 To be clear, the Court examines the evidence to confirm that Plaintiff has asserted
undisputed material facts. But this does not suggest that Morris can escape the consequential
treatment of the stated facts as undisputed per Local Rule 56.01(f). Application of Local Rule
56.01(f) would alone be enough in this case to support summary judgment against Morris in
favor of Plaintiff.
As to the second element, Plaintiff asserts that the note matured on August 9, 2023, but
that RC Nashville and Morris both failed to make the required payments on time. (Docket No. 34
at ¶ 4–5.) In support of these assertions, Plaintiff relies on its complaint, the guaranty attached to
the complaint, and Morris’s answer. (Id.)

Although Plaintiff did not explicitly cite to the declaration of Greer Redden as evidencing
the first five statements of fact, which substantiate the first two elements of a breach of guaranty
claim, the Court finds that Mr. Redden’s declaration supports those assertions. Under Rule 56(c),
although the Court “need consider only the cited materials,” the Court “may consider other
materials in the record.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(3). The Court elects to do so in this instance,
including because Mr. Redden’s declaration is easily identifiable and accessible in the record.
Further, because Mr. Redden’s declaration is offered as evidence to specifically support
Plaintiff’s sixth assertion of fact, as discussed below, the Court finds the declaration is properly
considered for all purposes in connection with Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment.
In his declaration, Mr. Redden states that: Plaintiff entered into a loan with RC Nashville

that was modified by a note (Docket No. 32-1 at ¶ 5); Morris entered in a guaranty “of all present
and future indebtedness and obligations of RC Nashville arising out of the Loan” (id. at ¶ 7); the
note matured on August 9, 2023 and the entire sum became due (id. at ¶¶ 9–10); and RC
Nashville and Morris failed to pay the sum owed (id. at ¶ 11). Additionally, Morris states in his
answer in response the breach of guaranty claim: “Agree as Stated.” (Docket No. 16 at 1.) The
Court finds that all together this evidence demonstrates “(1) the existence of an enforceable
contract [and] (2) the breach of the contract.” Hard Surfaces Solutions, LLC, 544 F.Supp.3d at
832–33.
As to the third element, “damages resulting from the breach,” id., Plaintiff asserts that RC
Nashville, as maker of the note, and Morris, as guarantor of the obligations due under the note,
caused damages to Plaintiff “in the amount of $11,463,882.90, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees
and expenses equal to $64,255.27, court costs, and post-judgment interest.” (Docket No. 34 at ¶
6.)6 In support of these assertions, Plaintiff points to its complaint, the note (including

amendments) and guaranty attached to the complaint, Morris’s answer, and the declarations of
Greer Redden and Ross M. Johnson. (Id.) Specifically, for its damages, Plaintiff cites to Mr.
Redden’s statement that “the indebtedness due under the note and guaranty as of April 18, 2024
is $11,463,882.90, which amount consists of unpaid principal in the amount of $9,714,846.16,
accrued and unpaid interest through April 18, 2024 of $1,712,067.49,7 and other charges of
$2,999.97 (this amount excludes attorney fees and expenses).”8 (Docket No. 32-1 at ¶ 17.)
As set forth above, Morris failed to explicitly respond to these assertions in compliance
with Local Rule 56.01(f). Although Morris responded to the substance of the summary judgment
motion, his arguments are unavailing. (Docket No. 37.) In his response, Morris includes a section

titled “background,” which describes his past professional successes and challenges, and a

6 For the reasons discussed below in the second on prejudgment interest, the Court
recommends entry of judgment against Morris for the principal amount due under the Note on
the date of default, August 9, 2023, which appears to be $9,997,318.26, see Docket No. 32-1 at
45, plus late charges of $2,999.97, for a total of $10,000,318.23. However, because it appears
that there may have been payments or other debt adjustments after August 9, 2023, id., the Court
recommends that Plaintiff provide a sworn accounting of the principal debt as of August 9, 2023,
accruing prejudgment interest beginning on August 10, 2023, and any credits or other debt
adjustments between August 10, 2023, and the date of submission of the sworn accounting.
7 Although the Court ultimately finds that Plaintiff is entitled to prejudgment interest, the
Court will address whether the amount of prejudgment interest sought by Plaintiff is appropriate
in a separate section.
8 This amount of $2,999.97 is for late fees, according to the loan pay-off letter generated
by Plaintiff. (Docket No. 32-1 at 44.)
section titled “today,” which details his prior investments on the real estate project at issue in this
litigation and his current efforts to rectify the issues related to the project. (Docket No. 37 1–2.)
Morris also includes a section titled “ask,” which requests the Court delay its ruling on the
motion until July 15, 2024 as he is “dutifully engaged in working on a viable solution to secure

the Plaintiff a significant paydown of this outstanding debt, which again is clearly in our
collective best interest.” (Id. at 3.) While the Court appreciates Morris’s attempts to resolve this
matter extrajudicially, Morris has failed to provide the Court with any factual or legal – as
opposed to potentially practical – reason to deny Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment. As
Plaintiff argues in its reply, Morris’s response confirms Plaintiff’s assertions of fact more than it
disputes them. (Docket No. 38 at 2.) (“With his latest filing, Mr. Morris is not disputing these
facts . . . Rather, he is asking for more time to ‘pay down’ the debt and ‘secure a financial
investor / partner.’”)
In short, Morris has failed to show that there is a genuine issue of material fact for trial.
In fact, Morris did not challenge Plaintiff’s assertions of material fact in any respect. Morris

failed to dispute that he guaranteed RC Nashville’s debt to Plaintiff; that he was obligated to pay
all amounts owed by RC Nashville under the Note but failed to do so; and that this failure caused
damage to Plaintiff.
The Court expressly finds that Plaintiff has adequately asserted undisputed material facts
for purposes of summary judgment under Rule 56(c). The material undisputed facts show: (1)
that Morris entered into a contract with Plaintiff by which he guaranteed all indebtedness and
obligations of RC Nashville arising out of the line of credit loan evidenced by the note from RC
Nashville to Plaintiff; (2) that Morris was obligated to fully and promptly pay all amounts owed
by RC Nashville under that note, but failed to do so; and (3) that Plaintiff was damaged by
Morris’s failure to fully and promptly pay the amounts owed. Accordingly, the Court finds that
Morris is in breach of his guaranty of the obligations of RC Nashville and that Plaintiff is entitled
to summary judgment against Morris on Count 2 of the Complaint for breach of guaranty as a
matter of law.

3. Prejudgment Interest
Plaintiff seeks “accrued and unpaid interest through April 18, 2024 of $1,712,067.49.”
(Docket No. 32-1 at ¶ 17.) In diversity cases in the Sixth Circuit, “state law governs awards of
prejudgment interest.” Estate of Riddle ex rel. Riddle v. S. Farm Bureau Life Ins. Co., 421 F.3d
400, 409 (6th Cir. 2005) (quoting F.D.I.C. v. First Heights Bank, FSB, 229 F.3d 528, 542 (6th
Cir. 2000)). Under Tennessee law, “[p]re-judgment interest . . . may be awarded by courts or
juries in accordance with the principles of equity at any rate not in excess of a maximum
effective rate of ten percent (10%) per annum.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-14-123. Tennessee courts
have construed this statute to mean that “[a]n award of prejudgment interest is within the sound
discretion of the trial court” and will not be disturbed on appeal, “where the evidence supports

the trial court's decision.” Myint v. Allstate Ins. Co., 970 S.W.2d 920, 927 (Tenn. 1998).
Equity is the “foremost” consideration governing the decision of whether to award
prejudgment interest. Id. “Simply stated, the court must decide whether the award of
prejudgment interest is fair, given the particular circumstances of the case.” Id. Two other
criteria are relevant: (1) whether “the amount of the obligation is certain, or can be ascertained
by a proper accounting, and the amount is not disputed on reasonable grounds”; and (2) whether
“the existence of the obligation itself is not disputed on reasonable grounds.” Id. (citations
omitted).
Here, the “amount of the obligation is certain, or can be ascertained by a proper
accounting, and the amount is not disputed on reasonable grounds.” Id. There is no dispute that
Morris is obligated to Plaintiff. In fact, in his response to the complaint (Docket No. 16 at 1),
Morris expressly agrees with the breach of guaranty claim against him as described in the

general allegations, which set out the terms of the underlying obligation (Docket No. 1 at 2-4),
and Count 2, which states that the guaranty is enforceable in accordance with its terms (Docket
No. 1 at 4). Further, as discussed in more detail above, Morris failed to respond to Plaintiff’s
statement of undisputed material facts. (Docket No. 34.) The statements of undisputed material
facts include reference to the declaration of Greer Redden (Docket No. 34 at 3), which is
separately filed at Docket No. 32-1, and which evidences that the amount of the obligation can
be easily ascertained by a proper accounting, as demonstrated by the Payoff Letter and Summary
of Unpaid Interest. See Exhibit C to Redden Declaration (Docket No. 32-1 at 44-45.9 Because
the amount of the obligation is certain or can be easily ascertained by a proper accounting and
Morris does not dispute the amount of the obligation on any reasonable basis10, the equities

support an award of prejudgment interest. In short, the Court finds no equitable basis to support
that an award of prejudgment interest would be unfair in this case.
To the contrary, having considered the entirety of the circumstances, the Court finds that
the equities favor the award of prejudgment interest. However, in several instances, Plaintiff

9 Under Local Rule 56.01(f) this statement of fact must be deemed as unopposed.
However, although Morris failed to respond to this statement, the calculations by Plaintiff
include prejudgment interest at rates that exceed those permitted in this diversity jurisdiction
case.
10 Morris arguably fails to oppose the amount of the obligation on any basis. As discussed
above, Morris’s response (Docket No. 37) to Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is little
more than a professional resume. It cannot be characterized as a reasonable dispute of the
amount of the obligation he owes to Plaintiff.
applied a rate that exceeds the “maximum effective rate of ten percent (10%) per annum” that is
permitted under Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-14-123. See Summary of Unpaid Interest (Docket No. 32-
1 at 45) (payment date of 09/10/23 with interest rate of 16.97545%; payment date of 10/01/23
with interest rate of 16.96659%; and payments dates of 10/10/23, 11/13/23, 11/22/32, 12/13, 23,

02/09/24, and 04/18/24 with interest rate of 24.00000%). While an award of prejudgment interest
is fair, the Court declines to award Plaintiff prejudgment interest in any amount that exceeds a
rate of 10% per annum. Further, because it is not entirely clear from Plaintiff’s submissions
whether interest was calculated on attorneys’ fees, the Court also expressly notes the rule that
prejudgment interest cannot attach to attorneys’ fees. Fulmer v. SARCO, GP, No. M2022-01479-
COA-R3-CV, 2023 WL 5787082, at * 7 (Tenn. Ct. App. Sept. 7, 2023).
For all these reasons, the Court finds that prejudgment interest is warranted, but not in the
amount sought by Plaintiff. Rather, the Court determines that prejudgment interest should be
awarded on the unpaid principal obligation owed to Plaintiff at a maximum effective rate of ten
percent (10%) per annum beginning on August 10, 2023 until the date of final judgment. The

Court finds that this calculation of prejudgment interest will fairly compensate Plaintiff for the
loss of the use of funds to which it was legally entitled without penalizing Morris for
wrongdoing. Id. at *6 (citing Mitchell v. Mitchell, 876 S.W.2d 830, 832 (Tenn. 1994); Otis v.
Cambridge Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 860 S.W.2d 439, 446 (Tenn. 1992)).
Accordingly, as detailed below, Plaintiff must submit a sworn accounting of the unpaid
amount of the Note as of August 9, 2023 with calculation of prejudgment interest, including per
diem, at a maximum effective rate of ten percent (10%) per annum beginning August 10, 2023
and inclusive of any credits or debt reduction between August 10, 2023 and the date of the
submission of the sworn accounting.11 Plaintiff must provide the Court with support for this
requested amount.12 Further, Plaintiff’s sworn submission must affirmatively state that no
prejudgment interest is calculated on attorneys’ fees.
4. Post-Judgment Interest

District courts are required to award post-judgment interest. Caffey v. Unum Life Ins. Co.,
302 F.3d 576, 586 (6th Cir. 2002). Under federal law, post-judgment interest is prescribed by
statute at the rate “equal to the weekly average 1-year constant maturity Treasury yield, as
published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, for the calendar week
preceding the date of the judgment.” 28 U.S.C. § 1961. Accordingly, the Court finds that
Plaintiff is entitled to post-judgment interest beginning the date the judgment is entered. The
Court finds that the weekly average one-year constant maturity Treasury yield published by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve for the week preceding entry of judgment is
appropriate. The Court finds that an award computed at this rate as to the judgment imposed
against Morris in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1961(b) is appropriate.

5. Attorneys’ fees
Although Plaintiff does not cite to Mr. Redden’s declaration specifically, the declaration
also states that “the Note and Guaranty allow for recovery of [Plaintiff’s] attorneys’ fees in the

11 From the attachment to the Redden declaration, it appears that payments or other debt
reductions or adjustments were made after October 28, 2023 when the complaint was filed in this
case and before the payoff calculation date of April 18, 2024. See Docket No. 32-1 at 45.
12 The Court would suggest that Plaintiff provide a declaration and updated accounting of
principal balance and interest accrual summary, with per diem calculation, and all pre-litigation
credits or other debt adjustments, like the payoff letter and interest summary attached to Mr.
Redden’s declaration. This is not a requirement, but a document of this nature would be helpful
to the Court.
event of default thereunder.”13 (Id. at ¶ 8.) In addition, Plaintiff cites to Mr. Johnson’s
declaration that “Plaintiff has incurred $64,255.27 in attorney’s fees and expenses associated
with this litigation (not including court costs),” which is supported by time entries attached to
Mr. Johnson’s declaration. (Docket No. 32-2 at ¶ 8; Docket No. 32-2 at 5–9.)

The party seeking attorney’s fees – here, Plaintiff – has two main obligations: (1) to
provide the court with “evidence supporting the hours worked and rates claimed” and (2) to
demonstrate that the requested fee award is “reasonable.” Lance Coal Corp. v. Caudill, 655 F.
App’x 261, 262 (6th Cir. 2016); Perry v. AutoZone Stores, Inc., 624 F. App’x 370, 372 (6th Cir.
2015). The starting point for determining the reasonableness of a requested fee is the “lodestar”
analysis, by which the requested fee is compared with the amount generated by multiplying the
number of hours reasonably worked on the litigation by a reasonable hourly rate. Minor v.
Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 826 F.3d 878, 881 (6th Cir. 2016). In determining whether a requested
hourly rate is reasonable, the court looks to the “prevailing market rate in the relevant
community” and considers the skill, experience, and reputation of the attorneys involved in the

13 In its reply in support of its motion for summary judgment, Plaintiff points to the
following paragraph from the guaranty to demonstrate that it is entitled to attorney’s fees:
Expenses, Costs and Attorneys’ Fees. Guarantor agrees to pay to Lender all costs
and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) paid or incurred by Lender in
endeavoring to collect the Obligations or to enforce, protect, or defend the
Obligations, or any portion thereof, or to enforce, protect, or defend the
perfection, validity, priority, or enforceability of any mortgage assignment,
pledge, security interest, or lien, which secures the Obligations, or any portion
thereof, or to enforce, collect, protect or defend the Loan or any Loan Documents,
or to enforce, protect, or defend any collateral or to collect or realize against any
collateral which secures the Obligations or to enforce, collect or defend this
Guaranty.
(Docket No. 38 at 4 n.2 (citing Docket No. 32-1 at 40, § 23).) Mr. Redden does not cite to a
precise portion of the guaranty, but the Court nevertheless finds this paragraph is consistent with
Mr. Redden’s declaration.
litigation. Adcock–Ladd v. Sec'y of Treasury, 227 F.3d 343, 350 (6th Cir. 2000). If the requested
fee is essentially in line with the “lodestar,” then there is a strong presumption that the requested
fee is reasonable and recoverable. Id.
The Court has reviewed Mr. Johnson’s declaration and the attached time entries and finds

that Plaintiff has met its obligations to provide evidence supporting the hours and rates claimed
and to demonstrate that the requested award is reasonable. The Court finds that counsel for
Plaintiff expended a reasonable amount of work on this matter, and that the rates requested are in
line with the prevailing market rate. See Minor, 826 F.3d at 881; Adcock-Ladd, 227 F.3d at 350.
Accordingly, the Court finds that Plaintiff is entitled to the amount of attorney’s fees and
expenses requested, which totals $64,255.27.
V. RECOMMENDATION
For the reasons set forth above, it is respectfully RECOMMENDED as follows:
1. Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment (Docket No. 32) against Defendant
Timothy J. Morris be GRANTED.

2. Plaintiff be required to submit a sworn accounting of (i) the unpaid principal
balance of the Note as of the default date of August 9, 2023; (ii) prejudgment interest on the
unpaid amount of the Note calculated at a maximum effective rate of ten percent (10%) per
annum beginning August 10, 2023, with per diem (amount of interest accruing daily); and, (iii)
any credits or other debt adjustments made between August 9, 2024 and the date of submission
of the sworn accounting. Further, Plaintiff’s sworn submission must affirmatively state that no
prejudgment interest is calculated on attorneys’ fees.
3. Judgment be entered against Defendant Timothy Morris in favor of Plaintiff for:
a. Compensatory damages in the amount of the unpaid principal of the Note
as of the August 9, 2023 default date plus late charges of $2,999.97;
b. Prejudgment interest in an amount to be determined by the Court after
Plaintiff submits a sworn accounting as directed above;
c. Post-judgment interest accruing at a rate to be computed in accordance
with 28 U.S.C. § 1961(b); and,
d. Attorneys’ fees and expenses of $64,255.27.
4. Plaintiff be required to submit a proposed form of judgment conforming to the
Court’s determination of the relief properly afforded to Plaintiff.
ANY OBJECTIONS to this Report and Recommendation must be filed with the Clerk
of Court within fourteen (14) days of service of this Report and Recommendation and must state
with particularity the specific portions of this Report and Recommendation to which objection is
made. See Fed. R. of Civ. P. 72(b)(2), Local R. 72.02(b). Failure to file written objections within
the specified time can be deemed a waiver of the right to appeal the District Court’s Order
regarding the Report and Recommendation. See Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140 (1985); United
States v. Walters, 638 F.2d 947 (6th Cir. 1981). Any response to the objections must be filed
within fourteen (14) days after service of objections. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(2), Local R.
72.02(b).
Respectfully submitted,

United States Magistrate Judge

18

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10669824. Public record. Not legal advice.