Only The Arbitrator Had The Authority.
Claimant prevailed in an arbitration, but it failed to request attorney’s fees as required by AAA rules in claimant’s answering statement. The arbitrator refused to award fees based on this omission. Claimant then sought fees from the lower court when petitioning to confirm the award. The damages award was confirmed, but the superior court denied the request of claimant for $65,868 in fees. The appellate court, in Techna Land Co., Inc. v. 2733 SFLA, LLC, Case No. B343099 (2d Dist., Div. 4 Aug. 20, 2025) (unpublished), affirmed that only the arbitrator had authority to award fees such that the lower court properly found it had no jurisdiction to do so. (Corona v. Amherst Partners, 107 Cal.App.4th 701, 704, 706 (2003).)