Opinion ID: 1217413
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Homeowners' motion for attorney's fees pursuant to NRS 18.010.

Text: Attorney's fees may be awarded to a prevailing plaintiff only if he or she recovers $10,000 or less. See NRS 18.010. [1] Homeowners made a motion to recover their attorney's fees from Murphy Bros., Yancey, and Jacobson following the entry of judgment for Homeowners. The district court found NRS 18.010 to be inapplicable because the judgment that Homeowners received, $196,389.22, was well above the $10,000 statutory ceiling. Homeowners contend that the total award should be divided among the thirty-eight members of the class; therefore, Homeowners compute the judgment to be $5,168.14 per class member. Because each plaintiff recovered less than $10,000, Homeowners argue they are entitled to attorney's fees as authorized by NRS 18.010. Homeowners base this contention on the nature of condominium ownership. Homeowners note that only the individual Homeowners have standing to bring this action. See Deal v. 999 Lakeshore Association, 94 Nev. 301, 579 P.2d 775 (1978). Also, since each Homeowner is liable for a 1/38th share of the common area expenses, Homeowners maintain each plaintiff is entitled to possess an individual 1/38th share of the judgment. Even assuming, arguendo, that each Homeowner is entitled to possess a share of the judgment, it does not necessarily follow that individual shares govern the application of NRS 18.010. It is well established in Nevada that attorney's fees are not recoverable unless allowed by express or implied agreement or when authorized by statute or rule. Sun Realty v. District Court, 91 Nev. 774, 776, 542 P.2d 1072 (1975). This court has also held it is the total judgment that governs and where the amount recovered exceeds the statutory limit of $10,000 the court may not grant an award of attorney's fees. Peterson v. Freeman, 86 Nev. 850, 856, 477 P.2d 876 (1970). NRS 18.010 does not authorize a court to divide the total judgment by the number of prevailing litigants. This court has previously held in the absence of legislation specifically providing for attorney's fees, such fees cannot be awarded.... (Emphasis added.) Consumers League v. Southwest Gas, 94 Nev. 153, 157-158, 576 P.2d 737 (1978). It is for the legislature, and not this court, to make a special provision for class actions within NRS 18.010. Accordingly, we hold that the district court was correct in denying the award of attorney's fees pursuant to NRS 18.010. [2]