Opinion ID: 1394420
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Amount of Attorney's Fees is Reasonable

Text: Whether a specific award of attorney's fees is reasonable depends upon a consideration of numerous factors. Where attorney's fees are sought against a third party, the test of what should be considered a reasonable fee is determined not solely by the fee arrangement between the attorney and his client. The reasonableness of attorney's fees is generally based on broader factors such as: (1) the time and labor required; (2) the novelty and difficulty of the questions; (3) the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly; (4) the preclusion of other employment by the attorney due to acceptance of the case; (5) the customary fee; (6) whether the fee is fixed or contingent; (7) time limitations imposed by the client or the circumstances; (8) the amount involved and the results obtained; (9) the experience, reputation, and ability of the attorneys; (10) the undesirability of the case; (11) the nature and length of the professional relationship with the client; and (12) awards in similar cases. Syl. pt. 4, Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co. v. Pitrolo, 176 W.Va. 190, 342 S.E.2d 156 (1986). In light of the facts of the case sub judice and the egregiousness of Jean K.'s conduct, the attorney's fees requested by Michael T., which range from $165 to $250 per hour are not, per se, unreasonable. See Horkulic v. Galloway, 222 W.Va. 450, 466, 665 S.E.2d 284, 300 (2008) (Davis, J., concurring) (observing that attorney's fees of $500 per hour were not per se unreasonable). Nevertheless, it is for the circuit court, not this Court, to resolve the question of reasonableness. See Syl. pt. 3, in part, Bond v. Bond, 144 W.Va. 478, 109 S.E.2d 16 (1959) ([T]he trial [court] ... is vested with a wide discretion in determining the amount of ... court costs and counsel fees, and the trial [court's] ... determination of such matters will not be disturbed upon appeal to this Court unless it clearly appears that [it] has abused [its] discretion.). Accordingly, I concur in the majority's decision to remand this case to the circuit court for such a determination.