Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-00532/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-00532-5/pdf.json

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

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

STEPHEN L. SWARBICK, CESAR No. 2:08-cv-00532-MCE-KJM 

LOPEZ and ELIZABETH FESTEJO,

 

Plaintiffs,

v. ORDER

UMPQUA BANK, WESTERN SIERRA

NATIONAL BANK, and DOES 1

through 20, inclusive.

Defendants.

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On June 22, 2010, this Court issued an Order (Docket No. 48)

denying a Motion by Defendant Umpqua Bank (“Defendant”) to

Confirm Satisfaction of Judgment paid to Plaintiffs Stephen L.

Swarbick and Elizabeth Festejo (“Plaintiffs”) pursuant to a

December 30, 2009 “Final Arbitration Opinion and Award” issued in

favor of Plaintiffs and subsequently confirmed by this Court.

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Case 2:08-cv-00532-MCE -KJN Document 49 Filed 07/01/10 Page 1 of 3
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We now address the attorney’s fees requested by both

parties. Pursuant to Section 18(f) of the Employment Agreement

between parties, “In the event of any arbitration or

litigation...the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover

from the losing party reasonable expenses, attorneys’ fees and

costs incurred ...in the enforcement or collection of any

judgement or award rendered therein.” (Employment Agrmt. 9-10)

Parties agreed to apply the substantive law of California.

(Employment Agrmt. 9) California law permits recovery of attorney

fees when authorized by contract. See Cal. Civ. Code 1717(a). 

As the prevailing party, Plaintiffs are entitled to

reasonable expenses, attorney’s fees and costs in defending

against Defendant’s Motion to Confirm Satisfaction of Judgment.

Plaintiffs request $13,584.00 for fees incurred in opposing

Defendant’s motion, reviewing the reply brief, and anticipated

time spent at hearing on Defendant’s motion. However, the Court

ordered the matter submitted on the briefings and vacated the

hearing. Consequently, the Court will not allow recovery of

those projected fees. Plaintiffs’ counsel, Dennis Murphy, quotes

his hourly rate as $395.00. Therefore, when subtracting the two

hours estimated for the anticipated hearing which did not occur,

Plaintiffs’ total becomes $12,794.00.

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Based on the foregoing, Plaintiffs are entitled to

reasonable attorney’s fees and costs in the amount of $12,794.00 

and are awarded that amount. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 30, 2010

_____________________________

MORRISON C. ENGLAND, JR.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 2:08-cv-00532-MCE -KJN Document 49 Filed 07/01/10 Page 3 of 3