Opinion ID: 2513908
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The equitable reasons cited by the trial court support an award of enhanced fees.

Text: The Cizeks next argue that none of the reasons stated by the court for enhancing attorney's fees supports its doing so. Under Civil Rule 82(b)(2), in cases which have gone to trial but which have not resulted in an award of money damages to the prevailing party, the court is instructed to enter an award of 30 percent of the prevailing party's reasonable actual attorney's fees which were necessarily incurred. This award may be varied on the basis of relevant equitable factors as provided in Civil Rule 82(b)(3). In departing from the general rule, the court must state any reasons for its variation from the prescribed percentage of fees. [12] We review reasons relying on factual findings for clear error. [13] In its order awarding Concerned Citizens partial attorney's fees, the superior court cited several factors justifying an increase under Civil Rule 82(b)(3): Plaintiffs' attorney was required to participate in extensive and sometimes unduly repetitive motion practice, most of it generated by the Cizek[s'] attorney, which increased the complexity of the case, and which, in most cases, was resolved in plaintiff[s'] favor. The trial was long in duration, requiring many extra hours of work that should be compensated. The plaintiffs reduced their attorney's bills by performing a number of paralegal tasks themselves. The Cizeks argue that the length and complexity of the case will be reflected in the fees themselves and therefore should not be used to increase the percentage of fees awarded. However, these factors are explicitly listed as permissible considerations under Civil Rule 82(b)(3), and therefore are an appropriate basis for the trial court's decision. According to Civil Rule 82(b)(3), enhanced fees may be based on factors such as the complexity of the litigation, [14] the length of the trial, [15] the reasonableness of the claims and defenses pursued, [16] and the relationship between the amount of work performed and the significance of the matters at stake. [17] The Cizeks have not demonstrated that any of the findings underlying the trial court's decision were clearly erroneous. Once these findings have been made, the only requirement imposed on the trial court by the civil rules is that the court explain the reasons behind any variation in the fee schedule. The court retains broad discretion to award fees and to alter the amount it intends to award. [18] Because the court clearly stated its reasons for enhancing the award of attorneys fees to Concerned Citizens, we affirm its decision to award enhanced fees under Rule 82.