Durr Heavy Construction, LLC v. Willow Grove - North, LLC

NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION

STATE OF LOUISIANA
COURT OF APPEAL
FIRST CIRCUIT
2024 CA 0090
DURR HEAVY CONSTRUCTION, LLC

VERSUS

WILLOW GROVE — NORTH, LLC

AUG 06 2024
Judgment Rendered:
ok ok Ok
On Appeal from the
S Nineteenth Judicial District Court
hy In and for the Parish of East Baton Rouge
Z. w State of Louisiana
No. 726344, Sec. 32
The Honorable William Jorden, Judge Presiding

3K Ok Ok
Luis Etienne Balart Attorneys for Plaintiff/Appellee
Taylor K. Wimberly Durr Heavy Construction, LLC
New Orleans, Louisiana
and
Brandon K. Black
C. Parker Kilgore
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Shelton Dennis Blunt Attorneys for Defendant/Appellant
Kelsey Kornick Funes Willow Grove — North, LLC
Brad M. Boudreaux
A. Paul LeBlanc, Jr.
Anthony J. Gambino, Jr.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

%* OF OK OK

BEFORE: WELCH, WOLFE, AND STROMBERG, JJ.

STROMBERG, J.

The defendant, Willow Grove — North, LLC, appeals a judgment of the
district court that vacated an arbitration award. The plaintiff, Durr Heavy
Construction, LLC, answered the appeal praying that the judgment be modified,
revised, or reversed in part as it pertains to the confirmation of the uncontested
portion of the arbitration award. For the following reasons, we reverse the
judgment of the district court and confirm the arbitration award. We decline to
address the answer to appeal due to our holding in this matter.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On December 1, 2022, Durr filed a pleading! entitled “APPLICATION
PURSUANT TO LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 9:4210 TO VACATE
ARBITRATION AWARD” against Willow Grove arguing that the district court
should vacate the arbitration award rendered on November 8, 2022.” In its petition,
Durr asserted that it entered into a contract with Willow Grove on March 5, 2020,
wherein the parties agreed to arbitration in the event of any contractual disputes.
On August 20, 2021, Durr initiated an arbitration proceeding against Willow
Grove. The parties arbitrated the dispute on September 26-28, 2022. On
November 8, 2022, the arbitrator issued an award, which stated, in pertinent part,

the following:

' Durr attached the parties’ contract, the demand for arbitration, and the arbitration award to its
pleading.

Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:4210 provides the following:

In any of the following cases the court in and for the parish wherein the award
was made shall issue an order vacating the award upon the application of any
party to the arbitration.

oe ok oe
D. Where the arbitrators exceeded their powers or so imperfectly executed them
that a mutual, final, and definite award upon the subject matter submitted was not
made.

3 We note that none of the arbitration proceedings were transcribed.

The parties entered into a contract for relocating and replacing
approximately a one-half mile stretch of Dawson Creek in Baton
Rouge[,] which included clearing and grubbing, new drainage
servitude, backfill of existing servitude, erosion control, 60” ACCMP
piping, construction access, and Waskey Bridge demolition[.]

Durr filed a demand against Willow Grove on August 20, 2021
claiming $120,187.89 for breach of contract due to nonpayment, open
account, and quantum merit. Willow Grove filed a counterclaim on
November 22, 2021 in the amount of $521,500.00 for Durr’s failure to
complete and/or for defectively performed work. It [was] the position
of Willow Grove that Durr [was] not entitled to any of the
$120,187.89, and instead owe[d] Willow Grove $521,500.00. Willow
Grove also [sought] to have the lien that Durr filed cancelled.

ok 2 os ok

Based on the evidence, it is apparent Durr failed to accurately
determine how much fill was needed to meet the in-place fill volumes
reflected in the plans. Accordingly, the award is as follows:

Durr Heavy Construction, LLC to pay:

1. Cost to complete fill work and achieve final

grades $480,000.00
2. Performance punchlist items 1-4 $27,877.66
3. Cost of maintenance bond $4,142.00
4. Estimated cost to perform items 5-10 $0.00

5. Minus amounts withheld from Durr pay applications 9 R1 &
10 ($120,187.89)

Subtotal: $391,831.77
Legal interest is awarded from November 22, 2021 until paid.

It is further ordered that Durr Heavy Construction, LLC cancel
its lien.

Attorney’s fees are awarded to Willow Grove-North, LLC in
the amount of $96,923.00.

The administrative fees and expenses of the American
Arbitration Association totaling $14,200.00 and_ the
compensation and expenses of the arbitrator totaling $10,513.90
shall be borne by Durr[.] Therefore, Durr ... shall reimburse
Willow Grove ... the additional sum of $16,456.95,
representing that portion of said fees and expenses in excess of
the apportioned costs previously incurred by Willow Grovef[.]

Durr alleged that the arbitration award was not based on any agreed

contractual terms, rather the award was based on correspondence between the

parties before the contract was entered into. Therefore, Durr requested that the
district court vacate the arbitration award.

On December 6, 2022, Willow Grove, as the plaintiff-in-reconvention, filed
a Motion to Confirm Arbitration Award. In its motion, Willow Grove asserted that
pursuant to La. RS. 9:42094 and La. R.S. 9:4212,° the district court had
jurisdiction to confirm the arbitration award. Willow Grove requested that a
contradictory hearing be set at the same time as the hearing on Durr’s Application
to Vacate Arbitration Award, and that there be judgment rendered in its favor, and
against Durr, in the amount of $505,211.72, together with legal interest from
November 22, 2021, as well as all court costs incurred by Willow Grove in this
matter. Willow Grove further requested attorney’s fees against Durr for the filing
and prosecuting of its Application to Vacate Arbitration Award.

In support of its motion, Willow Grove filed a memorandum, which asserted
the following:

[t]he record show[ed] that the [a]ward was rendered as a result of a

fair and honest [a]rbitration, to which both parties submitted the

dispute, which [was] evidenced by the initiation of the arbitration by

Durr, and then assertion of the [c]ounterclaim by [Willow Grove].

The [a]lward [was] for damages arising from breach of what the

[a]rbitrator found to be Durr’s obligations under the [c]ontract, which

provide[d] for binding arbitration of disputes between the parties.

Therefore, it [was] presumed to be valid. Without any showing by

Durr that one of the narrow grounds for challenging the [a]ward [was]

met, it must be incorporated into a judgment of the [cJourt.

Therefore, Willow Grove prayed that the district court grant its motion and that the

award be incorporated into a judgment, along with attorney’s fees and court costs.

4 Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:4209 provides:

At any time within one year after the award is made any party to the arbitration
may apply to the court in and for the parish within which the award was made for
an order confirming the award and thereupon the court shall grant such an order
unless the award is vacated, modified, or corrected as prescribed in R.S. 9:4210
and 9:4211. Notice in writing of the application shall be served upon the adverse
party or his attorney five days before the hearing thereof.

5 Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:4212 provides “[u]pon the granting of an order confirming,
modifying, or correcting an award, judgment may be entered in conformity therewith in the court
wherein the order was granted.”

On July 26, 2023, Durr filed a memorandum to support its Application to
Vacate Arbitration Award pursuant to La. R.S. 9:4210. Durr asserted in its
memorandum that based on the contract, both parties were aware that if imported
fill was required to meet elevations set forth in the plans, that would constitute a
change in conditions and that Willow Grove would be required to purchase it at an
additional cost. Durr asserted that the parties executed two change orders to
harvest dirt from other areas of the Willow Grove property and use that fill at the
old creek. Durr performed this work, but was never paid for it. Having no ability
to harvest any more fill from the land, Durr’s work was complete under the
contract, as amended by the agreed upon change orders. Willow Grove refused to
accept the work and attempted to back-charge Durr. The arbitrator awarded
$480,000.00 to Willow Grove to complete fill work and achieve final grades.
However, Durr argued that this scope of work was excluded by the parties’
contract. Durr argued that the arbitrator used extrinsic evidence from years before
the contract was executed to determine the contract terms. Specifically, Durr
alleged that the arbitrator used extrinsic evidence to interpret an exhibit to the
parties’ contract, paragraph 9(b) of the proposal, which stated that “[t]his proposal
does not provide for any import soils to achieve lines/grades as required by the
plans.” Durr argued that the arbitrator improperly used a proposal from 2017 that
was sent several years before the contract was executed, as well as an email sent
months prior to the contract being executed that was not made part of the contract,
to interpret paragraph 9(b) of the proposal.

On August 14, 2023, Willow Grove filed an opposition memorandum to
Durr’s Application to Vacate Arbitration Award. Willow Grove contended that
Durr’s argument that the arbitrator committed legal error in considering extrinsic
evidence to interpret the contract was insufficient grounds to vacate the arbitration

award pursuant to La. R.S. 9:4210. Willow Grove asserted that the arbitrator

properly considered such evidence due to the ambiguity of the contract related to
the obligation to bring in offsite fill. Willow Grove further argued that it was
proper for the arbitrator to look at communications that were outside of the
contract in order to determine the intention of the parties. Willow Grove asserted
that in any case of doubt about the contract, any ambiguity must be interpreted
against Durr, who provided the text of paragraph 9(b). Therefore, Willow Grove
prayed that the district court deny Durr’s Application to Vacate Arbitration Award
and that its Motion to Confirm Arbitration Award be granted, along with additional
attorney’s fees and court costs.

On August 17, 2023, Durr filed a reply memorandum in further support of
its Motion to Vacate Arbitration Award pursuant to La. R.S. 9:4210, wherein it
argued that the arbitrator had no authority to make such an award not based on the
contract between the parties. Despite allegedly finding that Durr “breached” the
contract, the arbitrator awarded Durr the balance of the contract price. Durr argued
that “[t]his conclusion [could not] be squared with a finding that Durr somehow
failed to perform a contractually required scope of work.” Durr further argued that
contrary to Willow Grove’s argument, no such agreement was ever made between
the parties for imported fill to finish the job.

On August 21, 2023, the district court held a hearing on Durr’s Application
to Vacate Arbitration Award and Willow Grove’s Motion to Confirm Arbitration
Award. After counsel for the parties presented their arguments, the district court
made an oral ruling that vacated the arbitration award. On October 12, 2023, the
district court signed a judgment granting Durr’s Application to Vacate the
Arbitration Award, finding that the arbitrator exceeded his power. The district
court’s judgment denied Willow Grove’s Motion to Confirm Arbitration Award.

Willow Grove subsequently suspensively appealed the district court’s judgment.

After the appeal was lodged with this court, Durr filed an answer to appeal,
praying that the judgment be modified, revised, or reversed in part as it pertains to
the confirmation of the uncontested portion of the arbitration award. Durr alleged
that the arbitrator exceeded his authority only with a portion of the arbitration
award and that neither Willow Grove nor Durr contested the remainder of the
award.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

The purpose of arbitration is to allow parties to achieve speedy settlement of
their differences out of court. Bernard v. Hildebrand, 2008-0268 (La. App. 1
Cir. 8/6/08), 993 So.2d 678, 682. Arbitration is favored under both the Louisiana
and the United States jurisprudence. Potier v. Morris Bart, L.L.C., 2016-0879
(La. App. 4 Cir. 3/15/17), 214 So.3d 116, 121, writ denied, 2017-630 (La. 6/5/17),
221 So.3d 45. Louisiana’s statutory provisions echo the Federal Arbitration Act, 9
U.S.C. § 1 et seqg., and Louisiana courts look to federal law in interpreting the
Louisiana arbitration statutes. Firmin v. Garber, 353 So.2d 975, 977 (La. 1977);
Potier, 214 So.3d at 122. The district court may vacate, modify, or correct an
arbitration award based only on the exclusive grounds specified in La. R.S. 9:4210
and 4211, which do not include errors of law or fact. DeArmond v. E. Jacob
Construction, Inc., 2021-0981 (La. App. 1 Cir. 4/8/22), 342 So.3d 77, 80.

The grounds upon which a district court may refuse to confirm an arbitration
award are statutorily restricted, and are exclusively listed in La. R.S. 9:4210,
providing that a district court “shall issue an order vacating the award”:

A. Where the award was procured by corruption, fraud, or undue

means.

B. Where there was evident partiality or corruption on the part of the

arbitrators or any of them.

C. Where the arbitrators were guilty of misconduct in refusing to

postpone the hearing, upon sufficient cause shown, or in refusing to
hear evidence pertinent and material to the controversy, or of any

other misbehavior by which the rights of any party have been
prejudiced.

D. Where the arbitrators exceeded their powers or so imperfectly
executed them that a mutual, final, and definitive award upon the
subject matter submitted was not made.
Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:4211 likewise directs a district court to modify
or correct an award in three listed situations:

A. Where there was an evident material miscalculation of figures or

an evident material mistake in the description of any person, thing,

or property referred to in the award.
B. Where the arbitrators have awarded upon a matter not submitted to

them unless it is a matter not affecting the merits of the decision

upon the matters submitted.

C. Where the award is imperfect in matter of form not affecting the
merits of the controversy.

It is well settled that a district court ordinarily does not sit in an appellate
capacity when reviewing an arbitration award, but confines its determination to
whether there exists one or more of the specific grounds provided by statute to
vacate. Preis Gordon, APLC v. Chandler, 2015-0958 (La. App. 1 Cir. 2/26/16),
191 So.3d 31, 36, writ denied, 2016-0590 (La. 5/20/16), 191 So.3d 1067. This
court has generally adhered to the exclusivity of the statutory provisions and has
not embraced the additional jurisprudentially-created circumstance of “manifest
disregard for the law” as a legal basis for vacating an arbitration award. JK
Developments, LLC v. Amtek of Louisiana, Inc., 2007-1825 (La. App. 1 Cir.
3/26/08), 985 So.2d 199, 202, writ denied, 2008-0889 (La. 6/20/08), 983 So.2d
1276. Moreover, an appellate court’s function is to determine if the arbitration
proceedings have been fundamentally fair. Pennington v. CUNA Brokerage
Securities, Inc., 2008-0589 (La. App. 1 Cir. 10/1/08), 5 So.3d 172, 176, writ
denied, 2008-2600 (La. 1/9/09), 998 So.2d 723. The burden of proof rests upon

the party attacking the award. Preis Gordon, APLC, 191 So.3d at 36.

Arbitration awards are presumed to be valid. See Mack Energy Co. v.
Expert Oil and Gas, L-L.C., 2014-1127 (La. 1/28/15), 159 So.3d 437, 441-442.
A district court judgment vacating an arbitration award is reviewed de novo on
appeal, with great deference given to the arbitrator’s decision. Florida Gas
Transmission Company, LLC v. Texas Brine Company, LLC, 2018-1098 (La.
App. 1 Cir. 7/11/19), 281 So.3d 9, 12, writ denied, 2019-01455 (La. 11/12/19), 282
So.3d 227. A district court’s ruling confirming or vacating an arbitration award,
therefore, presents a legal issue. Potier, 214 So.3d at 124. An arbitration award
must be confirmed by a district court unless the challenging party establishes the
presence of at least one of the four statutory grounds listed in La. R.S. 9:42.10.

DISCUSSION

Willow Grove assigns as error that the district court erred in vacating the
arbitration award and failing to confirm the arbitration award. Willow Grove
asserts that Durr failed to meet its burden of proving that the arbitrator exceeded
his authority in accordance with La. R.S. 9:4210(D) by using extrinsic evidence in
interpreting the parties’ contract. Willow Grove further asserts that the district
court applied the incorrect legal standard in determining that the arbitrator
exceeded his authority. Specifically, Willow Grove argues that the arbitrator was
faced with two different interpretations of the contract, i.e., Durr’s interpretation,
which focused upon paragraph 9(b) of the proposal; and WGN’s interpretation,
which focused upon the nature and purpose of a lump-sum contract as well as
those provisions of the proposal incorporating Durr’s experience with and
knowledge of the site and specifying that fill reclaimed from the site would be used
to bring the project to grade. Willow Grove asserts that the arbitrator examined
extrinsic evidence to resolve any ambiguity in the contract. Even if the arbitrator’s

conclusion was incorrect, Willow Grove argues that the district court exceeded its

judicial review of an arbitration award when it determined that the arbitrator
committed legal error in accordance with La. R.S. 9:4210(D).

Durr counter argues that the arbitrator used extrinsic evidence to create a
new contract by expanding the contract’s scope of work. Specifically, Durr argues
that the contract excluded imported fill from its scope of work and price. Durr
argues that there is no ambiguity in the contract, as both parties understood that
imported fill was excluded from the contract. Therefore, Durr argued that the
arbitrator exceeded his authority because neither party consented to the arbitrator
awarding a remedy not within the contract.

An arbitrator exceeds his authority only if he acts outside the scope of his
contractually delegated authority by issuing an award reflecting his own notions of
economic justice rather than drawing its essence from the contract. Florida Gas,
281 So.3d at 13. Because the parties bargained for the arbitrator to interpret their
contract, a decision even arguably construing or applying the contract must stand,
regardless of a district court’s view of its demerits.° Id. By consensually
substituting arbitration for litigation, it is presumed that the parties accept the risk
of procedural and substantive mistakes of either fact or law by the arbitrator, which
mistakes are not reviewable by the district court. Goodrich Petroleum Co., LLC
v. MRC Energy Co., 2013-1435 (La. App. 4 Cir. 4/16/14), 137 So.3d 200, 202-
203, writ denied, 2014-1199 (La. 9/19/14), 149 So.3d 249. Errors of fact or law do
not invalidate a fair and honest arbitration award. Mack Energy Co., 159 So.3d at
442.

In reviewing arbitration awards challenged under La. R.S. 9:4210(D), it is
not the role of the judiciary to correct errors of fact or law; therefore, the

calculation of damages is beyond our review. Mack Energy Co., 159 So.3d at

6 Misinterpretation of a contract by an arbitrator is not subject to judicial correction. Judges are
not entitled to substitute their judgment for that of the arbitrator chosen by the parties. National
Tea Co. v. Richmond, 548 So.2d 930, 933 (La. 1989); JK Developments, LLC, 985 So.2d at
201.

10

442. Thus, we are not revisiting how or why the arbitrator awarded Willow Grove
a total award of $505,211.72. Instead, we examine whether the arbitrator had the
contractual authority to issue that award. See Revelry Food Group, LLC v.
Nguyen Property Investment, LLC, 2021-0881 (La. App. | Cir, 2/25/22), 340

So.3d 1151, 1156.

After a de novo review of the record, we find that the arbitrator’s award set
forth factual findings and analyzed the parties’ claims. Specifically, the arbitrator
found the following:

After Willow Grove received approval from the Corps of Engineers,
Durr provided its first bid to relocate Dawson Creek based on the
2009 Ferris plans. That first bid was dated March 9, 2017 and signed
by [Durr] in the amount of $2,541,427.76. It listed the unit prices for
the items of work to be completed and references clarifications and
qualifications which at paragraph 6 states:

“This material is to be generated from onsite sources
(existing berms) to complete the backfilling of the
existing channel to line/grades provided by the plans as
referenced earlier.”

It is apparent at the time of the first bid that [Durr] was familiar with
the property where the [p]roject was located and confident there
would be enough materials on site for the work.
36 os 2

[Durr] provided a second bid on December 20, 2019 for a lump sum
price of $3,844,548.00. Whereupon, [Willow Grove] raised questions
concerning a lump sum price as opposed to unit price. [Durr] still felt
confident enough on January 2, 2020 to reduce the lump sum price by
approximately $350,000.00. It is important to note that in [the]
correspondence to [Willow Grove], [Durr] stated:

“A unit priced project, final cost, is based on how many
units of each item are installed upon completion of the
project, not a fixed cost proposal. The Owner assumes all
the risk in a unit price proposal.

The lump sum proposal, Durr assumes the risk that the
calculated quantities are sufficient to deliver the project
to lines and grades.

In addition, the additional cost of a unit price project is
based on reoccurring engineering costs to evaluate the
quantities provided for payment purposes. Durr[’s]
proposal includes all engineering and final as-builts...”

il

This language that [Durr] wrote is helpful in understanding the phrase
contained in the proposal letter dated January 15, 2020 which was
attached to and made part of the contract.

Article 9(b) states:

“This proposal does not provide for any import soils to
achieve line/grades as required by the plans.”

Durr’s position is that, based on this language, Durr’s price did not
include for any imported soils to perform the work. Therefore, if the
[p]roject required off site fill, it should be at Willow Grove’s expense.
It is Willow Grove’s position that this language is a confirmation of
the statement by [Durr] that there was plenty of fill on site to perform
the entire project. Thus, there would be no need for any imported fill
to complete the [p]roject as designed.

On January 13, 2020, Durr submitted a third bid of $3,500,548.00

which reduced the previous lump sum price by approximately
$350,000.00.

oe 8 2 OK

Durr’s contract price did not include for any import materials, and all

materials necessary to perform Durr’s work could be obtained from

the materials on site. This being a lump sum contract, Durr agreed it

could and would complete the [p]roject with the materials available on

site. Based on the evidence, it is apparent Durr failed to accurately

determine how much fill was needed to meet the in-place fill volumes

reflected in the plans.

(Internal record references omitted).

We have determined that the arbitrator acted within the scope of authority
contractually conferred by the parties in their contract. We find that the arbitrator
brought about a final and definite award upon the subject matter submitted, as
required by La. R.S. 9:4210. Durr’s allegation that the arbitrator misinterpreted the
parties’ contract is not subject to judicial correction. Revelry Food Group, LLC,
340 So.3d at 1157. This type of substantive review of the arbitrator’s findings and
interpretations of the contract between the parties is simply not contemplated
within the scope of La. R.S. 9:4210 and 9:4211. See Lakeview Home Care,
L.L.C. v. Medistar Home Health of Baton Rouge, L.L.C., 2014-1374 (La. App.
1 Cir. 3/6/15), 2015 WL 997159, *5 (unpublished). Even if we were to disagree

with the arbitrator’s decision on the merits, there is no evidence that the arbitrator

exceeded or imperfectly executed his powers in this matter, nor is there any

12

evidence of corruption, fraud, undue means, partiality, or other misconduct in the
proceedings. Kyocera Mita America, Inc. v. Key Office Equipment, 2010-1205
(La. App. 1 Cir. 2/11/11), 2011 WL 766934, *2 (unpublished).’

Moreover, we find that there were no grounds for the district court to vacate
or modify the arbitration, and this court is prohibited from reviewing the merits of
the arbitrator’s decision. This court has generally adhered to the exclusivity of the
statutory provisions for vacating or modifying an arbitration award and has not
embraced the additional jurisprudentially-created circumstance of “manifest
disregard for the law” as a legal basis for vacating an arbitration award. See
Inland Marine Services, L.L.C. v. Hamp’s Construction, LLC, 2018-1152 (La.
App. 1 Cir. 4/12/19), 2019 WL 1577800, *3 (unpublished), writ denied, 2019-
00729 (La. 9/6/19), 278 So.3d 370, cert. denied, 140 S.Ct. 459, 206 L.Ed.2d 121
(2020); Preis Gordon, APLC, 191 So.3d at 36. The parties may not seek review
of the merits of a case that has been submitted to arbitration by couching their
argument in terms of the arbitrator having exceeded his authority. See JMA
Painters, LLC v. McDonnel Group, LLC, 2022-0732, (La. App. 4 Cir. 7/13/23),
370 So.3d 1130, 1140.

Furthermore, an arbitrator’s conclusion drawn from conflicting evidence
does not equate to misconduct or use of undue means in resolving disputed facts,
and consequently, does not provide a basis for vacating an arbitration award. See
Coastal Industries, LLC v. Arkel Constructors, LLC, 2021-0906 (La. App. 1
Cir. 9/1/22), 350 So.3d 912, 922, writ denied, 2022-01489 (La. 11/22/22), 350
So.3d 500. Durr’s argument as to the arbitrator using extrinsic evidence does not
justify modifying or vacating the arbitration award, as it is based on error of law.

Errors of fact or law do not invalidate a fair and honest arbitration award. See

7 A district court may well have reached different conclusions as to certain aspects of this case,
but we emphasize that a district court may not substitute its conclusions for those of the
arbitrator. See MMR-Radon Constructors, Inc. v. Continental Ins. Co., 97-0159 (La. App. 1
Cir. 3/3/98), 714 So.2d 1, 6, writ denied, 98-1485 (La. 9/4/98), 721 So.2d 915.

13

Preis Gordon, APLC, 191 So.3d at 35. Therefore, we find that the district court
erred in vacating the arbitration award because Durr failed to satisfy its burden to
prove that a statutory basis exists under La. R.S. 9:4210 to vacate the arbitration
award.

Next we look to whether Willow Grove’s argument falls within the
permissible grounds for confirming an arbitration award. Willow Grove argues
that the district court erred in denying its Motion to Confirm Arbitration Award.
Our jurisprudence is well-settled that “[bJecause of the strong public policy
favoring arbitration, arbitration awards are presumed to be valid.” Mack Energy
Co., 159 So.3d at 441-442. This presumption is rooted in the longstanding
recognition that arbitration is intended to speedily determine disputes and
controversies by quasi judicial means, thus avoiding the formalities, the delay, the
expense, and the vexation of ordinary litigation. Mack Energy Co., 159 So.3d at
442. Unless grounds for vacating, modifying, or correcting the award are
established, the award must be confirmed, and the burden of proof is on the party
attacking the award. Louisiana Physician Corp. v. Larrison Family Health
Center, L.L.C., 2003-1721 (La. App. 3 Cir. 4/7/04), 870 So.2d 575, 578. As
discussed above, Durr has not raised any valid issues challenging the arbitration
award in accordance with La. R.S. 9:4210. Accordingly, after a de novo review,
we find that the district court erred in denying Willow Grove’s Motion to Confirm
Arbitration Award. See Chase Bank USA, N.A. v. Roach, 2007-1172 (La. App. 3
Cir. 3/5/08), 978 So.2d 1103, 1104.

CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, we reverse the district court’s October 12, 2023
judgment granting Durr Heavy Construction, LLC’s Application to Vacate
Arbitration Award and denying Willow Grove — North, LLC’s Motion to Confirm

Arbitration Award. We grant Willow Grove — North, LLC’s Motion to Confirm

14

Arbitration Award. Costs of this appeal are assessed to Durr Heavy Construction,

LLC.

REVERSED AND RENDERED.

15