Wells Fargo Bank National Association v. Alton Way LLC et al

Filing 27

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge R David Proctor on 8/25/2014. (AVC)

FILED
2014 Aug-25 PM 01:53
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,
Plaintiff,
v.
ALTON WAY, et al.,
Defendants.

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Case No.: 2:13-CV-1512-RDP

MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the court on Plaintiff’s Motion for Default Judgment (Doc. # 22),
filed by Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (“Plaintiff”) on April 17, 2014 against Defendants
Alton Way, LLC and Starbridg Construction Co., LLC (collectively “Defendants”). After the
Clerk’s Entry of Default (Doc. # 21), Plaintiff now seeks a Rule 55(b) default judgment for the
full relief sought in the Complaint (Doc. # 1) in the amount of $293,042.54, representing
$282,933.61 due under the loan and attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $10,108.93. (Doc.
# 22). For the reasons outlined below, the current Motion (Doc. # 22) is due to be GRANTED.
Rule 55(b) states in relevant part:
(b) Entering a Default Judgment.
(1) By the Clerk. If the plaintiff’s claim is for a sum certain or for a sum which
can be made certain by computation, the clerk--on the plaintiff’s request, with an
affidavit showing the amount due--must enter judgment for that amount and costs
against a defendant who has been defaulted for not appearing and who is neither a
minor or incompetent person.
(2) By the Court. In all other cases, the party must apply to the court for a default
judgment. A default judgment may be entered against a minor or incompetent
person only if represented by a general guardian, conservator, or other like
fiduciary who has appeared. If the party against whom a default judgment is
sought has appeared personally or by a representative, that party or its
representative must be served with written notice of the application at least 7 days

before the hearing. The court may conduct hearings or make referrals--preserving
any federal statutory right to a jury trial--when, to enter or effectuate judgment, it
needs to:
(A) conduct an accounting;
(B) determine the amount of damages;
(C) establish the truth of any allegation by evidence; or
(D) investigate any other matter.
Fed.R.Civ.P. 55(b)(1),(2).
Although this court permits the Clerk of Court to enter default when appropriate pursuant
to Rule 55(a),1 it is the practice of the judges of this court to reserve all decisions about the entry
of a Rule 55(b) default judgment for the discretion of the particular judge to which the case is
assigned, even when Rule 55(b)(1) permits the Clerk of Court to enter a default judgment
because the plaintiff's claim against a defendant is for a sum certain or for a sum which can by
computation be made certain. Thus, Plaintiff's motion for default judgment in this case is
properly before the undersigned.
The court finds the requirements of Rule 55(b)(2) are satisfied in this case. Defendant
Starbridg Construction Co., Inc., was duly served with Summons and Complaint on November
12, 2013, by process server evidenced by a Proof of Service filed on November 13, 2013 (Doc. #
11). Defendant Alton Way, LLC, was served with Summons and Complaint on February 20,
2014, by process server evidenced by a Proof of Service filed on February 24, 2013 (Doc. # 18).
Defendants failed to plead, answer, or otherwise defend as to the Complaint. Default was
entered by the Clerk of the Court on April 15, 2014. (Doc. # 21).

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Rule 55(a) provides: “When a party against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is sought has failed to
plead or otherwise defend as provided by these rules and that fact is made to appear by affidavit or otherwise, the
clerk shall enter the party's default.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a).

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According to the Complaint, Plaintiff seeks the full amount due under the terms of the
loan and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. (Doc. # 1). In its current Motion, Plaintiff
apparently seeks the amount of $293,042.54, representing $282,933.61 due under the loan and
attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $10,108.93. (Doc. # 22). Plaintiff’s Complaint alleges
that Defendants failed to satisfy certain obligations of an outstanding loan between the parties,
allegations which are accepted as established due to Defendants’ default.
The case law is clear that a judgment by default may only be entered without a hearing if
“the amount claimed is a liquidated sum or one capable of mathematical calculation.” United
States Artist Corp. v. Freeman, 605 F.2d 854, 857 (5th Cir. 1979) (citations omitted). With its
current Motion (Doc. # 22), Plaintiff has provided the court with two detailed affidavits which
incorporate (and authenticate) supporting documents and establish the necessary facts regarding
the amount due and owing under the loan. (Docs. # 22-1 and # 22-2). Damages may be awarded
if the record adequately reflects the basis for such an award through “a hearing or a
demonstration by detailed affidavits establishing the necessary facts.” Adolph Coors Co. v.
Movement Against Racism & the Klan, 777 F.2d 1538, 1544 (11th Cir. 1985) (citations omitted).
Therefore, Plaintiff is entitled to an award of $282,933.61, the amount due under the loan at
issue.
However, the Plaintiff has not yet presented sufficient evidence to support the
reasonableness of its request for attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $10,108.93. Because
the court finds that the present record alone does not support entry of an award as to attorney’s
fees and cost, an evidentiary hearing may be necessary. Therefore, on or before Friday,
August 29, 2014, Plaintiff SHALL file evidence supporting their request for reasonable
attorneys’ fees and costs, including: counsels’ hourly rate(s) in the case, the number of hours

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billed in the case, and a description of work completed. Only material revealing privileged
attorney-client or work product information may be redacted. All other information must be
presented on the record and not under seal. Plaintiff’s Motion for Default Judgment (Doc. # 22)
is RESET for an evidentiary hearing at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2014, in
courtroom 7A of the Hugo L. Black U.S. Courthouse, 1729 Fifth Avenue North, Birmingham,
Alabama.
The Clerk of the Court is DIRECTED to SERVE a copy of this memorandum opinion
on all Defendants at their addresses of record.
DONE and ORDERED this August 25, 2014.

_________________________________
R. DAVID PROCTOR
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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