Source: https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/979-f-2d-101-596471838
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 16:13:44+00:00

Document:
Party Name: Susanne LITTLEFIELD, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Malcolm McGUFFEY, also known as Wally Mack and Santa Maria Realty, Defendants, and State Farm General Insurance Company, Garnishee-Defendant-Appellant.
State Farm General Insurance Company, Garnishee-Defendant-Appellant.
Aram A. Hartunian (argued), Steven P. Schneck, Hartunian & Associates, Chicago, Ill., for plaintiff-appellee.
Richard H. Hoffman, Querrey & Harrow, Karen A. Covy, Cook County State's Atty.'s Office, James L. Elsesser, John T. Harris, Elsesser & Associate, Chicago, Ill., for defendants.
Michael C. Borders (argued), Rebecca O. Carlins, Rooks, Pitts & Poust, Chicago, Ill., for defendant-appellant.
Before BAUER, Chief Judge, CUMMINGS, and POSNER, Circuit Judges.
Last year Malcolm McGuffey appealed a jury finding that he had violated Susanne Littlefield's rights under both the Equal Opportunity in Housing provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Fair Housing Act as amended by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988. 42 U.S.C.A. §§ 1982, 3604, 3613, and 3617. Additionally, he challenged the jury's determination that he was liable under Illinois common law for intentional infliction of emotional distress. McGuffey also appealed Judge Williams' denial of his motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, or, alternatively, for a new trial. We upheld the verdict as well as the district court judge's award of attorney's fees and denial of a fee multiplier. State Farm General Insurance Company ("State Farm"), McGuffey's insurer, now appeals the district court's subsequent determinations that the company is liable for Littlefield's attorney's fees and related expenses.
The events giving rise to this protracted litigation, well documented in Littlefield v. Mack, 750 F.Supp. 1395 (N.D.Ill.1990), and Littlefield v. McGuffey, 954 F.2d 1337 (7th Cir.1992), do not bear repeating in any detail. Suffice it to say, McGuffey reneged on a housing rental contract with Littlefield after learning that she had an African-American boyfriend, and that the two had a daughter. From ugly, the story then turned bizarre. A veritable chameleon, McGuffey adopted multiple personas and pseudonyms to harass and threaten Littlefield, as well as her boyfriend, daughter, and sister. The jury found in favor of Littlefield, awarding her $50,000 in compensatory damages and $100,000 in punitive damages.
a. expenses incurred by us and costs taxed against any insured in any suit we defend.
Appellant's Brief, filed Oct. 6, 1992, at 7.
An intentional acts exclusion clause in the policy created the possibility that damages predicated on a finding of liability could exceed State Farm's contractual obligation to pay. Recognizing what it thought to be a possible conflict of interest, State Farm referred the defense to the law firm of Querrey & Harrow, explaining to McGuffey in some detail that the firm would be representing only him, that State Farm would remain uninvolved in the defense, and that McGuffey could choose other counsel at State Farm's expense if he so desired. He did not, and the Querrey & Harrow firm represented McGuffey at trial as well as on direct appeal here.
After we upheld the district court's judgment, see Littlefield, 954 F.2d at 1337, the district court granted Littlefield attorney's fees and expenses pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988(b) (1991). Littlefield soon thereafter served State Farm with a garnishment summons seeking payment. The district court granted Littlefield's motion for summary judgment and denied State Farm's cross-motion, 789 F.Supp. 909 (1992). Later it granted her motion to supplement garnishment, 789 F.Supp. 914 (1992). The total attorney's fees and expenses in question amount to $217,882.38. State Farm appeals, challenging the district court's determination that the insurance policy covers attorney's fees under § 1988(b).
We review the entry of summary judgment de novo. Hayes v. Otis Elevator Co., 946 F.2d 1272, 1277 (7th Cir.1991). In so doing the court must "view the record and all inferences drawn from it in the light most favorable to the party opposing the motion." Lohorn v. Michal, 913 F.2d 327, 331 (7th Cir.1990). We will affirm summary judgment when the record presents "no genuine issue of material fact [such] that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56.
The building owner policy at the center of this dispute provides that State Farm will cover, in addition to the limits of its liability, "expenses incurred by us and costs taxed against any insured in any suit we defend." Appellant's Brief, filed May 27, 1992, at 7. This appeal, therefore, turns on the meaning of two words--"costs" and "defend". If State Farm did in fact defend McGuffey during the proceedings, then it is contractually obligated to pay for any costs assessed against him, including attorney's fees if they are indeed costs. Predictably, the parties devote much of their attention to definitional debate. Our discussion focuses on whether costs include attorney's fees, and whether State Farm defended McGuffey.
attorney's fees. The company argues that neither the common nor historical understanding of the term "costs" contemplates attorney's fees. But "costs" has no uniform meaning, and we are reluctant to create federal common law defining the term. Costs can include attorney's fees and expenses either if a statute provides for it or if the parties so agree in a valid contract. 1 Hall v. Cole, 412 U.S. 1, 4, 93 S.Ct. 1943, 1946, 36 L.Ed.2d 702 (1973). Section 1988 is one such statute, and we read State Farm's policy with McGuffey in conjunction with § 1988 to provide for attorney's fees.

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