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#31084, #31085-a-MES","paragraph_id":"para_1"},{"text":"2026 S.D. 43","paragraph_id":"para_2"},{"text":"IN THE SUPREME COURT","paragraph_id":"para_3"},{"text":"OF THE","paragraph_id":"para_4"},{"text":"STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA","paragraph_id":"para_5"},{"text":"MICHAEL A. GIBSON, Plaintiff and Appellant,","paragraph_id":"para_6"},{"text":"v.","paragraph_id":"para_7"},{"text":"GREG GIBSON, Individually,","paragraph_id":"para_8"},{"text":"JOAN GIBSON, Individually,","paragraph_id":"para_9"},{"text":"GIBSON FAMILY LIMITED","paragraph_id":"para_10"},{"text":"PARTNERSHIP, a South Dakota","paragraph_id":"para_11"},{"text":"Limited Partnership, ROBERT M.","paragraph_id":"para_12"},{"text":"RONAYNE, and RONAYNE LAW","paragraph_id":"para_13"},{"text":"OFFICE, P.C., Defendants and Appellees.","paragraph_id":"para_14"},{"text":"APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF","paragraph_id":"para_15"},{"text":"THE THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT","paragraph_id":"para_16"},{"text":"CODINGTON COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA","paragraph_id":"para_17"},{"text":"THE HONORABLE CARMEN MEANS","paragraph_id":"para_18"},{"text":"Judge","paragraph_id":"para_19"},{"text":"JONATHAN A. HEBER","paragraph_id":"para_20"},{"text":"ABIGALE M. FARLEY of","paragraph_id":"para_21"},{"text":"Cutler Law Firm, LLP","paragraph_id":"para_22"},{"text":"Sioux Falls, South Dakota","paragraph_id":"para_23"},{"text":"Attorneys for plaintiff and","paragraph_id":"para_24"},{"text":"appellant.","paragraph_id":"para_25"},{"text":"EDWIN E. EVANS","paragraph_id":"para_26"},{"text":"RYAN W. W. REDD of","paragraph_id":"para_27"},{"text":"Evans, Haigh & Arndt, LLP","paragraph_id":"para_28"},{"text":"Sioux Falls, South Dakota Attorneys for defendant and","paragraph_id":"para_29"},{"text":"appellee Gibson Family Limited","paragraph_id":"para_30"},{"text":"Partnership.","paragraph_id":"para_31"},{"text":"ARGUED","paragraph_id":"para_32"},{"text":"FEBRUARY 11, 2026","paragraph_id":"para_33"},{"text":"OPINION FILED 07/01/26","paragraph_id":"para_34"},{"text":"ZACHARY W. PETERSON","paragraph_id":"para_35"},{"text":"JACK H. HIEB of","paragraph_id":"para_36"},{"text":"Richardson, Wyly, Wise,","paragraph_id":"para_37"},{"text":"Sauck & Hieb, LLP","paragraph_id":"para_38"},{"text":"Aberdeen, South Dakota Attorneys for defendants and","paragraph_id":"para_39"},{"text":"appellees Robert Ronayne and","paragraph_id":"para_40"},{"text":"Ronayne Law Office, P.C.","paragraph_id":"para_41"},{"text":"SANDER J. MOREHEAD","paragraph_id":"para_42"},{"text":"JACOB R. SCHNEIDER of","paragraph_id":"para_43"},{"text":"Woods, Fuller, Shultz & Smith, P.C.","paragraph_id":"para_44"},{"text":"Sioux Falls, South Dakota Attorneys for defendants and","paragraph_id":"para_45"},{"text":"appellees Greg Gibson and Joan","paragraph_id":"para_46"},{"text":"Gibson.","paragraph_id":"para_47"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_48"},{"text":"-1-","paragraph_id":"para_49"},{"text":"SALTER, Justice","paragraph_id":"para_50"},{"text":"[¶1.] Michael Gibson appeals the circuit court’s decision dismissing his","paragraph_id":"para_51"},{"text":"lawsuit as a sanction for violating the subpoena rules set out in SDCL 15-6-45(b).","paragraph_id":"para_52"},{"text":"Among a series of less serious violations, Michael’s counsel obtained his mother’s","paragraph_id":"para_53"},{"text":"medical records through a subpoena while a motion to quash was pending, later","paragraph_id":"para_54"},{"text":"offering an unsustainable legal argument, refusing to acknowledge any wrongdoing,","paragraph_id":"para_55"},{"text":"and shifting blame to others. Michael’s arguments on appeal are much the same.","paragraph_id":"para_56"},{"text":"We affirm.","paragraph_id":"para_57"},{"text":"Factual and Procedural History","paragraph_id":"para_58"},{"text":"GFLP and the current action","paragraph_id":"para_59"},{"text":"[¶2.] Delores Gibson established the Gibson Family Limited Partnership","paragraph_id":"para_60"},{"text":"(GFLP) in 2002 as an estate planning tool, largely to distribute 2,060 acres of","paragraph_id":"para_61"},{"text":"farmland located in Codington and Deuel counties to her children. Delores","paragraph_id":"para_62"},{"text":"contributed the farmland and acts as GFLP’s general partner with sole authority","paragraph_id":"para_63"},{"text":"over partnership decisions. Her sons, Michael and Greg Gibson, are equal limited","paragraph_id":"para_64"},{"text":"partners.","paragraph_id":"para_65"},{"text":"[¶3.] Prior to this current action, Michael has twice unsuccessfully sued","paragraph_id":"para_66"},{"text":"Greg, or Delores, or both for claims relating to GFLP. In the more recent of the two,","paragraph_id":"para_67"},{"text":"Michael sued GFLP and Delores, alleging she had breached fiduciary duties as the","paragraph_id":"para_68"},{"text":"general partner. We affirmed a jury’s defense verdict and the circuit court’s denial","paragraph_id":"para_69"},{"text":"of Michael’s request to disassociate from GFLP in Gibson v. Gibson Family Ltd.","paragraph_id":"para_70"},{"text":"Partnership, 2016 S.D. 26, 877 N.W.2d 597. And in the older, first action, a jury","paragraph_id":"para_71"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_72"},{"text":"-2-","paragraph_id":"para_73"},{"text":"rejected Michael’s claims against Greg and Delores, which also included an","paragraph_id":"para_74"},{"text":"allegation that she had breached her fiduciary duties. Id. ¶ 3, 877 N.W.2d at 599.","paragraph_id":"para_75"},{"text":"[¶4.] Michael commenced this third action in October 2023 claiming that","paragraph_id":"para_76"},{"text":"Delores has been unduly influenced by Greg and his wife, Joan. The case involves","paragraph_id":"para_77"},{"text":"an underlying land transaction in which Greg purchased land from GFLP. Michael","paragraph_id":"para_78"},{"text":"claims the terms were too favorable and preempted his own efforts to acquire the","paragraph_id":"para_79"},{"text":"land. Michael also named as a defendant Robert Ronayne, an attorney who","paragraph_id":"para_80"},{"text":"previously represented GFLP and assisted with the land sale to Greg.","paragraph_id":"para_81"},{"text":"[¶5.] At the heart of the dispute is Michael’s overarching theory that Delores","paragraph_id":"para_82"},{"text":"lacks capacity to make decisions for GFLP. He claims that Greg is acting as GFLP’s","paragraph_id":"para_83"},{"text":"de facto general partner and has violated various fiduciary duties in concert with","paragraph_id":"para_84"},{"text":"Ronayne. Michael also alleges that Greg and Joan tortiously interfered with his","paragraph_id":"para_85"},{"text":"existing and prospective business relationship with GFLP.","paragraph_id":"para_86"},{"text":"[¶6.] Delores is not a defendant in this action. Through his lawyers, Michael","paragraph_id":"para_87"},{"text":"embarked on a sustained effort to use subpoenas issued pursuant to SDCL 15-6-45","paragraph_id":"para_88"},{"text":"(Rule 45) to obtain Delores’s personal financial and medical records, as well as","paragraph_id":"para_89"},{"text":"information relating to Greg and Joan, and to GFLP. Michael was represented by","paragraph_id":"para_90"},{"text":"attorney Paul Sortland of Minneapolis, and, although Sortland associated with local","paragraph_id":"para_91"},{"text":"counsel, the subpoenas he issued often failed to conform to Rule 45.","paragraph_id":"para_92"},{"text":"[¶7.] For instance, in May 2024, Sortland and local counsel issued several","paragraph_id":"para_93"},{"text":"subpoenas to non-parties, including banks and Schwan Financial Group, which","paragraph_id":"para_94"},{"text":"provided tax and financial planning for GFLP. After Schwan was served, its lawyer","paragraph_id":"para_95"},{"text":"contacted Michael’s attorneys and informed them that the subpoena failed to","paragraph_id":"para_96"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_97"},{"text":"-3-","paragraph_id":"para_98"},{"text":"conform with Rule 45 because there had been no compliance with Rule 45(b)’s pre-","paragraph_id":"para_99"},{"text":"service notice requirement.1 Local counsel also noted that all of the previously","paragraph_id":"para_100"},{"text":"issued subpoenas failed to state that they were issued in the name of the presiding","paragraph_id":"para_101"},{"text":"judicial officer—a specific requirement of Rule 45(a). Michael’s attorneys corrected","paragraph_id":"para_102"},{"text":"the errors and issued a belated “notice” for the already-served subpoenas.","paragraph_id":"para_103"},{"text":"[¶8.] In August 2024, Michael sought to depose Delores, but GFLP resisted","paragraph_id":"para_104"},{"text":"and submitted letters from psychologist Dr. Lee Hendricks and Dr. Sarah","paragraph_id":"para_105"},{"text":"Reiffenberger, a medical doctor. Both doctors had experience treating Delores and","paragraph_id":"para_106"},{"text":"opined that a deposition would be stressful for her and would detrimentally impact","paragraph_id":"para_107"},{"text":"her mental state. In a letter contained in the record, Dr. Reiffenberger stated that","paragraph_id":"para_108"},{"text":"Delores had been taking medication to treat “moderate Alzheimer’s dementia” since","paragraph_id":"para_109"},{"text":"2021. In the end, Delores was not deposed.","paragraph_id":"para_110"},{"text":"[¶9.] Later, in September 2024, Sortland issued notice of depositions for Dr.","paragraph_id":"para_111"},{"text":"Hendricks and Dr. Reiffenberger, seeking information regarding Delores’s health","paragraph_id":"para_112"},{"text":"and mental condition. A month later, Sortland subpoenaed Dr. Reiffenberger,","paragraph_id":"para_113"},{"text":"requesting documents used in the preparation of her earlier letter. The subpoena","paragraph_id":"para_114"},{"text":"was issued in the name of the presiding judicial officer, but the mandatory language","paragraph_id":"para_115"},{"text":"from Rule 45(a), though included, was not directly above the signature line as","paragraph_id":"para_116"},{"text":"1. Rule 45(b) states, “Before a subpoena commanding the production of","paragraph_id":"para_117"},{"text":"documentary evidence is served on the person to whom it is directed, a notice","paragraph_id":"para_118"},{"text":"and copy of the subpoena must be served on each party to the matter","paragraph_id":"para_119"},{"text":"pending.” SDCL 15-6-45(b).","paragraph_id":"para_120"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_121"},{"text":"-4-","paragraph_id":"para_122"},{"text":"required by the rule.2","paragraph_id":"para_123"},{"text":"The November 15 subpoenas","paragraph_id":"para_124"},{"text":"[¶10.] But these areas of noncompliance with Rule 45, though not optimal,","paragraph_id":"para_125"},{"text":"became secondary to a larger problem related to several subpoenas issued on","paragraph_id":"para_126"},{"text":"November 15, 2024, to Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, as well as several","paragraph_id":"para_127"},{"text":"other Prairie Lakes clinics, seeking Delores’s medical information. The subpoenas","paragraph_id":"para_128"},{"text":"required compliance by December 6, 2024, and, despite being filed electronically,","paragraph_id":"para_129"},{"text":"they were unaccompanied by a separate notice of intent to serve.","paragraph_id":"para_130"},{"text":"[¶11.] On the following Monday, November 18, GFLP, after seeing copies of","paragraph_id":"para_131"},{"text":"the electronically filed November 15 subpoenas, moved to quash the subpoenas and","paragraph_id":"para_132"},{"text":"for a protective order concerning Delores’s medical records and bills. GFLP argued","paragraph_id":"para_133"},{"text":"the records were privileged and the subpoenas did not comply with the Health","paragraph_id":"para_134"},{"text":"2. Rule 45(a) states in part:","paragraph_id":"para_135"},{"text":"A subpoena shall also include the following text in bold,","paragraph_id":"para_136"},{"text":"capitalized type immediately above the signature of the","paragraph_id":"para_137"},{"text":"individual signing the subpoena:","paragraph_id":"para_138"},{"text":"YOU SHOULD TREAT THIS DOCUMENT AS YOU WOULD A","paragraph_id":"para_139"},{"text":"COURT ORDER. IF YOU FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE","paragraph_id":"para_140"},{"text":"COMMAND(S) IN THIS DOCUMENT WITHOUT ADEQUATE","paragraph_id":"para_141"},{"text":"EXCUSE, THE COURT MAY FIND YOU IN CONTEMPT AND","paragraph_id":"para_142"},{"text":"ASSESS MONETARY OR OTHER SANCTIONS AGAINST","paragraph_id":"para_143"},{"text":"YOU.","paragraph_id":"para_144"},{"text":"YOU HAVE CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS AS IT","paragraph_id":"para_145"},{"text":"CONCERNS THIS DOCUMENT, INCLUDING THOSE SET","paragraph_id":"para_146"},{"text":"FORTH IN SDCL § 15-6-45(b)-(g).","paragraph_id":"para_147"},{"text":"YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CONTACTING AN ATTORNEY","paragraph_id":"para_148"},{"text":"REGARDING YOUR OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS.","paragraph_id":"para_149"},{"text":"SDCL 15-6-45(a).","paragraph_id":"para_150"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_151"},{"text":"-5-","paragraph_id":"para_152"},{"text":"Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Initially unknown to","paragraph_id":"para_153"},{"text":"GFLP’s attorneys, the subpoenas were served the same day as GFLP’s motion to","paragraph_id":"para_154"},{"text":"quash. Neither GFLP, nor any other party, immediately scheduled a hearing on the","paragraph_id":"para_155"},{"text":"motion to quash.","paragraph_id":"para_156"},{"text":"[¶12.] Also unknown to GFLP, was the fact that Prairie Lakes Healthcare","paragraph_id":"para_157"},{"text":"System complied with the November 15 subpoenas on December 3 by furnishing","paragraph_id":"para_158"},{"text":"Delores’s medical information. In an affidavit, Prairie Lakes’s health information","paragraph_id":"para_159"},{"text":"specialist Jodi LeBlanc stated that she received Sortland’s subpoena by service on","paragraph_id":"para_160"},{"text":"November 18, and on December 2, she contacted Sortland’s secretary. According to","paragraph_id":"para_161"},{"text":"LeBlanc, “[Sortland’s secretary] informed me that all parties would have access to","paragraph_id":"para_162"},{"text":"the records because they were working together.” LeBlanc sent Delores’s medical","paragraph_id":"para_163"},{"text":"records to Sortland’s office the next day. LeBlanc stated she had no knowledge of","paragraph_id":"para_164"},{"text":"the ongoing discovery dispute and followed the subpoena’s instructions to treat it as","paragraph_id":"para_165"},{"text":"a court order.","paragraph_id":"para_166"},{"text":"[¶13.] Prior to any resolution on the subpoena disputes, Michael moved for","paragraph_id":"para_167"},{"text":"leave to amend his complaint. Among other changes, Michael alleged additional","paragraph_id":"para_168"},{"text":"facts to support his undue influence claims, some of which came from the medical","paragraph_id":"para_169"},{"text":"records that had been disclosed by LeBlanc to Sortland. Although Sortland’s office","paragraph_id":"para_170"},{"text":"received the medical records on December 3, he did not disclose his possession or","paragraph_id":"para_171"},{"text":"share the records with GFLP until December 26 when he emailed GFLP’s attorneys","paragraph_id":"para_172"},{"text":"regarding the proposed amended complaint.3","paragraph_id":"para_173"},{"text":"3. On January 6, 2025, Sortland issued an additional subpoena to Dr.","paragraph_id":"para_174"},{"text":"Hendricks commanding the release of Delores’s medical information.","paragraph_id":"para_175"},{"text":"(continued . . .)","paragraph_id":"para_176"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_177"},{"text":"-6-","paragraph_id":"para_178"},{"text":"[¶14.] In January 2025, GFLP moved for sanctions in the form of dismissal","paragraph_id":"para_179"},{"text":"for “gross violation of discovery rules and procedure.” Greg and Joan joined in the","paragraph_id":"para_180"},{"text":"motion. In the alternative, GFLP proposed other sanctions including a protective","paragraph_id":"para_181"},{"text":"order for Delores’s medical history, revocation of Sortland’s pro hac vice status, and","paragraph_id":"para_182"},{"text":"attorney fees and costs incurred in bringing the motion to quash. In its","paragraph_id":"para_183"},{"text":"accompanying brief, GFLP outlined an alleged history of discovery abuse by","paragraph_id":"para_184"},{"text":"Sortland, focusing on his non-compliance with Rule 45 generally, and, more","paragraph_id":"para_185"},{"text":"specifically, his use of subpoenas to obtain Delores’s medical records after GFLP","paragraph_id":"para_186"},{"text":"filed its motion to quash.","paragraph_id":"para_187"},{"text":"[¶15.] In response, Sortland argued GFLP’s sanction request was “heavy-","paragraph_id":"para_188"},{"text":"handed” and aimed at restricting Michael’s access to outcome-determinative","paragraph_id":"para_189"},{"text":"evidence, which, in his view, he was “rightfully entitled to” obtain. According to","paragraph_id":"para_190"},{"text":"Sortland, the requested sanction and motion to quash reflected GFLP’s dilatory","paragraph_id":"para_191"},{"text":"conduct. Further, Michael argued that Delores’s attorney—who also represented","paragraph_id":"para_192"},{"text":"GFLP—waived her medical privilege when he submitted letters from her doctors","paragraph_id":"para_193"},{"text":"concerning her mental state.","paragraph_id":"para_194"},{"text":"[¶16.] Particularly relevant to this appeal is Sortland’s interpretation of Rule","paragraph_id":"para_195"},{"text":"45(b). The text of the rule allows a court to quash a subpoena “upon motion made","paragraph_id":"para_196"},{"text":"promptly,” and Sortland argued that this meant the circuit court must act on","paragraph_id":"para_197"},{"text":"GFLP’s motion to quash prior to the subpoena’s stated time of compliance. Under","paragraph_id":"para_198"},{"text":"________________________","paragraph_id":"para_199"},{"text":"(. . . continued)","paragraph_id":"para_200"},{"text":"According to his affidavit, GFLP’s attorney stated he only learned of the","paragraph_id":"para_201"},{"text":"subpoena on January 8 when Dr. Hendricks informed his office.","paragraph_id":"para_202"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_203"},{"text":"-7-","paragraph_id":"para_204"},{"text":"Sortland’s legal theory, if the court did not act prior to the time of compliance it “no","paragraph_id":"para_205"},{"text":"longer has jurisdiction[.]”4","paragraph_id":"para_206"},{"text":"[¶17.] The circuit court considered GFLP’s motion to dismiss at a March 2025","paragraph_id":"para_207"},{"text":"hearing. In his argument, counsel for GFLP recounted the history of noncompliance","paragraph_id":"para_208"},{"text":"with Rule 45 by “a pro hac vice” attorney, culminating with the Prairie Lakes","paragraph_id":"para_209"},{"text":"subpoenas:","paragraph_id":"para_210"},{"text":"What is the more important problem and really why we’re here","paragraph_id":"para_211"},{"text":"today is because it was the plaintiff’s counsel’s use of this","paragraph_id":"para_212"},{"text":"[c]ourt’s authority in order to wrongfully obtain [Delores]","paragraph_id":"para_213"},{"text":"Gibson’s privileged medical records from her healthcare","paragraph_id":"para_214"},{"text":"providers. . . . [A]t the heart[,] subpoenas were issued to medical","paragraph_id":"para_215"},{"text":"providers for records, objections were made, those objections","paragraph_id":"para_216"},{"text":"were ignored, records were obtained and those records were","paragraph_id":"para_217"},{"text":"reviewed, information from those privileged records was","paragraph_id":"para_218"},{"text":"incorporated into an amended complaint and then it was","paragraph_id":"para_219"},{"text":"published in a public filing with this [c]ourt.","paragraph_id":"para_220"},{"text":"[¶18.] In his rejoinder, Sortland justified obtaining Delores’s medical records","paragraph_id":"para_221"},{"text":"from Prairie Lakes despite the objection and motion through the same dubious","paragraph_id":"para_222"},{"text":"textual reading of Rule 45(b) he had made in his written submissions. According to","paragraph_id":"para_223"},{"text":"Sortland, the rule “requires not only that the objection be brought immediately, but","paragraph_id":"para_224"},{"text":"also that the motion be heard by the [c]ourt no later than the time for production.”","paragraph_id":"para_225"},{"text":"[¶19.] Beyond this, Sortland stated that “we have been following the rules”","paragraph_id":"para_226"},{"text":"and shifted the blame to counsel for GFLP and Prairie Lakes:","paragraph_id":"para_227"},{"text":"4. Sortland soft-pedaled Rule 45(b)’s separate notice requirement, asserting it","paragraph_id":"para_228"},{"text":"“hardly seems rational” to believe that Rule 45(b) required service of more","paragraph_id":"para_229"},{"text":"than a copy of the subpoena. Although this argument does not determine the","paragraph_id":"para_230"},{"text":"outcome here, we note that the text of Rule 45(b) requires, by its plain terms,","paragraph_id":"para_231"},{"text":"service on each party of both “a notice and copy of the subpoena.” (Emphasis","paragraph_id":"para_232"},{"text":"added.)","paragraph_id":"para_233"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_234"},{"text":"-8-","paragraph_id":"para_235"},{"text":"[T]hey took advantage of that notice by filing an objection but","paragraph_id":"para_236"},{"text":"they didn’t do anything beyond that. The rules I would assume","paragraph_id":"para_237"},{"text":"that the objecting party would contact the witness to make sure","paragraph_id":"para_238"},{"text":"that they don’t provide anything and that was not done in this","paragraph_id":"para_239"},{"text":"instance. And that’s another reason to believe what we were","paragraph_id":"para_240"},{"text":"doing was correct.","paragraph_id":"para_241"},{"text":"* * *","paragraph_id":"para_242"},{"text":"We gave them these medical records a little bit later and so","paragraph_id":"para_243"},{"text":"there’s nothing wrong with what we did. And let’s go back to the","paragraph_id":"para_244"},{"text":"duties of Prairie Lakes. I never received any call from Prairie","paragraph_id":"para_245"},{"text":"Lakes. I never spoke with this Jodi [LeBlanc]. My secretary","paragraph_id":"para_246"},{"text":"didn’t speak with Jodi about any specifics to do with in [sic]","paragraph_id":"para_247"},{"text":"case.","paragraph_id":"para_248"},{"text":"[¶20.] Even on the cold record, it is apparent that the circuit court was","paragraph_id":"para_249"},{"text":"disappointed by Sortland’s response:","paragraph_id":"para_250"},{"text":"Mr. Sortland, I have to say that your response to the motion to","paragraph_id":"para_251"},{"text":"dismiss moves the needle closer to dismissal than further away","paragraph_id":"para_252"},{"text":"from it. Your cavalier disregard of the procedures that","paragraph_id":"para_253"},{"text":"happened on a repeated basis concerns this [c]ourt to no end.","paragraph_id":"para_254"},{"text":"[¶21.] Sortland eventually invoked relativism and offered something of an","paragraph_id":"para_255"},{"text":"indifferent apology:","paragraph_id":"para_256"},{"text":"I mean there’s a lot of people who don’t follow the rules with","paragraph_id":"para_257"},{"text":"respect to subpoenas, I think the [c]ourt knows that. We tried","paragraph_id":"para_258"},{"text":"our best to follow them as we – as we read the rules and so I","paragraph_id":"para_259"},{"text":"apologize if anything wrong happened[.]","paragraph_id":"para_260"},{"text":"[¶22.] The circuit court was unmoved and dismissed Michael’s case as a","paragraph_id":"para_261"},{"text":"sanction. In its oral decision, the court characterized Sortland’s conduct both as a","paragraph_id":"para_262"},{"text":"lack of “professional courtesy” and a violation of the applicable rules. The transcript","paragraph_id":"para_263"},{"text":"makes clear that the court was genuinely troubled with what it viewed as a lack of","paragraph_id":"para_264"},{"text":"acceptance of responsibility:","paragraph_id":"para_265"},{"text":"I look at this case as you blatantly and in bad faith disregarded","paragraph_id":"para_266"},{"text":"the rules and the statutes that are in place to protect the","paragraph_id":"para_267"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_268"},{"text":"-9-","paragraph_id":"para_269"},{"text":"privileged and private medical records and that after you did so","paragraph_id":"para_270"},{"text":"you did take a no harm no foul approach to it. Doesn’t matter","paragraph_id":"para_271"},{"text":"that they objected, I just assumed everything was okay and I got","paragraph_id":"para_272"},{"text":"these records anyway. I’m just astonished at your response and","paragraph_id":"para_273"},{"text":"as I say when I listen to your response and I listen to the abuse","paragraph_id":"para_274"},{"text":"of discovery that has occurred here I can’t think of any way to be","paragraph_id":"para_275"},{"text":"assured that you aren’t going to engage in this kind of conduct","paragraph_id":"para_276"},{"text":"again other than to dismiss this case because you have no","paragraph_id":"para_277"},{"text":"remorse for what you did[.]","paragraph_id":"para_278"},{"text":"The motion to reconsider","paragraph_id":"para_279"},{"text":"[¶23.] In April 2025, Michael’s local counsel filed a motion to reconsider. In","paragraph_id":"para_280"},{"text":"his supporting brief, Michael argued the following: (1) dismissal without prior","paragraph_id":"para_281"},{"text":"warning was disproportionate to the alleged discovery violation; (2) the subpoenas","paragraph_id":"para_282"},{"text":"complied with Rule 45 and there was not a court order prohibiting discovery of the","paragraph_id":"para_283"},{"text":"records; (3) Michael had no reason to know the healthcare organizations did not","paragraph_id":"para_284"},{"text":"comply with HIPAA prior to releasing Delores’s medical records; (4) even if Rule 45","paragraph_id":"para_285"},{"text":"was violated, it was not due to the willfulness, bad faith, or fault of Michael, as the","paragraph_id":"para_286"},{"text":"client; (5) the circuit court, potentially, impermissibly considered the parties’","paragraph_id":"para_287"},{"text":"litigation history; and (6) the court should have addressed other pending motions at","paragraph_id":"para_288"},{"text":"the previous hearing.","paragraph_id":"para_289"},{"text":"[¶24.] Regarding compliance with Rule 45 and the Prairie Lakes subpoena,","paragraph_id":"para_290"},{"text":"Michael’s local counsel justified obtaining Delores’s medical records despite the","paragraph_id":"para_291"},{"text":"pending motion to quash with the rewarmed argument that GFLP failed to schedule","paragraph_id":"para_292"},{"text":"a hearing:","paragraph_id":"para_293"},{"text":"There’s nothing in the South Dakota Rules of Civil Procedure or","paragraph_id":"para_294"},{"text":"clearly established case law in South Dakota or otherwise or","paragraph_id":"para_295"},{"text":"South Dakota statute that mandates that when a party serves","paragraph_id":"para_296"},{"text":"or files an objection to or a motion to quash or for protective","paragraph_id":"para_297"},{"text":"order regarding documents or healthcare records that that","paragraph_id":"para_298"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_299"},{"text":"-10-","paragraph_id":"para_300"},{"text":"automatically stays the discovery and production by a third","paragraph_id":"para_301"},{"text":"party subpoenaed[.]","paragraph_id":"para_302"},{"text":"[¶25.] In a reflective ruling from the bench, the circuit court declined to","paragraph_id":"para_303"},{"text":"change its earlier decision to grant the motion to dismiss as a sanction for","paragraph_id":"para_304"},{"text":"Sortland’s conduct:","paragraph_id":"para_305"},{"text":"[I] want[] to be sure that I haven’t acted with emotion as","paragraph_id":"para_306"},{"text":"opposed to with reason and so while I’ve been waiting for this","paragraph_id":"para_307"},{"text":"hearing, as I’ve been anticipating this hearing, I thought about","paragraph_id":"para_308"},{"text":"the findings that I made and I thought about the importance I","paragraph_id":"para_309"},{"text":"think of attorneys not to lose the forest for the trees and I think","paragraph_id":"para_310"},{"text":"that’s what happened here and in doing so important privileged","paragraph_id":"para_311"},{"text":"information was gained in a way that I continue to feel was","paragraph_id":"para_312"},{"text":"dishonest and egregious and so I granted this motion to","paragraph_id":"para_313"},{"text":"reconsider primarily because I didn’t want my displeasure at","paragraph_id":"para_314"},{"text":"Mr. Sortland to be unfairly reflected on his client[.]","paragraph_id":"para_315"},{"text":"[¶26.] Now with the assistance of substitute counsel, Michael appeals raising","paragraph_id":"para_316"},{"text":"three issues which we have consolidated and restated as follows:","paragraph_id":"para_317"},{"text":"1. Whether the circuit court erred by concluding that","paragraph_id":"para_318"},{"text":"Sortland’s conduct constituted a failure to “comply with","paragraph_id":"para_319"},{"text":"this chapter” as required by Rule 41(b)’s provisions","paragraph_id":"para_320"},{"text":"authorizing involuntary dismissal.","paragraph_id":"para_321"},{"text":"2. Whether the circuit court abused its discretion when it","paragraph_id":"para_322"},{"text":"dismissed the action as a sanction.5","paragraph_id":"para_323"},{"text":"Analysis and Decision","paragraph_id":"para_324"},{"text":"Asserted jurisdictional challenges","paragraph_id":"para_325"},{"text":"[¶27.] GFLP and Ronayne each challenge our appellate jurisdiction. First,","paragraph_id":"para_326"},{"text":"GFLP asserts that Michael failed to satisfy SDCL 15-26A-23’s bond requirements to","paragraph_id":"para_327"},{"text":"5. By notice of review, Greg and Joan, and Ronayne have challenged a decision","paragraph_id":"para_328"},{"text":"by the circuit court denying their motions to dismiss Michael’s fiduciary duty","paragraph_id":"para_329"},{"text":"claims. However, given our disposition of Michael’s issues, we do not need to","paragraph_id":"para_330"},{"text":"describe the decision further or reach the merits of the notice of review","paragraph_id":"para_331"},{"text":"question.","paragraph_id":"para_332"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_333"},{"text":"-11-","paragraph_id":"para_334"},{"text":"perfect his appeal, which GFLP incorrectly identifies as a jurisdictional","paragraph_id":"para_335"},{"text":"impediment. See Bison Tp. v. Perkins Cnty., 2002 S.D. 22, ¶ 13, 640 N.W.2d 503,","paragraph_id":"para_336"},{"text":"506 (stating the failure to satisfy bond requirements does not deprive the Court of","paragraph_id":"para_337"},{"text":"jurisdiction). Regardless, Michael has confirmed that he obtained a bond in the","paragraph_id":"para_338"},{"text":"sufficient amount.","paragraph_id":"para_339"},{"text":"[¶28.] Next, Ronayne argues we lack jurisdiction to review the circuit court’s","paragraph_id":"para_340"},{"text":"taxation of costs. This argument is wide of the mark for several reasons, the first of","paragraph_id":"para_341"},{"text":"which is that Michael is not seeking discrete review of the taxation of costs. In his","paragraph_id":"para_342"},{"text":"reply brief, Michael acknowledges that “[i]f the judgment is affirmed, so is the","paragraph_id":"para_343"},{"text":"taxation of costs.” But, he asserts, “if the judgment is reversed, the taxation of costs","paragraph_id":"para_344"},{"text":"is automatically vacated” under SDCL 15-17-56, which provides that","paragraph_id":"para_345"},{"text":"“[d]isbursements taxed by a party, in the trial court, who did not prevail on appeal,","paragraph_id":"para_346"},{"text":"are void.”","paragraph_id":"para_347"},{"text":"[¶29.] And, in any event, there is no jurisdictional barrier to reviewing the","paragraph_id":"para_348"},{"text":"circuit court’s taxation of costs if Michael had elected to challenge it. After the","paragraph_id":"para_349"},{"text":"court’s order taxing costs, Michael timely appealed the court’s amended order. See","paragraph_id":"para_350"},{"text":"Picardi v. Zimmiond, 2005 S.D. 24, ¶ 18, 693 N.W.2d 656, 662 (“When [the order for","paragraph_id":"para_351"},{"text":"costs] is made subsequent to the entry of a judgment the order may not be reviewed","paragraph_id":"para_352"},{"text":"upon appeal from the judgment, but only by a direct appeal from the order.”","paragraph_id":"para_353"},{"text":"(alteration in original) (citation omitted)).","paragraph_id":"para_354"},{"text":"Violating the rules of civil procedure","paragraph_id":"para_355"},{"text":"[¶30.] A circuit court may involuntarily dismiss a civil matter “[f]or failure of","paragraph_id":"para_356"},{"text":"the plaintiff to prosecute or to comply with [the rules of civil procedure contained in","paragraph_id":"para_357"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_358"},{"text":"-12-","paragraph_id":"para_359"},{"text":"Chapter 15-6] or any order of court[.]” SDCL 15-6-41(b). The relevant portion of","paragraph_id":"para_360"},{"text":"the rule permits dismissal for a party’s failure to comply with our rules of civil","paragraph_id":"para_361"},{"text":"procedure contained in Chapter 15-6.6","paragraph_id":"para_362"},{"text":"[¶31.] Here, of course, the operative rule of civil procedure for our inquiry is","paragraph_id":"para_363"},{"text":"Rule 45(b) which governs the procedure for objecting to subpoenas. In its entirety,","paragraph_id":"para_364"},{"text":"the rule states:","paragraph_id":"para_365"},{"text":"A subpoena may command the person to whom it is directed to","paragraph_id":"para_366"},{"text":"produce the books, papers, documents, or tangible things","paragraph_id":"para_367"},{"text":"designated therein, regardless of whether the attorney also","paragraph_id":"para_368"},{"text":"notices the person’s deposition or commands the presence of the","paragraph_id":"para_369"},{"text":"person to which it is directed to give testimony at a hearing or","paragraph_id":"para_370"},{"text":"trial. Before a subpoena commanding the production of","paragraph_id":"para_371"},{"text":"documentary evidence is served on the person to whom it is","paragraph_id":"para_372"},{"text":"directed, a notice and copy of the subpoena must be served on","paragraph_id":"para_373"},{"text":"each party to the matter pending. The court, upon motion made","paragraph_id":"para_374"},{"text":"promptly and in any event at or before the time specified in the","paragraph_id":"para_375"},{"text":"subpoena for compliance therewith, may:","paragraph_id":"para_376"},{"text":"(1) Quash or modify the subpoena if it is unreasonable and","paragraph_id":"para_377"},{"text":"oppressive; or","paragraph_id":"para_378"},{"text":"(2) Condition denial of the motion upon the advancement by the","paragraph_id":"para_379"},{"text":"person in whose behalf the subpoena is issued of the","paragraph_id":"para_380"},{"text":"reasonable cost of producing the books, papers, documents, or","paragraph_id":"para_381"},{"text":"tangible things.","paragraph_id":"para_382"},{"text":"SDCL 15-6-45(b) (emphasis added).","paragraph_id":"para_383"},{"text":"[¶32.] The straightforward order of operations provided in Rule 45(b) allows","paragraph_id":"para_384"},{"text":"other parties the opportunity to object to a subpoena’s request prior to the time of","paragraph_id":"para_385"},{"text":"6. On appeal, GFLP argues that Sortland’s conduct violated HIPAA, Delores’s","paragraph_id":"para_386"},{"text":"privacy under South Dakota law, and the rules of professional conduct.","paragraph_id":"para_387"},{"text":"Michael disputes each of these arguments and asserts that he would have","paragraph_id":"para_388"},{"text":"eventually obtained Delores’s medical records. But we see the merits of these","paragraph_id":"para_389"},{"text":"claims as somewhat beside the point in this appeal because Rule 41(b) only","paragraph_id":"para_390"},{"text":"authorizes involuntary dismissal for a violation of Chapter 15-6.","paragraph_id":"para_391"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_392"},{"text":"-13-","paragraph_id":"para_393"},{"text":"compliance. SDCL 15-6-45(b); see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 45 advisory committee’s notes","paragraph_id":"para_394"},{"text":"to 1991 amendments (“The purpose of such notice is to afford other parties an","paragraph_id":"para_395"},{"text":"opportunity to object to the production or inspection, or to serve a demand for","paragraph_id":"para_396"},{"text":"additional documents or things.”). But the rule imposes a timeliness obligation on","paragraph_id":"para_397"},{"text":"objecting parties to act by filing a motion to quash “promptly and in any event at or","paragraph_id":"para_398"},{"text":"before the time specified in the subpoena for compliance.” SDCL 15-6-45(b).","paragraph_id":"para_399"},{"text":"[¶33.] Rule 45(b) does not explicitly require the court to rule on a motion to","paragraph_id":"para_400"},{"text":"quash before the time specified in the subpoena for compliance. It does, however,","paragraph_id":"para_401"},{"text":"contemplate the court’s ability to “quash or modify the subpoena,” and, logically, a","paragraph_id":"para_402"},{"text":"court could not regulate the issuance of subpoenas in this way if a subpoenaed party","paragraph_id":"para_403"},{"text":"complied before the court could act, rendering the issue moot and subverting the","paragraph_id":"para_404"},{"text":"court’s supervisory role.","paragraph_id":"para_405"},{"text":"[¶34.] As indicated, Sortland’s submissions to the circuit court and his","paragraph_id":"para_406"},{"text":"comments at the March 2025 hearing reflect a self-serving textual interpretation of","paragraph_id":"para_407"},{"text":"Rule 45(b) under which the rule, in his view, “requires not only that the objection be","paragraph_id":"para_408"},{"text":"brought immediately, but also that the motion be heard by the [c]ourt no later than","paragraph_id":"para_409"},{"text":"the time for production.” From this, Sortland reasoned that because GFLP did not","paragraph_id":"para_410"},{"text":"immediately seek a hearing on their motion to quash and the circuit court did not","paragraph_id":"para_411"},{"text":"rule, he could simply “disregard[]” the challenge to the subpoenas.","paragraph_id":"para_412"},{"text":"[¶35.] This argument is brazen, and we unequivocally reject it. Rule 45(b)","paragraph_id":"para_413"},{"text":"does not require a court to rule on the motion before the time designated in the","paragraph_id":"para_414"},{"text":"subpoena for compliance, and, instead, the plain design of the rule contemplates the","paragraph_id":"para_415"},{"text":"opposite—forestalling compliance until the court has acted. The contrary rule that","paragraph_id":"para_416"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_417"},{"text":"-14-","paragraph_id":"para_418"},{"text":"Sortland proposed to the circuit court would allow the party issuing the subpoena to","paragraph_id":"para_419"},{"text":"unilaterally control the court’s calendar and preempt the court’s judicial supervision","paragraph_id":"para_420"},{"text":"by compressing the time set out in the subpoena for compliance.","paragraph_id":"para_421"},{"text":"[¶36.] On appeal, Michael’s principal argument is that the circuit court did","paragraph_id":"para_422"},{"text":"not adequately articulate a violation of Chapter 15-6 through its findings. But after","paragraph_id":"para_423"},{"text":"reviewing the circuit court’s written order and judgment incorporating its earlier","paragraph_id":"para_424"},{"text":"oral decision, we have no difficulty understanding that the violation upon which the","paragraph_id":"para_425"},{"text":"court relied was Sortland’s conduct based on the inaccurate legal interpretation of","paragraph_id":"para_426"},{"text":"Rule 45(b) set out above. See Repp v. Van Someren, 2015 S.D. 53, ¶ 10, 866 N.W.2d","paragraph_id":"para_427"},{"text":"122, 126 (“Findings must be entered ‘with sufficient specificity to permit meaningful","paragraph_id":"para_428"},{"text":"review.’” (citation omitted)). With this record before us, we hold the court’s findings","paragraph_id":"para_429"},{"text":"of fact and conclusions of law are sufficient to allow meaningful appellate review.","paragraph_id":"para_430"},{"text":"Involuntary dismissal under Rule 41(b)","paragraph_id":"para_431"},{"text":"[¶37.] Although we have a stated “institutional preference for resolving cases","paragraph_id":"para_432"},{"text":"on the merits,” Rule 41(b) operates as a “tool for sanctioning a party for delay or","paragraph_id":"para_433"},{"text":"disobedience in the processing of a case.” Arrowsmith v. Odle, 2025 S.D. 70, ¶ 15,","paragraph_id":"para_434"},{"text":"30 N.W.3d 15, 21 (citation modified). The rule provides broad authority for a circuit","paragraph_id":"para_435"},{"text":"court to dismiss a case, but as we have explained, the rule prescribes dismissal with","paragraph_id":"para_436"},{"text":"prejudice and should only be applied where it is proportionate to a party’s","paragraph_id":"para_437"},{"text":"transgressions. See Smith v. Gold Dust Casino, 526 F.3d 402, 405 (8th Cir. 2008)","paragraph_id":"para_438"},{"text":"(citation omitted) (“We have repeatedly stressed that the [41(b)] sanction imposed","paragraph_id":"para_439"},{"text":"by the district court must be proportionate to the litigant’s transgression[.]”","paragraph_id":"para_440"},{"text":"(citation modified)). To affirm a dismissal for failure to comply with the rules of","paragraph_id":"para_441"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_442"},{"text":"-15-","paragraph_id":"para_443"},{"text":"civil procedure, there should be a clear record of an egregious rule violation. See","paragraph_id":"para_444"},{"text":"Arrowsmith, 2025 S.D. 70, ¶ 24, 30 N.W.3d at 23 (reviewing the record for egregious","paragraph_id":"para_445"},{"text":"conduct in a Rule 41(b) failure to prosecute case).","paragraph_id":"para_446"},{"text":"[¶38.] Using this egregious standard, we have reviewed Rule 41(b) dismissals","paragraph_id":"para_447"},{"text":"in several decisions involving a party’s failure to prosecute a claim, and we recently","paragraph_id":"para_448"},{"text":"identified a series of five factors to assist circuit courts determining motions to","paragraph_id":"para_449"},{"text":"dismiss for failure to prosecute. We see no principled reason why these factors","paragraph_id":"para_450"},{"text":"could not be just as helpful to courts considering a motion for dismissal as a","paragraph_id":"para_451"},{"text":"sanction:","paragraph_id":"para_452"},{"text":"(1) [W]hether the plaintiff had received notice that further","paragraph_id":"para_453"},{"text":"delays would result in dismissal; (2) whether the judge","paragraph_id":"para_454"},{"text":"adequately assessed the efficacy of lesser sanctions before","paragraph_id":"para_455"},{"text":"dismissal was ordered; (3) whether the conduct of the party or","paragraph_id":"para_456"},{"text":"the attorney was willful or in bad faith; (4) the degree of actual","paragraph_id":"para_457"},{"text":"prejudice to the opposing side or the substantial likelihood of","paragraph_id":"para_458"},{"text":"future prejudice in the event of further delay; and (5) the merits","paragraph_id":"para_459"},{"text":"of the plaintiff’s claim for relief.","paragraph_id":"para_460"},{"text":"Olson v. Huron Reg’l Med. Ctr. Inc., 2025 S.D. 34, ¶ 40, 24 N.W.3d 405, 417 (citation","paragraph_id":"para_461"},{"text":"omitted).7","paragraph_id":"para_462"},{"text":"[¶39.] Although these factors are not expressly referenced in the circuit","paragraph_id":"para_463"},{"text":"court’s analysis, many of its findings implicate the factors. For instance, the court","paragraph_id":"para_464"},{"text":"7. We use three standards to review a Rule 41(b) dismissal. Arrowsmith, 2025","paragraph_id":"para_465"},{"text":"S.D. 70, ¶ 12, 30 N.W.3d at 20 (citing Olson, 2025 S.D. 34, ¶ 17, 24 N.W.3d at","paragraph_id":"para_466"},{"text":"412). “[W]e review the circuit court’s findings of fact under the clearly","paragraph_id":"para_467"},{"text":"erroneous standard, while we apply the de novo standard when reviewing its","paragraph_id":"para_468"},{"text":"conclusions of law.” Id. (alteration in original). “We then evaluate ‘the circuit","paragraph_id":"para_469"},{"text":"court’s ultimate decision to dismiss’” for failure to comply with Chapter 15-6","paragraph_id":"para_470"},{"text":"for “‘an abuse of discretion.’” Id. (citation omitted). “An abuse of discretion is","paragraph_id":"para_471"},{"text":"a fundamental error of judgment, a choice outside the range of permissible","paragraph_id":"para_472"},{"text":"choices, a decision, which, on full consideration, is arbitrary or unreasonable.”","paragraph_id":"para_473"},{"text":"Id. (citation omitted).","paragraph_id":"para_474"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_475"},{"text":"-16-","paragraph_id":"para_476"},{"text":"made specific findings that Sortland had violated Rule 45 on multiple occasions and","paragraph_id":"para_477"},{"text":"that he had “blatantly and in bad faith disregarded” the rules. These findings are","paragraph_id":"para_478"},{"text":"supported by the record, particularly given Sortland’s outright failure to","paragraph_id":"para_479"},{"text":"acknowledge and take responsibility for his actions, paired with an implausible","paragraph_id":"para_480"},{"text":"textual interpretation of Rule 45(b) that would have allowed him to bypass judicial","paragraph_id":"para_481"},{"text":"supervision of the court’s subpoena power.","paragraph_id":"para_482"},{"text":"[¶40.] And though it is true that the circuit court had not addressed the prior","paragraph_id":"para_483"},{"text":"alleged Rule 45 violations, Sortland had been advised of multiple instances of","paragraph_id":"para_484"},{"text":"noncompliance and even corrected some subpoenas. And these were not isolated","paragraph_id":"para_485"},{"text":"instances, but rather occurred throughout the pendency of the case to varying","paragraph_id":"para_486"},{"text":"degrees.","paragraph_id":"para_487"},{"text":"[¶41.] The circuit court expressly recognized the prejudice to opposing","paragraph_id":"para_488"},{"text":"counsel and to Delores—a nonparty—caused by Sortland’s decision to disregard the","paragraph_id":"para_489"},{"text":"motion to quash and proceed to surreptitiously obtain her privileged documents.","paragraph_id":"para_490"},{"text":"The court did not, however, consider the efficacy of other, less-drastic sanctions, and","paragraph_id":"para_491"},{"text":"its specific determination that dismissal was necessary to prevent further abuses by","paragraph_id":"para_492"},{"text":"Sortland overlooked the option of simply revoking his pro hac vice status and","paragraph_id":"para_493"},{"text":"ending his involvement in the case. Interestingly, GFLP’s motion to dismiss sought","paragraph_id":"para_494"},{"text":"less-serious sanctions as an alternative remedy, but Sortland, himself, did not seek","paragraph_id":"para_495"},{"text":"alternate, less-drastic sanctions, at least not initially.","paragraph_id":"para_496"},{"text":"[¶42.] Instead, in what appears to have been an all-or-nothing strategy,","paragraph_id":"para_497"},{"text":"Sortland categorically denied doing anything wrong. The idea that the remedy of","paragraph_id":"para_498"},{"text":"dismissal is too harsh because it unfairly punishes Michael for Sortland’s conduct","paragraph_id":"para_499"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_500"},{"text":"-17-","paragraph_id":"para_501"},{"text":"was first introduced in the motion to reconsider, but the arguments offered at the","paragraph_id":"para_502"},{"text":"April 2025 hearing again focused on claims that Sortland had not violated any rules","paragraph_id":"para_503"},{"text":"and that Michael was entitled to Delores’s medical records in any event.","paragraph_id":"para_504"},{"text":"[¶43.] The arguments by substitute counsel on appeal are similarly focused","paragraph_id":"para_505"},{"text":"on claims of insufficient findings under Rule 41(b), GFLP’s lack of standing for the","paragraph_id":"para_506"},{"text":"motion to quash, and Sortland’s lack of culpability. The lesser-alternatives","paragraph_id":"para_507"},{"text":"argument is most developed in Michael’s appellate reply brief. Even though the","paragraph_id":"para_508"},{"text":"argument was not initially presented to the court and was slow to develop, the","paragraph_id":"para_509"},{"text":"circuit court should have considered other, less-drastic alternatives to dismissal","paragraph_id":"para_510"},{"text":"with prejudice.","paragraph_id":"para_511"},{"text":"[¶44.] But this does not necessarily mean that the circuit court abused its","paragraph_id":"para_512"},{"text":"discretion. In this regard, the court’s decision to select the exceptional sanction of","paragraph_id":"para_513"},{"text":"dismissal must be viewed in the context of this particular case which is, itself,","paragraph_id":"para_514"},{"text":"exceptional.","paragraph_id":"para_515"},{"text":"[¶45.] To begin, it is difficult to overstate the significance of Sortland’s","paragraph_id":"para_516"},{"text":"conduct as he attempted to obtain Delores’s medical records. An attorney issuing","paragraph_id":"para_517"},{"text":"subpoenas does so in the name of the court. SDCL 15-6-45(a). As one court astutely","paragraph_id":"para_518"},{"text":"observed, the injury occurring from “misuse of the subpoena power is not limited to","paragraph_id":"para_519"},{"text":"the harm it inflicts upon the parties.” Coleman-Hill v. Governor Mifflin Sch. Dist.,","paragraph_id":"para_520"},{"text":"271 F.R.D. 549, 552 (E.D. P.A. 2010) (citation omitted). Rather, misuse of the","paragraph_id":"para_521"},{"text":"subpoena power also “compromises the integrity of the court’s processes.” Id.","paragraph_id":"para_522"},{"text":"(citation omitted). Indeed, the subpoena must inform the recipient that they should","paragraph_id":"para_523"},{"text":"“treat this document as [they] would a court order” in bold, capitalized typeface.","paragraph_id":"para_524"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_525"},{"text":"-18-","paragraph_id":"para_526"},{"text":"SDCL 15-6-45(a). Along with the authority to act in the name of the court, comes","paragraph_id":"para_527"},{"text":"the court’s power to judicially enforce the attorney’s request through contempt. See","paragraph_id":"para_528"},{"text":"SDCL 15-6-45(f).","paragraph_id":"para_529"},{"text":"[¶46.] Here, Sortland misused this authority and overlooked the solemn","paragraph_id":"para_530"},{"text":"responsibility accompanying it. But perhaps even more problematic, he refused to","paragraph_id":"para_531"},{"text":"accept responsibility. Indeed, when confronted, Sortland presented poorly","paragraph_id":"para_532"},{"text":"constructed arguments that marginalized his misconduct by stressing his client’s","paragraph_id":"para_533"},{"text":"strategic need for discovery, the medical records’ relevance, and his view that others","paragraph_id":"para_534"},{"text":"failed to properly contest the subpoenas. Acting under the auspices of the court, he","paragraph_id":"para_535"},{"text":"issued subpoenas for Delores’s private medical information and obtained it without","paragraph_id":"para_536"},{"text":"advising the other parties (including the party who had specifically objected and","paragraph_id":"para_537"},{"text":"moved to quash), and without telling the custodian of the records that there was an","paragraph_id":"para_538"},{"text":"objection—in fact, LeBlanc’s affidavit stated Sortland’s office related the opposite.","paragraph_id":"para_539"},{"text":"Viewed in its totality, Sortland’s conduct satisfies Rule 41(b)’s egregious standard.","paragraph_id":"para_540"},{"text":"[¶47.] The circuit court noted its reluctance “to dismiss actions and strip","paragraph_id":"para_541"},{"text":"parties of their right to have things litigated because of errors by their counsel” but","paragraph_id":"para_542"},{"text":"it also considered its aversion in the particular context of this case:","paragraph_id":"para_543"},{"text":"[B]ut when I weigh that risk against the idea that there have","paragraph_id":"para_544"},{"text":"already been previous litigations with this family and with these","paragraph_id":"para_545"},{"text":"exact same people, I have less of a concern that I am stripping","paragraph_id":"para_546"},{"text":"Michael Gibson of some inherent right that he has to move this","paragraph_id":"para_547"},{"text":"case forward.","paragraph_id":"para_548"},{"text":"[¶48.] Michael argues the circuit court should not have considered his prior","paragraph_id":"para_549"},{"text":"litigation because “[n]o evidence was submitted . . . concerning such litigation, the","paragraph_id":"para_550"},{"text":"last of which was terminated in 2016.” But this assertion is not entirely accurate.","paragraph_id":"para_551"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_552"},{"text":"-19-","paragraph_id":"para_553"},{"text":"While it is true that the court did not receive evidence at either the March or April","paragraph_id":"para_554"},{"text":"hearing, counsel for Greg and Joan submitted an affidavit that explained the prior","paragraph_id":"para_555"},{"text":"litigation, which was also described in our 2016 published opinion. See Gibson,","paragraph_id":"para_556"},{"text":"2016 S.D. 26, 877 N.W.2d 597. And, beyond this, we note that despite Michael","paragraph_id":"para_557"},{"text":"engaging substitute counsel on appeal, his arguments remain largely unchanged","paragraph_id":"para_558"},{"text":"and detached from a candid acceptance of responsibility.","paragraph_id":"para_559"},{"text":"[¶49.] But the full range of the circuit court’s careful exercise of discretion","paragraph_id":"para_560"},{"text":"extended into the subsequent motion for reconsideration. Though the court was not","paragraph_id":"para_561"},{"text":"required to hold a hearing on Michael’s motion to reconsider, it did so because it","paragraph_id":"para_562"},{"text":"“didn’t want [its] displeasure at Mr. Sortland to be unfairly reflected on his client[.]”","paragraph_id":"para_563"},{"text":"The court stated it wanted to assure itself that it had not “acted with emotion as","paragraph_id":"para_564"},{"text":"opposed to with reason[.]” After hearing the parties’ argument, the court offered a","paragraph_id":"para_565"},{"text":"transparent view of its introspection:","paragraph_id":"para_566"},{"text":"The [c]ourt granted a hearing on a motion to reconsider because","paragraph_id":"para_567"},{"text":"the [c]ourt had felt a large amount of anger at Mr. Sortland for","paragraph_id":"para_568"},{"text":"his manner in conducting the hearing on March 11, to his","paragraph_id":"para_569"},{"text":"response to the [c]ourt, to his cavalier attitude, and for the","paragraph_id":"para_570"},{"text":"things that [the court] added when [the court] supplemented the","paragraph_id":"para_571"},{"text":"record here today which is the idea that Mr. Sortland seems to","paragraph_id":"para_572"},{"text":"blame everybody else in the world for conspiring with the","paragraph_id":"para_573"},{"text":"defendant here Greg Gibson[.]","paragraph_id":"para_574"},{"text":"[¶50.] And with the benefit of the passage of time following the March","paragraph_id":"para_575"},{"text":"hearing and further reflection, the circuit court concluded it had made the correct","paragraph_id":"para_576"},{"text":"decision to dismiss the case. The court explained that Sortland’s conduct “was","paragraph_id":"para_577"},{"text":"dishonest, it was egregious, and then on top of all of that Mr. Sortland came to court","paragraph_id":"para_578"},{"text":"and said it was everybody else’s problem and everybody else’s mistake[.]” In our","paragraph_id":"para_579"},{"text":"#31073, #31084, #31085","paragraph_id":"para_580"},{"text":"-20-","paragraph_id":"para_581"},{"text":"view, the decision to dismiss the case as a sanction was within the range of","paragraph_id":"para_582"},{"text":"permissible choices.","paragraph_id":"para_583"},{"text":"Conclusion","paragraph_id":"para_584"},{"text":"[¶51.] Based on the severity and bad faith violation of the solemn authority","paragraph_id":"para_585"},{"text":"granted to an attorney by Rule 45, dismissal under Rule 41(b) was not an abuse of","paragraph_id":"para_586"},{"text":"discretion. 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