THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY v. SONIA et al

Filing 43

LETTER OPINION and ORDER that the Court grants Plaintiff $6,000 in attorneys' fees and costs, to be deducted from the funds deposited in the Courts registry. Signed by Judge William H. Walls on 1/7/15. (jd, )

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT District of New lersey Chambers of Main Luther King Jr. Federal Courthouse 50 Walnut Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 William H. Walls Disct Judge (973) 645-2564 (973) 645-3436 Fax NOT R PUBLICATION LETTER OPINION AND ORDER JGTNAL ON FILE ITH CLERK OF COURT January 7, 2015 Appearances: Sarah Lynn Blame, Esq. D’Arcarnbral Ousley & Cuyler Burk LLP Parsippany Corporate Center, 3T(1 Floor Four Century Drive Parsippany, NJ 07054 David C. Stanziale, Esq. 552 High Mountain Road, Suite 3 North Haledon, NJ 07508 Jay I. Lazerowjtz, Esq. 55 Hamstown Road, 3X Floor Glen Rock, NJ 07452 Louis J. Maione, Esq. 200 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019 Re: th 27 Floor The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Corn an v. Anthon Sonia Anthon De Michael Latella, and John Latella; No. 14-cv-3 787 ’ Fees Motion for Attorneys Dear Counsel: This Court is in receipt of the motion by Plaintiff The Northwesteni Mutual Life Insurance Company (“Northwestern Mutual”) for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. Plaintiffs motion is granted in part. Plaintiff will be awarded $6,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs. FACTS AND PROCEDUJL BACKGROUND Northwestern Mutual initiated this interpIeae action and deposited $126,845 into the Court’s registry, the rights to this amount being contested by the parties intenpleaded ECF No. 1. Northwestern Mutual now seeks $17,941.91 in attorneys’ fees and costs. ECF No. 34. DISCUSSION Nonnally the Court would not grant attorneys’ fees to Northwestern Mutual for initiating an intelpleader action to resolve competing claims to a life insurance benefit. Travelers Indemnity Co. v. Israel, 354 F.2d 488, 490 (2d Cir. 1965); Guardian Life Ins. Co. v. Gilmore No. 13-CV 2677 KMK, 2014 WL 35438, at *78 (S.D.NY Sept. 9, 2014); AIG Life Ins. Co. v. Rafferty No. 07-CV-3099 2008 WL 1959697 at *1 (ED. Pa. May 6, 2008). However, because of the additional motion practice in this matter, the Court has detennjn that it is appropriate to award Plaintiff $6,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs. CONCLUSION The Court grants Plaintiff $6,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs, to be deducted from the funds deposited in the Court’s registry. It is 50 ordered /-_ ,,, _/ united io75tctJd Sfate /i__

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