Opinion ID: 2525160
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Attorney's Fees Awarded for the Prior Appeal Were Excessive.

Text: In reviewing the award of fees for the prior appeal we believe that an independent standard which gives deference to the determination of the superior court is appropriate. This hybrid standard is similar to that used in reviewing bar association discipline cases. [40] It takes into account our primary authority to award attorney's fees on appeal and our advantaged perspective on that subject, and balances these factors against the reasons of efficiency and finality that justify resting the power to make such awards in the superior court in the first instance. Employing this standard we have reviewed the work performed for Northstore in the earlier appeal. Considering the various components determining a reasonable fee expressed in Rule 1.5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, most importantly the lack of novelty of the issues, the nature of the controversy, the result obtained, and the time and labor that should have been required, we believe that a full reasonable fee should not have exceeded $18,000. On remand the superior court should modify the award in accordance with this conclusion. For the above reasons, the judgment on the merits is AFFIRMED; the award of fees for services in the superior court is AFFIRMED; and the award of fees for services before this court is VACATED and REMANDED with instructions to enter an award of $18,000.