Lower Court Did Not Abuse Discretion, Awarding Only About Half Of Requested $481,250.15.
In a case with some intrigue in it, including allegations that the non-prevailing party threatened key third-party witnesses (former workers) so as to lead to sanctions, the prevailing party in Toyota Motor Credit Corp. v. Pacifica Systems Integration Group, Case Nos. B228518/B230282 (2d Dist., Div. 2 July 25, 2012) (unpublished) was awarded $250,000 in fees (out of a requested $481,250.15) based on a fees clause in a master services agreement between the two warring sides.
Losing defendant’s appeal of the fee award did not result in any change in result, except that plaintiff will likely get some more fees for its successful appellate work. The appellate court had no trouble finding the fee award reasonable where the lower court found the litigation to be difficult and the work by plaintiff’s attorneys excellent, but reduced it for excessive fees and billed hours.
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