Opinion ID: 1913355
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Attorney's fees were unreasonable.

Text: Furthermore, the award of attorneys fees to Kelley's attorney is shocking. Counsel for the City of Sioux Falls vigorously objected to a requested sum of $100,000 by way of a contingent fee. Under settled law in South Dakota, an attorney has the burden of establishing that the charged fee is justified and reasonable. Matter of Estate of Lingscheit, 387 N.W.2d 738 (S.D.1986). A contingent fee agreement does not, per se, equate with a reasonable attorney fee. In my opinion, the trial court must have a hearing on attorneys fees and establish what constitutes a reasonable attorney fee based upon quantum meruit. City of Aberdeen v. Lutgen, 303 N.W.2d 372 (S.D.1981). Although this Court may honor an agreement on an attorney's fee, if it is fairly negotiated between the parties, the actual fee charged is still subject to the scrutiny of the Court for reasonableness. Matter of Estate of Hansen, 366 N.W.2d 852 (S.D.1985). Therefore, the City of Sioux Falls and its citizens are entitled to a new trial because of the compounding prejudicial effect of the errors expressed above. These errors confused the jury and caused the jury to render an excessive and unjust verdict.