Cashman Equipment Corp v. Integrated Construction L L C

Filing 79

ORDER on Attorney Fees. Fees awarded to Cashman Equipment Corp. Signed by Magistrate Judge C Michael Hill on 10/24/2011. (crt,Alexander, E)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
CASHMAN EQUIPMENT CORP.

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CIVIL NO. 6:10-0512

VERSUS

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JUDGE MELANCON

INTEGRATED CONSTRUCTION, LLC, ET AL. *

MAGISTRATE JUDGE HILL

ORDER AWARDING ATTORNEY FEES
By Report and Recommendation set forth on the record during the October 4, 2011
hearing of the plaintiff’s Motion to Enforce Settlement Agreement, the undersigned
recommended that, pursuant to the terms of the Settlement agreement, plaintiff, Cashman
Equipment Corporation, be awarded attorney’s fees. See rec. docs. 74 and 77. Accordingly,
the undersigned ordered plaintiff’s counsel to submit an affidavit of attorney’s fees incurred as
a result of the filing of the Motion. The defendant was granted seven days from the date of
filing of the affidavit to file objections. See rec. doc. 74. The award was referred to the
undersigned in accordance with the regular practice in this Court.
In accordance with this Court’s instructions, plaintiff’s counsel, Scott D. Brownell, a
practicing attorney with approximately twelve years experience, has filed an affidavit in which
he states that his hourly rate for the calendar year 2011 is $235.00. Brownell further states that
he expended a total of 2.1 hours preparing the Motion to Enforce Settlement Agreement and
accompanying Memorandum in Support, as well as 1.0 hours preparing for, and participating
in, the telephone hearing on the Motion. Accordingly, Brownell requests that Cashman
Equipment Corporation be awarded a total of $728.50.

The defendant has filed no Objections to the affidavit, and the deadline for filing
objections has now passed.
The Settlement Agreement between the parties provides as follows:
[I]n the event any party . . . is required to file a motion or action to enforce the
provisions of this Agreement, the prevailing party in such action shall be entitled
to recover their reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in such action.
See rec. doc. 72, ¶ 8(d).
The undersigned finds that the requested 3.1 hours for the work performed in connection
with the Motion to Enforce Settlement Agreement are not excessive nor duplicative, and are
reasonable. Accordingly, the undersigned finds that the claimed 3.1 hours for these services
should be awarded.
The undersigned further finds that Mr. Brownell’s rate of $235.00 per hour for legal
representation in connection with the Motion to Enforce Settlement Agreement is prima facie
reasonable.
The undersigned further finds that assessment of the twelve factors set forth in Johnson
v. Georgia Highway Express, Inc., 488 F.2d 714, 717-19 (5 th Cir. 1974) requires no adjustment
to the amount of attorney’s fees claimed.1
In sum, the award sought herein is minimal and entirely reasonable, and there has been
no objection to the grant of the award. Accordingly;

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The twelve Johnson factors include: (1) the time and labor involved; (2) the novelty and
difficulty of the questions; (3) the skill requisite to perform the legal services properly; (4) the preclusion
of other employment by the attorneys due to this case; (5) the customary fee; (6) whether the fee is fixed
or contingent; (7) time limitations; (8) the amount involved and the results obtained; (9) the experience,
reputation and ability of counsel; (10) the undesirability of the case; (11) the nature and length of the
professional relationship with the client; and (12) awards in similar cases. Johnson, 488 F.2d at 717-719.

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IT IS ORDERED that the sum of $728.50 in attorney’s fees is hereby awarded to
plaintiff, Cashman Equipment Corporation.
Signed this 24 th day of October, 2011, at Lafayette, Louisiana.

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