VICTORY OVER CHASE

A FORECLOSURE INFORMATION SHARING SITE COMMITTED TO SAVING OUR HOMES FROM FORECLOSURE BY JP MORGAN CHASE BANK. Thursday, July 5, 2012

The Silver Lining in Paatalo v. JPMorgan Chase Bank NA et al

There may be a silver lining in the case Paatalo v. JPMorgan Chase NA, et al. Public records available through PACER reflect that Plaintiff filed a pro se lawsuit against four defendants alleging illegal foreclosure and contested the defendant's standing as beneficiary of his Deed of trust. It appears that Defendants answered with no counter-claims sought. His loan was believed to be securitized into a private trust, WAMU Mortgage Pass-Through Certificate Series 2007-OA3 Trust. Defendants claimed that the Trust was the owner/beneficiary of his Deed of Trust. In his complaint Plaintiff stated that he was ignorant as to the true names and capacities of the defendants and that he would amend the true names and capacities if and when ascertained. He sued all parties as agents of one another, acting within the scope and authority as agents of one another. He initially named one of the defendants as successor trustee of the Trust. In answering the complaint the alleged successor trustee, Mackoff Kellogg Law Firm, stated he was without knowledge sufficient to form a belief as to whether or not he was an agent of the others or "successor trustee" of the Trust but would deny the allegation. During discovery Plaintiff sought to ascertain the true capacities and authorities of all parties. He requested the agent agreements and contracts between the parties showing their scope of authority. All parties objected and refused to clarify their legal authorities on the grounds of confidentiality. As the case progressed Mackoff Kellogg repeatedly identified itself in all motions and responses as Successor Trustee of the Trust. He contacted all defendants as he was concerned about Mackoff Kellogg's continued statements of being successor trustee of the Trust and if untrue to clarify, change or correct. No action was taken though two inquiries were made. After fourteen months of litigation Plaintiff reached a confidential settlement agreement with the Successor Trustee of the Trust. US Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Otsby reviewed the "Joint Stipulation to Dismiss with Prejudice" and informed all parties that they had fourteen days to object. Before the Judge alerted all parties of the 14 days notice to object, Plaintiff contacted the remaining Defendants and stated that he had settled with the Successor Trustee of the Trust and that the agreement contained a mutual release of all claims now and in the future. Plaintiff had thus settled all matters with the Trust through its agent the Successor Trustee. He pointed out that the Trust/Beneficiary would have no further claims to his property. The remaining parties disagreed however none of them filed an objection to the Settlement with the Court during the 14-day period to object and the Judge eventually signed off. Plaintiff's claims against the remaining defendants were dismissed on June 28, 2012 with prejudice on summary judgment due primarily to technical gaffes on his part. Since all parties failed to take action to clarify or correct their authorities, nor to provide their authorities in discovery, and as Plaintiff took reliance on their stated

authorities when signing the settlement agreement, the question arises "is Plaintiff protected?". Could the Court at a future date attempt to tear into the confidential settlement agreement and attempt to invalidate it? The judge actually tried to help the remaining defendants by giving them additional time to object. She saw the language, "COMES NOW Mackoff Kellogg Law Firm, Charles Peterson, as Successor Trustee of the WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificate Series 2007-OA3 Trust." Instead of objecting, Chase tried to bring the settled parties back into the case, but the Judge denied. This strategy back-fired on Chase. A highly experienced, thirty-year attorney "bizlaw" at the expert online Just Answer provided this answer: The settlement agreement would bind all persons who were parties to the lawsuit if they did not challenge the authority of the trustee to enter into the settlement agreement on the basis he or it was not authorized to act on behalf of them. Because they had the opportunity to object, the approval of the settlement will be res judicata and those parties will be precluded from challenging the settlement. Plaintiff operated on the basis that Successor Trustee had authority which was apparently not denied. The Court gave any party the opportunity to object. That failure to object is what makes it res judicata. The following are from PACER:

Case 1:10-cv-00119-CSO Document 126 Filed 3=03/05/12

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF MONTANA BILLINGS DIVISION ) ) Case No. 1:10-cv-00119-CSO-RFC Plaintiff, ) JOINT STIPULATION TO ) vs. ) DISMISS WITH PREJUDICE ) J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., et ) al. ) ) Defendants. ) ) William J. Paatalo, "Pro Se", Pursuant Fed.R.Civ.P. 41(a)(1)(A)(ii), Plaintiff and Defendant Mackoff Kellogg Law Firm Charles J. Peterson as Successor Trustee to WAMU Mortgage Pass Through Certificate Series 2007-OA3 Trust, hereby stipulate to the dismissal of Defendant Mackoff Kellogg Law Firm Charles J. Peterson as Successor Trustee to WAMU Mortgage PassThrough Certificate Series 2007-OA3 Trust from this action with prejudice. Each party shall bear his or its own costs and attorneys' fees. DATED this 2nd day of March, 2011.

/s/ Jason J. Henderson Jason J. Henderson, Attorney #11414 Attorney for Defendant MACKOFF KELLOGG LAW FIRM CHARLES J. PETERSON AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE ----------

/s/ William J. Paatalo William J. Paatalo Plaintiff, Pro Se

03/02/2012

125

STIPULATION of Dismissal With Prejudice by The Mackoff/Kellogg Law Firm. (Henderson, Jason) (Entered: 03/02/2012)

03/05/2012

126

ORDER re 125 Stipulation of Dismissal filed by The Mackoff/Kellogg Law Firm. The Court will treat the Joint Stipulation as a Motion to Dismiss With Prejudice and will grant the motion unless any party objects on or before 3/19/2012. Signed by Magistrate Carolyn S Ostby on 3/5/2012. (Hard copy mailed to Plaintiff Paatalo via USPS.) (POC, ) (Entered: 03/05/2012)

03/20/2012

Remark - Pursuant to Court's Order dated 3/5/2012 (Doc. 126), and no objections filed, Defendant The Mackoff/Kellogg Law Firm has been dismissed from the case. (POC ) (Hard copy mailed to Plaintiff Paatalo via USPS.) (Entered: 03/20/2012)

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