Jones et al v. Stewart

Filing 176

ORDER Motion for Attorney Fees 162 is GRANTED as to attorneys' fees and DENIED as to expert witness fees. Defendant awarded attorneys' fees incurred after service of offer of judgment in amount of $44,496.00. Signed by Magistrate Judge Robert A. McQuaid, Jr on 10/25/12. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - JC)

'

t

.

!
l

-

, .-,
.

FE n
ID
L

RCND
EEE-j

'
,

--- S VEDo:
ER
-' -ENTE C U SWXV S F Elpl
' ' RE O N E
O R Cl.)

k

2

.

$

3
-

Qc1 2b 2 1
22

'

4

'
UZ RVUSDI F O UX
C DC
YC BYRW VEV X
O

i

5
B
Y:

.

6

;

DEPUTY

'
.

.

.

7

'

ë

8

:

1

9

.

1
0

I I
JN TED STATES D ISTRIW CO I R T
J

1
1
l
2

DI
STRI :OF NW. ADA
G
7
.
.' .)
'

1 SI ON CHEFFI a GREGORY J
3 M
NS nd
ONES, )
,
)
1
4
P a n if,
l i tfs
)
)
1 vs
5 .
)
)
1 MI
6
CHAEL B.STEW ART,
)
)
1
7
De e nt
f nda .
)
'
;

,

,3: c oO1 RAM
O9-v- 3O. .
ORDER

,
'

'

:
5

'

'

.

18

Pli if S m o Che nsa Gr g yJo sCpli if' br ug t sa ton a a ns
a ntfs i n ë
nd e or ne f antfs' o ht hi c i g i t
)
19

Dee ntM iha lS e tODe e n ' algi c nv r i a vil to o t i rg s
f nda
c e t war
f nda t' le ng o e son nd o a in f her i ht
)
20
21
22

unde t Viua Ar it Riht Ac 1 U. C. 1 A OVARA' .( . ) On Ja r 2
r he s l tss g . t 7 S. ! o6
s
' Doc #1 .
)
nua y 0,

201 , hec ur gr t d Dee ntsm o i f rs ma yj m e a t t VAlA ca m ,
1 t o t an e f nda ' ton o um r udg nt s o he k l i
de e Dee ntsmo inf rs
nid fnda ' to o umma j me :a t t c ve soncam, ndde e
orudg nt s o he on ri li a
nid

'
.

23
24

'

P a n if ' o i sf rs m a yj
l i tfs m ton o 'um r udgm e a t bo l l i s Thec ul s bs q ntyde e
nt s o tfcam .
o ' u e ue l nid
t
'

'

am oton fl by Pl i if s l r ons der i ofisdecsi on t VAl c ai .
i
ed
a ntfs eedng ec i aton t
i on
he tA l m

25

26

Tra c
il omme e o J y3o, 2, ndt ma rwmss te t t ur f r
nc d n ul 201 a he /e
ubmi d o hej y o
l
c nsde a i n onAug t9, 2.Afe jlta ho o dei a i t ur r m r d a
o i r to
us 201
t r t n ur f lber ton, hej y e ne
s

27

ve c i f vorofDe e
rdi t n a
f ndanton Pl ntfs'
ai if conver i cl m .
s on ai
28

'
'

j

.

.

'
*

*
:

1
(

:
1
-

;

.

!

.

i
p

i
i

I

1

I
l

OnAug t2 201 Deen ntsld al i l oral ne s f e ( 6 .De e n
us 3, 2, f da e ' pàf tor y 'e s #1 2) f nda t
pöt

'

2 ba e hi r queto aprtilo fro j gme t twa rjce byPantfs Plitfs
s s s e s n era fe fud nt ha s ee td li if. an if
'

3 haveoppos d t m oton ( 70) and Deendantlmsr i ( 72) Pl ntfs s e
e he i #1 ,
f
l epled #1 . ai if' ol

4 a gu n i o suoni uatoee ntsofro udgme twa no tmey, and hei
r me t n ppo i s a fnda ' fe fj
n s ti l
s
5 t r or notentted t r overalor ys f .
he ef e
il o ec
t ne ees

i

6

Feder Rul ofCi lPr edur 54( ( s t f t t procedur f obt ni an
al e
vi oc e d)2) e s or. he
b
e or ai ng

1

7 a r o a t ne 'e si f de a c t M Rl Comn cn , nc u. Te & Te.Co.1
wa d f tor ys f e n e r l our .
j 's I . Am. l l , 97
8 F. 1 6, 281( t ci. 999) A m oi n s e nga ne s f e unde Ru es dlm us, n
ad 27 1 9 . r 1 .
h
to e ki uor y ' e s
r l 4t
ti
9 rl
eevantpa ,i f t 't t e,r e,orot gr
rt dentiy he ' a ut ul
s
ber oundsentti t movantt t
ilng he
o he

E

1 awar '
0
d.
'

'

i

l
l

I
:
i

1 1w ca m o c nv r i n.W he et G o 'i e e csngiss j c m a trj iditonov ra
2 a l i f o e so
r he c ul s x r ii t ub e t te urs c i e
t
.
1 sa e1w cam , ol ng a ft t l w do spo rm c t rt av ld f de a s a t (rr l o
3 t t a li s o s s a e a e t t oun e o a i e r l t m e ? ' e f
u

;

I

1 c t andus l i wilnot sat l denyi t rghtt ator
4 our,
ualy t l , t e aw
ng he i o t neys'ee orgi ng arght
f s
vi
i

!
:

'
1 t r t whih r fec. a s t i polc oft s a e,s ld bef l e ' I at1
5 he e o, c e l t ubs antal i y he t t hokl
s
olow d.' d. 281
'

Att tm e De e
he i
f ndants nrd t ofer Pl ntfs onl r ai ng c ai wasa s a e
e e he f , ai if ' y em ni l m
tt

'

:

I
ë
i

1 (- i '''''' 'uc kaPi i Se Co.1.W idernes Soc', U. 240,259 n. ( 975) .M
6 quotnzAl' s -Delne rv. g l
s y 421 S.
31 1 )
'
'
'
1 i i by Def
7 dentsed
endanti hi m oti t s a el aut i ng an awar ofa t ne f s
n s
on, he t t aw borzi
d t or ys' ee

j

1 i t cas i Nevada Rul ofCi lPr edur 68 SeeM RO Com m cy 1 F. 1
8 n h9 e s
e
vi oc ' e
ns, 97 3d 276

!

.

.

!

1 ( r i awar ofator ' e underFeder lRul 54( ( and NevadaRul 68)
9 aV m ng
d
t neys f es
a e d) 2)
e

!
!
i

20

i

.

21 t ke
a n

Pur uantt Rul 68, a' ryma s nr a ofe i wrtngt al wj me tt be
s
o
e
' t y e e n fr n ii o lo udg n o
pa
i a or
n cc danc w i
e t

b ist r andc ii ns' t' n i emor t n l da sbe o e
t e ms
ond to 'a ' ytm
a
e ha o y f r

.

2 t il' Ne R. v. 6 ( ) I fheo f r erj c st o fr( )f i t ob an amor
2 ra . v. Ci P. 8 a . fs fe e e e t he fe but al o t i
'
t
s
e
23 f vo a l udgme t't o f orma r c ve r m ona ea r y 'e si ur e a t
a r b ej
n , he fer
'
y e o r e s bl /o ne s f e nc r d fer
2 s r ieof heo f r Ne R. v. 6 0( )
4 e vc t fe . v. Ci P. 8( 2 .

2
5

OnJ y1 201 ee e d y beor tildee ntofr dt alw j me tt be
ul 9, 2, lv n a s f e ra, fnda fe e o lo udg n o

2 tke a i thm i t a
6 a n gans i n he mountofSl oool ( . t Ex 1.Plitfsrj ce t o fr
. o, . PlMo . . ) an if ee td he fe ,
27 bu fie t o ana ud nti t i fv , h ls amor fv a l ud me .
t ald o bt i nyj gme n her a or muc e s
e a or bej g nt
28 Unde N e
r vada Rul 68,De e
e
f ndantm ayt ef e r overhi at or
her or ec
s t neys' ees
f .
2

.

1.

1

.

i

.

Plitfs howe ra gu t tt tmef 'eic o a ofe o j me i a
an if,
ve , r e ha he i ors rie f n fr fudg nts

2 pr edur nlet i gover by f all ,and t Fede alRul ofChr Pr edur 68
oc
al l hat s
ned
eder aw
hat
r
e
i oc
l
e

3 r q ;e o fr o j m e t bes nrd a la tf ure n da sbe or 'ra Def
e ul s fe s f udg nt o e e t e s o t e y f et il endant
r
.

' .

4 s z d hi ofe of udgme to Pl i if e e n d y be o et il Thus i go r db t
ewe s f r j
n n antfs lve a s f r ra .
,f ve ne y he
5 f der lmze,De endantsoferwmsuntm e y.
e a l
f
' f
i l

6

Fede lRul 68 alows adef
ra
e
l
endantt r overc t onl wher t pl ntf
o ec
os s y
e he ai i fobt i a
a ns

7 j m e ta no whe t de e ntob ansj i t Det rLi s I . .
udg n nd t n he f nda
t i udgnen . laAi ne , nc u Augus v
t'
8 45 U. 3 35 ( 9 )R odi t tRul 68 wa f i l i pp ia e't ac s whe e
0 S. 46, 2 1 81 l ng ha
e
s ' mp y na lc bl 'o a e r
s
9 j me wm e e e i f v of hed f nda ) s caloM RO Comm cn , 97F.d a
udg nt s nt r d n a or t e e nt ; e s
's 1
3 t

l 1
0 280.M j gme i t sc s wa i fvoro De e nta a i tPli if, f nda
ud nt n hi a e s n a
f f nda nd gans antfs De e nt
11 m a notr overunderFe a Rul 68.
y
ec
der l e
1
2

De e ntsi biiy t r ove underFede alRul 68 doe not- s andi al f nda ' na lt o ec r
r
e
s
t ng one

1 r ndert r e' pr
3 e
he ul s ocedur as t i
al pec s napplca e,however.TheN i h Ci c thmsf
i bl
nt r ui
ound

1 Fe r lRul 6 go e ne whe i c fit d V :Ias a eso f rofj gme r l al wi
4 de a e 8 v r d n t on lce . t t ' fe - -ud nt u e lo ng
I
1 r over ofc t e n wher t def
5 ec y os. ve
s
e he endantwasnotentted t r overundert f al
il o ec
he eder

1 r e.Sc Gol r t. c I m . , 7F. 7 ,7 7( t Ci. 0) None h e s
6 ul c dbe g )Pa . nde Co.62 3d 52 5 9 h r 201 .
t èls ,
1 Feder lRul 68 does tappl bec e De e
7
a
e
n'
y aus f ndantsr cover ofat or ys f i gover
' e
y
t ne ' ees s
ned

1 b Fe r lRul 5 d)2) a Rul 5 d)2)e plctyi or or t ssa el wsgr ntn a
8 y de a e 4( ( , nd e 4( ( x iil nc p a e t t a
a ig
1 r ghtt a or ys' ees, nc udi Nevada Rul 68.Se Gol g,627 F. at757; RO
9 i o tt ne f i l ng
e
c dber
3d
M

20 Com m c' 1 F. 1
ns, 97 3d 276.

21

Thec ur s e nobm i f ra l ngt tmi pr v son o amzet ti no
o te s
ss o pj yi he i ng o ii f l ha s t

22 applc e t t ofera i sue,norha Pl ntf sct any cas l w s
i abl o he f t s
ve ai if ied
e a uppor i doi s .
tng ng o.
23

24

1 a ntfsct
Pli if ieludf c v. ct c nson& co.486U. 1 ( 988)f bepr i ba
nfh Be onDiki
,
S. 96 1
ort oposuont t

u i elm isoff a r e ar pr e a a enf r ed i di r iyca e e i sat l w alowed
tm i t
eder l ul s e oc dur l nd o c n ve st s s ven f t e a l

25 l rtm elmis. ( . n 2) Budi c i vedaf de a pr e a r et tdie ty a i dt
onge i i t ' PlOpp' .
'
nih nvol
e r l oc dur l ul ha r c l pple o
t c ea ha - t tm elm i f flng a notceofappe l- and t e or doe nots a f t
he as t nd he i i t or i
i
a
her f e s
t nd or he
26 pr
opos uon t t eder l i elm ism a over e n w hent r edoesnot yt hec s Pl i f
i
ha f a t m i t yg
n ve
he ul
appl ot a e. a nhfs
.

as cieHom eI
lo t
ndem .Co.t.
)LanePowelM os & M il , F. 1 ( h Ci.1
l s
ler 43 3d 322 9t r 99s)asaca e i
s n

27 whiht c '' pecfc lyde i e t olowasaepr e a as tofi' Ei)ofero j
c he ou! l iial clnld) of l t t oc dur l pec ts sc f fudgme
ts
nt
r ee n t h s t i 1 oft sat woud ha t bef lwe ,, ( .Opp,n 2) Home
ul ve houg ubsantve aw he t e l ve o olo d. Pl
.
28 I mniy i ve asa eoferofj mentsa t r ltngt coss,nota t ne s'e s, t
nde t nvol d tt f - -udg
tm e ea i o t
tor y fe and hus
underGol r andpf Com muniatonsi ditnguiha ef om t sc s SeeGol r 627F.
dbe g
Ro
c i s s i s bl r hi a e.
dbe g,
3d

'

I
'

.

;

.

1 W hiet Ni h Ci ui hmsnotaddr ss whet t tm i pr dsi ofFeder Rul 68
l be nt rc t
e ed
her be i ng oA on
al e

'

:

2 a ist alo fr ofudg n ma i fdea c f e e t ema p s n t a
pple o 1 fes j me t de n e rl our. v n hos de urua t o
-

!

3 saeofrofj gme mzepr vdi as t n ierg t al r y 'e s-isde ii i
t t fe - -ud nt l o i ng ubsa tv iht o to ne s fe t cson n

:

4 M RO Com muniato s g sst tt s a eo f ro -udg e pr c d e wo da yt
c ins ug e t ha he t t fe - fj m nt o e ur s ul ppl o

;

5 an oferm ade pur uantt t s a enle:
f
s
o he t t l

1

(

6

7
8
9

l artfs c s t fl Eher saecamsi fie y c
P1llif) bo e o ie t i) t t li n e r l oun.Ne ad a
n
v ai w

.

per lsa pr vaii def
mt
e lpg endantt r oyera t
o ec
t orneys f i r aferan
ees ncur ed t

l
i
!

Ha P l i tfs fld (her s a e1 w ca msi sa ec ut Ne à sofe o
d a n if) e t i) t t a l i n t t o t, v da' f r f

j
udgmentrul and sam t swoul ovi t applcabl oc dur
e
t e
dpr de he
i epr e e

,

ofe o j me tl rjce byt pan if I wo dbeun ks a a
fr f udg n s eetd he lltf. t ul
jlt nd

vi a i oft na i lpolc ...t r i a dif e r ul her s m pl
ol t on he tona
iy
o eac l fer nt es t e i y
beca t f um i f a .
use he or s eder l

5

!

1 M ho commc , nc, 97F. a 1 8 ( ia i a e .Be a eFe rlRul 68i
0
w I .1 ad t 282- 3 emplss dd d) c us dea e s

'

i

!
l

11 nott bassf any awar i t s c e,and bec let awaq i base on a s t i
he i or
d n hi ms
ats he
ds
d
ubs antve
1 s at l w pr rdi a rghtt a or ys' ees t c t oncude t t hetmef s nr èo
2 t ea
m i ng i o tt ne f , he our c l s ha t ' or e i f
i
c

I
'
I
;

1 t o fro j gme i dit t dbyt s t ntv sa el Ne daRul 68.De e an '.
3 he fe f ud nt s c a e
he ubsa ie t t aw, va
e . f nd ts
1 o fro j m e wa t r f etm ey.
4 fe f udg nt s he e or i l

$

i

l
5

i

i

1 at or ys f esi ur ed a eréer i e oft ofer Beat i t.Thom cs 668 P. 268,274
6
t ne ' e nc r ft
vc
be f .
te 7
,
2d

k
:

:

!

I

:
.

U nderRul 68,t c thmst dicr i t alow any oral oft ofer '
e
he our
he s eton o l
l be f ors

E

.
'

I

(

17 (
Nev.1 .l f s oni an awar t courtm ustc ii rf f t s:( )whet tl
983) n a hi ng
d, he
orsde our ac or 1
her le

1

!

1
8

j

'

1 wmsr as
9
e onabl and i goodf ih i bot istm i and amount;( whe hert pl ntf'
e
n
at n h t i ng
3) t he ai ifs

'

2 de ii t r j c t o f ra pr e dt tilwa g o sy unr a ona eo i badf ih; nd
0 cson o e e t he fe nd oc e o ra s r s l e s bl r n
at a
21 ( whebe t fe s ugh byt o fr a erm ona ea uso e i a un .I
4) t r he e s o t he feor r e s bl ndj t d n mo t d.

f
1

2
2

1

i

pantf scam wm br ug i g df ih;()whehe t dee nt' fe o j
li if li s o ht n oo at 2
t r he fnda s ofr fudgme
nt

Whl Pan isc n eso cam wa bru h i g o fi iwm ce ra t tme
i lit f' o v rin li s o g tn o d at t s la the i
e
f
h,

1

2 ote frhtlitffcdma rbtcsn rvin o i-ic dn, otnl, j
3 fhof taPa isae j os l ipeaig nt nl igi r t
e
nf
o ae
l
u mp a y
24 r buttng De e
e i
f ndantsc enton t t y had a
' ont i hat he
bandone La Cont s l wms
d
es a. t
25 unr onabl f Pl ntfst be i ve t y woul s ee on t rc a m t pr
ems
e or ai if o le he
d ucc d
hei l i o opert t t
y ha
26 t y had alowed t f l i o a s at ofdi r r t tt y di notr t i alerbe ng
he
l
o a l nt t e
s epai, ha he d
e reve
i
27

28

at7s7 n.
7.

4

.

1

2
l
:, ':
. t

t

1 i or ed i c d no l
nf m
t oul
ongerbe s or d wber i was' wi. whih t tt y had lm ie
t e
e t zand t
h
c ha he
i td
2 c ac i t se alm ont pr edi isde ruc i Furt ,Pl ntfs e de on t
ont t n he ver
hs ec ng t st tön.
her ai if ' vi nce
he

3 vaueo La Conts aa t tm ei wm de t o e wa s ve eyl c pg Thef c t ur
l f
e s t he i t s s r y d s e r l a ki .
a t hej y
4 t l st an hourt fnd i f vorofDef
ook es han
o
n a
endanti ise fs
n t l ugges st weaknes of
t he
s

5 Pl ntfs' l m .Gi t ewe
ai if cai
ven hes aknes es an oferof$1 ooo1wasm or t r ona e.
s ,
f
o,
e han eas bl

6 I t r o tmi t ofrwasma j tbeor tilbe a buti i sgnsc ntt tt
n e ms f i ng,he fe
de us f e ra g n, t s i i a ha be
7 t i i t sm aterwass he e t l tt e wee The oferwmsm ade ata tm ewhen
ral n hi
l
c dul d o as hr e
ks.
f
i

8 t par i c zd s ilavoi t eef lwe t ofltga i and t s i t i am ountof
he tes oll tl
d br ul els ii ton
he tbs antal

.

'

9 a t ne f t twoul go al wi. t .The oferwœst r onabl i ist m i ms
t or ys' ees ha
d
ong t hat
h
f
hus eas
e n t i ng,

!

1 w e l The c tc l
0
l.
our onc udest De endantsof e wasr ona e and i good f t and
hat f
' fr
ems bl
n
aih,

1 Pl i if' ee tono s h wa gr syunr m ona e.
1 antfs rj c i f uc s os l e s bl
1
2
M t whehe t f e r que t d a er a ona ea u t e t c tno e i ta l
o t r he e s e se r e s bl ndj sv d, he our t s niily
'

1 t Pl ntfs m akeno ar z ent mst t am ovntorr ona enes ofany oft f s
3 hat ai if
gtm s o he
eas bl s
he ee

'

!

:
'

1 sought.Def
4
endantsa or y' ha pr t c f neary 29 ye s. I lghtoft sexperenc
' tt ne s s ac i ed or
l
ar n i
hi
i e

1

1 and i lghtoft r esc monl c gedi t c
5
ni
he at om
y har n he omm uniy, hehouryf of$250 i
t t
l ee
s

'

1 r ona e. Albough t num be ofhour i l d ni da att i l and t t wer
6 ems bl
t
he
r
s nc ude ne ys r a ,
hts e
17 subs anta ,tl l b oft t i wasdue i l ge par t Pl ntf s decii t pr enta
t i l le engt
he r al
n ar
t o ai if ' s on o es

1 vol i
8
um nous num berofwine sesand e denc The hour s
t s
vi
e.
s pentout i t i lappeart
s de r a
o

.

1 havebeen r ona y expended.The c tt e or fndst f s
9
ems bl
our her f e i
be ees oughtar r onabl
e eas
e

2 a ts i d i a
0 ndjltse n mount
.
21

W hiet c ' fndst a or ys f r ona e,t r i no bms sf a awar of
l he oul i
t
he tt ne ' ees ems bl he e s
i or n
d

'

22 t Def
he endantsexpe 'w ines f De e
'
lt t s ee. f ndantr cogni st the i notentt ed t ex rt
e
ze ha
s
il o pe

'

2 wine sf e unde Ne ad 1w be azehedi no i hi ofe of u m e i n iyt
3 t s es
r v a a c ts
d t n s f r j dg nt de tf he

'

24 s at eaut ii r over ofe 'f ,Nev.Re St .b1 11 Sc M RO Cörtlc' ,
t ut horzng ec y xpel ees
t
v. at 7. 5. c
rr' ns
t

2 1 F. a 1 Tr te o pe e sf rS. v. alh& W'tàr Tr s 1. te Bl
5 97 3d t 282; use s fcar ntr o Ne He t
e/ e u tJBetr dg.
2 Co.71 P.d 1 9 ( v. 985 .Hea g s howe r t thewo d sil ei i ef r
6
, o 2 37 Ne 1 )
r ue ,
ve , ha
ul tl be lgbl o
27 expe w ines f s pur
rt t s ee
suantt Feder Rtl 68 and Nevada Rul 68.Thi ar
o
al le
e
s gum e i
nt s

2 wiho me i. e t ht o fro j gme i Tr te o pe e s 7 oP. 1 7
8 t ut rt Ev n houg he fe f ud nt n use s fcar ntr , 1 2d 3 9
5

i

i

1 wasm adepur uantt Nevada Rul 68,t courtr tj t aur d e
s
o
e
he
efz ed o ar xper w ines f s
t t s ee

2 be a es ci 1 .1 ha no be nctd.I wo dbei o rt c ncude t n,ha
c us e ton 715 d t e ie t ul mpr pe o o l ,be t t
3 e pelwin s f sa erc v rbl unde Ne daRui 68, ndDeen n ha pr vde no
x l t e s ee r e o e a e
r va
e '
a
f da t s o i d

/

4 ot l i c i t si t cas And asFede alRtl 68 apple onl when t pl ntfher aw ndi atng hi s he e.
r
te
is y
'he ai if

5 o f r eo ansaj gme )De e n i no e il dt r c v ra c t t r unde ,
fe e bt i ud nt f nda t s t ntte o e o e ny os s he e
r
6 e
xpertwines f s orot wie.
t s ee
her s

7

Ac di l t def
cor ngy, he endantsm otonf at ne ' ee ( 62)i GRAN TED ast
'
i or lor ys f s #1 s
o

,

8 a or ys' eesand D EN I a t exper wine sf es.Def
tt ne f
ED s o
t t s e
endanti her by awar d hi
s e
de s

9 a t ne s f si ur e a t s mr eo t o fro j me i t a o of$44, 00.
tor y 'ee nc r d fer e i f he fe f udg nt n he m unt
c
496.
1
0

I I SO O RD ER ED .
T S

l1

4
.

,

DATED:Thi 25t day ofOc ober 201
s h
t
, 2.

12

4
ï

13

UN I
TED STATES M AGI
STM TE JUDGE

15

21

!
I
!
!

I
I

!
6

,