Opinion ID: 2624590
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Did the District Court abuse its discretion in awarding Sullivan and Eide $9,600 in legal fees for trial time of attorney Sean Johnson?

Text: ¶ 41 Attorney Sean Johnson attended every day of the five-day trial, seated at Sullivan and Eide's counsel table. The Bank points out that Johnson handled only one foundation witness at trial and his participation consisted of asking fewer than 40 questions. Relying on Plath v. Schonrock, 2003 MT 21, 314 Mont. 101, 64 P.3d 984, the Bank argues the $9,600 in attorney fees awarded for trial time of attorney Johnson represents an abuse of discretion. ¶ 42 We begin by reiterating that determination of attorney fees is a discretionary function of the trial court. Lewistown Propane, ¶ 19. In Plath, ¶ 36, we stated the reasonableness of attorney fees must be ascertained under the facts of the case, with the following factors as guidelines: (1) the amount and character of the services rendered; (2) the labor, time and trouble involved; (3) the character and importance of the litigation in which the services were rendered; (4) the amount of money or the value of the property to be affected; (5) the professional skill and experience called for; (6) the attorneys' character and standing in their profession; and (7) the results secured by the services of the attorneys. ¶ 43 Sullivan and Eide filed an affidavit prepared by Gregory C. Black, their lead trial attorney, who documented the expenses and billing records of his law firm in this case, including billing records for Sean Johnson. In his affidavit, Black stated that, in his opinion based on 27 years of experience, this was a very difficult case with complicated legal and factual issues. Black's affidavit indicates that, in addition to conducting a witness examination, Johnson assisted during trial with jury instructions, legal research concerning trial issues, preparation of witnesses and general trial logistics. At the hearing on attorney fees, Sullivan and Eide presented expert witness William Joyce, who testified he had reviewed Black's affidavit and that, in his opinion, the work reflected in that affidavit was reasonable and necessary for the case and the hourly rates reflected in Black's affidavit were reasonable. ¶ 44 We hold the District Court did not abuse its discretion in its award of attorney fees for trial time of attorney Sean Johnson.