Opinion ID: 877126
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Fees Awarded to Two Attorneys

Text: The State finally contends that it was improper to award Helehan attorney fees for Daniels and also for Engel. The State contends that Helehan is entitled to be paid for but one attorney, and that award must be made either on the basis of Daniels' work or Engel's work, but not both. The State's position cannot be sustained. The Constitutional provision protecting landowners in condemnation cases commands that all reasonable, necessary expenses of litigation be paid to the prevailing landowner. Engel's services to Helehan were certainly necessary in the period of time that he represented Helehan in the condemnation proceedings. Likewise, after Engel withdrew as Helehan's attorney, the services provided by M.K. Daniels were likewise a necessary expense of litigation, for which Helehan as the prevailing party is entitled to recover. The work done by Daniels did not overlap that done by Engel, except insofar as it may have been necessary for Daniels to acquaint himself with his client's case. We see no prejudice to the State on this point, nor do we find substance in the contention that an award may be made only to one attorney in this case. Accordingly, we affirm the District Court's award of witness fees to Rowley and Everly, and we reduce the amount of attorney fees allowed for the services of M.K. Daniels to $3,350.00. We remand the cause to the District Court for an evidentiary hearing on the value of the services rendered by Engel to Helehan in the condemnation case, for which value an award shall be made by the District Court to Helehan. Costs to Helehan. HASWELL, C.J., and DALY and SHEA, JJ., concur.