Opinion ID: 852353
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Reduction of Attorney Fees Requested by Powell

Text: Powell contends that the trial court abused its discretion in awarding attorney fees in an amount less than what Powell requested. Powell requested $214,630.08 in fees and expenses, including supplemental fees incurred post-trial. In support of this request, Powell submitted itemized billing statements from his attorneys and their support staff, receipts for litigation expenses, affidavits of his attorneys detailing their qualifications, and the affidavits of four attorneys stating that the requested fees and hourly rates were reasonable. On the morning of the fees hearing, GCSC submitted the affidavit of a local attorney apparently stating that the hourly rates requested by Powell's attorneys were too high. After considering the parties' submissions, the trial court awarded attorney fees of $125,000, an amount which Powell contends is too low. The appropriate amount of attorney fees depends on a number of factors including the skill and experience of the attorney, the extent of effort required, and the amounts in dispute. Based on the limited record before us we cannot say the trial court's resolution of this issue was an abuse of discretion.