Opinion ID: 1851245
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: an attorney fee as costs

Text: The County Board contends that an attorney fee for Youngs' lawyer is unauthorized because Youngs were not entitled to the mandamus granted by the district court. However, we have determined that mandamus was proper under the circumstances. Section 25-2165 provides for an attorney fee as part of the costs in a successful mandamus action. As we expressed in Chambers-Dobson, Inc. v. Squier, 238 Neb. 748, 765, 472 N.W.2d 391, 402 (1991): In Nebraska, the general rule is that an attorney fee may be recovered only when authorized by statute, or when a recognized and accepted uniform course of procedure allows recovery of an attorney fee. When an attorney fee is authorized, the amount of the fee is addressed to the discretion of the trial court, whose ruling will not be disturbed on appeal in the absence of an abuse of discretion. Megel v. City of Papillion, 194 Neb. 819, 235 N.W.2d 876 (1975); Insurance Co. of North America v. Omaha Paper Stock, Inc., 189 Neb. 232, 202 N.W.2d 188 (1972); Anoka-Butte Lumber Co. v. Malerbi, 180 Neb. 256, 142 N.W.2d 314 (1966). We find no abuse of discretion in the district court's awarding an attorney fee as part of the costs recoverable by Youngs in their mandamus action. Therefore, the trial court's judgment for costs is affirmed. Youngs have also requested an attorney fee be awarded for their counsel in this appeal. Youngs have submitted information in compliance with Neb.Ct.R. of Prac. 9 F (rev. 1992). In view of the factors for judicial consideration in awarding an attorney fee, see, Smith v. Union Ins. Co., 218 Neb. 797, 359 N.W.2d 113 (1984); Weber v. Weber, 200 Neb. 659, 265 N.W.2d 436 (1978); and Schmer v. Hawkeye-Security Ins. Co., 194 Neb. 94, 230 N.W.2d 216 (1975), and after reviewing the information supplied by the parties in conjunction with Youngs' request for an attorney fee and expenses to be awarded in this court, we determine that $2,500 is appropriate for an attorney fee and expenses in this appeal and, therefore, order that the County Board shall pay $2,500 as an attorney fee and expenses for Youngs' counsel in proceedings before this court.