Crowder v. Freeman, Freeman & Smiley CA2/1
Robert Crowder, an attorney, and Freeman, Freeman & Smiley LLP (Freeman), his former law firm, disputed the payment due Crowder upon his withdrawal from the partnership. Pursuant to a partnership agreement, the dispute proceeded to arbitration, resulting in an award in favor of Freeman for damages and attorney fees. Crowder petitioned the superior court to vacate the award and Freeman moved to confirm it. The trial court denied Crowder’s petition and confirmed the award, and we affirmed the resulting judgment. (Crowder v. Freeman (July 1, 2021, B303397) [nonpub. opn.].)
The arbitration agreement provided that “ ‘[t]he arbitrator may award reasonable attorneys’ fees and arbitration costs to the prevailing party.”
Freeman moved in superior court for attorneys’ fees, including fees incurred in court proceedings to confirm the award. The court awarded Freeman attorney fees in the amount of $34,455.
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