Opinion ID: 2637904
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Attorney's Fees and Costs of Collection

Text: [¶ 21] Wyoming subscribes to the American rule regarding recovery of attorneys' fees. Under the American rule, each party is generally responsible for his own attorneys' fees. A prevailing party may, however, be reimbursed for his attorneys' fees when express statutory or contractual authorization exists for such an award. Cline v. Rocky Mountain, Inc., 998 P.2d 946, 949 (Wyo.2000) (citations omitted). In this case, as determined by the trial court, Ms. Woodcock clearly prevailed, and the standard contract terms provided for the award of the attorney's fees and costs incurred to collect the underlying debt should such become necessary, as it obviously did. To determine the reasonableness of the attorney's fees award, Wyoming employs the two-factor federal lodestar test. Cline, 998 P.2d at 951; Johnston v. Stephenson, 938 P.2d 861, 862 (Wyo. 1997); see also Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-14-126(b) (LexisNexis 2001). These factors are: (1) whether the fee charged represents the product of reasonable hours times a reasonable rate; and (2) whether other factors of discretionary application should be considered to adjust the fee either upward or downward. Johnston, 938 P.2d at 862-63; see also Cline, 998 P.2d at 951. It follows therefrom that the trial court's determination concerning attorney's fees is reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard. Cowardin v. Finnerty, 994 P.2d 335, 337 (Wyo.1999); Johnston, 938 P.2d at 862. [¶ 22] Ms. Woodcock provided detailed time records and her attorney's affidavit to support the reasonableness of the fees and costs claimed. By decision letter dated June 14, 2000, the trial court gave careful consideration to the evidence supporting the request for attorney's fees and Ms. Schlesinger's objections to the award. From the language of the letter, it is clear the lodestar factors were considered although not specifically identified as such. This record adequately supports the court's award, and we can find no abuse of discretion.