Opinion ID: 2611427
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: duerner is entitled to an award of attorney's fees on appeal only with respect to the fair debt collection practices act claim.

Text: Duerner argues that he is entitled to attorney's fees on appeal pursuant to I.C. § 12-120(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 1692k(a)(3). I.C. § 12-120(3) permits the recovery of attorney's fees by the prevailing party in a civil action to recover on a note. However, there are no issues on appeal related to S.L.F.I.'s action to recover on the promissory notes. The only issues on appeal relate to Duerner's counterclaims for violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the tort of defamation. As a result, Duerner is not entitled to attorney's fees under I.C. § 12-120(3). Because Duerner was the prevailing party on appeal with respect to his counterclaim for violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, he may recover attorney's fees attributable to this counterclaim under 15 U.S.C. § 1692k(a)(3). However, the remainder of the appeal relates to issues surrounding the tort of defamation. Because attorney's fees are not awarded for actions in tort, we will not award Duerner any attorney's fees attributable to the defamation counterclaim.