Opinion ID: 2498924
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Gendler's Attorney Fees

Text: ¶ 45 The prevailing party in an action against a state agency to obtain access to a public record is entitled to costs, including reasonable attorney fees. RCW 42.56.550(4). Attorney fees incurred on appeal are included in this provision. PAWS, 125 Wash.2d at 271, 884 P.2d 592. To be awarded attorney fees or expenses on review before this court, the party must make the request in its opening brief. RAP 18.1(b). Additionally, Requests made at the Court of Appeals will be considered as continuing requests at the Supreme Court. Id. Because we affirm both the trial court and Court of Appeals, Gendler is the prevailing party in this action to obtain access to a public record. Gendler also specifically requested his attorney fees and costs in his opening brief at the Court of Appeals. See Br. of Resp't at 40. Accordingly, we hereby award Gendler his reasonable attorney fees and costs, to be determined by the commissioner or clerk in accordance with RAP 14.6.