Opinion ID: 2570475
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: roundy pole is entitled to attorney fees and costs.

Text: Section 12-120(3) of the Idaho Code mandates the award of attorney fees to the prevailing party in any action arising out of civil action to recover on an open account. This Court has interpreted I.C. § 12-120(3) to mandate the award of attorney fees on appeal as well as at trial. J.R. Simplot Co. v. Chemetics International, Inc., 130 Idaho 255, 258, 939 P.2d 574, 577 (1997); see also Bott v. Idaho State Building Authority, 128 Idaho 580, 592, 917 P.2d 737, 749 (1996) (an award of attorney fees to the prevailing party is appropriate under I.C. § 12-120(3) on appeal as well as trial). Roundy Pole has been the prevailing party throughout proceedings in the magistrate court, district court, Court of Appeals and this Court. Unless an abuse of discretion can be shown by Eagle Water, the award of attorney fees is proper. See Bott, supra (The calculation of reasonable attorney fees is within the discretion of the trial court.); see also Foster v. Shore Club Lodge, Inc., 127 Idaho 921, 927, 908 P.2d 1228, 1234 (1995) (the burden is on the person disputing the award to show an abuse of discretion). The sequence of inquiry as to whether the trial court abused its discretion is: (1) whether the trial court correctly perceived the issue as one of discretion; (2) whether the trial court acted within the outer boundaries of its discretion and consistently with the legal standards applicable to the specific choices available to it; and (3) whether the trial court reached its decision by an exercise of reason. Sun Valley Shopping Center v. Idaho Power Co., 119 Idaho 87, 94, 803 P.2d 993, 1000 (1991). Eagle Water failed to provide this Court with any legal authority or argument establishing an abuse of discretion by the trial court, the district court or the Court of Appeals. The decisions awarding attorney fees are affirmed.