GCM AIR GROUP LLC, a Nevada limited liability company v. Chevron U.S.A. Inc., a Pennyslvania Corporation

Filing 105

ORDER GRANTING D Chevron USA Inc's 77 Motion for Attorney Fees. Signed by Judge Brian E. Sandoval on 6/24/2009. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - DRM)

1 2 3 4 5

6
7 8

UNI ED STATES DI TR I T COURT T S C
D I TR I T O F NEVA D A S C

9 GCM AI GROUP,LLC,a Nevada Li i d R mt e Li biiyCom pany, al t 1 0 Plit#, ani l1 v. 1 2 CHEVRO N U. . . I C .a Pennsylani S A ,N , va 1 Cor or ton, 3 p ai 1 4
15 16 17 18

Def ndant e .

) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

3: 7 c - O1 8- ES- AM 0 -v 0 6 B R
ORDER

Curen l b f r t e Coud i Def n an Ch v on U. . .Ic. (ch vr n' Mot nf r r t eo e h y s ed t er SA n ' ' e o ' i o si )o Ator eysFees ( 77 fld on Ap i8, 9. Plit fGCM Ai Gr up LL (G CM ' fld an tn ' # )i e rl 200 ani f r o , C ' 'i )e O pp st nt De en an ' Mo inf rAtor eys F es ( 8 )on Ap i21, 9, d Che r n o io o f d ts to o t n ' e # 4 i rl 200 an vo
fld a Repl i Su pod ofi Mo i nf r t r e sFees( 95 on Ma 5, 9. i e yn p t to o Ato n y s #) y 200
BA C KG RO UN D The padi sar f m ii rwih t e f c s oft i case.As such, he Cour w il y st t t e e ea l a t h at hs t t lonl a e h f ct necessar t det r i e t e curentm oton f rator ey' f es. as y o em n h r i o t n se

19 20
21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

l 2005, CM and Chevr nent r d i t an Envionm ent f eem ent ort e pur ose n G o e e no r a Agr fh p of m oniorng and r m edi tng cont m i aton t atoccured as a r sul ofChevr n' r t i ti e ai ani h r et o s e al

s r ie s a in oper t ns on a pic ofpr ped a qui d b GCM. ( o i nf rAtor eys e vc t to ai o ee o yc r y e M t o tn ' o F es ( 7 )a ExhiiF) Ac or ig t t e En i nmenal eemen ,he padiswih d 'o e # 7 t bt . c d n o h vr o t Agr tt e se ' t
pr vi e f rt e necessar i ves i aton,sie assessm ent and cl an- p'oft e cont m i aton od oh y n tg i t , e u' h a ni

on t o adj cent par el. L- I t e contact t e paris agr ed t at Chevr n woul w a c s du n h r ,h t e eh o d
i vestgat ,m oniorand r m edi t t e cont m i aton l cat d on t e pr pedi s acquied by n ie t e ae h a ni o e ho e r

1 GCM as diect d oragr ed t by t e W ashoe Count DititHeaIh Depadm ent 1= re eo h y s rc t .J
.

2

The Envionm ent l eem enti cl ded a cl us r l tng t ator ey' f es.Accor i g r a Agr nu a e ea i o t n s e dn

3 t par gr ph 13 oft atagr em ent i ' ny pary t t i Agr em en shoul brng an ac i n o aa h e ,f' a t o hs e t di to 4 agai st heot ert enf r e t et r s of hi Agr em ent t e subs antal pr vaing padyshal nt h o oc h em ts e ,h t il e l y i l 5 be entted t r c ie such a sum as r asonabl ator ey' f es as shal be det r i ed by a il o e e v e e t n se l em n

6 Coud ofcompet ntj rsditon i s i pr c edig. ... ExhiiF,p.5. e u i c i n a d o e n ' 1t at bt '(
7 O nAprl 2007, C M fl d a I w suiagai s Chevr n bas d ont e c nt m i aton and i4, G i e a t nt o e h oa ni

8 r medit n oft e s bec pr p dis OnAu u t20, e ai o h uj t o e e . gs 2007, GCM fed a Sec n Amen ed i l od d
9 Complit( 16)whih al ged 17 causes ofacton agais Chevr n. These cli s wer an # cl e i nt o am e 1 based bot i con r ctand i t r. On Mar h 25,2009,t e Coud ent r d an Or er( 74) 0 h n ta n ot c h ee d#

11 gr nt gCh v onsu m al j dgmen onaI1 cli s.Ch vr n n w s ek a t r eysf esi ai n er m 'u y t I 7 am e o o e s to n ' e n
1 t e am ount of $367, 96, 5 pur uant t t e ator ey' f es pr vi i n i t e padi s' 2h 53 s oh tn se o so n h e
1 Envionm ent lAgr em ent 3 r a e .

1 4
15

ANA LY SI S
A f der lcour ' ppl s s at I w i a di er i acton t det r i e w het eran aw ar ea t' i t e a n ae v st yio em n h d

1 ofa t r e s'eesi al we . Ca a a Li As ur Co. L pet r 563F.d 83 , 47( t Ci. 6 to n y f s l d ' n d f s . v. a e , o e 3 7 8 9h r 1 20 9) I Ne a a, c ud ' an o awar at r eyf e une sau ho ied b sat t , ul or 7 0 .n vd a o t nt c d to n e s ls t rz y t ue r e

1 c n r c . Fr nkSe t l e er& Son ,nc v, t & Har er Ld.1 7 P.d 1 51, 059( ev. 8 o ta t' a ' te m v s I . Smi h m ,t ,9 3 0 1 N
1 20 8) I t i c se, h p risha e a c n r c ua p ovsonwhihpr viesf ra awar of 9 0 . n hs a t e a t ev o ta t l r ii c od o n d
20 ator ey' f es t t e pr vaing padyast t e enf r em entoft e Envionm ent l eem ent t n se oh e l i oh oc h r a Agr .
2 1 1 A pp od i nm ent . o

22

Chevr n i seeki g ador ey' f es pur uantt t e Envionm ent lAgr em en i t e os n n se s oh r a e tn h

23 amountof$367, 96. 5.Accor i g t Chevr n, 53 dn o o event ough G C M onl br ughtt r e specii h yo he fc
2 cl i s r ltng t t e br ach of t e Envicnm ent lAgr em ent i i entted t aI of i 4 am eai o h e h r a e ,t s il o I t s 25 r asonabl ator ey' f es i cured i t e def nse oft i case because 'he f c s underyi g e e t n se n r nh e hs ' at t ln 26 a1 of t e cl i s ar it rw i ed such t at i i i pr c i abl t appodi n c st bet een I h am e ne t n h t s m a tc e o o os w

2 p diul rcai s' ( e l ( 9 )at3) Ch vr nas erst at he c r o aIofGCM' c u es 7 a c a l m . R py # 5 ' . e o s t h t oe f I S as
28 ofacton ar ted t t e Envionm ent l eem entbecaus t atagr em entdi t t d t e t r s i ei oh r a Agr eh e ca e h e m
2

1 oft e r m editon f l w i g t e cont m i aton on t e si $. Ch v ont enas edst a t e he a i ol n h o ani ht e er h s h th
..

2 r m edi ton and cont m i aton f r t e basi ofal t e ot ercl i s asseded agai sti A s e ai a n i om h s lh h am nt
.

3 such,Chevr n cl i s t ataI oft e caus s ofacton ar it rel t d and t atis cos s t o am h Ih e i e ne r ae ht to 4 def nd agai stt e al gatons r l tng sol l t t e Envionm ent lAgr em ent cannot be e nhli e eai ey o h r a e
5 car ed ou . v tl

6

GCM does not iput t atChevr n i entted t ator ey' f es based ont e pr vi i n ds e h o s il o t n s e h o so
.

7 i t e Envionm ent lAgr em ent However G C M ar ues t at onl t r e cl i s i t e nh r a e , g h y he am n h 8 amended com pl itr l t t t atspecii contact Basedont i , C M ar uest atc hevr n' a n ea e o h fc r hs G g h os
.

9 mot n f r a t r eys f es 'm pr pe l r qu ss f es t a ar no a so it d ( i )t e i o to n ' e ' o r e e t e h t e t s ca e w t h o i y h
1 En ionm ent l eem ent'( litfsOpposiint Def ndantsMotonf rAtor ey' Fees 0 vr a Agr . P an i ' ' f to o e ' i o tn s

1 ( 84)a 3 . Bec u e t e En ion en al e men t al onyf ra t r e ' f e t en ore 1# t) a s h vr m t Agr e t' l l o to n ys e s o f c cs
1 t atspecii agr em ent'G C M st t st atChevr n i ' otentted t f es spenti connecton 2h fc e , ' ae h o s' n il o e n i 13 t t e ot erpori ns oft e l w sui ' L . oh h to ha t' d =
.

1 4

UnderNevada I w ,appodi nm entofator ey' f es i notmandat r when t e f es a o t n se s oy he

1 wer i cured f rr pr sen aton on an isue com m on t b0t a cause ofacton i whi h f es 5 en r o e e t i s oh in ce 1 ar pr perand one i whi ht ey ar notal w ed See Mavfel v. onhl,1 4 Nev 34,184 6 eo n ch e l o i d Kor i 2
. .

1 P.d 362,369 ( ev. 73 N zoo8ladoptngt e r asonig s tf rh i Abdal h v Unied Sav.Bank, t ihe n e ot n l a t
.

1 51Cal p rzd 28 ( aI t pp. 996 ) I Ma fel, h Nev d Supr me Co r hel t a in 8 . t. 6 C . . 1 ). n v i d t e a a R CA e u t d h t' i
1 anacton i w hih a pl i tf pur ues cl i s based on t e sam e f ct al r um st nc sagai st 9 in c a n if s am h a u cic ae n

20 m uli l def ndant , i i wihi t e ditit cour' di cr ton t det r i e whet er tp e e s t s tn h s rc ts s e i o em n h 21 appofi nm ent i r nder d i pr ctcabl by t e i t reltonshi oft e cl i s agai stt e to se e m ai e h ne r ai p h am nh
si t 2 mulil def ndant . != ' he ditrctcour m ust, how ever,atem ptt appodi n the cost 2 tpe e s' # T ' t o o s
.

23 bef r det r i i g t atappodi nm enti i pr ctcabl 'L= Alh u hMavf l dealwi t e o e e m nn h o s m a i e ' d. t o g id e tth h
.

24 isue ofappodi nm entas t m uli l def ndant , t e Nevada Supr m e Cour adopt d t e s o o tp e e sh e t eh
25 26

M qr o e,Chevon noe tatte . aort olChe r n, at r e feex e diur swee ev r r ts h h - j iy . v o s to n y e p n t e r m 27 icure i dlc vey 'a dlrl sn l de ostonwa f cusd e trl on adefns ofapatculr n rd n s o r ' n ûn o ig e p ii s o e n iey ee ri a ,,

cam. Rah r tej poiinsa d oh rdsov r weeaIu d ra e fr<h dso eyo a d li te,h e st n te ic ey r l n etk n o : e ic v r f n o t
.

ln s as oh S r o am ' 28 def nseagaî s t esam eunderyi gisuesand f ct com m ont bot GCM ' contactandt rtcl i s' L e 5. n t h d at =.
3

l r asoni g oft e Calor i Cour ofAppeal when i deci ed t e sam e isue f ced by t i e n h i na f t s t dh s a hs 2 Coud i Abdal h,51 CalRpt. d at293. n l a . rz
3 l Abdal h,t e isue pr sent d bef r t e c ur was whet eran awar ofator ey' n l hs a e e oe h o t h d tn s

4 f es had t be r duced because t e r spondent wer en il d t ator ey' f es onl on t e e o e he s e tte o t n s e y h 5 contactcause ofacton and nott e r l t d t r and RI O causes ofac i n 51 CalRpt . r i h e ae o t C to . r 2d
.

6 at293. The cour hel t at'al pori nm entofa f e awar bet een f es i cured on a t d h ' p to k e dw enr
7 contactcause ofacton and t ose i cured on ot ercauses ofacton i wihi t e ti l r i h nr h i s t n h ra cour' t s

8 dicr ton. L= UnderCalor i Iw ,itor ey' f esneednotbe appori nedwhenicured s ei ' d i na a i t n s e f a to nr
9 f rr pr sent ton on an i sue com m ont bot a cause ofacton i whih f es ar pr perand oee ai s oh i n ce eo 1 one i whi h t ey ar notal w ed ' L= As such, 0 n ch e l o ' d. whencli s ar 'nextiabl it rwied, a m e ' rc y n et n ' i '
.

11 a cour m ay fnd t at i i 'm pr c i abl , i not i possi l , t separ t t e m uliude o t i h t s ' a tc e f i m be o ae h tt f

1 c noied ac iie it c mpen abl orno c mpens bl t e uni . L u 2 oj n t t s no o vi se no a ei m t'd s'
-

1 3

I t i case,t e Coud fnds t at t e causes of acton assered i GCM ' Second n hs h i hh i tn S

1 Am ended Com pl i tar so i t rw i ed t ati i i pr c i abl t appodi n t e f e awar 4 an e n e t n h t s m a tc e o ohe d 1 based on tm e i cured def ndi g t e contactcause of acton fom t e ot er r m ai i g 5 inr enh r ir h h e nn
1 c ai s. Specii al , he al gatons o G C M ' com pl i t cent r on Chevr n' cont m i aton 6 lm fc l t y li e f S an e os a ni

1 and r mediton oft e subec pr pedis.Thes f cual 7 e ai h jto e e a t assedins underi aI17ofGCM' o lI e S
1 causes of acton and ar at t e cor of GCM ' cl i s f r br ach of t e Envionm ent l 8 i e h e S am o e h r a
1 Agr em ent 9 e .

20

As t GCM ' br ach of contact cl i s, aI t r e ar based on t e same f ct al o Se r am I he e h au

21 assedi n t atChevr n al gedl f i d t r m edi t t e pr pery i a tm el and r asonabl oh ol e y al o e e ae h o t n i y e e 2 m annerz G C M al ged t at as t t e Lease Agr em ent Sie Access Agr em ent and 2 . l e h oh e t e , ,
23 Envionm ent lAgr em ent Chevr n f i d t peror is obl atons i a 'i el , dii ent r a e , o al o e fm t ii g n 'm y lg , t 24 com pet ntand r asonabl manner such t atG C M has been deni d t e use and oc upancy e e e h eh c ,
25 26 z

27 it teSt AcesAjeme t n En io me tl eme tiota Ch vo c ul rme it te no h ie c s re n a d vrn na Ayre n ' h t e rn o d e dae h s
n h s a ii g h o i eo e c nt m i a e pr pe t . L at9. I t i s m e tlngsGCM ar uest atChevr n waslabl f rbr ach o a n t d o ry , d 28 ofa l hr es par t a r e e t b s d o t es m ef c ua ale atons-s ectcal ,hec ntm i a i n l t e e a ç g e m n s a e n h a a t l lg i p ii ly t o a n to a d r m e i ton ott epr pery.L , a 7-1S. n e d ai h o t dt
-. . -

I is Oppos ton t Che r n, M oton f rSum m a y J dgm ent G C M a s r st a i e t r d nt ii o vo s io ru se t h t t nee T

4

1 of t ' i pr p dis ( ec n Amende Compl it( 1 ) t1 ) Mor ov rGCM al ged bo h' t o e e . S o d of s d an # 6 a 3 . e e , l e
h o os ani h o te ' a l t or t 2 t atdue t Chevr n' cont m i aton oft e pr peri s,S s wel as is pr tac ed, di t r , l oy a
n e n fce ai ft 3 i com pet ntand i efi i ntRemedi ton efors, GCM has been unabl t I ase and/ rsel eoe o l

4 t e Pr peris. L= As a r sulofChevr n' cont m i aton and negl entr m edi ton efors, h o t 'd e' et os ani i g e ai ft
.

l e h oe ' e ye n vn 'h t e 5 G CM al ged t atChevr n br ached ' ach and ever agr em enti vol i g't e si , and t at h nr i ' h om i o et 6 G C M i cured consequentaldam ages 'n t e f r ofI st r n s, out ofpocketexpenses,
7 pr pedy t xes,utl i s,and ot erm ait nance,ator eys f es and cost ,engi eerng f es o a iie t h ne tn e s nie so o is m n i n u ' d. t 4, e s P an i 8 and cost ,I stpr ft and di i uton i val e ' L= a 1 .s e alo ( litf s Res on e i f psn 9 O pp sto t Def n an ' Mo inf rSummar Ju gmen ( 61 at7 .Be au eaIof oi no ed t i sto o yd t # ) ) c s I GCM' S
.

l br ach ofcontactcl i s r lt speciial t Chevr n' cont m i aton and al ged f iur t 0 e r am eae fc l o y os a ni l e al e o 11 pr peryr m edi t t e pr pery, he Coudfndst aticannotappodi nator ey' f esam ong o le ae h o t t i ht o t n se
l t ose cl i s. Rat er t ey ar based on t e sam e f c ual cicum st nces m aki g 2h am h,h e h at r a n
1 appod i nm ent i pr c i abl . 3 o m a tc e

1 4

M or over a r vi w oft e t d causes ofacton show t att ey ar bas d on t e sam e e , ee ho i hh e e h
.

e a ni e ai 1 al gatons ofcont m i aton and r m edi ton Sever l GCM ' t d cl i sr l t t pr pery 5li a of S o a m ea e o o t fe et osl e s he o 1 dam ages sufer d asa r sulofChevr n' al ged m i conducton t e I ased pr pedy. These 6

1 icu e:oriu ij l t r al op d , gl enc ,n ia c , r sp s ,an s r tI bit f r 7 n ld t t s nu- o e pr e y ne i e us n e te a s d ti i ly o o y g cai
18 ulr hazar ous actviy. These cl i s al r lt speciial t t e cont m i aton and ta d it am I eae fc l o h y ani 1 r m editon oft e si and ar based on t e sam e f c ualcicum st nces as G CM ' br ach 9e ai ht e e h at r a Se
20 ofcontac cl i s. The r m ai ig t o t r cl i s ar f r negl entm i r pr sent ton and r t am e nn w ot a m eo i g se e ai ot o ne f e to i c a 21 t ri us i t rer nce wih pr spectve econom i advant ge Alhought ese t dsdo notasser t h o t
.

az cl i sf rdam age t t e pr pedy,t ey ar bot based onChevr n' cont m i aton oft e si am o oh o h eh os ani ht e

t al e se ai f fc l n t l i y 23 and i f i d r m edi ton efods.Specii al , i i al gaton ofnegl entm i r pr sent ton, se i g se e ai
24 G C M ar ues t at Chevr n m ade f le r pr sent tons r gar i g t e ext nt of t e g h o as e e ai e dn h e h ani h tu he ai 25 cont m i aton and t e s at s oft e r m editon GCM ' cl i f rt di us i t der nce w ih S a m o o o ne e t
.

26 pr spec ie econom i advant ge al ges t at Chevr n i t rer d wih a pr spectv o tv c a l e h o ne f e t o ie
27 contact al r ltonshi bec use uncerai tes exit d r l tng t t e cont m i aton and r u eai p a t ni se e a i o h ani
e ai 28 r m edi ton. A s can be seen, aI of GCM ' t r cl i s ar based on t e sam e f ct al I S o t am e h au
5

l under i ni gs as t e br ach oft e Envionm ent l eem ent pn n he h r a Agr . 2 Bas d on t e f r goi g, he Cour fndst atappodi nm entofa f e awar i t i m ater e h oe n t ti h o e d n hs t

3 i i pr ctcabl because t e varous cl i s ar i extiabl i t rw i ed. AI 17 causes of sm a i e h i am e n rc y n e t n 1

4 acton ar based on com m on isues off c and ar i t rel t d t t e cai s m ade i G CM ' i e s at e ne r ae o h l m n S 5 br ach oft e Envionm ent lAgr em ent Becaus t e cl i s ar so i t rel t d,t e Cour e h r a e . e h am e ne r ae h t

6 c n o s par t dh mult deo c non daciiesit c m p ns bl an n n om pen abl a n t e a e d e t u f o j ie tvt n o o e a e d o c t i i se
7 tm e uni . See M av i l ,184 P. d at369. As such,Chevr n i entted t an awar of i t' s' fe d 3 o s il o d 8 unappodi ned r asonabl ator ey' f es i t i m ater o e e t n s e n hs t.
9 l. R easo na bl ness I e

1 0

O nc a pa y has es abih d t ati i en ied t an a ar ofa t r e ' f es,ii e d t l e h t s tl o s t wd to n ys e il lt

11 r m ai sf rt e dititcour t det r i e w hat ee i 'easonabl .'Hens l v. e n o h s rc to e m n f sr e' ' e v Ecker ad, h 461

1 U. . 4, ( 9 3 .Th Nit Cic i u est e'ode t r me ho o c lua ig a t r e ' 2 S 42 433 1 8 ) e n h rut s h ' s a ' t d f a c ltn to n ys I 1 f es. See Caudl v.Brst w OntcalCo. Ic ,224 F. d 1014,1028 ( t Ci.zooolciaton 3e e io i .n 3 9h r lt i
1 omitd) The Idest ramounti calult dbym uli ligt e numberofhour t epr vaing 4 te . oa s c ae tpyn h sh e l i
1 pary r asonabl expended on t e Ii aton by a r asonabl houry r t . Van Ger en v. 5 te y h ig i t e y l ae w

l G u r n e Mu . i Co.21 F.d 1 41 1 45( t Ci. 7lctn Hen lv, U. . t 33 . 6 a a t e t Lf e , 4 3 0 , 0 9 h rzoo t i g se 461 S a 4 ) i
1 l det r i i g t e appr prat I des aramount t e dititcoud m ay excl de fom t e f e 7 n e m nn h o ie o t , h s rc ur he

1 r ques anyhour t atar ' xcessie,edundant orot el ie unnecessar , L. at946.I 8e t s h ei e vr , h ws y' d '. n

1 r r an ex ep inal as s t e dititc ur ma a j s t e Idesarup ar ordo n ar 9 a e d c to c e , h s r o t y d u t h o t c wd ww d
20 usig a mulil rbas d on f ct notsubsumed i t e i ialldesarcalulton. L=.The n tpi e e as n h nt o t i c ai d

21 f c or s tou i Lo al l 5 - 6 (L 5 - 6, gud t e c ud' an lss.See Schn ier a t s e tn c Rue 4 1 G R 4 1 ' ie h o s ay i ) ed v. 2 Elo Cou t Sh rfs Den' 1 F. upp2d 11 2,1 66 ( . e .1 98 . 2k n v e i' f t7 s , 6 1 DN v 9 )
23 A . Houry Rat l e

24

I det r i i g a r asonabl houry r t , he coud shoul consi ert e skilexperence n e m nn e e l ae t d dh l , i

pj and r put ton oft e ator ey r questngf es.See Chal er v. t ofLosAnnel s, F. d . e ai h tn e ie m s Ci v e 796 2

2 1 05,1 1 - 1 ( t Ci 1 8 ) s e alo W elh,48O F.d a 9 6. The Nit Ci ui ha 62 2 0 1 9h r 9 6 . e s . , c 3 t4 nh r t s c
27 r peat dl hel t att e det r i aton ofa r asonabl houry r t Ss notm ade by r f r nce e e y dh h em n i e e l ae ' i ee e 28 t r t s ac ual char ed t e pr vaing pary. W elh, 480 F. d at 946. Rat er t e o ae tl y g h el i t' ' c 3 h ,h
6

1

r asonabl houry r t shoul r fect'he pr vaii g m ar etr t s i t e r l vantcom m uniy.' e e l ae d el d t el n k ae n h ee t'

2 See Belv Clc am a Coun v 3 1F.d 85 , ( t Ci 20 3) Ad ion l , derLR 5 l. a k s t , 4 3 8 868 9 h r 0 . dt a l un . iy 4 3 1 ,elvan f cor t c nsdern lde: 1 t e n v l a ddiiul of h quesinsiv le ' 6 r e t a t s o o i icu ( ) h o e t n f c t t e y fy t n ov d, o

4 ( )t e s i r qui d'( )t e pr cuson ofo h remplym en '( )t e c som ar f e;an ( ) 2 h kl e r , 3 h e l i l e te o t 4 h ut ye , d5
5 t e experence, eput ton,and abit oft e ator eys. See M r Root rCor .v.M r Pl m ber h i r ai ly h t n i . e p .u ,

6 2008W L 4533 78 a * ( . ev. 08) 9 t 2 D N 20 .
7 I t i m ater Chevr n was r pr sent d by t e Iw fr of Fice Br w n Eass & n hs t, o ee e h a im l i o a

8 M c- od LL .Ac or ig t i mot n f rat r eysf es 'd e ens cou s l asha a lng le P c dn o t s i o to n ' e ,û l f e n e h o l do
9 st ndi g pr f s i nalr l tonshi wih Chevr n, and as pad oft at r l tonshi def nse an o e so ea i pt o' h ea i p e

1 c un el r at d i Igaleam 'ius st r pr s n Che r n i Iia i nma t r .( o in f r 0 o s c e e i e t 't e o e e e t v o n ig t a to te s M to o 1 Ator e ' Fees ( 77)at8) Th Igalt am i c m p ied o Iad c un el an as o it 1 t n ys # . ee e s o r s fe o s , s ca e
1 ator ey and a par l galunderI ad counsel super i i n.L=.' ead counsel orChevr n i 2 tn ae e ' s v so d ' L f os

l a liaton parnerwho has been pr ctcigf rover25 year . L- Accor igt is moton, 3 ig i t t a in o s' d. ' dn o t i
1 I ad counsel t e ass cit ator ey,and t e par l gal r t s ar fxed per counsel 4e ,h o ae t n h ae ' ae s ei ' s

1 agr ementwih Chevr n and ar r asonabl as compar d t t e geogr phi maret4 !. 5 e t o ee e e oh a c k . #.
1 6 The I ad counselr pr sentng Chevr n i Rihar V .Nor i gt n. Accor i g t M r e ee i oscd mn o dn o .

1 N or i gt n' afi avi,he ' har ed Chevr n a r t of$305 perhour' orhi s r ies.Thi i 7 mn o s f t ' g d c o ae 'f s e v c ss

1 M r Nor igt ns' or al our r t s ( ecar t n o Rihar V.Nor igt n i Su por o 8 . m n o ' ' m h l ae' D l a i f c d n y ' o mn o n p tf
1 Def ndantChevr nU. . .Ic. Motonf rAtor ey' Fees( 79).Mr Nor igt natached 9 e o SA n ' i o t n s s # ) . mn o t
20 a bref pr f ssi nalbi gr phy t hi decl r ton i di atng t at he has over 25 year of i oe o oa os a ai n c i h s

21 experence Sn a wi e varet ofci iIi aton mater ,wih a pari ul remphasi i t e ar as i ' i d iy v li g i t ts t ta c snh e
22 of oxi t d def nse, as ac i ns, t co e cl s to Supedund, envionm ent lii aton, r nm ent law , r a I g i envio t a I and

23 gener lciiIiaton. L=. Exhi iC.The houry rt f rt e as ocit ator eyworig on a v lig i ' d at bt t ' l ae o h s ae t n kn
24 25

2 1 9 ).iae o tietefrm ma b ue iflcl o nsl su a albe ete b c uete ae 6 9 7) ts usd h bu y e sd - o a c u e wa n v ia l, i r e a s h y r i h
28 The 1 w tr ofFii e Br w n Eas a & M cle d LLP i ba e outofOa l nd,Calf r i . a im lc o s -o s sd ka io n a 7

V. ilr 68F. u p.d11 9,11 5( . e .1 99)ctn Bai nv.Dalons1 2F 3:496, ( t Ci. M le s p z 6 7 D N v 9 (iig ro t3 1 500 9h r

t s h o u n c h s r c c t is e lc 3 A sa gener lr 1 ,t er l van c m m uniy i t e f r m i w hi h t e dit i t our s t .Se li k a ue h ee t o

unwilngoruna l t pe f r be a s t e l q t ede r eofexpe i nc ? xpe ts q rs e ilz tgn li b e o ro m c u e h y a k h g e re e e rie o p ca i ai 27 rquiedt han l pr pel t ec s .'L=( uotngGaesv. ukm ein, F.d 1 1 05( t Cl. e r o d e o ry h a e' d.q l t De ia 987 2 392, 4 9h r 1 92). 9)

1 2 3 4

t e case,M r Danil Nihol,was$230 perhour' hihi t enor al l r t bied'by h . e J. c s w c sh m houry a e l l d n o . c s o e so l t e lw fr f rdhe ser ies oft i associ t . $= Accor ig t Mr Nihol pr f s ina h a im o ' t vc hs ae' . '
.

bi gr phy, he w as adm i ed t pr ctce i Calor i i 2005 and i a 'ii aton ator ey oa t t o ai n i na n f s ltg i l tn

specil ig i envionm ent l pr duct l bit ,and t xi t d Iiaton. 1= atExhii D. ai n n z r a, o i ly ai o c o ig i ' # t ' bt
A ccor i g t M r Nor i gt n' afi avi,Mr Nor i gt n i f m iarwih t e f es char ed by d n o . m n o s fd t . m n o s a l i th e g

5
6
7

ot erator eyswho pr ctce i t e same ar a and have a si i reducatonal h tn a i nh e ml a i back r und and go
experence. Accor i g t M r Nor i gt n t e r t st ey char ed Chevr n f rt ei ser ies i dn o . m n o h ae h g o o h r vc
,

8 ' r wihi t e r nge ofr t st pial char ed by such ator eysf rsi i rwor . L= 'e tnh a a ae y c l y g tn o ml a k' d. '
9 l 0 11

Based ont e f r goi g,he Cour fndst att e houry r t char ed bydef nse counsel h oe n t ti hh l ae g e

w as r asonabl i I htoft e ski and experence oft e ador eys i voled,as wei as t e e eni g h l l i h n nv lh difculy oft e questons pr sent d i t i cas and counsel cust m ar f es. Def nse fi t h i e e n hs e ' s o ye s e
counselpr vi ed evi enc t at i r t s w er r asonabl and cus om ar f rt i t pe of od d e h t ae s ee e t y o hs y

l2
13

l i aton.Alhough def ns counsel d notpr sentevi ence t atis r t s ar r asonabl f r ig i t t ee di e d h t ae e e eo
t e r l vantcom m uniy ofReno, h ee t Nevada, he Coud fnds i isow nexperence t att e houry t i nt i hh l

l 4
15

r t s c ar ed byt e af r m en i ned O akl nd ator eys i wihi t e pr vaing r t s i Reno. ae h g h oe to a tn s t n h e l ae n i

1 SeeIc , F. up . da 1 6(t t gt a i t eabs n eo a yr lv n evden e r g r ig 6 l k 68 s p z t 17 sa i h tn h i n e c f n ee a t i c e a d n
17

w het ert e r t s ar i l e wiht ose pr vaing i t e com m uniy, he cour m ay use isown h h ae e n i n th e l nh i tt t t

1 ex er n easaguiei bln mater) Ass c , ev oni en ie t a t r eysf esba e 8 p ic e d n iig t s . u h Ch r s t ld o to n ' e l t sd
1 on t e r t s subm it d by i def nse counsel 9 h ae te t se . 20
21 22 23

B. Hour W or ed s k

The pady seeki g ator ey' f es bear t e bur en ofsubm itng evi enc t suppor n t n se sh d ti d eo t t e hour wor ed and r t s cl i ed. Van Ger en,21 F. d at1045.A dititcour shoul h sk a e am w 43 s rc t d excl de fom calul ton of t e f e awar t ose hour t atar ' xces ie,r dundant or ur c ai he dh sh e' e sv e , ot ef ie unnecessar . Hensl y, h ws y' ' e 461 U. .at434. ansno,I c.v. acTr nsm isi n Pars S , Tr n Ai a so t

24
25

Cor .768 F.d 1001,1027 ( t Ci.1985) RelvantLR 54- 6 f ct r t consiericlde: n, 2 9h r .e 1 a os o d nu

2 ( ) h r s l ob aied an t e a oun iv led' 2) hetme an Iborr qui d' d ( ) he 6 1 t e e ut t n s d h m t n ov , t i ( da e r , e an 3 t
27
28 5 I i s opposton,G C M di no c a l nge t e houry r t or t e num be of hour wor ed nt ii d t h le h l ae h r s k s b it d b Che r n. u m te y vo
8

1 novel and dif uly of t e questons i voled. Alhough G CM has not cont st d t e t y fi t c h i nv t ee h 2 r asonabl ness oft e hour expended,t e Cour has an i dependentobl aton t r vi w e e h s h t n i i oee g
3 t em t det r i e i t ey ar r asonabl i I htoft e w or peror ed. See Seal.I c. . h o em n f h ee eni g h k fm vnv

4 Eas Liin,nc , F. d 1 78, 385( t Ci.1 84)sa ig t a a c u ma n tun r ial v vn I .743 2 3 1 9 h r 9 (t tn h t o d y o c ic l ty
5 accepta f e r ques) ee t.
6 Her ,Chevr n i seeki g f es f r 1, 89. 0 hour i cured durng t e cour e oft e e os ne o 6 2 sn r ih s h
7 I i aton. A tached t C hevr n' m oton ar t e cont m por neous tm e r cor s k pt by ig i t t o os i eh e a i ede

8 def nse counseli connec i n wih t e mater and t e perodi bis f r ser ies sentt e n to th t h iclo l vc o

9 Chevr n. ( eclr ton ofRihar V.Nor igt n i Suppor ofDef ndantChevr n U. . . o D a ai cd mn o n t e o SA 1 I c. Moton f rAtor ey' Fees ( 79)atExhii A) Accor ig t Mr Nor igt n,i hi 0 n' s i o tn s # bt . dn o . m n o n s
11 pr f ssi nal ni n,' loft ese ser i es w er r asonabl necessar t secur t e f vo r bl o e o opi o ' I h a vc ee y yo eh a a e

1 r sul't atwas obt ied by Chevr n. L=.at3. Mr Nor igt n' declr ton not s t at 2 e t' h an od . mn o s a ai eh

13 'dlscovef i t i case iclded many s t ofwrten it rogat res, li y n hs nu es i n e r o i documentpr duci ns t o to
l and or l 4 a deposii ns.The padi s exchanged t ousands ofpages ofdocum ent . I addii n, to e h sn to 15 t ent - i htdeposions wer t ken ofper i i ntand exped winesses,i cl di g outofst t w yeg t i ea cpe t nun ae
t ' J. n 16 w inesses.' I= I addiin t exensie dicover ,Chevr n alo st t s t att e paris to o t v s y o s ae h h t e
.

17 engaged i num er us pr -ralm oton wor pror t t e Cour' or er gr ntng Chevr n n o e ti i k i oh ts d ai o

1 s m m a yj dgmen an atem ped t me it t e dipue 8u ru t d t t o dae h s t
19 Aferr vi w i g t e tm esheetsum m al ofChevr n' counselt e Cour fnds t att e t ee n h i ' y os ,h ti hh 20 t t l o a hour expended by Chevr n' ator eys ar notexcessi e.Thi case has been ongoi g s os tn e v s n

21 f r overt o year and i voled 17 cl i s f r r l fassered agai stChevr n. As not d, o w s nv am o e i e t n o e
22 dicover i t i case was ext nsie and ivoled com pl at d I galand f ct alisues. I s y n hs ev nv iee c au s n 23 addii n, her was pr -ral oton wor , welas a m editon adem pt M or over counsel to t e e ti m i k as l ai . e , 24 f rChevr n obt i ed a f vor bl r sulf ris cl nton aIt e cl i s asseded agai sti. As o o an a a e e to t i e Ih a m nt 25 a r sul,t e Cour fnds t atChevr n i entted t ator ey' f es f rt e 1, 89. 0 hour e th ti h o s il o t n s e oh 62 s 26 i cured durng t e cour e oft i Ii aton. nr ih s h s ig i t 27 Thus, based on t e f r goi g, he Coudfndst atChevr n i enttedt ator ey' f es h oe n t i h o s il o t n s e

28 pur uantt t e pr vi i n i t e Envionm en alAgr em enti t e am ountof$367, 96. 5. s o h o so n h r t e nh 53
9

CONCLUSI N O Fort e f r goi g r asons, I I ORDERED t at Def ndant Chevr n U S. .I c. h oe n e TS h e o A n' s
.

Mo i nf r t r eys Fee ( 77)i GRANTED. to o Ato n ' s# s

o 7 o: i7q d yoa n,o 9 A. n s E a fue2 o
.

U ni

St t s i t itJudge ae s rc

21