Ernest R. Fenn and wife, Patsy S. Fenn, v. Harry W. Miller, III, v. HIghland Credit Bureau, Inc., D/B/A Mid-State Credit Bureau

This appeal involves the imposition of Tenn. R. Civ. P. 11 sanctions for inadequate pre-filing investigation in a malicious prosecution case. After the Fifth Circuit Court for Davidson County dismissed the plaintiffs’ claims against one of the defendants, the defendant sought sanctions against one of the plaintiffs’ lawyers. The trial court conducted an evidentiary hearing, found that the plaintiffs’ lawyer had failed to make an objectively reasonable factual and legal
inquiry before filing the complaint, and ordered the lawyer to pay the defendant $1,500. On this appeal, the plaintiffs’ lawyer challenges the legal and factual basis for the sanctions. We have determined that the record fully supports the trial court’s decision and also that this appeal is frivolous. Accordingly, we affirm and remand the case for the assessment of damages pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 27-1-122 (1980).