Opinion ID: 883983
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Did the District Court abuse its discretion with regard to the amount of attorney's fees and costs awarded to Puckett Construction?

Text: The determination of reasonable attorney's fees is not subject to precise calculation or a formulaic approach. We previously have stated that the following factors should be considered as guidelines in making such a determination: (1) the amount and character of 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 required; (6) the attorneys' character and standing in their profession; and (7) the result secured by the services of the attorneys. Swenson v. Janke (Mont.1995), 274 Mont. 354, 361, 908 P.2d 678, 682-83; Majers v. Shining Mountains (1988), 230 Mont. 373, 380, 750 P.2d 449, 453. These factors are not exclusive, however, and district courts may consider other factors as well. Morning Star Enters. v. R.H. Grover (1991), 247 Mont. 105, 113, 805 P.2d 553, 558 (citing Talmage v. Gruss (1983), 202 Mont. 410, 413, 658 P.2d 419, 421). Thus, the reasonableness of attorney's fees must be ascertained under the unique facts of each case. Morning Star, 805 P.2d at 558. The District Court held a hearing to determine the amount of attorney's fees and costs to which Puckett Construction was entitled. John Brown (Brown), Puckett Construction's attorney, submitted an affidavit regarding attorney's fees and costs, together with an itemized list of the time charges and costs, prior to the hearing. He stated therein that the total amount of attorney's fees charged to Puckett Construction in conjunction with this case through July 31, 1995, was $9,600 and the total costs were $1,990.65. Brown testified at the hearing that all of the time and costs reflected in his affidavit and attached list related to his representation of Puckett Construction in this case. Brown and Stephen Pohl (Pohl), Puckett Construction's expert witness on attorney's fees, were the sole witnesses at the hearing. Pohl testified that the Swenson/Majers factors for determining the reasonableness of attorney's fees formed part of the basis of his opinion and he discussed each of those factors in the context of this case. He noted Brown's extensive legal research on such issues as contract formation, anticipatory repudiation and breach of contract. Pohl pointed out that, in addition to drafting Puckett Construction's answer and counterclaim, Brown prepared responses to discovery, conducted discovery and wrote numerous briefs. He observed that the approximately $35,000 in damages sought by Custom Framing was a substantial amount of money and that, not only did [Brown] avoid a judgment on behalf of [Custom Framing], but [Brown] did obtain a verdict in favor of [Puckett Construction] ... and so obviously the results were excellent.... Pohl also testified that Brown is an excellent attorney who has an excellent reputation in the community. Custom Framing cross-examined Pohl and Brown, but did not present its own expert on attorney's fees. During cross-examination, Pohl did not change his opinions under the Swenson/Majers factors or his ultimate opinion, based on those factors and the facts of this case, that the claimed fees and costs were reasonable. The District Court determined that the claimed fees and costs were reasonable and issued an order awarding Puckett Construction $9,600 in attorney's fees and $1,990.65 for costs. We will not disturb a district court's determination of reasonable attorney's fees absent an abuse of the court's discretion. Majers, 750 P.2d at 453 (citing Talmage, 658 P.2d at 420). Custom Framing argues that the District Court's award of attorney's fees and costs constituted an abuse of discretion in five specific respects, all of which were brought to the court's attention during cross-examination of Brown and Pohl. We address each in turn, bearing in mind the abuse of discretion standard and that, in matters such as this, witness credibility and the weight accorded testimony are within the province of the district court. See Keebler v. Harding (1991), 247 Mont. 518, 522, 807 P.2d 1354, 1357 (citing Matter of Estate of Murnion (1984), 212 Mont. 107, 113, 686 P.2d 893, 896).