Opinion ID: 2547527
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Lis Pendens and Attorney's Fees Award

Text: ¶ 8. On October 1, 2009, Greer filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, arguing that he was entitled to cancellation of the lis pendens and an award of attorney's fees. Prior to the hearing on Greer's motion, Hooker's counsel advised Greer's counsel that Hooker would not contest the cancellation of the lis pendens, but would oppose Greer's request for attorney's fees. On November 11, 2009, the day scheduled for hearing on Greer's motion for summary judgment, Hooker formally cancelled the lis pendens in the docket of the Carroll County Chancery Clerk. ¶ 9. At the summary judgment hearing, counsel for Greer argued that Greer was entitled to attorney's fees under the Litigation Accountability Act of 1988 (the LAA). [5] Greer's counsel argued that Hooker's improper filing of the lis pendens, as well as his denial of the lis pendens ' impropriety, formed the basis for an award of attorney's fees under the LAA. At the conclusion of the plaintiff's argument, Hooker's attorneys announced that they were not prepared to argue the issue of attorney's fees as arising under the LAA, and they requested additional time to respond. The court granted the request, and, on December 29, 2009, Hooker submitted a supplemental brief, along with supporting exhibits and affidavits, addressing the applicability of the LAA. ¶ 10. Hooker argued that the filing of a lis pendens was not an action, as that term is defined under the LAA. Hooker also argued that there was no evidence that he knew or reasonably should have known that his filing of the lis pendens was without substantial justification, as required by the LAA for awarding attorney's fees against a party acting pro se. [6] That said, counsel for Hooker, in the Answer to Greer's Complaint to Remove Cloud on Title, denied the impropriety of the lis pendens. Hooker's attorneys argued that they acted in a reasonable manner in contesting the complaint because they had not yet had time to fully investigate the facts surrounding the claim. Hooker's attorneys also argued they had timely notified Greer's counsel that the impropriety of the lis pendens would not be contested. Notwithstanding this concession, no actions were taken to dismiss the lis pendens until the day of the hearing on Greer's motion for summary judgment. ¶ 11. On March 22, 2010, the court issued a judgment granting Greer's motion and awarding Greer attorney's fees in the amount of $12, 794.88. [7] The court held that Hooker's filing of the lis pendens constituted a frivolous claim that was without substantial justification. As such, the court held that Hooker, individually, should be assessed attorney's fees. The court awarded Greer the attorney's fees he had incurred related to the lis pendens, through November 12, 2009. The court did not assess attorney's fees against Hooker's counsel.