Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_03-cv-02510/USCOURTS-casd-3_03-cv-02510-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 190
Nature of Suit: Other Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition For Removal--Other Contract

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LINWORTH LLC,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO. 03cv2510-BEN (AJB)

ORDER GRANTING MOTION

FOR ATTORNEY FEES 

(Dkt. No. 93)

vs.

JGR VENTURES, et al.,

Defendants.

Now before the Court is Defendants’ Motion for Attorney Fees. Pursuant to this Court’s

prior order on the cross-motions for summary judgment finding Defendants entitled to attorney

fees under the limited liability company operating agreement, Defendants now seek an award of

attorney fees. Specifically, Defendant Charles A. Ramunno, as Trustee, seeks fees in the amount

of $146,741.45 and JGR Ventures seeks fees in the amount of $13,364.00. The motion is granted.

Both Defendants have submitted detailed contemporaneous time records supporting their

requested fees. The hourly rate of $275/hr. for counsel for Defendant JGR Ventures, Steven G.

Admundson, Esq., is reasonable. The hourly rate of counsel for Defendant Charles A. Ramunno,

Trustee, Spencer T. Dennison, Esq., is reasonable. Mr. Admundson has already made reductions

to the amount originally billed ($17,247) and has appropriately exercised billing discretion in

arriving at the amount of fees sought here ($13,364). Plaintiff has not objected to either

Admundson’s hourly rate or total fee amount. Likewise, Mr. Denison has already exercised

billing discretion and reduced the amount originally billed from $197,179.90 to the amount

initially sought here of $161,280. Mr. Denison, further reduced the amount of fees requested in

Case 3:03-cv-02510-BEN-AJB Document 106 Filed 07/30/07 Page 1 of 2
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- 2 - 03cv2510

response to Plaintiff’s objections. Mr. Denison now seeks only fees in the total amount of

$146,741.45. Plaintiff has not objected to his hourly rate. Where an attorney fee award is based

upon a state law claim, federal courts apply the fee shifting law of the forum state. California law

applies here. California courts may award attorney fees in a case involving a contract claim

pursuant to California Civil Code § 1717. Courts in California awarding fees under § 1717 do not

apply the lodestar approach when awarding fees. Montgomery v. Biomed Specialities, Inc., 183

Cal.App.3d 1292 (1986). Instead, the courts have broad discretion under § 1717 to consider a

wide number of factors. Id. Having reviewed the billing records and being familiar with the

proceedings and the complexity of the litigation, and having considered the amount involved and

the skill and experience of counsel, the Court finds the fee amounts requested to be reasonable

and grants the motion for attorney fees. 

Therefore, JGR Ventures is awarded attorney fees against Plaintiff and Counter-Defendant

Linworth, LLC in the amount of $13,364.00. Charles A. Ramunno, Trustee of the 100 Hamilton

Grantor Trust, is awarded attorney fees against Plaintiff and Counter-Defendant Linworth, LLC in

the amount of $146,741.45.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: July 30, 2007

Hon. Roger T. Benitez

United States District Judge

Case 3:03-cv-02510-BEN-AJB Document 106 Filed 07/30/07 Page 2 of 2