Opinion ID: 1131632
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the award of attorney fees in general

Text: [A]s a general rule American courts will not award attorney's fees to the prevailing party absent authorization of statute or contract. Deras v. Meyers, 272 Or. 47, 65, 535 P.2d 541 (1975). See Alyeska Pipeline Serv. v. Wilderness Soc., 421 U.S. 240, 247, 95 S.Ct. 1612, 1616, 44 L.Ed.2d 141 (1975); 6 Moore's Federal Practice ¶ 54.78[1] (2d ed 1990) (stating the rule). Oregon courts follow this American rule. See, e.g., Lewis v. Dept. of Rev., 294 Or. 139, 142, 653 P.2d 1265 (1982); Riedel v. First National Bank, 287 Or. 285, 290-91, 598 P.2d 302 (1979); Hughes v. Bembry, 256 Or. 172, 177-78, 470 P.2d 151 (1970). From time to time, the Oregon legislature has created a number of exceptions to this rule for particular classes of cases. [4] ORS 20.105(1), for example, is one provision allowing for the award of attorney fees based on the misconduct of the opposing party or attorney.