Opinion ID: 884701
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Did the District Court err when it refused Simmons' post-trial request for attorney fees?

Text: ¶ 41 Simmons sought approximately $900,000 in attorney fees, post-trial, based upon the request by Wells Fargo for attorney fees in its pleadings. It is undisputed that the Pretrial Order contained no reference to attorney fees. There is also no indication that the issue of attorney fees was raised during trial. Under § 28-3-704, MCA, Simmons argues that attorney fees should be reciprocal and awarded. Wells Fargo cites Naftco Leasing v. Finalco, Inc. (1992), 254 Mont. 89, 835 P.2d 728, as controlling when attorney fees are not contained or implicit in the pretrial order. Again, we cannot find the District Court abused its discretion by denying the request since it was not contained in the Pretrial Order, and, thus, not before the court. Nentwig v. United Industry, Inc. (1992), 256 Mont. 134, 845 P.2d 99; Ducham v. Tuma (1994), 265 Mont. 436, 440, 877 P.2d 1002, 1005.