Court Opinion

ID: 9946437
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-02-29 18:23:32.938364+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:25:21.675727
License: Public Domain

STATE OF VERMONT
SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL DIVISION
Windsor Unit Docket No. 438-10-17 Wrey
LYMAN HALL, INC.,
Plaintiff
Vv.
DAVID STEINHARDT,

Defendant

FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, AND ORDER

Based on the credible evidence, the Court makes the following Findings of Fact
and Conclusions of Law.

Findings of Fact

Lyman Hall, Inc. is a corporation organized in 1976 that owns a 138-acre parce]
of land'in Rochester. On an 11-acre portion of the land known as Quarry Hill, there are

David Steinhardt began residing at Quarry Hill in 1988 without an ownership
interest and in 2003, Mr. Steinhardt purchased one of the houses, which is apparently a
duplex. When he did, he signed a Site Agreement governing the respective); ights and

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obligations between himself and Lyman Hall, Inc. Mr. McFarlin Signed the gr. cee on

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behalf of the landowner Lyman Hall, Inc. as its President, MAiy d
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Under the Site Agreement, Mr. Steinhardt has the right to keep his house on the
property for a period of 40 years and to use services such as roads, parking, the water
supply, and sewage disposal, and to have access to electrical services. He is obligated to
pay a monthly fee that was originally $250 per month, but increased to $280 per month as
of January 1, 2013, and to pay town property taxes on his own house. There are specified
land use restrictions, including prohibitions against excessive noise and keeping
dangerous animals as well as other terms. Lyman Hall, Inc. is obligated to pay property
taxes on the overall land, maintain necessary land permits, maintain the sewage disposal
and water systems, provide plowing and mowing and garbage removal, and fulfill various
other obligations. The Site Agreement specifies procedures upon a homeowner’s default
in obligations and a provision for dispute resolution.’

For approximately 10 years, Mr. Steinhardt paid the monthly fee without incident.
In 2013, he began to experience financial difficulties, and made multiple late payments.
By 2014, he had caught up and paid ahead. In 2015, he fell behind again. Mr.
Steinhardt’s primary work was editing books for college professors and this work had
dried up. He was under personal financial stress. By the end of 2015, he had made
payments only through March of 2015.

In February of 2016, Mr. Steinhardt emailed Mr. McFarlin about his financial
difficulties. He stated that he had job interviews yet no job offers, but that he hoped to
catch up by the end of the year. His personal financial stress had increased.

On April 21, an incident began that disrupted the relationship between Mr.
Steinhardt and the McFarlins. On the death of the musician Prince, which was also the
20" anniversary of the suicide of a close friend, Mr. Steinhardt played Prince music in his
house. Bruce Marshall, who lived in the other part of the duplex, complained to Ms.
McFarlin about excessive noise. Mr. Steinhardt and Mr. Marshall had a telephone
conversation over the issue, after which Mr. Marshall struck their shared wall, resulting
in some damage to Mr. Steinhardt’s bathroom wall. Ms. McFarlin contacted Mr.
Steinhardt about the situation as part of her responsibilities as a Director and Officer of
Lyman Hall, Inc. She suggested that he not play music so loud. He claimed that the .
music had not been loud and took offense that she appeared to side with Mr. Marshail.

Ms. MeFarlin undertook efforts to resolve the conflict between Mr. Steinhardt and
Mr. Marshall through multiple emails, starting on April 22 and continuing the next few
days. She was concerned that they would injure each other, and proposed that they go to
mediation. When her suggestion was not accepted, she shifted to recommending that
both Mr. Steinhardt and Mr. Marshall call Mr. McFarlin.

‘Mr. Steinhardt did not take kindly to Ms. McFarlin’s efforts and saw them as an
attempt to meddle in his affairs. On April 22 he wrote to her that Lyman Hall need have

no role,” although he continued mutual emails after that, On April 23 at 3:27hefgtotesT
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! This is a brief summary of provisions pertinent to this case; the Agreeirient, consists 6fo

11 single-spaced pages.

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only ask to be left alone. I now demand to be left alone.” Later that evening, she again
emailed him and asked him to “communicate with Brion.” The next day, April 24, he
wrote, “Again, I ask you not contact me in any fashion.” At this point, Mr. McFarlin
became involved and instructed Mr. Steinhardt to contact only him and not to
communicate further with Ms. McFarlin. ,

On April 25, 2016, the fifth day of the ongoing incident, hostility between Mr.
Steinhardt and Mr. McFarlin boiled over. Mr. McFarlin tried to contact Mr. Steinhardt
multiple times. Mr. Steinhardt called Mr. McFarlin and shouted at him and called him an
a . Despite Mr. Steinhardt’s instruction to Mr. McFarlin not to contact him, but
Mr. McFarlin continued to call to try to talk to Mr. Steinhardt. When he got no answer,
he left a voicemail and then made several successive phone calls in quick succession,
leaving a series of voice mails. Mr. Steinhardt considered this to be harassing behavior
that invaded his privacy as he had said not to contact him. This series of events
transpired over five days during Passover, which is celebrated by Mr. Steinhardt, and was
upsetting to him, and is the basis for some of his counterclaims. Shortly after the day of
the repeated phone calls, Mr. McFarlin sent Mr. Steinhardt an email about past due site
fees. In response, Mr. Steinhardt made a payment of $388 toward arrears, This was the
last payment he made.

The next event of note occurred a year later, in April of 2017. Mr. McFarlin
prepared and sent to Mr. Steinhardt by certified mail 5 notices of default. Each of the 5
letters corresponded with nonpayment of site fees for a specific month in a prior year,
specifically: Nov 2015, Dec 2015, Jan 2016, Feb 2016, and March 2016. When Mr.
Steinhardt went to the post office, he saw that there were certified letters in his post office
box, but he did not pick them up or sign for them, and they were returned to Mr.
McFarlin.

Section 10 if the Site Agreement is entitled “Default” and section (a) provides as
follows:

In the event Houseowner fails to

(i) comply with the requirements of this Agreement, the Landowner
may give written notice of the non-compliance to the Houseowner
at any time up to one hundred eighty (180) days after Landowner
first learns of the occurrence of the non-compliance (a “Notice of
Default”). Upon the giving of such Notice of Default, the
Houseowner shall take prompt actions to correct the default
described in the Notice of Default. If the default is cured within 10
days. .. [nonpertinent provision omitted] Houseowner’s rights

under this Agreement shall not be disturbed. If, however, ff ~
Houseowner is in default of the same obligation three times in any*<_,, APs
consecutive twelve month period, then Houseowner’s right to 44, A
reinstate this Agreement shall expire and be of no force ongteets ¢ eo 19
and thereafter Houseowner shall have no right to reinstate this’ Pye ay
Agreement; and Sere he (tie,
(ii) cure the default described in the Notice of Default, Houseowner
shall be deemed to be in default of this Agreement, and Landowner
shall give Houseowner a written Notice of Termination of this
Agreement and the Agreement shall be deemed terminated and all
of Houseowner’s rights hereunder shall expire and become of no
further force or effect, but Houseowner shall not be relieved of and
shall continue to be liable for any obligation that shall have
accrued prior to the termination.

Section 21 of the Site Agreement is entitled “Dispute Resolution” and provides as
follows:

In the event of a dispute or controversy arising out of or in any way
relating to the subject matter of this Agreement, the parties will use their
good faith efforts to resolve such dispute or controversy within 30 days
and without resorting to litigation, such efforts to include good faith
negotiations and participation in mediation. If such efforts are
unsuccessful, the parties agree to have any remaining dispute or
controversy resolved by binding arbitration. The prevailing party (as
determined by the arbitrator) in any such arbitration shall recover from the
other party all costs, disbursements and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred
in connection therewith. . . .[non-pertinent material omitted].

In each of the 5 letters, Mr. McFarlin stated that the letter “serves as a Notice of
Default .. .” and “per section 21 (Dispute Resolution) of the site agreement, as a notice
that mediation, followed by binding arbitration if necessary, is needed to resolve this
issue.”

On April 27, 2017, “Aaron,” “Trevor,” and others showed up and bulldozed an
area in front of Mr. Steinhardt’s site. “Trevor” was at the wheel of the tractor. Mr.
Steinhardt believes that they were there as agents of Lyman Hall, Inc. to intimidate him.
There is no evidence, other than Mr. Steinhardt’s suspicions, to support this. There is no
specific evidence about exactly what was done or its purpose, or where the bulldozing —
occurred in relation to Mr. Steinhardt’s home.

As of June 3, 2017, Mr. Steinhardt had not read the letters. On June 3, 2017, Mr.
McFarlin wrote another letter to Mr. Steinhardt in which he enclosed copies of the 5 prior
Notice of Default letters. He further wrote, “Please review Site agreement Section? ”s ee
10(a)(i); since you have been in default on the site fee more than 3 times in the Be ij é£ £ >,
twelve months your right to reinstate this agreement has expired. Per site agreem we
section 12 (Dispute Resolution) this letter serves as notice that mediation followed

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binding arbitration, if necessary, is needed to resolve this issue.’ aes i Org
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Mr. Steinhardt opened the letter on June 17, 2017. The next day, June 18, 20197" ep
Mr. McFarlin knocked on Mr. Steinhardt’s door and delivered another envelope with a
similar letter dated June 2, 2017 again containing photocopies of the 5 prior Notice of

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Default letters. During the interaction, both men attempted to make a video recording of
the other on cell phones or other electronic devices, but otherwise there was no conflict.
Mr. McFarlin left without incident.

On June 29, 2017, Lyman Hall, Inc.’s attorney wrote a letter that was served on
Mr. Steinhardt on July 1, 2017 by constable. It claimed that “your default in excess of
three times in a 12 month period has voided the Agreement, allowing us to immediately
file a foreclosure action in Vermont Superior Court,” and demanding arbitration pursuant
to the Site Agreement.”

On July 28, 2017, Mr. Steinhardt wrote a letter in response in which he claimed
an “exemption” from mediation and arbitration and stated that he intended to assert
counterclaims and seek punitive damages.

On July 31,2017, Mr. Steinhardt took a video of Mr. McFarlin in which he claims
that Mr. McFarlin behaved in a physically abusive manner toward a third person, and
then tried to intimidate Mr. Steinhardt into giving up the video. The evidence about this

entire incident is not sufficiently specific for the court to find intimidation on the part of
Mr. McFarlin.

In September and October, Mr. McFarlin burned material in a-fire pit on the
property. The material consisted of lumber from razed cabins, furniture, and “stuff” from
the farmhouse. Mr. Steinhardt claims that it was toxic and done deliberately to interfere
with his rights to enjoy property. Mr. McFarlin claims that the material was not toxic.
The evidence shows that some of the burned furniture had metal parts, but the court does
not have evidence that the material burned was toxic. It is unknown exactly how far
away the burn pile was from Mr. Steinhardt’s home.

There is a pile of remains of a derelict cabin somewhere in the vicinity of Mr.
Steinhardt’s home. He says it is 15 to 20 feet away. He faults Lyman Hall, Inc. for not
removing it. These remains were located on the property at the time Mr. Steinhardt
purchased his home in 2003.

On October 6, 2017, Plaintiff filed this suit, initially seeking binding arbitration
pursuant to the Dispute Resolution provision of the Site Agreement. Mr. Steinhardt filed
an answer stating that he did not wish to go to arbitration and he asserted, counterclaims.
Plaintiff filed a motion to amend the complaint to remove the request £6 Epingtign and

proceed to litigation, and the motion was granted. 7 P}
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2 Despite the statements in the June 3rd and June 29th letters that Mr. Steiitard sights
under the Site Agreement had expired, Plaintiff has not pursued that relief in this case. In
fact, Lyman Hall, Inc. has continued to provide services to the present, and seeks as relief
only a money judgment for unpaid site fees.
Mr. Steinhardt claims that the notices he received were not proper because they
contained improper content. Specifically, he claims that the demands to go to mediation
and, if necessary, arbitration, were “unlawful content.” Nonetheless, he does not dispute
liability for the site fees. As of October 31, 2018, the amount of arrears was $9,520.
With the addition of fees for November and December, the total amount due as of
December 31, 2018 is $10,080.

Mr. Steinhardt has rented out a room in his house on AirBnB at least 65 times,
and received approximately $4,000-5,000 in income. There are 59 reviews that show that
he is a “Superhost.” He rates 5 stars as a host and the reviews contain many positive
comments.

Conclusions of Law
Plaintiffs’ Claim for Unpaid Monthly Fees for Property Services

The evidence reflects and Defendant concedes that he has not complied with the
obligation to pay monthly property service fees and he does not dispute the amount
claimed by Plaintiff. Accordingly, the Court concludes that Plaintiff is entitled to recover
$10,080 for unpaid site fees through December 31, 2018.

Defendant's Counterclaims

Defendant asserts six counterclaims based on the conduct of Mr. McFarlin and
Ms. McFarlin against him in their capacities as officers and directors of Lyman Hail, Inc.
Mr. Steinhardt has proved that all behavior in evidence on the part of both McFarlins was
done in their capacities as officers and directors and on behalf of Lyman Hall, Inc. Any
_ claim must be proved by a preponderance of the evidence. -

1. Defendants’ Claim of Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

There are three necessary elements for such a claim: (1) the conduct must be
extreme and outrageous, (2) it must be done intentionally or with reckless disregard of
the probability of causing emotional distress, and (3) it must result in suffering of
extreme emotional distress. Denton v Chittenden Bank, 163 Vt. 62 (1994). “The conduct
must be ‘so outrageous in character, and so extreme in degree, as to go beyond all
possible bounds of decency, and... . be regarded as atrocious, and utterly intolerable inte. ry
civilized community.’” Jd. at 66 (quoting Restatement (Second) of Torts § 46 cmt. d): é i ey

The Court cannot conclude that Mr. Steinhardt has met the requisite burden sty g
proof on these elements. A conflict clearly developed between Mr. Steinhardt anid the, Se O19
McFarlins, and Mr. McFarlin in particular, during the five days in late April of 201655 set "G; ur We
However, it included provocation by Mr. Steinhardt himself when he shouted at Mr. yp Ry
McFarlin over the phone and used a nasty epithet. Mr. McFarlin’s conduct in leaving
repeated successive unwelcome voicemail messages, while inappropriate, was not
extreme or outrageous so as to meet the high bar of “atrocious and utterly intolerable”
conduct. Denton, 163 Vt. at 66.

Additionally, while Mr. Steinhardt no doubt suffered emotional distress during
that period, the evidence shows it had several causes: personal financial distress,
emotional reaction to the death of Prince and the anniversary of the suicide of a friend,
and the conflict with Mr. Marshall, including Mr. Marshall having smashed his wall. As
such, the Court is unable to conclude that any emotional distress suffered by Defendant
resulted from the acts of Plaintiffs.

In any event, the evidence does not support Mr. Steinhardt’s claim that they were
intentionally trying to cause him stress. As set forth in the findings, Ms. McFarlin sent
multiple emails to Mr. Steinhardt after conflict erupted between him and Mr. Marshall
stemming from Mr. Steinhardt’s playing the music of Prince in April 2016. In similar
fashion, Mr. McFarlin clearly did call Mr. Steinhardt several times in quick succession on
April 25, 2016 and left multiple voicemails after Mr. Steinhardt had told him that that he
did not wish to be contacted, and such conduct was clearly intentional. However, the
evidence is credible that the McFarlins sought to communicate with Mr. Steinhardt in
exercising their responsibilities to minimize conflict between residents at Quarry Hill—
specifically between Mr. Steinhardt and Mr. Marshall—and not because of animosity
towards Mr. Steinhardt or an attempt to cause him stress.

Mr. Steinhardt’s argument that the sending of Notices of Default by Mr.
McFarlin amounted to intentional infliction of emotional distress is not supported by the
evidence. The sending of such notices was a legal act entirely justified by the terms of
the Site Agreement in light of Mr. Steinhardt’s nonpayment of site fees. It does not
constitute extreme and outrageous conduct going “beyond all possible bounds of
decency.” Id.

With respect to the other events relied on by Mr. Steinhardt, intentional conduct
has not been proved. Mr. Steinhardt asserts as intentional conduct causing him extreme
emotional distress the bulldozing in front of his house, Mr. McFarlin’s attempt to
intimidate him to give up a video Mr. Steinhardt had made of Mr. McFarlin’s conduct,
and burning of toxic material in a fire pit near his home. Mr. Steinhardt has not proved
that when Trevor and others did bulldozing in front of Mr. Steinhardt’s property in April
of 2017, they were doing so as authorized agents of Lyman Hill, Inc. or that the activity
was done with an antagonistic purpose.

As to Mr. McFarlin’s alleged conduct in intimidating Mr. Steinhardt after Mr.
Steinhardt had videotaped Mr. McFarlin, there is simply a lack of specific evidence about
exactly what occurred during that interchange. The burden of proof of showing that Mr.

McFarlin’s conduct was deliberately intimidating has not been met. ~
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Similarly, there is insufficient proof that the burning of material in the firepit was PY

done in a manner intended to antagonize Mr. Steinhardt or interfere with his exjgyment“+"
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of his property, or that the material burned was toxic. There is also no evidence that the
remains of the derelict cabin interfere with his use and enjoyment of his home.

Thus, the Court concludes that Defendant has failed to meet his burden as to each
of these claims.

2. Defendants’ Claim of Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress

Traditionally, such a claim required the plaintiff to be in the presence of physical
injury. The Vermont Supreme Court might, in the future, allow such a claim in the
absence of physical injury if the following elements are proved: (1) the defendant has a
relationship with the plaintiff, or has undertaken an obligation to the plaintiff, of a nature
that necessarily implicates the plaintiff's emotional well-being; (2) there is an especially
likely risk that the defendant’s negligence would cause serious emotional distress to the
plaintiff; and (3) negligent actions or omissions of the defendant in breach of that
obligation have, in fact, caused serious emotional distress to the plaintiff. Vincent v.
DeVries, 2013 VT 34, § 18, 193 Vt. 574, 583.

Mr. Steinhardt has not shown the kind of special relationship that would allow
this cause of action to be recognized in Vermont absent physical injury. In this case, the
relationship between Mr. Steinhardt and the McFarlins is established by the terms of the
Site Agreement. This agreement sets forth rights and obligations related to property
interests and resolution of conflicts over those interests. No terms call for Lyman Hall,
Inc. to undertake responsibility for Mr. Steinhardt’s emotional well-being. He is
_ therefore unable to prevail on this claim.

3. Defendants’ Claim for Invasion of Privacy

The elements of this claim are: (1) substantial, intentional intrusion upon the
solitude or seclusion of another, or upon his private affairs or concerns, that (2) would be
highly offensive to a reasonable person. Harris v. Carbonneau, 165 Vt. 433, 439 (1996).

Mr. Steinhardt has proved that on April 25, 2016, he told Mr. McFarlin not to call
him again, and that despite the request, Mr. McFarlin called him several times.in quick
succession, leaving voicemails each time. The Court concludes this conduct was
intentional and constituted an intrusion into his privacy that Mr. McFarlin knew or should
have known was unwelcome. Any reasonable person would find it highly offensive to-
have told someone not to call again, only to have the telephone continue to ring multiple
times with unwanted voicemail messages left each time.

On the other hand, the Court does not find Mr. McFarlin’s personaldelivery of a
Notice of Default letter to Mr. Steinhardt in person at his residence on J ufo’ P8720 17 to
constitute an invasion of privacy. Notice was called for in the Site Agreement.ly PS
McFarlin was there for a legitimate legal purpose. When Mr. Steinhardtpened the‘dobr,
he delivered the letter and left. While both men attempted to take Vidgo, of each other,
under these circumstances there was no intrusion upon solitude or seclusfon:, ~

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Mr. Steinhardt has proved this cause of action only as to the phone calls on April
25, 2016. As to damages, the time period was brief, and the conduct did not occur again,
even though the issue about nonpayment of site fees was ongoing for over another year.
Because of the minimal impact, the Court awards damages in the nominal amount of $50,

4. Defendant’s Claim for Deceit/Fraudulent Misrepresentation

To establish fraudulent misrepresentation, one must show a misrepresentation by
(a) a false statement, known to be false by the one who made the statement, or by (b)
concealment of facts by one who has a duty to disclose those facts. See Estate of Alden v.
Dee, 2011 VT 64 4 32. 190 Vt. 401, 415; Fayette v. Ford Motor Credit Co., 129 Vt. 505,
510 (1971). The misrepresentation must further be relied on by the plaintiff in acting or
refraining from action, and the reliance must be justifiable. Sugarline Assocs. V. Alpen
Assocs., 155 Vt 437, 445 (1990).

Mr. Steinhardt claims that the statements in the April 2017 Notice of Default
letters that “mediation, followed by binding arbitration if necessary, is needed to resolve
this issue” are fraudulent misrepresentations. As quoted above, the Site Agreement
called for resolution of disputes by mediation, followed by arbitration if necessary.
Whether prerequisites needed to be completed first, such as a time period to cure, does
not make the statement a false one. In any event, no such statement was relied on by Mr.
Steinhardt, as he interpreted .the Site Agreement for himself. The evidence does not
support proof of any of the elements of this cause of action.

5. Defendant’s Claim for Abuse of Process

Abuse of process is proved with evidence that shows: (1) an illegal, improper or
unauthorized use of a court process; (2) an ulterior motive or ulterior purpose; and (3)
resulting damage to the plaintiff. Jacobsen v. Garzo, 149 Vt. 205, 208 (1988).

Here, the court process used by Plaintiff was the filing of the instant action where
the original complaint requested an order compelling arbitration, which is what the
parties had agreed to in the Site Agreement in the event of a dispute. By the time the suit
was filed in October of 2017, Mr. Steinhardt had received several notices of default and
had sufficient opportunity to cure the default. He had also indicated in his letter of July
28, 2017 that he declined to participate in arbitration and that he was asserting claims
against Lyman Hall, Inc. There was clearly a dispute, and it was proper for Lyman Hall,
Inc. to invoke the court process to compel arbitration, or, alternatively, litigation n, to
resolve the parties’ disputes. Mr. Steinhardt has not proved that the filing OF th ns case
was an abuse of process. wed yy i
6. Defendant's Claim for Private Nuisance Blea VP C09
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Three elements must be proved to establish a claim for private nuisangeé: ian,
interference with the use and enjoyment of another’s property; (2) the interference is

unreasonable, and (3) the interference is substantial: Myrick v. Peck Elec. Co., 2017 VT
494, 204 Vt. 128, 131.

In this case, Mr. Steinhardt fails to point to any evidence that either the burning in
the fire pit or the failure to remove the remains of the derelict cabin have interfered in any
way with his use and enjoyment of his home. To the extent that Mr. Steinhardt offers
proof of the burning in the fire pit and the existence of the derelict cabin, in themselves, .
as evidence of diminished use and enjoyment of his home, the Court concludes that any
effect is neither substantial nor unreasonable.

7. Defendant's Claim for Exemplary Damages

The elements to be proved for exemplary or punitive damages in Vermont are: (1)
wrongful conduct that is outrageously reprehensible, and (2) malice, defined variously as
bad motive, ill will, personal spite or hatred, reckless disregard, and the like. Fly Fish
Vermont, Inc. v. Chapin Hill Estates, Inc., 2010 VT 33, 187 Vt..541.

Defendant has proved only the counterclaim for invasion of privacy. While the
elements were met, Defendant has failed to establish that the impact was more than
minimal. The necessary standard required for an additional award of exemplary or
punitive damages—outrageous conduct done with malice—has not been met. Thus, no
exemplary damages are awarded.

Attorneys’ Fees

Plaintiff requests attorrieys’ fees. Plaintiff shall have a period of time to file a
specific request for attorneys’ fees supported by time and billing records and a
memorandum about the legal basis for fees under the circumstances of this case.
Defendant shall have two weeks to file an objection to the request. The Court will then
issue a ruling on the request.

Order
Plaintiff's counsel shall submit a request for attorneys’ fees as described above no

later than January 21,2019. Defendant shall have fourteen days after the request is filed
to file any objections.

Dated this Bid bay of January, 2019.

Hon. M@yy Miles Teachout Us EY

Superior Judge

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