Trial Court Made Some Reasonable Reductions From $287,612 Request.
In Riverisland Cold Storage, Inc. v. Fresno-Madera Production Credit Assn., Case No. F069366 (5th Dist. Sept. 28, 2015) (unpublished), the trial court and Fifth District got to deal with the prevailing party’s fee request after winning an important parol evidence issue before the California Supreme Court and then ultimately prevailing at the trial level.
Ultimately, the prevailing party requested fees of $287,612. The trial judge awarded $245,920.50, reducing for (1) purely clerical/secretarial work, (2) excessive time in some areas, and (3) duplicative time in some areas. The appellate court affirmed, finding that the lower court did not have to reduce fees for unsuccessful interim appeals and that the reductions by the trial judge were reasonable/no abuse of discretion.