Court Opinion

ID: 9716929
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 06:54:03.450112+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:50.113476
License: Public Domain

*37WAGNER, Chief Judge,
concurring:
I join in the opinion with the exception of Part III. B., with which I concur in part. Part III. B. of the opinion addresses Urban’s argument for reversal on the ground that “N & N failed to make a prima facie case as to the quantum of attorney’s fees which should have precluded submission of the matter to the jury.” Specifically, Urban claimed that the evidence was insufficient to show the amount of fees incurred or their reasonableness. See Auxier v. Kraisel, 466 A.2d 416, 420 (D.C.1983); Eureka Inv. Corp. N.V. v. Chicago Title Ins. Co., 240 U.S.App.D.C. 88, 98, 743 F.2d 932, 942 (1984). Reversing on the ground that the question of the amount of attorney’s fees to be awarded was for the court and not a jury,1 this court does not reach these issues. Since Urban never challenged the jury triability of the issue in the trial court or on appeal, I would not consider the question on appeal and reverse on that basis. See George Washington Univ. v. Waas, 648 A.2d 178, 182 n. 6 (D.C.1994) (failure to raise issue at trial and in brief on appeal normally precludes its consideration); District of Columbia v. Bethel, 567 A.2d 1331, 1334 (D.C.1990). However, I agree with the opinion of the court that, at least in cases where the prevailing party in a breach of contract action seeks an award of attorney’s fees pursuant to the contract sued upon, the determination of the amount of fees is for the court and not the jury. Kudon, supra note 1, 547 A.2d at 979; see also Ginberg v. Tauber, 678 A.2d 543, 552-553 (D.C. April 25, 1996) (Wagner, C.J., dissenting). Therefore, I agree that if the case is remanded, the issue should be decided by the court.

. See Kudon v. f.m.e. Corp., 547 A.2d 976 (D.C.1988).