Opinion ID: 1903751
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Regions Bank's Request for an Attorney Fee

Text: Regions Bank argues that the trial court erred in not awarding it an attorney fee as it requested in its complaint. The bank sought $22,404.19 for an attorney fee and, to support the reasonableness of the fee requested, attached to its summary-judgment motion the affidavit of Alan C. Christian. The Bank relies upon the language of the Lender's Rights clause in the promissory note (quoted supra ). In Lanier v. Moore-Handley, Inc., 575 So.2d 83, 85 (Ala.1991), this Court stated: In Alabama, in state law causes of action, attorney fees are recoverable as part of the costs of an action only where authorized by statute, when provided in a contract, or by special equity, such as a proceeding where the efforts of an attorney create a fund out of which fees may be paid. Reynolds v. First Alabama Bank of Montgomery, N.A., 471 So.2d 1238 (Ala.1985); Eagerton v. Williams, 433 So.2d 436 (Ala.1983); Shelby County Commission v. Smith, 372 So.2d 1092 (Ala.1979). The reasonableness of an attorney fee under a contract providing for the recovery of reasonable attorney fees is largely within the discretion of the trial court. Peebles v. Miley, 439 So.2d 137 (Ala.1983); see Irons v. Le Sueur, 487 So.2d 1352 (Ala. 1986); Mann v. Mann, 451 So.2d 783 (Ala.1984). This discretion is an `advised, just, judicial and revisable discretion in the light of the whole record. Dent v. Foy, 214 Ala. 243, 107 So. 210 (1925), Matthews v. Lytle, 220 Ala. 78, 124 So. 197 (1929).' Irons v. Le Sueur, supra at 1359. ` Though in reviewing the propriety of the fixation of such fees by the lower court, this court will be guided by its own judgment upon a consideration of the whole record, ... we make such review with a presumption in favor of the ruling of the court below and will not set aside its decree unless we are convinced that that court abused the discretion wisely vested in it.' Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union v. Poston, 460 So.2d 139, 141 (Ala.1984), quoting King v. Keith, 257 Ala. 463, 60 So.2d 47 (1952). (Citations omitted.) In Peebles v. Miley, supra , we set out the following 12 criteria that the trial court should consider in setting attorney fees: (1) the nature and value of the subject matter of the employment; (2) the learning, skill, and labor requisite to its proper discharge; (3) the time consumed; (4) the professional experience and reputation of the attorney; (5) the weight of his responsibilities; (6) the measure of success achieved; (7) the reasonable expenses incurred; (8) whether a fee is fixed or contingent; (9) the nature and length of a professional relationship; (10) the fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal services; (11) the likelihood that a particular employment may preclude other employment; and (12) the time limitations imposed by the client or by the circumstances. See Van Schaack v. AmSouth Bank, N.A., 530 So.2d 740 (Ala.1988); Irons v. Le Sueur, supra ; see also, Talb, Inc. v. Dot Dot Corp., 559 So.2d 1054 (Ala.1990). Although all of these criteria need not be met, they are available for the trial court to consider in connection with each claim for an award of attorney fees. Graddick v. First Farmers & Merchants National Bank of Troy, 453 So.2d 1305 (Ala.1984).  While we recognize that the reasonableness of an award of attorney fees is within the discretion of the trial court, subject to correction only for an abuse of discretion, we must be able to discern from the record what factors the trial court considered in determining the amount of attorney fees. Van Schaack v. AmSouth Bank, supra; Lolley v. Citizens Bank, 494 So.2d 19 (Ala.1986). (Emphasis added.) Because the trial court's order contains no findings in regard to its denial of Regions Bank's request for an attorney fee, this Court cannot discern from the record what factors the trial court considered in denying the request for an attorney fee. The note explicitly provides that in the event of the Borrower's default, the Borrower will pay the attorney fees incurred by the Lender in its efforts to collect. Therefore, we reverse the order denying an attorney fee and remand for the trial court to enter a new order directed toward the request for an attorney fee, supported by written findings consistent with the criteria set out in Peebles. 1992205AFFIRMED. 1992266REVERSED AND REMANDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS. SEE, BROWN, and STUART, JJ., concur. MOORE, C.J., concurs in the result.