MEMORANDUM OPINION
WILLIAM D. QUARLES, JR., District Judge.
Topline Solutions, Inc. ("Topline") sued Sandler Systems, Inc. ("SSI") for breach of contract and other claims. ECF No. 1. Pending is SSI's Motion for Bifurcation, ECF No. 185. No hearing is necessary. See Local Rule 105.6 (D.Md.2014). For the following reasons, SSI's motion will be granted in part.
I. Background1
On November 8, 2005, Topline, SSI, and Ram Das, Inc. ("Ram Das")2 executed the "High Tech Boot Camp Agreement," or "HTBCA." ECF No. 106 at 1. The HTBCA states that SSI will "exclusively produce the HTBC Program Materials solely for (Ram Das) and Topline and that [Ram Das] and Topline [will] obtain the HTBC Program Materials solely from SSI." ECF No. 1 ¶ 45 (alterations omitted) (emphasis omitted). On March 7, 2006, Topline, Ram Das, and SSI executed a Co-Development Agreement ("CDA") to market and sell an adaptation of a program, called the "SSI Negotiation Program,"3 through SSI's network of franchises and customers. Id.; ECF No. 1 ¶ 22. In the CDA, the parties waived their right to "punitive damages in any action arising out of [or] related to this Agreement," and to "trial by jury in any action whether at law or at equity, brought by either of them, or in any action ... which arises out of or is connected in any way with this Agreement." See ECF No. 1-1 at 20 (CDA § 17(c)-(d)).
On November 19, 2009, Topline, a Virginia corporation, sued SSI, a Maryland corporation, for breach of the CDA and HTBCA (counts one and two), specific performance (count three), fraud (count four), and a permanent injunction (count five). ECF No. I.4 On April 18, 2012, The Honorable U.S. District Judge Benson E. Legg, to whom this case was first assigned, granted Topline partial summary judgment as to the CDA. ECF No. 105. Judge Legg held that an accounting was required to determine damages. Id. at 4. As to the HTBCA, on April 30, 2012, Judge Legg denied the parties' cross-motions for summary judgment, finding that the HTBCA was ambiguous and that a trial was necessary to resolve factual disputes. ECF No. 106 at 3-4. On May 22, 2012, under Fed. R.Evid. 706,5 Judge Legg appointed Barry Bondroff, C.P.A., from Gorfine, Schiller & Gardyn, P.A., to provide an independent account of damages from SSI's breach of the CDA. ECF No. 111.6 For roughly the next two years, the suit was beset by discovery disputes — including the scope of discovery required for Bondroff's review and objections thereto. See ECF No. 194 at 4-13 (reviewing case history).7
On November 21, 2014, SSI moved, inter alia, to bifurcate (1) the issues of liability and damages as to the HTBCA, and (2) the CDA and HTBCA claims. ECF No. 185. On December 8, 2014, Topline opposed bifurcating liability and damages as to the HTBCA, but did not oppose bifurcating the CDA and HTBCA claims provided that the jury trial on the HTBCA claims took place before the CDA bench trial. ECF No. 189. Topline stated that the HTBCA claims should be tried first "to preserve Topline's constitutional right to a jury trial on those factual issues that may be common to its claims under both contract." Id. at 1 n. 1; see also id. at 9 ("Given that there may be evidence in support of Topline's HTBC Agreement claims that could be relevant to a determination of damages under the CDA, however, Topline is entitled to have a jury consider those common issues, to the extent they exist."). In reply, SSI argued that if "there is a connection between the [HTBCA] claims and the CDA claims, ... the jury waiver provision in the CDA would apply to any [HTBCA] claims that are relevant to the CDA claims"; thus Topline has waived its right to a jury trial on HTBCA claims. ECF No. 193 at 3.
On July 14, 2015, this Court denied SSI's motion to bifurcate liability and damages as to the HTBCA. ECF No. 195. The Court deferred ruling on SSI's motion to bifurcate the CDA and HTBCA claim until the parties had briefed whether the presence of CDA-related issues in Topline's action for breach of the HTBCA triggers the CDA's jury waiver provision. ECF Nos. 194 at 31; 195. The Court further asked the parties to brief the impact of bifurcation on the fraud count, which implicates both contracts. ECF Nos. 194 at 31; 195.8
On August 13, 2015, Topline submitted its brief in response to the Court's Order. ECF No. 197. On August 27, 2015, SSI responded. ECF No. 198.
II. Analysis
A. Jury Trial Waiver
The right to a jury trial in a civil suit is guaranteed by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. See U.S. Const. amend. VII ("In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved....");9 Fed. R.Civ.P. 38(a) ("The right of trial by jury as declared by the Seventh Amendment to the Constitution ... is preserved to the parties inviolate."). When — as here — a jury trial has been demanded, the action must proceed as a jury trial "unless the [C]ourt, on motion or on its own, finds that on some or all of those issues there is no federal right to a jury trial." Fed. R.Civ.P. 39(a)(2). "When ordering a separate trial, the court must preserve any federal right to a jury trial." Fed.R.Civ.P. 42.
In diversity suits, "the enforcement of a contractual jury waiver is a question of federal, not state law." Med Air Tech. Corp. v. Marwan Inv., Inc., 303 F.3d 11, 18 (1st Cir.2002) (citing Simler v. Conner, 372 U.S. 221, 222, 83 S.Ct. 609, 9 L.Ed.2d 691 (1963)). The Fourth Circuit places the burden of proving knowing and intelligent waiver on the party seeking to enforce the waiver. Leasing Serv. Corp. v. Crane, 804 F.2d 828, 832-33 (4th Cir.1986). However, to decide whether to enforce a jury waiver, the Court "must first determine, keeping in mind the policy of strict construction against jury waivers, whether the language of the waiver `unambiguously covers the claims asserted.'" LaPosta v. Lyle, No. 5:11CV177, 2012 WL 1752550, at *10 (N.D.W.Va. May 16, 2012) (quoting Med Air Tech. Corp., 303 F.3d at 18). Thus, the Court must decide whether the CDA jury waiver "unambiguously" covers the HTBCA and fraud claims.
1. HTBCA (Count Two)
Topline asserts that it has not waived its right to a jury trial on its breach of the HTBCA claim because its prior statement about common "factual issues" merely signaled the possibility of "evidentiary overlap." ECF No. 197 at 7. For example, Topline contends that there could be SSI training materials that include parts of the SSI Negotiation Program relevant to the CDA, and parts of HTBC Program Materials relevant to the HTBCA. Id. at 9. Topline asserts "there are no truly common factual issues" between the CDA and HTBCA and no commonality of "essential facts" to prove damages under the CDA and liability and damages under the HTBCA. Id. Finally, Topline argues that because SSI bears the burden of proving that the CDA's trial waiver was knowing and voluntary, SSI bears the burden of proving common factual issues bringing the HTBCA within the scope of the CDA's jury trial waiver. Id. at 10.
SSI contends that the parties do not dispute that the CDA jury trial waiver was knowing and, intelligent; rather, SSI argues that "[i]f [there are] any common factual or evidentiary issues relevant to both the CDA and the HTBCA," then Topline has waived its right to a jury trial on HTBCA claims. ECF No. 198 at 3, 5. SSI further argues that it should not have to prove that Topline has waived its right to a jury trial as to the HTBCA; instead, "Topline should be held to its word when it alleges that there are issues and/or evidence common to both Agreements." Id. at 8.
In the CDA Topline waived "trial by jury in any action whether at law or at equity, brought by either of them,10 or in any action ... which arises out of or is connected in any way with [the CDA]." See ECF No. 1-1 at 20 (CDA § 17(c)). In count two, Topline alleges that SSI breached its obligation to sell or provide HTBC Program Materials under section two of the HTBCA when it sold or provided the HTBC Program Materials to other customers. ECF No. 1 ¶¶ 46-47, 49, 65. On its face, SSI's obligations under the HTBCA are not "connected in any way" to the relevant section of the CDA, which governs royalty payments in connection with SSI's sale of the SSI Negotiation Program. See ECF No. 1-1 at 13 (CDA § 7).
Further, that SSI training materials relevant to both claims may contain parts of the SSI Negotiation Program and the HTBC Program Materials is too tenuous a connection to the CDA for this Court to find that Topline has thereby waived its constitutional right to a jury trial on the HTBCA claim. See AttorneyFirst, LLC v. Ascension Entm't, Inc., 144 Fed.Appx. 283, 290 (4th Cir.2005) ("A waiver of the right to trial by jury will not be lightly implied.") (citing Aetna, Ins. Co. v. Kennedy, 301 U.S. 389, 393, 57 S.Ct. 809, 81 L.Ed. 1177 (1937)); Mowbray, 536 F.Supp.2d at 620. Accordingly, Topline is entitled to a jury trial on count two.11
2. Fraud (Count Four)
Topline contends that count four "alleges distinct acts of fraud in connection with the CDA and [HTBCA]"; thus, those claims may be tried separately. ECF No. 197 at 10-11. SSI contends that Topline has "completely inter[woven] any potential independent HTBCA related claim for fraud with its CDA related claim for fraud." ECF No. 189 at 9 (citing ECF No. 1 ¶ 84). SSI further contends that bifurcating the fraud count may result in different factfinders reaching different conclusions about Topline's reliance. Id. at 10. Finally, SSI contends that Topline has alleged "a singular amount of compensable damages" arising from "all of SSI's alleged misrepresentations." Id. at 9 (emphasis omitted). Thus, SSI argues that Topline has waived its right to a jury trial and punitive damages on count four. Id. at 9, 11 n. 4.
SSI relies in part on Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 10(b), which states that "[i]f doing so would promote clarity, each claim founded on a separate transaction or occurrence ... must be stated in a separate count...." ECF No. 198 at 9; Fed. R.Civ.P. 10(b). "Rule 10(b) works with Rule 8(a) to require the pleader to present his claims discretely and succinctly, so that his adversary can discern what he is claiming and frame a responsive pleading, the court can determine which facts support which claims and whether the plaintiff has stated any claims upon which relief can be granted." Sterling v. Ourisman Chevrolet of Bowie Inc., 943 F.Supp.2d 577, 598 (D.Md.2013) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). Here, however, the issue is not whether Topline has adequately pled its fraud claim, or whether Topline should have pled two fraud counts to state a plausible claim, but whether the fraud claim as pled is within the scope of the CDA jury waiver. That being said, because Topline has alleged a single fraud claim in relation to the CDA and the HTBCA, that claim is "connected to the CDA"; thus, it falls within the CDA's jury waiver. See ECF No. 1-1 at 20. That the claim is also connected to the HTBCA does not make it any less connected to the CDA.
Topline has not cited — nor has the Court located — authority for the proposition that a single fraud claim may be parsed in such a way as to try different parts of the same allegation — or, as discussed below, the same part of the same allegation — before different fact-finders. To prove fraud, a plaintiff must show by clear and convincing evidence that: (1) the defendant made a false representation to the plaintiff, (2) the defendant knew the representation was false or made it with reckless indifference as to its truth, (3) the purpose of the misrepresentation was to defraud the plaintiff, (4) the plaintiff relied on the misrepresentation and had the right to rely, on it, and (5) the plaintiff suffered compensable injury resulting from the misrepresentation. Maryland Envtl. Trust v. Gaynor, 370 Md. 89, 803 A.2d 512, 516 (Md.2002) (quoting Nails v. S & R Inc., 334 Md. 398, 639 A.2d 660, 668 (Md.1994)).
Although Topline alleges distinct misrepresentations about the CDA and HTBCA, it alleges the same facts about reckless indifference, intent, and reliance. Additionally, it alleges a single amount of damages. As to the second, third, and fourth elements, Topline alleges that
SSI made the foregoing misrepresentations and omissions knowing them to be false or with reckless indifference as to their truth. For example, in correspondence responding to specific inquiries from Topline, SSI admitted that previously unreported sales were in fact made or "will be addressed." These admissions reflect that, at the time these representations were made, SSI had actual knowledge that they were false or that SSI was aware that it did not know whether they were true or false.
SSI made the foregoing misrepresentations for the purpose of defrauding Topline and specifically: (a) for the purpose of keeping more "net receipts" than permitted under the [CDA] and keeping all revenues associated with the sale of HTBC Program Materials, all under false pretenses; (b) with intent to deceive Topline into thinking that SSI had not made or kept these ill-gotten gains; (c) with intent to deceive Topline into continuing its business relationship with SSI to Topline's detriment; and (d) with intent to deceive Topline into delaying or foregoing the assertion of its legal rights.
Topline relied on the foregoing misrepresentations and omissions by: (a) deferring the termination of the CDA and [HTBCA] for cause; (b) continuing to allow SSI to profit from Topline's contributions to the SSI Negotiation Program and the HTBC Program Materials; and (c) deferring suit to enforce its rights. Topline had a right to rely on SSI's misrepresentations and omissions because SSI exclusively controlled the sources of and means of acquiring the information demonstrating the extent of SSI's sales of the SSI Negotiation Program and HTBC Program Materials
ECF No. ¶¶ 83-86. As to the fifth element, damages, Topline alleges that
As a direct and proximate result of SSI's intentional misrepresentations, Topline suffered compensable injury in an amount not less than $1.2 million, comprising lost royalties, lost profits, violation of its proprietary rights, and the attorneys' fees and costs incurred in enforcing its rights herein.
Id. ¶ 87.
Because of the manner in which Topline has pled it fraud claim, it effectively asks this Court to permit duplicate allegations to be tried before different fact-finders. The interdependency of Topline's allegations disfavors Topline's suggested disposition. Cf. Chesley v. Goldstein & Baron, Chartered, 145 Md.App. 605, 629, 806 A.2d 296, 310 (2002) aff'd on other grounds, 375 Md. 244, 825 A.2d 985 (2003) (interdependent factual issues in original claim, counterclaim, and third party claim were "not capable of being determined separately, in two separate trials, by two different fact finders"). Further, as discussed below, the CDA and HTBCA claims will be bifurcated;12 even if the Court permitted Topline to present its fraud claim twice, Topline has not explained why the doctrine of issue preclusion13 would not bar relitigation of its allegations in the second suit — including whether SSI's alleged conduct proximately caused Topline's damages. Topline may regret its decision to plead a single fraud claim in relation to both agreements; however, that was its choice. Because the fraud claim is an "action ... connected in [some] way with [the CDA]" and is "related" to the CDA, ECF No. 1-1 at 20 (CDA ¶ 17(c)-(d), Topline has waived its right to a jury trial and punitive damages on that claim). Accordingly, counts one, three, four, and five will be tried before the Court; count two will be tried before the jury .14
B. Bifurcation and Order of Trials
When claims are committed to different fact-finders, "it is common and appropriate to hold separate jury and bench trials." Illinois Tool Works, Inc. v. MOC Products Co., 946 F.Supp.2d 1042, 1044 (S.D.Cal.2012) (citation omitted). The parties agree that bifurcation of CDA and HTBCA claims is merited in this case;15 SSI's motion to bifurcate will be granted in part. Further, although SSI had initially wanted the CDA bench trial to proceed first, because the Court has found that Topline has waived its right to a jury trial on the fraud claim but not the HTBCA claim, SSI agrees with Topline that the HTBCA jury trial should proceed first. See ECF Nos. 189 at 9; 198 at 11. Accordingly, this trial will proceed as follows: (1) in phase one, count two will be tried before a jury; and (2) in phase two, counts one, three, four, and five will be tried before the Court.
III. Conclusion
For the reasons stated above, SSI's motion to bifurcate will be granted in part.
