$13,799 Award Out Of Requested $22,431–No Problem!
Plaintiff lost a SLAPP motion in a malicious prosecution-dominated suit, with the trial court awarding defendant $13,799 in attorney’s fees (out of a requested $22,431). Plaintiff appealed both the merits and attorney’s fees award in Drumea v. 1300 N. Curson Investors LLC, Case Nos. B259733/B261353 (2d Dist., Div. 4 Dec. 10, 2015) (unpublished).
Plaintiff lost on appeal.
Her appeal on the merits was untimely. Although the fee challenge was timely, it did not win on the merits. The trial court found that a 40-year real estate/business attorney in Los Angeles charging $595 per hour was charging a reasonable rate. However, the trial judge’s discount for work unrelated to the SLAPP motion was sustained, but that showed why the overall award was just fine.
BLOG HOWDY—The attorney winning the SLAPP motion was James Goldman. Co-contributor Mike worked with him at Kadison Pfaelzer Woodard Quinn & Rossi when he first practiced in Los Angeles. Congratulations, Jim.