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Home Court filings Sport & Wheat CPA PA v. ServisFirst Bank, Inc.

Case docket

Sport & Wheat, CPA, PA v. ServisFirst Bank, Inc. — court filings

Sport & Wheat, CPA, PA v. ServisFirst Bank, Inc. — court filings — 133 documents in the archive, dated April 26, 2020 to September 4, 2020.

Case facts

CourtU.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division (3 filings); UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT (3 filings)
Docket numberNo. 3:20-cv-05425 — main docket · CourtListener docket 190491
Filings133 public filings
Filed2020-04-26 – 2020-09-04
Original PDFs133 of 133
ProfilesServisFirst Bank, Synovus Bank, Truist Bank

Case summary

Sport & Wheat, CPA, PA, a small accounting firm, brought this class action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division, Case No. 3:20cv5425-TKW-HTC, against ServisFirst Bank, Inc., Synovus, The First, Truist and John Doe lenders. It alleged that the lenders did not pay it the agent fees, totalling $4,526, that it says it was due under the Paycheck Protection Program and its implementing regulation for helping borrowers obtain loans. The order of August 17, 2020 dismissed the amended complaint's four counts, holding that the lenders had no legal obligation to pay an agent fee where neither the firm nor the borrowers executed SBA Form 159 or had agreements with the lenders. On September 4, 2020 the court denied leave to amend as futile and dismissed the case with prejudice.

Case at a glance

PartiesPlaintiff Sport & Wheat, CPA, PA, individually and on behalf of a class of similarly situated businesses and individuals; defendants ServisFirst Bank, Inc., Synovus, The First, Truist and John Doe lenders
Court and docketU.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division, Case No. 3:20cv5425-TKW-HTC, Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II
ProgramPaycheck Protection Program (PPP), and the agent fee provisions of the CARES Act and the interim final rule
ClaimsCount 1, unjust enrichment; count 2, contract implied in law; count 3, conversion; count 4, declaratory relief that the lenders violated federal law by not paying the plaintiff its portion of the loan processing fee, with injunctive relief
Disposition or statusAmended complaint dismissed August 17, 2020; leave to file a second amended complaint denied as futile and the case dismissed with prejudice on September 4, 2020
Status checked2026-09-23 · against DOJ press releases through 2026-09-22; court docket not yet read

What did the court decide?

That the central issue of first impression, whether the plaintiff and others like it are entitled to any portion of the fees the federal government paid to lenders under the Paycheck Protection Program, has the short answer no, and it dismissed all four counts of the amended complaint.

Why were the claims dismissed?

Because it was undisputed that neither the plaintiff nor the borrowers executed Form 159 or had agreements with the defendants about payment, so the defendants had no legal obligation under the CARES Act or the interim final rule to pay an agent fee, and because the benefit the plaintiff conferred on the lenders was indirect and incidental, which does not satisfy the first element of unjust enrichment or contract implied in law.

How does the order describe the wider litigation?

As apparently the first of at least 50 cases then pending around the country raising the same issue, noting that the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation had denied a motion to transfer those cases into a single MDL proceeding, In re Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Agent Fees Litigation, MDL No. 2950, on August 5, 2020.

Docket

133 documents in docket-entry order; attachments follow their entry. Gaps name the entries we do not have.

No. 3:20-cv-05425

  1. Verified Emergency Class Action Complaint — Sport & Wheat CPA v. ServisFirst Bank (N.D. Fla. 2020)Entry 1
  2. —Entry 2 is not in the archive
  3. undatedCorporate Disclosure Statement/Certificate of Interested Persons by Sport & Wheat CPA PA — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 3)Entry 3
  4. —Entries 4–5 are not in the archive
  5. undatedSummons Issued as to SERVISFIRST BANK INC — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 6)Entry 6
  6. undatedSYNOVUS TRUST — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 6.1)Entry 6, attachment 1
  7. undatedNOTICE of Appearance by WILLIAM FRANKLIN CASH, III on behalf of SPORT & WHEAT CPA PA — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 7)Entry 7
  8. undatedNOTICE of Appearance by MATTHEW DAVID SCHULTZ on behalf of SPORT & WHEAT CPA PA — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 8)Entry 8
  9. undatedNOTICE of Appearance by VIRGINIA M BUCHANAN on behalf of SPORT & WHEAT CPA PA — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 9)Entry 9
  10. undatedNOTICE of Appearance by PAMELA COCALAS WIRT on behalf of SPORT & WHEAT CPA PA — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 10)Entry 10
  11. undatedMOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Paul J.… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 11)Entry 11
  12. undatedExhibit Certificate of Good Standing — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 11.1)Entry 11, attachment 1
  13. undatedORDER granting 11 MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Paul J. Nathanson — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 12)Entry 12
  14. undatedCorporate Disclosure Statement/Certificate of Interested Persons by SYNOVUS TRUST… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 13)Entry 13
  15. undatedMOTION to Dismiss by SYNOVUS TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. (Internal deadline… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 14)Entry 14
  16. undatedExhibit B- 5/1/2020 Email from Paul J. Nathanson to John Wirt — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 14.2)Entry 14, attachment 2
  17. undatedNOTICE of Appearance by PHILIP A BATES on behalf of SYNOVUS TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 15)Entry 15
  18. undatedINITIAL SCHEDULING ORDER: Fed.R.Civ.P. 7.1 Corporate Disclosure Statement Deadline set… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 16)Entry 16
  19. undatedFirst MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Ramsey B.… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 17)Entry 17
  20. undatedCertificate of Good Standing — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 17.1)Entry 17, attachment 1
  21. undatedFirst MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by James E.… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 18)Entry 18
  22. undatedCertificate of Good Standing — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 18.1)Entry 18, attachment 1
  23. undatedORDER granting 17 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorney Ramsey B.… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 19)Entry 19
  24. undatedORDER - That the 18 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice is GRANTED. Attorney James E.… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 20)Entry 20
  25. undatedFIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT against SERVISFIRST BANK INC., SYNOVUS BANK, THE FIRST, A… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 21)Entry 21
  26. undatedORDER - That Defendant Synovus Trust Company's motion to dismiss (Doc. 14 ) is DENIED… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 22)Entry 22
  27. undatedREQUEST FOR CLERK OF COURT TO ISSUE SUMMONS by SPORT & WHEAT CPA PA — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 23)Entry 23
  28. undatedREQUEST FOR CLERK OF COURT TO ISSUE SUMMONS by SPORT & WHEAT CPA PA — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 24)Entry 24
  29. undatedSummons Issued as to TRUIST BANK — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 25)Entry 25
  30. undatedTHE FIRST, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 25.1)Entry 25, attachment 1
  31. undatedCorporate Disclosure Statement/Certificate of Interested Persons by TRUIST BANK… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 26)Entry 26
  32. undatedMOTION to Extend Time to Respond to the Amended Complaint (Unopposed) by SERVISFIRST… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 27)Entry 27
  33. undatedNOTICE of Appearance by PAUL J NATHANSON on behalf of SYNOVUS BANK — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 28)Entry 28
  34. undatedCorporate Disclosure Statement/Certificate of Interested Persons by SYNOVUS BANK… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 29)Entry 29
  35. undatedMOTION to Extend Time (Corrected) (Unopposed) for An Extension of time to Respond to… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 30)Entry 30
  36. undatedNOTICE of Appearance by RAMSEY PRATHER on behalf of SYNOVUS BANK — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 31)Entry 31
  37. undatedNOTICE of Appearance by JAMES E BUTLER, JR on behalf of SYNOVUS BANK — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 32)Entry 32
  38. undatedCorporate Disclosure Statement/Certificate of Interested Persons by SERVISFIRST BANK… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 33)Entry 33
  39. undatedORDER GRANTING EXTENSION OF TIME. Defendant ServisFirst Bank's corrected unopposed… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 34)Entry 34
  40. undatedMOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Antonio Haynes. by SYNOVUS BANK — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 35)Entry 35
  41. undatedExhibit Certificate of Good Standing — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 35.1)Entry 35, attachment 1
  42. undatedNOTICE of Appearance by EMILY Y ROTTMANN on behalf of TRUIST BANK — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 36)Entry 36
  43. undatedMOTION to Extend Time Unopposed Motion for an Extension of Time to Respond to the… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 37)Entry 37
  44. undatedMOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Cheryl L. Haas. by TRUIST BANK — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 38)Entry 38
  45. undatedExhibit A - Certificate of Good Standing — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 38.1)Entry 38, attachment 1
  46. undatedMOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Meredith Laughlin Allen. by TRUIST BANK — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 39)Entry 39
  47. undatedExhibit A - Certificate of Good Standing — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 39.1)Entry 39, attachment 1
  48. undatedMOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Sara A. Ford. by SERVISFIRST BANK INC — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 40)Entry 40
  49. undatedMOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Robert Ashby Pate. by SERVISFIRST BANK INC — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 41)Entry 41
  50. undatedORDER GRANTING PRO HAC VICE MOTIONS - That the 35, 38, 39, 40, 41 motions are GRANTED,… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 42)Entry 42
  51. undatedORDER GRANTING EXTENSION OF TIME. Defendant Truist Bank's unopposed motion for… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 43)Entry 43
  52. undatedSUMMONS Returned Executed by SPORT & WHEAT CPA PA.… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 44)Entry 44
  53. undatedNOTICE of Appearance by PHILIP A BATES on behalf of SYNOVUS BANK — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 45)Entry 45
  54. undatedMOTION to Dismiss First Amended Complaint by SYNOVUS BANK. (Internal deadline for… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 46)Entry 46
  55. undatedExhibit A — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 46.1)Entry 46, attachment 1
  56. undatedCertificate of Service — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 46.2)Entry 46, attachment 2
  57. undatedNOTICE of Appearance by CHRISTOPHER ALLEN RILEY on behalf of THE FIRST, A NATIONAL… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 47)Entry 47
  58. undatedCorporate Disclosure Statement/Certificate of Interested Persons by THE FIRST, A… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 48)Entry 48
  59. Motion to Dismiss and Supporting Memorandum — Sport & Wheat v. ServisFirst (N.D. Fla.)Entry 49
  60. undatedMOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by TRUIST BANK — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 50)Entry 50
  61. undatedORDER - That the motion is GRANTED 50, and attorney Kathryn M.… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 51)Entry 51
  62. undatedFirst MOTION for Protective Order To Terminate Rule 30(b)(6) Deposition by SYNOVUS BANK — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 52)Entry 52
  63. undatedExhibit Adams Transcript Excerpts — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 52.1)Entry 52, attachment 1
  64. undatedExhibit 2020-06-15 Bates to Cash email — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 52.2)Entry 52, attachment 2
  65. undatedExhibit 2020-05-29 Cash email — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 52.3)Entry 52, attachment 3
  66. undatedExhibit 2020-05-29 Discovery Excerpt — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 52.4)Entry 52, attachment 4
  67. undatedExhibit 5: From Philip Bates, June 2, 2020, To Bill Cash — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 52.5)Entry 52, attachment 5
  68. undatedExhibit Butler Cash email exchange — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 52.6)Entry 52, attachment 6
  69. undatedMOTION to Extend Time to Respond to the Amended Complaint by THE FIRST, A NATIONAL… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 53)Entry 53
  70. undatedORDER GRANTING EXTENSION OF TIME. Defendant, The First, A National Banking… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 54)Entry 54
  71. undatedORDER SETTING HEARING. The Court will conduct a hearing on Defendant's motion on… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 55)Entry 55
  72. undatedRESPONSE in Opposition re 46 MOTION to Dismiss First Amended Complaint filed by SPORT… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 56)Entry 56
  73. undatedExhibit C - Adams deposition — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 56.3)Entry 56, attachment 3
  74. undatedExhibit D - SBA notice — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 56.4)Entry 56, attachment 4
  75. undatedExhibit E - Form 159 — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 56.5)Entry 56, attachment 5
  76. undatedExhibit F - Forgiveness application — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 56.6)Entry 56, attachment 6
  77. undatedExhibit G - Forgiveness instructions — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 56.7)Entry 56, attachment 7
  78. undatedMOTION for Leave to File Reply Memorandum in Support of its Motion to Dismiss the… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 57)Entry 57
  79. undatedExhibit A- [Proposed] Order — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 57.1)Entry 57, attachment 1
  80. undatedConsent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 49 MOTION to Dismiss… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 58)Entry 58
  81. undatedAmended MOTION for Leave to File re 57 MOTION for Leave to File Reply Memorandum in… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 59)Entry 59
  82. undatedExhibit A- [Proposed] Order — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 59.1)Entry 59, attachment 1
  83. undatedORDER GRANTING EXTENSION OF TIME. That the motion is GRANTED 58, and Plaintiff shall… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 60)Entry 60
  84. undatedREPORT of Rule 26(f) Planning Meeting — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 61)Entry 61
  85. undatedORDER GRANTING LEAVE TO FILE REPLY. Defendant Synovus Bank's amended motion for leave… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 62)Entry 62
  86. undatedMOTION for Leave to File text messages under seal by SPORT & WHEAT CPA PA — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 63)Entry 63
  87. undatedORDER. Discovery is stayed pending further Order.… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 64)Entry 64
  88. undatedREPLY to Response to Motion re 46 MOTION to Dismiss First Amended Complaint filed by… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 65)Entry 65
  89. undatedORDER re 63 MOTION for Leave to File text messages under seal filed by SPORT & WHEAT… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 66)Entry 66
  90. undatedMOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM by TRUIST BANK — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 67)Entry 67
  91. undatedRULE 26 Disclosures by TRUIST BANK — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 68)Entry 68
  92. undatedMOTION to Dismiss the Amended Complaint and Memorandum of Law in Support Thereof by… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 69)Entry 69
  93. undatedRULE 26 Disclosures by SYNOVUS BANK — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 70)Entry 70
  94. undatedRULE 26 Disclosures by THE FIRST, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 71)Entry 71
  95. undatedRESPONSE in Opposition re 63 MOTION for Leave to File text messages under seal filed… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 72)Entry 72
  96. undatedRESPONSE in Opposition re 52 First MOTION for Protective Order To Terminate Rule… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 73)Entry 73
  97. undatedExhibit A - Deposition notice — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 73.1)Entry 73, attachment 1
  98. undatedExhibit B - Deposition of Synovus 30(b)(6) — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 73.2)Entry 73, attachment 2
  99. undatedExhibit C - E-mail — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 73.3)Entry 73, attachment 3
  100. undatedExhibit D - E-mail — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 73.4)Entry 73, attachment 4
  101. undatedExhibit G - E-mail — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 73.7)Entry 73, attachment 7
  102. undatedExhibit H - E-mail — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 73.8)Entry 73, attachment 8
  103. undatedExhibit I - E-mail — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 73.9)Entry 73, attachment 9
  104. undatedExhibit J - E-mail — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 73.10)Entry 73, attachment 10
  105. undatedMOTION for Leave to File re 52 First MOTION for Protective Order To Terminate Rule… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 74)Entry 74
  106. undatedRESPONSE to Motion re 74 MOTION for Leave to File re 52 First MOTION for Protective… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 75)Entry 75
  107. undatedExhibit A — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 75.1)Entry 75, attachment 1
  108. undatedMOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 67 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 76)Entry 76
  109. undatedNOTICE (defendants declined to consent to motion) by SPORT & WHEAT CPA PA re 76 MOTION… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 77)Entry 77
  110. Order on Motion to Seal — Sport & Wheat CPA v. ServisFirst Bank (N.D. Fla. 2020) (N.D. Fla.)Entry 78
  111. undatedORDER. Defendants shall have until noon (central time) on July 10, 2020, to respond to… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 79)Entry 79
  112. undatedRESPONSE to Motion re 76 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 67… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 80)Entry 80
  113. undatedMinute Entry for Motion hearing on Defendant Synovus Bank's Motion to Terminate Rule… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 81)Entry 81
  114. undatedRESPONSE to Motion re 76 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 67… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 82)Entry 82
  115. undatedORDER GRANTING 76 EXTENSION OF TIME. Plaintiff shall have until July 20, 2020, to… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 83)Entry 83
  116. undatedORDER. Synovus's motion to terminate deposition at ECF Doc. 52 is DENIED.… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 84)Entry 84
  117. undatedRESPONSE in Opposition re 49 MOTION to Dismiss Amended Complaint and Supporting… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 85)Entry 85
  118. undatedNOTICE Regarding the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation's Order Denying… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 86)Entry 86
  119. undatedExhibit A — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 86.1)Entry 86, attachment 1
  120. Order Dismissing Amended Complaint — Sport & Wheat v. ServisFirstEntry 87
  121. undatedNOTICE to Court RE: MDL No. 2950. ORDER DENYING TRANSFER — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 88)Entry 88
  122. undatedMOTION to Amend/Correct 21 Amended Complaint (proposed Second Amended Complaint) by… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 89)Entry 89
  123. Second Amended Class Action Complaint — Sport & Wheat v. ServisFirstEntry 89, attachment 1
  124. undatedSECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT against SERVISFIRST BANK INC., SYNOVUS BANK, THE FIRST, A… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 90)Entry 90
  125. undatedExhibit A - Form 159 — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 90.1)Entry 90, attachment 1
  126. undatedExhibit C - Adams deposition — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 90.3)Entry 90, attachment 3
  127. undatedExhibit E - E-mail — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 90.5)Entry 90, attachment 5
  128. undatedRESPONSE of SYNOVUS BANK'S OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFF'S 89 MOTION to Amend/Correct 21… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 91)Entry 91
  129. undatedRESPONSE in Opposition re 89 MOTION to Amend/Correct 21 Amended Complaint (proposed… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 92)Entry 92
  130. Order Denying Leave to Amend and Dismissing with Prejudice — Sport & Wheat v. ServisFirst (N.D. Fla.)Entry 93
  131. undatedNOTICE OF APPEAL as to 87 Order,, Set Deadlines/Hearings, 93 Order Dismissing Case, by… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 94)Entry 94
  132. undatedAppeal Instructions re: 94 Notice of Appeal :… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 95)Entry 95
  133. —Entry 96 is not in the archive
  134. undatedTRANSCRIPT REQUEST by SPORT & WHEAT CPA PA — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 97)Entry 97
  135. undatedUSCA Case Number as to SPORT & WHEAT CPA PA 20-13411-F for 94 NOTICE OF APPEAL by… — Agent Fee Litigation (Dkt. 98)Entry 98

Court, dates and docket numbers are as recorded on the filings.

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