Also, Mediation and Other Routine Costs Were Justified.
Landlord won damages, attorney’s fees, and routine costs against lease assignees in Town Square Properties v. Mansouri, Case No. B236871 (2d Dist., Div. 5 July 15, 2013) (unpublished). The fee award alone was $167,407.55 in favor of landlord, as well as routine costs for mediation fees, attorney service, and parking expenses of $3,256. Everything was affirmed on appeal.
The $3,256 routine costs were no abuse of discretion because mediation efforts are compensable if they encourage parties to resolve lawsuits such that they a necessary part of the litigation. (Gibson v. Bobroff, 49 Cal.App.4th 1202, 1209 (1996).)
Because a written lease necessarily included enforcement of assignment agreements (given that assignees are liable for rental obligations unless expressly released), the fees were “on the contract” under Civil Code section 1717.