MAJORITY OPINION

MARC W. BROWN, Justice.

In this interlocutory appeal, we decide whether the trial court abused its discretion in denying a motion in which two defendants sought to compel the plaintiff to arbitrate his claims in reliance upon an arbitration clause in a heavily redacted copy of a settlement agreement that the plaintiff did not sign. The plaintiff and the trial court have never seen the entirety of this settlement agreement, and the plaintiff objected to the defendants' failure to provide a copy of the entire agreement. We conclude that the movants did not prove they were entitled to an order compelling arbitration under these circumstances. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court's order denying the motion, without prejudice to the movants' ability to be heard on the merits of a subsequent motion to compel.

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

In August 2010, appellee William Shane Osborn began working as an associate for the Branch Law Firm, L.L.P., a Texas limited liability partnership located in Houston, Texas (hereinafter, the "Texas Law Firm"). Osborn's initial salary was $50,000 per year. In October 2011, Osborn received a raise in salary to $100,000 a year. According to Osborn, his bonus structure consisted of 10% of attorney's fees in any case he worked on, plus another 15% if he originated the case, as well as at least 5% of the total fees collected from the Plaintiff Steering Committee allocation for the hours billed in the Avandia1 multi-district litigation.2 Osborn was terminated on May 7, 2012. While employed by the Texas Law Firm, in addition to the Avandia multidistrict litigation, Osborn worked on a mass tort case involving hip implants and an individual lawsuit.

In June 2012, Osborn filed suit against the Texas Law Firm and Turner Branch (hereinafter, collectively, the "Branch Parties"). According to Turner Branch's affidavit, he is a partner in the Texas Law Firm and a principal, officer, and major stockholder in the Branch Law Firm in New Mexico (hereinafter, the "New Mexico Law Firm"). Osborn alleged breach of contract based upon the Branch Parties' refusing to pay him the bonus of 10% of attorney's fees in cases he worked on, as well as the Branch Parties' alleged failure to pay him for working May 1 through May 7, 2012, and failure to pay him 5% of the total fees collected from the Plaintiff Steering Committee allocation for hours billed in the Avandia multidistrict litigation. Osborn also asserted a fraud claim based on the Branch Parties' alleged material misrepresentation of the 10% bonus of attorney's fees. The Branch Parties filed various counterclaims against Osborn, including for breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, unjust enrichment, conversion, and theft, alleging his fraudulent use of a firm credit card for personal charges.

In September 2012, Osborn filed a motion to compel the Branch Parties to file answers to his interrogatories, specifically with regard to the amount of attorney's fees received in cases Osborn worked on, including the Avandia cases. The parties took opposite positions as to whether the amount of attorney's fees to be paid under a Master Settlement Agreement (hereinafter, the "MSA") should remain confidential. In December 2010, the MSA was signed by attorneys on behalf of GlaxoSmithKline LLC and signed by Turner Branch on behalf of the New Mexico Law Firm, as well as "The Participating Claimants [a]nd The Participating Law Firms."

Apparently, during the proceedings on the motion to compel, the Branch Parties provided and the trial court read to the parties certain confidentiality language purportedly contained in the MSA. The parties then provided briefing on the interpretation of the confidentiality language, and the trial court held a hearing on April 19, 2013. On April 24, 2013, the trial court granted the motion to compel and ordered the Branch Parties to provide Osborn with the settlement amount, as well as the amount of attorney's fees as contained in the MSA.

On June 26, 2013, Osborn amended his suit to add Turner W. Branch, P.A., a New Mexico professional association located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as a defendant. The record does not reflect that Turner W. Branch, P.A. has yet appeared. In their brief, the Branch Parties indicate that this New Mexico entity also does business as the Branch Law Firm, so it is possible this newly added defendant is the New Mexico Law Firm.3

In his amended petition, Osborn also added claims for quantum meruit, promissory estoppel, fraudulent inducement, abuse of process, and malicious prosecution. By this time, Osborn and the Branch Parties had filed various motions for summary judgment.4

On June 28, 2013, the Branch Parties filed a motion to compel arbitration and stay proceedings based upon the MSA. They attached a "redacted copy of portions of the MSA relevant to this motion." This excerpt included the definition of "Participating Law Firms":

The excerpt included a section entitled "Challenges to or Disputes Involving the Agreement":

The excerpt also included the MSA's cover and signature pages.

The Branch Law Firm, L.L.P. and Turner Branch argued that the MSA is a valid agreement to arbitrate and that Osborn's claims fall within the scope of the broad arbitration clause. While they acknowledged Osborn did not sign the MSA, they argued that he otherwise is bound to its terms under contract or agency law, or the doctrine of direct benefits estoppel.

Within his response, Osborn argued that an arbitration agreement is only valid if it satisfies general Texas contract law, which requires courts to construe agreements as a whole in order to harmonize and give effect to all provisions. Osborn objected to the Branch Parties' only including seven redacted pages of the MSA, which appears to contain at least thirty-four pages.6 Osborn also objected to the Branch Parties' expecting Osborn and the trial court to take their word that the excerpts contained all definitions, clauses, and appendices pertinent to the arbitration issues. Osborn noted he could not verify that the Branch Parties had provided a copy of the entire arbitration clause. Osborn asserted that he is entitled to see the entire MSA.7

The Branch Parties apparently then provided Osborn with another, less-redacted copy of the MSA. On July 17, 2013, Osborn filed a motion to compel compliance with the court's April 2013 order because the defendants still had not provided the amount of settlement and amount of attorney's fees contained in the MSA, and had specifically redacted the settlement amount in the copy of the MSA they had provided.8 On July 18, 2013, under seal, Osborn filed a supplemental response to the Branch Parties' motion to compel arbitration and attached as a sealed exhibit one additional page of the MSA provided by the defendants. On July 22, 2013, the Branch Parties filed a reply in support of their motion to compel arbitration, and a response to Osborn's motion to compel compliance with the discovery order. That same day, the trial court held a hearing on the parties' respective motions.

On September 17, 2013, the trial court signed an order that the Branch Parties had to provide Osborn with the amount of settlement and amount of attorney's fees as contained in the MSA by the end of business that day. The trial court also signed an order denying the Branch Parties' motion to compel arbitration and stay proceedings. No findings of fact and conclusions of law were filed, and the trial court's order does not contain a statement of the reasons for the denial.

The Branch Parties timely appealed the denial of their motion to compel arbitration. On appeal, in a single issue, the Branch Parties argue that because Osborn is bound by a valid agreement to arbitrate and his claims fall within the scope of that agreement, and because they have not waived their right to arbitration, the trial court erred in denying their motion to compel arbitration.

II. ANALYSIS

A. Applicable law

There are strong policies and presumptions favoring arbitration. See Prudential Sec. Inc. v. Marshall, 909 S.W.2d 896, 899 (Tex.1995). However, arbitration cannot be ordered in the absence of an agreement to arbitrate. See Freis v. Canales, 877 S.W.2d 283, 284 (Tex.1994) (per curiam). A party seeking to compel a nonsignatory to arbitrate his claims must establish: (1) a valid arbitration agreement exists that binds the nonsignatory and (2) the claims at issue fall within the scope of the agreement.9 See In re Rubiola, 334 S.W.3d 220, 223 (Tex.2011); Osornia v. AmeriMex Motor & Controls, 367 S.W.3d 707, 711 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2012, no pet.). The presumptions favoring arbitration do not apply to a court's determination as to whether the first showing has been made. See In re Kellogg, Brown & Root, Inc., 166 S.W.3d 732, 737-38 (Tex. 2005) (orig. proceeding). Instead, because arbitration is a creature of contract, a court must first decide whether an agreement was reached, applying state-law principles of contract. In re Poly-Am., L.P., 262 S.W.3d 337, 348 (Tex.2008); Am. Med. Techs., Inc. v. Miller, 149 S.W.3d 265, 273 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2004, no pet., combined appeal & orig. proceeding).10

Inasmuch as the Branch Parties sought to compel arbitration, they bore the initial burden to prove that a valid arbitration agreement which binds Osborn exists. See Rubiola, 334 S.W.3d at 223-24; Osornia, 367 S.W.3d at 711. If they satisfy that burden, then any doubts as to whether Osborn's claims against the Branch Parties fall within the scope of the arbitration clause must be resolved in favor of arbitration. See Marshall, 909 S.W.2d at 899. A court should not deny arbitration unless the court can say with positive assurance that an arbitration clause is not susceptible of an interpretation that would cover the claims at issue. Id. In determining whether a claim falls within the scope of an arbitration agreement, we focus on Osborn's factual allegations, rather than the legal claims asserted by Osborn. See id. at 900. The presumption of arbitrability is particularly applicable when the arbitration clause is broad. See Babcock & Wilcox Co. v. PMAC, Ltd., 863 S.W.2d 225, 230 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1993, writ denied). In such an instance, absent any express provision excluding a particular grievance from arbitration, only the most forceful evidence of purpose to exclude the claim from arbitration can prevail, and Osborn would have the burden of showing that his claims against the Branch Parties fall outside the scope of the arbitration clause. See Marshall, 909 S.W.2d at 900; Babcock & Wilcox Co., 863 S.W.2d at 230. However, the strong policy in favor of arbitration cannot serve to stretch an arbitration clause beyond the scope intended by the parties or to allow modification of the unambiguous meaning of the arbitration clause. See Osornia, 367 S.W.3d at 712.

While an arbitration clause standing alone might appear to encompass the claims in question, the court cannot confine its analysis to the construction of that clause alone. The court must examine the entire agreement. Although the parties broadly may agree to arbitrate in one part of the agreement, they also may place limits on the agreement to arbitrate in another part of the agreement. Katz v. Feinberg, 167 F.Supp.2d 556, 566 (S.D.N.Y.2001); see J.M. Davidson, 128 S.W.3d at 229 (stating that, in construing an agreement to arbitrate contained in a written contract, courts must examine the entire writing in an effort to harmonize and give effect to all the provisions of the contract). In determining whether a given dispute must be arbitrated, a court looks to all terms of the parties' agreement bearing on arbitration. See J.M. Davidson, 128 S.W.3d at 229. Even though the wording of an arbitration clause may be broad, its scope may be limited by language elsewhere in the agreement in which the parties unambiguously negate or limit the arbitration clause with respect to a given matter in dispute. Woodcrest Nursing Home v. Local 144, Hotel, Hosp., Nursing Home and Allied Servs. Union, 788 F.2d 894, 898 (2d Cir.1986); Katz, 167 F.Supp.2d at 566; see J.M. Davidson, 128 S.W.3d at 229.

B. Standard of review

Denial of a motion to compel arbitration generally triggers the abuse-of-discretion standard. See Okorafor v. Uncle Sam & Assocs., Inc., 295 S.W.3d 27, 38 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2009, pet. denied) (citing In re D. Wilson Constr. Co., 196 S.W.3d 774, 780 (Tex.2006) (orig. proceeding)). "An order denying arbitration must be upheld if it is proper on any basis considered by the trial court." In re Weeks Marine, Inc., 242 S.W.3d 849, 854 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2007, orig. proceeding).

A trial court abuses its discretion when it acts arbitrarily or unreasonably or without reference to any guiding rules or principles. See Downer v. Aquamarine Operators, Inc., 701 S.W.2d 238, 241-42 (Tex. 1985). Under this standard, we defer to a trial court's factual determinations if they are supported by evidence, but review a trial court's legal determinations de novo. In re Labatt Food Serv., L.P., 279 S.W.3d 640, 643 (Tex.2009) (orig. proceeding); see D. Wilson Constr., 196 S.W.3d at 781.

C. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to compel arbitration when it did not have the entire MSA.

Arbitration agreements are interpreted under traditional contract principles. J.M. Davidson, 128 S.W.3d at 227. When construing an agreement to arbitrate contained in a written contract, the courts' primary concern is to ascertain the true intentions of the parties as expressed in the instrument. Id. at 229; see Coker v. Coker, 650 S.W.2d 391, 393 (Tex.1983). In order to achieve this objective, courts must examine and consider the entire writing as a whole in an effort to harmonize and give effect to all the provisions of the contract so that none will be rendered meaningless. J.M. Davidson, 128 S.W.3d at 229; Coker, 650 S.W.2d at 393. We cannot give any single provision taken alone controlling effect; rather, we must consider all the provisions with reference to the whole instrument. J.M. Davidson, 128 S.W.3d at 229; Coker, 650 S.W.2d at 393; see Woodcrest Nursing Home, 788 F.2d at 898; Katz, 167 F.Supp.2d at 566.

In the summary judgment context, this court in Patterson v. City of Brenham determined that it could not properly interpret an agreement because the record did not contain a copy of the entire agreement. No. 14-10-00111-CV, 2011 WL 782231, at *3 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] Mar. 8, 2011, no pet.) (mem. op.) (citing Coker, 650 S.W.2d at 393). There, both of the city's grounds for summary judgment were based upon an alleged release agreement. Id. at *2. On appeal, Patterson contended that the city had failed to present conclusive evidence regarding the contents of the release agreement. Id. Not only did the record not demonstrate that the release agreement at issue was submitted to the trial court prior to its signing the summary judgment, but also the language from the alleged agreement quoted by the city in its motion, assuming it even could be reviewed as summary judgment evidence, included only portions of the release agreement. Id. at *2-3. We concluded that the trial court erred in granting the city summary judgment, noting that "[i]n the absence of the entirety of the release agreement in evidence, it is impossible to know exactly what Patterson released or waived in signing the agreement." Id. at *3.

Here, Osborn expressly objected to the Branch Parties' not providing the trial court with the entirety of the MSA. Osborn cited the principle that courts must interpret agreements as a whole and argued it was improper for the Branch Parties to move for arbitration based upon an incomplete document. Despite the Branch Parties' contention otherwise, Osborn also argued in his response below (and on appeal) that the Branch Parties failed to establish their entitlement to an order compelling arbitration.

Turner Branch signed the MSA on behalf of the Participating Law Firms, as defined in the MSA. The Branch Parties assert that nonsignatory Osborn falls within the definition of Participating Law Firms and therefore Turner Branch signed the MSA as Osborn's agent. In addition, the Branch Parties contend if Osborn and the Texas Law Firm fall within the definition of Participating Law Firms, then disputes between them are disputes between or among Participating Law Firms that arguably fall within the scope of the MSA's arbitration clause. But, to fall within the definition of Participating Law Firms, Osborn must have been an "attorney member[] of or affiliated with" a firm representing or having a financial interest in the Participating Claimants whose cases or claims are the subject of the MSA. The Branch Parties argue that this phrase refers to attorneys who are members of such a firm or attorneys who are affiliated with such a firm. However, this phrase also could be construed to refer to attorney members of such firms or attorney members affiliated with such firms. To properly construe this term, a court would need to examine the entire MSA, to determine if any other definitions or provisions inform the construction of this phrase. The Branch Parties have not provided a complete copy of the MSA to Osborn or tendered one to the trial court in camera or otherwise. Under these circumstances, we cannot determine the meaning of this phrase applying the applicable standard of review.11

The Branch Parties emphasize the strong presumption that claims fall within the scope of a valid arbitration provision. However, in determining the scope of the MSA's arbitration agreement, this strong presumption cannot be used to stretch the language of the MSA pertaining to arbitration beyond the scope intended by the parties or to allow modification of the unambiguous meaning of this arbitration language. See Osornia, 367 S.W.3d at 712. Therefore, even as to the scope inquiry, the court still must examine all the language of the MSA to determine which portions pertain to arbitration. See J.M. Davidson, 128 S.W.3d at 229; Osornia, 367 S.W.3d at 712.

The Branch Parties also rely upon a line of cases containing language to the effect that "`if the facts alleged `touch matters,' have a `significant relationship' to, are `inextricably enmeshed' with, or are `factually intertwined' with the contract that is subject to the arbitration agreement, the claim will be arbitrable.'" AutoNation USA Corp. v. Leroy, 105 S.W.3d 190, 195 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, no pet.) (quoting Pennzoil Co. v. Arnold, 30 S.W.3d 494, 498 (Tex.App.-San Antonio 2000, no pet.)). Significantly, the cases in which this formulation has been utilized have involved very broad arbitration clauses in which the parties agree to arbitrate all claims arising out of or relating to a contract or in which the parties agree to arbitrate all disputes that may arise among them. See Osornia, 367 S.W.3d at 713-14. To determine if this line of cases applies, we would need to determine if the MSA's arbitration agreement is as broad as the agreements in this line of cases. See id. Even presuming that the language in the portions of the MSA that we have indicates such a broad agreement, other portions of the MSA that we do not have might significantly narrow the scope of the MSA's arbitration agreement.12 See J.M. Davidson, 128 S.W.3d at 229; see also Woodcrest Nursing Home, 788 F.2d at 898; Katz, 167 F.Supp.2d at 566.

The record does not reflect that the Branch Parties ever submitted the complete MSA to the trial court.13 In addition, this case does not involve a situation in which the opposing party, Osborn, has access to a copy of the entire contract and it might be argued that he would have submitted any other parts of the contract relating to the arbitration issues, if there were any.14 The Branch Parties and their counsel represented to the trial court and to Osborn that they had submitted all parts of the MSA relevant to the issues raised by their motion to compel arbitration. However, neither Osborn, nor the trial court or this court is required to rely on mere assurances of the Branch Parties or their counsel.15 See Patterson, 2011 WL 782231, at *3. We see no reason to depart from the general rule that a writing must be examined as a whole in an effort to harmonize and give effect to all its provisions so that none is rendered meaningless. See J.M. Davidson, 128 S.W.3d at 229; Coker, 650 S.W.2d at 393; Patterson, 2011 WL 782231, at *3. In the absence of the entirety of the MSA in evidence, neither the trial court nor this court properly is able to determine: (1) whether a valid arbitration agreement exists that binds Osborn and (2) whether Osborn's claims fall within the scope of the MSA's arbitration agreement.16 See Rubiola, 334 S.W.3d at 223; Osornia, 367 S.W.3d at 711; Patterson, 2011 WL 782231, at *3. On this record, we cannot say that the Branch Parties established they were entitled to an order compelling arbitration. See Patterson, 2011 WL 782231, at *3.

Therefore, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the Branch Parties' motion to compel Osborn to arbitrate his claims.17 See In re Universal Fins. Consulting Grp., Inc., No. 14-08-00226-CV, 2008 WL 2133186, at *1-2 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] May 20, 2008, orig. proceeding) (mem. op.) (trial court did not abuse discretion in denying arbitration where court could not consider unauthenticated documents to determine existence of valid arbitration agreement); see also Grace Interest, LLC v. Wallis State Bank, 431 S.W.3d 110, 123 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2013, pet. denied) (no trial court error in refusing to compel arbitration where movant did not establish existence of valid arbitration agreement).

Because this threshold subissue is dispositive of the appeal, we do not reach the rest of the Branch Parties' arguments. Tex.R.App. P. 47.1; see Weeks Marine, 242 S.W.3d at 854. We overrule their sole issue on appeal.

III. CONCLUSION

Accordingly, we affirm the trial court's order denying the Branch Parties' motion to compel arbitration and stay proceedings.

DONOVAN, J., Dissenting.

JOHN DONOVAN, Justice, dissenting.

I believe the claims asserted by William Shane Osborn fall within the scope of a valid arbitration agreement. Therefore, I respectfully dissent.

I. BACKGROUND

Osborn began working as an associate for the Branch Law Firm, L.L.P. in 2010. He was terminated two years later. He filed suit against the Branch Law Firm alleging various causes of action, including breach of an October 2011 memorandum, and seeking bonuses to which he claimed to be entitled, including a percentage of the total fees collected from the Plaintiff Steering Committee in the Avandia multidistrict litigation.

During discovery, Osborn filed a motion to compel the Branch Law Firm to provide the amount of attorneys' fees in cases on which Osborn worked, including the Avandia litigation. The fees in that litigation were governed by the confidential terms of a Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) between the Branch Law Firm and GlaxoSmithKline.

The Branch Law Firm moved to compel arbitration based on a provision in the MSA:1

(Emphasis added). The MSA defined "Participating Law Firm" as "... including all attorney members of or affiliated with each firm ...."

The trial court denied the motion to compel arbitration. I disagree.

II. ANALYSIS

In order to enforce an arbitration agreement, a party must establish a valid arbitration agreement exists and the dispute falls within the scope of the agreement. See In re Rubiola, 334 S.W.3d 220, 223 (Tex.2011) (orig. proceeding); In re Prudential Securities, Inc., 159 S.W.3d 279, 282 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2005, orig. proceeding). If a valid arbitration agreement exists, a court should not deny arbitration "unless it can be said with positive assurance that an arbitration clause is not susceptible of an interpretation which would cover the dispute at issue." See In re Prudential Securities, Inc., 159 S.W.3d at 283 (citing Neal v. Hardee's Food Sys., Inc., 918 F.2d 34, 37 (5th Cir.1990)); see also Prudential Sec. Inc. v. Marshall, 909 S.W.2d 896, 899 (Tex.1995); Satya, Inc. v. Mehta, No. 14-12-00965-CV, 2013 WL 4028367, at *3 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] Aug. 8, 2013, no pet.) (mem. op.). There is a strong presumption in favor of arbitration; the party opposing arbitration bears the burden of raising an affirmative defense to its enforcement. See J.M. Davidson, Inc. v. Webster, 128 S.W.3d 223, 227 (Tex.2003).

Here, the Branch Law Firm sought to compel arbitration pursuant to the provision in the MSA governing the Avandia litigation. The provision contemplates arbitration of "disputes between or among... members of Participating Law Firms...." Osborn attempted to defeat arbitration by asserting there was no valid arbitration agreement because only certain pages of the MSA were before the trial court. Further, he argued that his claims arose solely from a dispute implicating the October 2011 memorandum, not arising from the MSA; however, at all times he maintained he cannot pursue his claim for damages without reference to the MSA.

To determine whether Osborn's claims fall within the scope of that arbitration clause, the focus must be on the factual allegations in his petition. See In re FirstMerit Bank, N.A., 52 S.W.3d 749, 754 (Tex.2001) (orig. proceeding). Osborn seeks to recover a percentage of attorney's fees in cases on which he had worked. One of those cases is the Avandia litigation, settled pursuant to the MSA. Thus, at least a portion of the recovery Osborn seeks is "factually intertwined" with arbitrable claims or "otherwise touches upon the subject matter of the agreement containing the arbitration provision." See In re Prudential Securities, Inc., 159 S.W.3d at 283. As a result, his claims fall within the scope of the arbitration agreement and they may not be decided without reference to the MSA. They must be determined in arbitration. See Enterprise Field Services, LLC v. TOC-Rocky Mountain, Inc., 405 S.W.3d 767, 773 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2013, pet. denied) (citing In re BP America Prod. Co., 97 S.W.3d 366, 370-71 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, no pet.)). Only when "the facts alleged in support of the claim stand alone, are completely independent of the contract, and the claim could be maintained without reference to the contract, the claim is not subject to arbitration." See AutoNation USA Corp. v. Leroy, 105 S.W.3d 190, 196 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, no pet.).

Here, Osborn seeks to recover attorneys' fees arising out of work for the Branch Law Firm, including the Avandia litigation, urging that the settlement figures associated with the settlement are an integral part to his claim for damages, without which he cannot support his claim. As a result, he cannot seek relief "without reference to" the MSA. Therefore, he cannot refuse to abide by the terms of the MSA requiring arbitration for "any" dispute "between or among" members of the "Participating Law Firms," which included "attorney members of or affiliated with each firm," including the Branch Law Firm. See Id.; see also Meyer v. WMCO-GP, 211 S.W.3d 302, 307-08 (Tex.2006) ("When a party's right to recover and its damages are dependent on the agreement containing the arbitration provision, the party is relying on the agreement for its claims."); In re Prudential Securities, Inc., 159 S.W.3d at 284. As a result, I conclude the trial court had before it the provisions of the MSA from which it should have granted the Branch Law Firm's motion to compel arbitration.

Under these circumstances, the trial court abused its discretion in refusing to compel arbitration. I respectfully dissent.