Opinion ID: 2570685
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Inadequacy of Itemization of Attorneys' Fees

Text: [¶ 16] We have consistently held that Wyoming follows the American Rule which states that each party is responsible for his own attorney's fees in the absence of an express contractual or statutory provision to the contrary. Dewey v. Wentland, 2002 WY 2, ¶ 50, 38 P.3d 402, 420 (Wyo.2002) (citing McGuire v. Lowery, 2 P.3d 527, 533 (Wyo.2000)). Even in the event of a valid contractual provision for attorney's fees, we have clearly stated that a trial court has the discretion to exercise its equitable control to allow only such sum as is reasonable or the court may properly disallow attorney's fees altogether on the basis that such recovery would be inequitable. Dewey, ¶ 50, 38 P.3d at 420 (citing McGuire 2 P.3d at 533). See also, Shepard v. Beck, 2007 WY 53 ¶ 17, 154 P.3d 982, 989 (Wyo.2007); Castleberry v. Phelan, 2004 WY 151, ¶ 12, n. 2, 101 P.3d 460, 463-464 (Wyo.2004). [¶ 17] Although the record shows that the attorneys' fees were meticulously recorded, Evergreen failed to sufficiently itemize those fees to show which were properly recoverable and which were not. The record supports the district court's conclusion that the fees were not adequately itemized to allow a reviewing court to identify each claim. For example, Evergreen was sanctioned for discovery abuses. Evergreen failed to sufficiently itemize and exclude fees relating to such discovery abuses. Clearly, Evergreen should not be allowed to recover fees relating to issues for which it was specifically sanctioned. Similarly, while Evergreens' attorneys' affidavit attested that only one hour of the total claimed attorney fees was related to its dismissed defamation counterclaim, the submitted invoicing failed to reflect that itemization. In order to award attorney fees, the records kept should, enable a reviewing court to identify distinct claims. UNC Teton Exploration Drilling, Inc. v. Peyton, 774 P.2d 584, 595 (Wyo.1989) (quoting Hensley v. Eckerhart, 461 U.S. 424, 103 S.Ct. 1933, 76 L.Ed.2d 40 (1983)). We cannot distinguish from the record which fees were identified with distinct claims. [¶ 18] Furthermore, the trial court has equitable discretion that this court will not disturb absent an abuse of discretion. Dewey, ¶ 50, 38 P.3d at 420, (citing McGuire, 2 P.3d at 534). The district court found that both parties came to the court with unclean hands. This is supported by the record and jury verdict. Both parties were found to have breached the contract. Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the award of attorneys' fees on equitable grounds. [¶ 19] Evergreen's claim for appellate attorneys' fees is likewise denied. While we have adopted the general rule that a contract for a reasonable attorney's fee in enforcing [the contract's] provisions embraces an allowance for legal services rendered upon appeal as well as during trial, it would be inconsistent to award appellate fees after finding no abuse of discretion in the district court's denial of attorneys' fees. Ahearn v. Tri-County F.S.B., 954 P.2d 1371, 1373 (Wyo.1998) (citing Shoup v. Mayerson, 454 P.2d 666, 670 (Okla.1969); Zambruk v. Perlmutter 3rd Generation Builders, Inc., 32 Colo.App. 276, 510 P.2d 472, 475-76 (1973); Cabot v. First Nat'l Bank of Santa Fe, 81 N.M. 795, 474 P.2d 478, 479-80 (1970)). [¶ 20] We therefore affirm the district court's denial of attorneys' fees, and deny any attorneys' fees associated with this appeal.