KeyBank, National Association v. Clarke County Healthcare LLC et al

Filing 42

Order re: 41 Supplemental MOTION for Attorney Fees Against Defendant Resurgence Health Group LLC; 37 Supplemental MOTION for Attorney Fees to Motion for Default Judgment and 33 MOTION for Default Judgment as to Resurg ence Health Group LLC filed by KeyBank, National Association. DEFAULT JUDGMENT is hereby entered in favor of Plaintiff and against Resurgence Health Group, LLC for its breach of Guaranty and Master Lease Agreement, in the amount of $102, 941.08 (comprised of $98,487.08 (the amounts due and owing under the Guarantys terms), $4,104.00 in attorneys fees, and $350.00 in costs). Signed by Judge Kristi K. DuBose on 1/21/2016. (copy of this order mailed certified, as directed 70151730000194038881) (cmj)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
KEY BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
Plaintiff,

)
)
)
v.
)
)
CLARKE COUNTY HEALTHCARE, LLC, )
et al.,
)
Defendants.
)

CIVIL ACTION 15-00151-KD-B

ORDER
This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff’s Motion for Default Judgment against
Defendant Resurgence Health Group, LLC (Doc. 33), Plaintiff’s Supplement seeking an award
of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs (Doc. 37), and the Supplemental Declaration (Doc. 41).
I.

Background
On June 5, 2006, Resurgence Health Group, LLC (a Georgia LLC) (Resurgence)

executed a Guaranty, covering a Master Lease Agreement (agreement) simultaneously executed
between General Electric Capital Corporation (GE) and Clarke County Hospital (Clarke) for the
lease of a Philips 16-slice CT Scanner with Bone Density Package and Medrad Injector
(equipment). (Doc. 1-1; Doc. 33-1 (Aff. Barnes)1).

On August 16, 2006, the equipment was

accepted by Clarke and certified as properly delivered and installed.

(Doc. 33-1 (Aff. Barnes)).

Pursuant to the agreement, Clarke agreed to make monthly payments of $9,538.92 for 60
months, starting on May 15, 2006. (Doc. 1-1).

Additionally, GE could assign the Guaranty

without the Guarantor’s consent as well as proceed against the Guarantor by suit or otherwise
collect monies due/guaranteed with or without notice/demand, with or without joinder of Clarke.
1 Barnes is the Litigation Coordinator for Plaintiff.

1

(Id.)

On February 1, 2009, Clarke defaulted on the Agreement by failing to make payments as

required and further failed to make payments as scheduled on January 1, 2010, May 1, 2010,
June 1, 2010 and July 1, 2010.

(Doc. 1-4 at 2).

On July 27, 2010 GE assigned its interest in the agreement to Plaintiff.
Barnes)).

(Doc. 33-1 (Aff.

On July 29, 2010, Plaintiff sent Clarke a Notice of Right to Cure Default by paying

the amount due of $37,821.48 within 21 days, or all remaining payments would be accelerated
and the process of repossession of the equipment may be initiated.

(Id.)

Plaintiff also

informed Clarke that it would be responsible for any collection fee costs, repossession fees, costs
and reasonable attorneys’ fees/costs.
timeframe allotted.

(Id.)

Clarke did not cure the default within the

On September 21, 2010, Plaintiff accelerated the debt, declared the

agreement to be in default, and demanded $237,784.94 as due and owing within 10 days.
Doc. 1-5).

Plaintiff then repossessed the equipment.

(Id.;

(Doc. 33-1 (Aff. Barnes)). On April 8,

2011, Plaintiff sent Clarke notice of intent to sell the equipment it had repossessed, by private
sale, notifying Clarke of a right to redeem via payment of $211,885.94 plus costs.
1-6).

Clarke did not exercise its right to redeem the equipment before it was sold.

(Aff. Barnes)).

(Id.; Doc.
(Doc. 33-1

On January 8, 2015, Plaintiff issued a Notice of Deficiency to Clarke,

demanding payment of $98,487.08 within ten days (the amounts due after the equipment had
been sold – an offset).

(Doc. 1-7).

Clarke made no payments.

(Doc. 33-1 (Aff. Barnes)).

Under the terms of the Guaranty associated with the agreement, Plaintiff (as GE’s
assignee) may proceed against the Guarantor – Resurgence – to collect the amounts due from
Clarke.

(Doc. 33-1 (Aff. Barnes); Doc. 33-2).

Plaintiff contends that based on the Guaranty,

Resurgence guaranteed payment to GE and its assignees without set-off or counterclaim, as well
2

as waived notice of Acceptance of Guaranty and any notice of default on behalf of Clarke.

(Id.)

Plaintiff adds that Resurgence also irrevocably and unconditionally waived all statutory,
contractual, common law, equitable and other claims against Clarke or its assets by reason of any
amounts paid or collected or due.

(Id.)

Plaintiff asserts that Resurgence guaranteed payment

of all losses, costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses arising due to Clarke’s default or its
own default.

(Id.)

As such, Plaintiff demanded payment of Clarke’s debt as guaranteed by

Resurgence; Resurgence refused to pay.

(Doc. 33-1 (Aff. Barnes)).

Plaintiff sued Resurgence for breach of guaranty.

(Doc. 1).

On March 20, 2015,

Plaintiff seeks recovery of

$98,487.08 plus accruing interest.
Resurgence was served on June 25, 2015 via service on CT Corporation System, 1201
Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA, 30361, its registered agent.

(Docs. 19, 24).

that Resurgence has failed to timely plead or otherwise defend.
24-2, 33).

Plaintiff asserts

(Docs. 24-1 (Decltn. Fleming),

Plaintiff adds that the State of Georgia has not administratively dissolved

Resurgence and it remains listed on the Georgia Secretary of State corporate database as an
“Active/noncompliance” business.

(Docs. 24-1 at 2, 24-2, 24-3).

On July 17, 2015, Plaintiff

requested entry of a Clerk’s default against Resurgence for its failure to plead or defend.
24).

On July 21, 2015, the Clerk entered a Rule 55(a) Default against Resurgence.

On August 25, 2015, Plaintiff moved for a default judgment against Resurgence.
II.

(Doc.

(Doc. 25).

(Doc. 33).

Default Judgment
On December 10, 2015, the Court entered a default judgment in favor of Plaintiff and

against Resurgence finding as follows, in relevant part (Doc. 35):
The Court is satisfied that Resurgence has notice of the default proceedings against it.
Additionally, a Clerk’s Rule 55(a) default was entered against Resurgence in accordance
3

with Rule 55(a) for failure to plead, answer or otherwise defend this case. Moreover,
there is a sum certain which can be made ascertainable before the Court, from which a
default judgment can be entered without a hearing. Securities and Exchange
Commission v. Smyth, 420 F.3d 1225, 1231-1232 (11th Cir. 2005) (“Judgment of default
awarding cash damages could not properly be entered without a hearing unless the
amount claimed is a liquidated sum or one capable of mathematical calculation) (internal
quotes and citations omitted); Id. at n.13 (noting that an “evidentiary hearing is not a per
se requirement; indeed, Rule 55(b)(2) speaks of evidentiary hearings in a permissive
tone....We have held that no such hearing is required where all essential evidence is
already of record[]”)….Further, …[t]he Court is satisfied that the well-pleaded
allegations of the Complaint state a basis for relief as to the claims asserted and that there
is a substantive, sufficient basis for the relief Plaintiff seeks.
Specifically, Plaintiff asserts a breach of guaranty claim against Resurgence, as Clarke’s
guarantor, for Clarke’s failure to comply with the terms of the agreement. The
agreement and Guaranty are governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin. (Doc. 1-1
at 7 at Section 23(e); Doc. 1-8). Upon consideration of the evidence submitted by
Plaintiff and the well-pleaded allegations of the Complaint, default judgment is due to be
entered against Resurgence….As to the elements for breach of guaranty, the Court finds
that the well-pleaded allegations and evidence submitted establish: 1) the existence of a
contract creating obligations flowing from Resurgence to Plaintiff (the Guaranty); 2) a
breach of those obligations (Resurgence’s failure to pay amounts due and owing under
the Guaranty); and 3) damages from the breach (including non-payment of the amounts
due under the Lease (and Guaranty), accruing interest, remarketing expenses (after
repossession and resale of equipment) etc.). Specifically, the evidence shows execution
of the Guaranty by Resurgence. The Guaranty explains Resurgence’s principal
obligation and terms of the Guaranty itself, including that it guaranteed payment without
set-off or counterclaim and guaranteed payment of all losses, costs, reasonable attorneys’
fees and expenses due to Clarke’s default (or its own). Plaintiff relied on the Guaranty.
The evidence indicates that Clarke defaulted under the Lease, which was guaranteed by
Resurgence, due to its failure to pay the sums due and owing under the Lease. Upon
Plaintiff’s written demand for payment, Resurgence failed to pay the sums due and owing
under the Guaranty. Moreover, Plaintiff’s reliance on the Guaranty is expressed in the
document itself. As such, upon consideration, the Court finds that Plaintiff is entitled to
default judgment against Resurgence, for breach of the Guaranty, as a matter of
Wisconsin law.
***
Plaintiff requests entry of a default judgment against Resurgence in the amount of
$98,487.08 plus accruing interest. Upon review of the Guaranty, invoices, notices
submitted, Affidavit and Declaration filed in support, the Court is satisfied that the
amounts requested are due and owing to Plaintiff by Resurgence. As such, that portion
of Plaintiff’s motion for default judgment damages, addressing the breach of guaranty
claim against Resurgence, is GRANTED in part such that Plaintiff is awarded
$98,487.08. However, Plaintiff also seeks an unspecified amount of accrued late
4

charges….The Court is unable to assess fees and costs/expenses at this juncture.
Plaintiff has not provided any supporting documentation regarding its request for
attorneys’ fees and costs/expenses, or referenced that portion of either the agreement or
Guaranty which provide for recovery of same. Plaintiff has not briefed the propriety for
recovery of such fees and costs under Wisconsin law. Likewise, Plaintiff has not
provided any attorneys’ billing records, invoices and/or itemized statements, complete
information about all of the individuals who billed for legal services or their
qualifications/years of experience, and/or whether the fees and costs were reasonably
incurred under the relevant state’s law (Wisconsin) governing such awards. As such,
Plaintiff shall Supplement its motion, with the requisite support for this request, on or
before December 31, 2015….Plaintiff is ORDERED to file, on or before December 31,
2015, a Supplement to its motion addressing the specific amount of accrued costs sought
as well as attorneys’ fees and costs/expenses, and further: 1) citing those specific
provisions in the relevant agreements which provide for recovery of fees and
costs/expenses, and assessing the propriety of recovery of same under Wisconsin law;
and 2) attaching whatever materials it deems necessary and appropriate to support its
claim for fees and costs/expenses in conjunction with Wisconsin law…
***
Additionally, Plaintiff cannot recover the attorneys’ fees and costs sought against Clarke
and then also recover that same sum against Resurgence, as such would be yet another
double recovery. As such, Plaintiff is ORDERED to specify and delineate in the
December 31, 2015 Supplement, those fees and costs incurred relative to Resurgence,
versus those incurred relative to Clarke.
On December 31, 2015, Plaintiff submitted its Supplement but failed to differentiate
between those fees and costs incurred for Resurgence versus those incurred for Clarke, as
instructed.

(Doc. 37).

Instead, Plaintiff submitted fees and costs “jointly and severally” for

both Clarke and Resurgence even though they are two (2) different defendants.

The Court was

thus not able to assess the propriety of fees and costs for each distinct defendant and ordered
Plaintiff to supplement its request in a matter which complies with the Court’s prior instruction
and delineates those fees and costs for the attorney work associated with Clarke, from those for
the attorney work associated with Resurgence.
III.

(Doc. 38).

Plaintiff has now so supplemented.

Attorneys’ Fees
Plaintiff requests – via the Affidavit of Litigation Coordinator Barnes and Declaration (as
5

Supplemented) of Fleming -- $3,888.00 in reasonable attorneys’ fees and $350.00 in
costs/expenses for the work performed by attorneys and paralegals at the law firm of Wong
Fleming.

(Doc. 33-1 (Aff. Barnes); Doc. 41 (Decltn. Fleming (Supplemented))).

Plaintiff seeks recovery of attorneys’ fees and costs pursuant to the contracts executed
between it and Resurgence.

Namely, the Master Lease Agreement, pursuant to which

Resurgence signed the related Guaranty, provides for the recovery of attorneys’ fees and costs
pursuant to Paragraph 10(d): “Lessee shall pay Lessor’s actual attorneys’ fees, agency fees,
collection costs and expenses and any other costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
enforcement, assertion, defense or preservation of Lessor’s rights and remedies under this
Agreement, or if prohibited by law, such lesser sum as may be permitted.”

(Doc. 1-1 at 4).

The Agreement was formed pursuant to the laws of Wisconsin (Doc. 1-1 at 7 at Paragraph 23(e);
Doc. 1-8), and under that State’s law, contract clauses that unambiguously provide for payment
of attorneys’ fees stemming from costs of collection, repossession, etc., are valid and
enforceable.

See, e.g., Riverside Fin. Inc. v. Rogers, 2015 WL 4578903, *7 (Ct. App. Wis. Jul.

31, 2015).

Additionally, while the applicable contract provides for recovery of “actual

attorneys’ fees…[and] costs[,]” under Wisconsin law, such fees are reviewed by courts for
reasonableness.

Bobrow Palumbo Sales, Inc. v. Broan-Nutone, LLC, 549 F.Supp.2d 274,

277-279 (E.D.N.Y. 2008) (“it appears that under Wisconsin law, although the…agreement
provides for the recovery of actual attorneys' fees, such fees are also reviewed by the Court for
reasonableness[]”).

Courts have found an implicit requirement that attorneys’ fees awarded

must be reasonable, regardless of what the pertinent contractual clause says.

Baylake Bank v.

Village of Hobart, 2009 WL 151497, *1 (E.D. Wis. Jan. 21, 2009) (“[i]t seems clear that even a
6

contract awarding ‘actual’ fees must in some way recognize that the fees incurred must
reasonably be necessary to the litigation in question[]”).

Thus, even when a contract states

“actual fees/costs,” Wisconsin requires a reasonableness inquiry.
The starting point for any award of attorney fees by a federal court is the calculation of
the “lodestar.”

Hensley v. Eckerhart, 461 U.S. 424, 433 (1983).

same lodestar analysis.
(adopting Hensley).

Wisconsin courts follow the

Kolupar v. Wilde Pontiac Cadillac, Inc., 2004 WI 112 (Wis. 2004)

As set forth in Wisconsin Compressed Air Corp. v. Gardner Denver, Inc.,

2008 WL 4379227, *2 (W.D. Wis. Sept. 22, 2008):
The lodestar figure represents “the number of hours reasonably expended on the litigation
multiplied by a reasonable hourly rate.” Hensley v. Eckerhart, 461 U.S. at 433.
Determination of the number of hours reasonably expended and the reasonable hourly
rate is a matter within the district court's sound discretion. Gekas v. Attorney Registration
and Disciplinary Commission of Supreme Court of Illinois, 793 F.2d 846 (7th Cir.1986);
Tomazzoli v. Sheedy, 804 F.2d 93, 97 (7th Cir.1986)(“district court's calculation is
anything but an arithmetical exercise”).
Once the court calculates the lodestar, it may make appropriate adjustments to increase or
decrease the award in light of a number of considerations, including “the amount
involved and the results obtained.” Lynch v. City of Milwaukee, 747 F.2d 423, 426 (7th
Cir.1984)(citing Hensley, 461 U.S. at 429-30 n. 3); see also Spellan v. Board of Education
for District 11, 59 F.3d 642, 645 (7th Cir.1995). The court may consider this factor in
making the initial lodestar calculation or in determining whether to modify the lodestar
figure. Lynch, 747 F.2d at 426.
Moreover, “[o]nce a trial court makes the lodestar assessment it may adjust that number up or
down to account for matters beyond those already encompassed by the lodestar analysis….The
factors the court may consider include those set forth in Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule
20:1.5(a)… The court's ultimate goal is to “determine what the lawyer would receive if he were
selling his services in the market rather than being paid by court order….” James Michael
Leasing Co., LLC v. Paccar Inc., 2013 WL 5771156 (E.D. Wis. Oct. 24, 2013).
7

Wisconsin

Supreme Court Rule 20:1.5 provides as follows, with regard to reasonableness of fees:
(a) A lawyer shall not make an agreement for, charge, or collect an unreasonable fee or
an unreasonable amount for expenses. The factors to be considered in determining the
reasonableness of a fee include the following:
(1) the time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved, and
the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly;
(2) the likelihood, if apparent to the client, that the acceptance of the particular
employment will preclude other employment by the lawyer;
(3) the fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal services;
(4) the amount involved and the results obtained;
(5) the time limitations imposed by the client or by the circumstances;
(6) the nature and length of the professional relationship with the client;
(7) the experience, reputation, and ability of the lawyer or lawyers performing the
services; and
(8) whether the fee is fixed or contingent.
A.

Reasonable Rate
The rates requested by Plaintiff include rates for associates (from $210.00/hour to

$235.00/hour) as well as paralegals ($100/hour) expended, for a total of 19 hours litigating this
case against Defendant Resurgence. (Doc. 41 at 4-5 (Decltn. Fleming (Supp.)).

Specifically,

Plaintiff seeks $235/hour for 1.2 hours incurred by Senior Associate Clement (19 years
experience); $210/hour for 16.6 hours incurred by Associate Jefferson (10 years experience); and
$100/hour for 1.2 hours incurred by Paralegals Oliveri and O’Brien (no information as to years
of experience).

(Id.)

As the party requesting fees, Plaintiff has the burden of supplying the Court with specific
and detailed evidence from which the Court can determine the reasonable hourly rate for the
work performed by its attorneys and paralegals.
168 F.3d 423, 427 (11th Cir. 1999).

Am. Civil Liberties Union of Ga. v. Barnes,

The Eleventh Circuit has instructed that a reasonable

hourly rate is “the prevailing market rate in the relevant legal community for similar services by
lawyers of reasonably comparable skills, experience, and reputation.”
8

Norman v. Housing

Auth. of City of Montg., 836 F.2d 1292, 1299 (11th Cir. 1988).
community is that of Mobile, Alabama.

In this case, the relevant legal

Barnes, 168 F.3d at 437 (providing that “the ‘relevant

market’ for purposes of determining the reasonable hourly rate for an attorney's services is the
place where the case is filed[]”) (citation omitted)).

However, Plaintiff's revised fee application

fails to provide evidence addressing the fundamental question of whether the hourly rates
charged by its attorneys are reasonable in the Mobile market.

Neither of Fleming’s

Declarations attest to his familiarity with the customary rates charged by the Mobile legal
community; rather, the Declarations state that Fleming is “[t[he fees for the services provided by
Wong Fleming are reasonable and consistent with the fees customarily charged in Wisconsin for
similar legal services.” (Doc. 41 at 4 (Decltn. Fleming at ¶15) (Supp.)). Nevertheless, this
Court, which is familiar with the prevailing rates in the local market (Mobile, Alabama), may act
as its own expert and rely on its “knowledge and experience” to determine the reasonableness
and propriety of the requested fees.
1.

Loranger v. Stierheim, 10 F.3d 776, 781 (11th Cir. 1994).

Senior Associate & Associate

Regarding the requested rates of $235/hour for Senior Associate Clement and $210/hour
for Associate Jefferson, the Court finds as follows.
Given the experience of Senior Associate Clement (19 years of practice), the Court finds
that the requested $235/hour is a reasonable rate.

See, e.g., Dempsey v. Palisades Collection,

Inc., 2010 WL 923473,*3 (S.D. Ala. Mar. 11, 2010) (awarding $250/hour to an attorney with
over 19 years of experience); Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Friday Const. Co., Inc., 2012 WL
5381558, *5 (S.D. Ala. Oct. 31, 2012) (awarding $225/hour to an attorney with 10 years of
experience); Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Williamson, 2011 WL 382799, *4 (S.D. Ala. Jan. 3,
9

2011) (same).
Resurgence.

Plaintiff seeks to recover 1.2 hours of work by Clement as to Defendant
Thus, as to Senior Associate Clement, with 19 years of experience, the Court finds

that an award of $235/hour totaling $282.00 for 1.2 hours of work, is appropriate.
With regard to Associate Jefferson (10 years of practice), the Court finds that the
requested $210/hour is a reasonable rate.

See, e.g., Wells Fargo Bank, 2012 WL 5381558, *5

(awarding $225/hour to an attorney with 10 years of experience).
work by Jefferson.
Resurgence.

Plaintiff seeks 16.6 hours of

However, the record reveals 17.7 billed hours by Jefferson as to Defendant

Thus, as to Associate Jefferson, the Court finds that an award of $210/hour

totaling $3,717.00 for 17.7 hours of work, is appropriate.
2.

Paralegals

Plaintiff seeks recovery of fees for 1.2 hours of collective work of two (2) paralegals
Oliveri and O’Brien (with unknown years of experience) at the rate of $100/hour.
market, this Court regularly approves rates of $75/hour for paralegals.

In this

See, e.g., SE Property

Holdings, LLC v. Green, 2013 WL 790902, *6 (S.D. Ala. Mar. 1, 2013); Zuffa, LLC v. Al–
Shaikh, 2011 WL 1539878, at *9 (S.D. Ala. Apr. 21, 2011); Williamson, 2011 WL 382799 at *5;
Adams v. Austal, U.S.A., L.L.C., 2009 WL 3261955, *2 (S.D. Ala. Oct. 7, 2009); Lanier
Construction Inc. v. Carbone Properties of Mobile, LLC, CV 06–0070–CB–B (S.D. Ala. Feb. 12,
2008).

A review of the record reveals that 1.40 hours billed by paralegals -- Oliveri billed 1

hour and O’Brien billed .40 hours for work as to Defendant Resurgence (Doc. 41-1 at 1, 17) –
not the 1.2 requested by Plaintiff.

As such, the Court awards the hourly rate of $75/hour for

work performed by these two (2) paralegals for 1.4 hours for a total of $105.00.

10

B.

Reasonable Hours
In determining whether the number of hours expended are reasonable, the Court should

not include any hours which are “excessive, redundant, or otherwise unnecessary.” Norman, 836
F.2d at 1301. When awarding an attorney’s fee, the “[c]ourts are not authorized to be generous
with the money of others, and it is as much the duty of courts to see that excessive fees and
expenses are not awarded as it is to see that an adequate amount is awarded.” Barnes, 168 F.3d at
428. The Court will not permit a party to recover fees for hours that are excessive, redundant, or
unnecessary, i.e., hours “that would be unreasonable to bill to a client and therefore to one’s
adversary irrespective of the skill, reputation or experience of counsel.” Norman, 836 F.2d at
1301 (emphasis omitted).

While there is no per se rule of proportionality, City of Riverside v.

Rivera, 477 U.S. 561, 574 (1986), the Supreme Court has made clear that such could still be
considered a factor in determining the reasonableness of a fee request.

“The amount of

damages a plaintiff recovers is certainly relevant to the amount of attorney's fees to be awarded
under § 1988.... It is, however, only one of many factors that a court should consider in
calculating an award of attorney's fees.” Id. (citation omitted). In sum, “[i]f fee applicants do not
exercise billing judgment, courts are obligated to do it for them, to cut the amount of hours for
which payment is sought, pruning out those that are excessive, redundant, or otherwise
unnecessary. Courts are not authorized to be generous with the money of others.” Barnes, 168
F.3d at 428.
Plaintiff’s counsel’s billing records indicate that the individuals working on this case
billed a total of 20.3 hours from January 26, 2015 to August 26, 2015. As noted supra, counsel
also set forth each billing individual’s hourly rate indicating counsel’s respective years of
11

experience.

(Doc. 41 at 4-5 (Decltn. Fleming) (Supp.)).

that the time expended in this case was reasonable.

Counsel for Plaintiff asserts further,

(Doc. 41 (Decltn. Fleming)).

As such, the

Court finds that the 20.3 hours billed by Jefferson, Clement, Oliveri and O’Brien are reasonable
and recoverable time.
C.

Lodestar
As noted supra, the lodestar represents the number of hours reasonably expended on the

litigation multiplied by a reasonable hourly rate, which is a matter of the Court’s sound
discretion.

Hensley, 461 U.S. at 433.

Upon consideration of the applicable Master Lease and

Guaranty, the attorneys’ fees and costs motions (with supporting Affidavit and Declarations) and
Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 20:1.5, the Court finds that there is no need to reduce the
attorneys’ fees requested.

Thus, the lodestar is calculated as 20.3 hours billed at the rates of

$235/hour (Senior Associate), $210/hour (Associate), and $75/hour (Paralegals), as detailed
herein, for a total of $4,104.00 in attorneys’ fees.
IV.

Costs
Plaintiff seeks to recover $350.00 in costs against Defendant Resurgence, comprised of

one-half of the complaint filing fee ($200.00) and $150.00 for a process server.
(Decltn. Fleming (Supplemented)); Doc. 41-1 at 20).

(Doc. 41 at 6

Based on the terms of the Master Lease

Agreement Resurgence is responsible for payment of costs, and along with the Affidavit and
Declaration, the Court finds that Plaintiff is entitled to recover the costs requested. See, e.g.,
Peppertree Apts., 631 So.2d at 878 (providing that “[t]he intention of the parties controls when a
court construes the terms of a promissory note, and that intention is to be derived from the
provisions of the contract, if the language is plain and unambiguous[]”).
12

Moreover, the

Affidavit and Declaration attest that the costs incurred are reasonable for the services rendered in
this matter.

(Doc. 33-1 (Aff. Barnes); Doc. 41 (Decltn. Fleming) (Supp.)).

Accordingly,

Plaintiff’s request of $350.00 for costs reasonably incurred in this case, is GRANTED.
V.

Conclusion
Accordingly, it is ORDERED that Plaintiff’s motion for default judgment against

Resurgence is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part as follows: 1) GRANTED as to its
claim for breach of the Guaranty and Master Lease Agreement and 2) GRANTED in part and
DENIED in part as to its request for attorneys’ fees and costs as detailed herein.
Thus, it is ORDERED that a DEFAULT JUDGMENT is hereby entered in favor of
Plaintiff and against Resurgence Health Group, LLC for its breach of Guaranty and Master Lease
Agreement, in the amount of $102,941.08 (comprised of $98,487.08 (the amounts due and owing
under the Guaranty’s terms),2 $4,104.00 in attorneys’ fees, and $350.00 in costs).3
The Clerk is DIRECTED to provide a copy of this Order, via certified mail, to
Defendant Resurgence Health Group, LLC c/o CT Corporation System, 1201 Peachtree Street,
NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30361 (the address where service was previously accomplished).
DONE and ORDERED this 21st day of January 2016.
/s/ Kristi K. DuBose
KRISTI K. DuBOSE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

2 Due by defendants jointly and severally as between Clarke and Resurgence (i.e., Plaintiff cannot recover
$98,487.08 from Clarke and also recover another $98,487.08 from Resurgence).
3 It appears that Plaintiff has abandoned its prior request for “late charges.”

13