Kennedy v. Robert Lee Auto SalesKennedy v. Robert Lee Auto Sales
KENNEDY v ROBERT LEE AUTO SALES
Docket No. 322523. Submitted November 9, 2015, at Lansing. Decided November 24, 2015, at 9:05 a.m.
Jennifer Jane Kennedy (plaintiff) filed a third-party complaint against Robert Lee Auto Sales (defendant) in the 54-A District Court. Plaintiff‘s complaint, in part, alleged violations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (MMWA),
The Court of Appeals held:
1. The trial court abused its discretion by failing to consider the factors outlined in Smith v Khouri, 481 Mich 519 (2008), when determining the proper amount of attorney fees to award plaintiff. The Smith factors apply to attorney fees awarded under fee-shifting statutes like the MCPA and the MMWA. The MCPA and the MMWA are remedial statutes aimed at affording a consumer access to the legal redress of disputes involving meager monetary value when the consumer‘s financial status would otherwise prevent such a lawsuit. Application of the Smith factors to the award of attorney fees in fee-shifting statutes will increase the consistency among attorney-fee awards. In this case, the trial court awarded plaintiff a flat $1,000 in costs and attorney fees, indicating its disapproval of the amount of attorney fees being requested in light of the small amount of money recovered by plaintiff. Factors relevant to an award of reasonable attorney fees in a case without a large monetary return require the trial court to do more than consider the financial implications or ultimate result of the case.
2. The Smith framework requires the trial court to multiply a reasonable number of hours spent on the matter by the customary fee charged in the area for similar legal services to arrive at an amount representing the starting point for calculating a reasonable attorney fee. The trial court, by considering the Smith factors, had the discretion to make adjustments, downward or upward, to the amount reflected by the starting point value. The Smith framework consists of six factors, each of which may impact the amount calculated as the starting point. The factors are: (1) the professional standing and experience of the attorney; (2) the skill, time, and labor involved; (3) the amount in question and the results achieved; (4) the difficulty of the case; (5) the expenses incurred; and (6) the nature and length of the professional relationship with the client. Additional factors a trial court may consider to determine the proper amount of attorney fees to award are found in Michigan Rule of Professional Conduct (MRPC) 1.5(a).
Vacated and remanded.
1. STATUTORY ATTORNEY FEES - FEE-SHIFTING STATUTES - SMITH FACTORS.
A trial court must apply the factors outlined in Smith v Khouri, 481 Mich 519 (2008), to determine a reasonable attorney fee in cases involving fee-shifting statutes such as the Michigan Consumer Protection Act,
2. ATTORNEY FEES - CALCULATING THE STARTING POINT - ADJUSTING THE FEE AMOUNT - SMITH FACTORS.
Under Smith v Khouri, 481 Mich 519 (2008), calculating the proper amount of attorney fees to award a party begins with calculation of the starting point; the starting point requires the court to multiply the reasonable number of hours spent on the case by the fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal services; a trial court has the discretion to make downward or upward adjustments to the starting point amount after reviewing
The Liblang Law Firm, PC (by Dani Liblang and Michael L. Rowady), for plaintiff.
Frank J. Nerat, Jr., for defendant.
Before: METER, P.J., and BORRELLO and BECKERING, JJ.
I. PERTINENT FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On August 31, 2012, plaintiff purchased a 2003 Chevrolet Impala from defendant. Plaintiff made a down payment of $2,200 and entered into a retail installment contract for the remaining balance. She also granted defendant a security interest in the car. Defendant subsequently assigned the retail installment contract and security agreement to Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. (CPSI).
Plaintiff made only two payments on the retail installment contract before defaulting. On August 9, 2013, CPSI filed suit against plaintiff in district court, alleging breach of contract and seeking possession of the car. Plaintiff2 responded to the
CPSI and plaintiff reached a settlement agreement in which CPSI cancelled plaintiff‘s debt and deleted the matter from her credit history, and plaintiff promised to return the vehicle to CPSI after her claims against defendant were resolved. The trial court dismissed the
claims against CPSI, and the case continued between defendant and plaintiff.
On January 30, 2014, defendant moved for summary disposition under
At a hearing on the motion for summary disposition, plaintiff‘s counsel stated that among other relief, plaintiff was seeking a refund of the down payment and the payments she made on the contract before defaulting. The trial court suggested that the parties attempt to reach a settlement in the case. After a short break in the proceedings, the parties agreed to settle the case for $2,675.18, which was the amount of plaintiff‘s down payment plus the two monthly installment payments she had made. In addition, with respect to the “statutory attorney fees” plaintiff sought under the MMWA and MCPA, the parties agreed to “allow the Court to make that decision.” The trial court expressly asked Robert Lee, the owner of defendant company, whether he understood and agreed to the settlement, which would allow the court to decide the amount of fees to be awarded. Lee answered, “I think you can do a fair job, yes, sir.” With regard to attorney fees, the parties stated that they would attempt to work out the amount of fees owed without the court‘s involvement, but if they could not, plaintiff would petition the court to determine the fee award. The trial court entered a
written order memorializing the settlement and stating, with regard to attorney fees, that “in the event that the parties are unable to resolve the amount of statutory attorney fees and costs on their own, Plaintiff‘s counsel shall notify the Court so that a briefing and hearing schedule may issue[.]”
In the months that followed, the parties were unable to resolve the amount of attorney fees, causing plaintiff to file a “Petition for Assessment of Statutory Costs and Attorney Fees Pursuant to Settlement Agreement.” Citing the factors set forth in Smith, plaintiff requested a total of $14,943.04—$14,267.50 in attorney fees and $675.54 in costs. Attached to the petition were several documents, including billing records for this case, the 2010 Economics
Defendant responded that plaintiff‘s costs and fees should be limited to $891.72, which was 1/3 of plaintiff‘s recovery against defendant. Any other amount, according to defendant, “would be unfair and inequitable[.]” Defendant claimed that this is the amount that plaintiff “would have actually been charged” to defend defendant‘s motion for summary disposition. Implicit in this argument was the idea that defendant should not be liable for paying attorney fees plaintiff incurred in the proceedings involving CPSI.
After hearing brief arguments from the parties at a June 4, 2014 hearing, the trial court stated that it was awarding plaintiff $1,000 in costs and attorney fees:
Okay. Let me just say, this kind of an attorney fee billing on a case as nickel and dime as this is far beyond what I would ever allow in a lawsuit, nor do I feel it‘s a fair amount at all. You are awarded a thousand dollars.
I might also add, there is nothing in this settlement or agreement here that there was any violation of the Consumer Protection Act. The mere fact that you sue under an act is no determination by this Court [that] there was a violation, with all due respect. You get a thousand dollar attorney fee. Thank you.
The trial court subsequently entered a written order awarding plaintiff $1,000 in costs and attorney fees.5 Plaintiff now appeals the order as of right.
II. ANALYSIS
We review the trial court‘s award of attorney fees for an abuse of discretion. Moore v Secura Ins, 482 Mich 507, 516; 759 NW2d 833 (2008). “An abuse of discretion occurs when the trial court‘s decision is outside the range of reasonable and principled outcomes.” Id. Plaintiff argues that the trial court‘s award of attorney fees was an abuse of discretion because (1) the trial court failed to apply the framework set forth by our Supreme Court in Smith and (2) the trial court failed to consider the remedial purpose of the fee-shifting provisions of the MMWA and the MCPA.
A. PLAINTIFF‘S ENTITLEMENT TO ATTORNEY FEES
We begin our analysis by briefly touching on plaintiff‘s entitlement to attorney fees. Although the trial court awarded attorney fees to plaintiff, it appeared to doubt plaintiff‘s entitlement to such fees, noting that nothing in the settlement agreement established a violation of the MCPA, and that “[t]he mere fact that you sue under an act is no determination by this Court
[that] there was a violation . . . .” On appeal, defendant also appears to contest plaintiff‘s entitlement to attorney fees.
On this point, we agree with plaintiff that the facts of this case are substantially similar to the facts of LaVene v Winnebago Indus, 266 Mich App 470; 702 NW2d 652 (2005). In LaVene, the plaintiffs sued the defendants under the MCPA and the MMWA, both of which provide for an award of attorney fees and costs. Id. at 472, 477-478. See
The facts of the case at bar are essentially the same. Plaintiff sued defendant under the MCPA and the MMWA, and the parties reached a settlement in which they agreed that if they could not determine the amount of “statutory attorney fees and costs on their own,” the trial court would decide the matter. Thus, any argument that plaintiff was not entitled to statutory attorney fees because there was no judgment against defendant is without merit. See id.
B. DETERMINING WHETHER SMITH v KHOURI APPLIES TO THIS CASE
We next turn our attention to whether the framework established by our Supreme Court in Smith applies to the award of attorney fees in this case. For the reasons discussed below, we hold that it does, and that the trial court‘s award of attorney fees, rendered with virtually no explanation or examination of the relevant factors, was an abuse of discretion. In doing so, we note our belief that the Smith framework applies to all fee-shifting statutes, even though other panels of this Court have disagreed with that position. However, given our conclusion that there is no binding authority to prevent Smith from applying in this particular case, we find it unnecessary to declare a conflict with those prior decisions.6 Furthermore, even if the Smith framework did not apply, we would hold that the trial court‘s cursory explanation for the award of attorney fees in this case was an abuse of discretion.
1. OUR SUPREME COURT‘S DECISION IN SMITH v KHOURI
In general, a party is not entitled to an award of
attorney fees and costs unless such an award is expressly authorized by statute or court rule. Haliw v Sterling Hts, 471 Mich 700, 707; 691 NW2d 753 (2005). At issue in Smith, 481 Mich at 522 (opinion by TAYLOR, C.J.), was an award of attorney fees under
“(1) the professional standing and experience of the attorney; (2) the skill, time and labor involved; (3) the amount in question and the results achieved; (4) the difficulty of the case; (5) the expenses incurred; and (6) the nature and length of the professional relationship with the client.” [Smith, 481 Mich at 529 (opinion by TAYLOR, C.J.), quoting Wood, 413 Mich at 588.]
In addition, explained Smith, courts have traditionally considered the following eight factors found in Michigan Rule of Professional Conduct (MRPC) 1.5(a), some of which overlap the Wood factors:
“(1) the time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved, and the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly;
(2) the likelihood, if apparent to the client, that the acceptance of the particular employment will preclude other employment by the lawyer;
(3) the fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal services;
(4) the amount involved and the results obtained;
(5) the time limitations imposed by the client or by the circumstances;
(6) the nature and length of the professional relationship with the client;
(7) the experience, reputation, and ability of the lawyer or lawyers performing the services; and
(8) whether the fee is fixed or contingent.” [Smith, 481 Mich at 530 (opinion by TAYLOR, C.J.), quoting MRPC 1.5(a).]
Citing Wood, 413 Mich at 588, the lead opinion in Smith also noted that “[t]he above factors have not been exclusive, and the trial courts should consider any additional relevant factors.” Smith 530 (opinion by TAYLOR, C.J.).
After setting forth the factors in Wood and in MRPC 1.5(a), the lead opinion in Smith announced that “our current multifactor approach needs some fine-tuning.” Id. As the initial step in determining the reasonableness of an attorney-fee award, the lead opinion concluded, “a trial court should begin its analysis by determining the fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal services, i.e., factor 3 under MRPC 1.5(a).” Id. Next, the court should multiply the customary fee “by the reasonable number of hours expended in the case (factor 1 under MRPC 1.5[a] and factor 2 under Wood).” Id. at 531 (alteration in original). The product of these numbers “serve[s] as the starting
point for calculating a reasonable attorney fee.” Id. This starting point, explained the lead opinion, was designed to “lead to greater consistency
2. THE REACH OF SMITH‘S FRAMEWORK AND THE “STARTING POINT” FOR ASSESSING REASONABLENESS
As noted, the Court in Smith, 481 Mich at 522 (opinion by TAYLOR, C.J.), framed the issue to be decided in that case as one involving an award of case-evaluation sanctions under
However, not all of the language in Smith was so limited to case-evaluation sanctions. For instance, the Court began its analysis in Smith by describing the multifactor approach commonly used by courts to determine the reasonableness of an attorney-fee award—an approach that applied to all attorney-fee awards—and admitted that the “current multifactor approach need[ed] some fine-tuning.” Id. at 530. In announcing that such “fine-tuning” was needed, the opinion made virtually no mention of case-evaluation sanctions again, and it did not specify that this new approach was limited to cases involving attorney fees awarded as case-evaluation sanctions. In fact, after stating that this “fine-tuning” was expected to provide “greater consistency in awards,” Smith did not specify that this “greater consistency” was only meant for attorney fees awarded as case-evaluation sanctions. And when the Court later summarized the new rule it had established, the lead opinion simply announced a rule that “a trial court” should use for “determining a reasonable attorney fee“; the lead opinion did not mention case-evaluation sanctions or state in any way that the new framework should only be applied to cases involving case-evaluation sanctions. Id. at 537 (emphasis added).
Moreover, in response to criticisms levied by the dissent in Smith, the lead opinion stated that it sought to provide a framework that could apply to Michigan‘s other fee-shifting statutes. Id. at 535-536. For instance, the lead opinion acknowledged that selecting a reasonable hourly rate to use in calculating an attorney-fee award was “not an exact science . . . .” Id. at 535. The lead
and statutes.” Id. (emphasis added). The lead opinion further stated that its discussion was intended as guidance on fee-shifting statutes in general. The lead opinion criticized the dissenting justices for offering “no rubric to guide Michigan courts,” and it emphasized that “[u]nlike the dissent, we choose to provide the guidance that has been, and the dissent would allow to remain, sorely lacking for the many Michigan courts that are asked to impose ‘reasonable attorney fees’ under our fee-shifting rules and statutes.” Id. at 536 (emphasis added).
Yet not all of the justices were convinced that the lead opinion was clear with regard to when the new framework set forth in Smith should apply. Among other concerns expressed in his dissenting opinion, Justice CAVANAGH took issue with the lead opinion for its lack of clarity in this regard:
Does this now mean that the third factor of MRPC 1.5(a) is the starting point for all proceedings under that provision of our ethical code? Further, does this new rule apply to other fee-shifting provisions? For example, does the majority‘s test apply to the fee-shifting provisions of the Uniform Condemnation Procedures Act,
MCL 213.66 , and the Michigan Civil Rights Act,MCL 37.2802 , each of which involves reasonable attorney fees? And if today‘s rule only applies toMCR 2.403 , what is the basis for such a limited application of the new rule? [Smith, 481 Mich at 555 (CAVANAGH, J., dissenting).]
3. POST-SMITH DEVELOPMENTS
In two post-Smith orders, our Supreme Court applied the Smith framework to cases involving attorney fees awarded in Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) cases and Headlee Amendment cases. Coblentz v Novi, 485 Mich 961 (2009); Adair v Michigan, 494 Mich 852 (2013). The Smith analysis begins with multiplying a
reasonable number of hours by a reasonable hourly rate, and then making adjustments to that amount based on the Wood/MRPC factors. Notably, a few of the justices were critical of their colleagues in Juarez v Holbrook, 483 Mich 970 (2009), for failing to remand the case for reconsideration in light of Smith. In Juarez, the Supreme Court denied leave in a case involving an appeal from this Court‘s decision—issued one day before the Supreme Court issued its decision in Smith—affirming an award of case-evaluation sanctions. See Juarez v Holbrook, unpublished opinion per curiam of the Court of Appeals, issued July 1, 2008 (Docket Nos. 275040 and 276312). In separate dissents, Justice CORRIGAN and Justice MARKMAN would have vacated this Court‘s opinion affirming the fee award and remanded the case for reconsideration in light of the recently established Smith framework. See Juarez, 483 Mich at 970 (CORRIGAN, J., dissenting); id. (MARKMAN, J., dissenting).
This Court‘s application of the Smith framework to fee-shifting statutes and court rules other than
(On Third Remand), 298 Mich App at 388. Recognizing that a fee-shifting provision was at issue in that case, the panel applied the Smith framework to assess the reasonableness of the attorney-fee award. Id. at 390. Although our Supreme Court later reversed the Adair panel‘s decision in part, the Court did not overrule the application of Smith, and in fact, cited Smith in its order. See Adair, 494 Mich 852.
In addition to Adair, other panels of this Court have applied the Smith framework to various fee-shifting statutes. For instance, in Prins v Mich State Police, 299 Mich App 634, 645; 831 NW2d 867 (2013), the panel applied the Smith framework to an award of attorney fees in a FOIA case. In addition, in Silich v Rongers, 302 Mich App 137, 149-150; 840 NW2d 1 (2013), the panel cited to Smith in a case involving an award of attorney fees under
ney fees on a quantum meruit theory); Annis v Annis, unpublished opinion per curiam of the Court of Appeals, issued April 16, 2015 (Docket No. 319577) (applying the Smith framework to an award of attorney fees as sanctions under
However, other panels have declined to apply the Smith framework to an award of attorney fees under fee-shifting statutes or under court rules beyond the fee-shifting
fees under
4. SMITH SHOULD APPLY TO THIS CASE
After considering all of the foregoing authorities, we hold that it is appropriate to apply the Smith framework to the award of attorney fees at issue in this case.10 The Court‘s opinion in Smith indicated that the rule established there was to be applied to “our various fee-shifting rules and statutes” and was in-
tended to provide guidance for “Michigan courts that are asked to impose ‘reasonable attorney fees’ under our fee-shifting rules and statutes.” Smith, 481 Mich at 535-536 (opinion by TAYLOR, C.J.). In this regard, we find instructive the reasoning employed in Adair (On Third Remand), 298 Mich App at 390, when applying the Smith framework to FOIA‘s fee-shifting provision. Notably, the panel in Adair recognized that in Smith, our Supreme Court stated that the “aim” of the new framework was “‘to provide a workable, objective methodology for assessing reasonable attorney fees that Michigan courts can apply consistently to our various fee-shifting rules and statutes.‘” Id., quoting Smith, 481 Mich at 535 (opinion by TAYLOR, C.J.). Likewise, in this case, because both the MCPA and the MMWA contain fee-shifting provisions, we deem it appropriate to apply the Smith framework. See Smith, 481 Mich at 535 (opinion by TAYLOR, C.J.); Adair (On Third Remand), 298 Mich App at 390.
In reaching the conclusion that the Smith framework should apply to this and other fee-shifting statutes and court rules, we are also swayed by the pronouncement of the lead opinion in Smith, 481 Mich at 530 (opinion by TAYLOR, C.J.), that “our current multi[]factor analysis“—that is, the multifactor analysis of the Wood factors and the factors in MRPC 1.5(a) used to evaluate reasonableness in attorney-fee cases—“needs some fine-tuning.” The lead opinion did not cite anything pertaining to an award of attorney fees under
some fine-tuning.”11 Given that no one disputes that the multifactor analysis applies to an award of attorney fees under the MCPA and the MMWA, we see fit to apply Smith‘s “fine-tuning” to the instant case.12
More importantly, we have found no binding authority that would act as an impediment to applying Smith in the context of MCPA and MMWA actions.13 Although defendant directs our attention to this Court‘s decision in Smolen v Dahlmann Apartments, Ltd, 186 Mich App 292; 463 NW2d 261 (1990), a case that precedes Smith by 18 years, we do not agree that the decision in Smolen prevents us from applying the Smith framework to this case. In Smolen, the plaintiffs were awarded attorney fees under the fee-
shifting provisions of the MCPA. Id. at 293-294. On appeal, the plaintiffs asked this Court to “set forth specific additional items which should be considered in determining attorney fees.” Id. at 296. Among those “specific additional items,” for which they advocated, the plaintiffs asked this Court to endorse a “starting point” for the award, which was to consist of a reasonable number of hours multiplied by a reasonable rate, and for this starting point to be “presumed to provide a reasonable fee.” Id. at 296-297. The plaintiffs also asked this Court to hold that
The panel in Smolen declined to adopt the plaintiffs’ suggestions. As to the proposed starting point, the panel declined to adopt “any rigid formula . . . that fails to take into account the totality of the special circumstances applicable to the case at hand.” Id. The panel also declined to find that a reasonable number of hours multiplied by a reasonable rate was a presumptively reasonable fee. Id. Further, the panel declined to find that the plaintiffs were entitled to certain upward adjustments; instead, the panel deferred to the discretion of the trial court. Id.
For several reasons, we decline to read Smolen as foreclosing our ability to use the Smith framework in this case. As an initial matter, even if Smolen could be read to prevent the application of the Smith framework in MCPA cases, we note that the attorney fees awarded in this case were awarded, from our review of the record, under both the MCPA and the MMWA. Indeed, the settlement in this case refers to “statutory attorney fees,” and we can no sooner conclude that the fees were awarded under the MCPA, than we can conclude that they were awarded under the MMWA. Given the
differences in factual scenarios between this case and Smolen, and what the plaintiffs in Smolen were asking this Court to do, we find Smolen inapplicable. Moreover, as noted above, Smolen was decided almost 18 years before Smith was decided. We decline to find that the reasoning employed in Smolen could have somehow preempted the application of a case that was released nearly two decades later.14
In addition, we read Smolen as being compatible with the Smith framework. While Smolen purported to reject a “starting point” of reasonable hours multiplied by a reasonable hourly rate, it appears that the plaintiffs in Smolen wanted this starting point to be a much less flexible starting point than the starting point set forth in Smith. To that end, this Court rejected the proposed starting point as advocated by the plaintiffs in Smolen, because the plaintiffs pushed for a “rigid formula” that would have established a presumptively reasonable fee that “fail[ed] to take into account the totality of the special circumstances applicable to the case at hand.” See Smolen, 186 Mich App at 297. Notably, in Smith, our Supreme Court emphasized that an attorney-fee award must take into account the particular circumstances of a case. In fact, Smith even cited Smolen for this very proposition. See Smith, 481 Mich at 529 (opinion by TAYLOR, C.J.), citing Smolen, 186 Mich App at 297. And Smith stands for the proposition that the trial court has discretion to adjust the starting point amount depending on pertinent factors; this is in stark contrast to the starting point at issue in Smolen, in which the plaintiffs asked this
Court to adopt a relatively inflexible and presumptively reasonable starting point, and to declare that they were entitled to certain adjustments, rather than leaving adjustments to the discretion of the trial court. In other words, we find that the starting point rejected in Smolen was much different than the starting point adopted in Smith. For this reason, we decline to read Smolen as prohibiting application of the Smith framework to
In addition to finding no authority that would prevent the application of Smith to the instant case, we conclude that the purposes of the fee-shifting provisions in the MCPA and the MMWA are best served by applying the Smith framework to an award of attorney fees under those statutes. “One of the purposes behind both the [MMWA] and the MCPA is to provide, via an award of attorney fees, a means for consumers to protect their rights and obtain judgments where otherwise prohibited by monetary constraints.” Jordan v Transnational Motors, Inc, 212 Mich App 94, 97-98; 537 NW2d 471 (1995). The MMWA and the MCPA are remedial in nature and must be liberally construed in order to achieve their intended goals. See Price v Long Realty, Inc, 199 Mich App 461, 471; 502 NW2d 337 (1993). We have recognized that fee-shifting provisions “are essential to legal redress in public interest or consumer cases in which the monetary value of the case is often meager.” La Vene, 266 Mich App at 476. As explained in Jordan, 212 Mich App at 98-99:
In consumer protection as this, the monetary value of the case is typically low. If courts focus only on the dollar value and the result of the case when awarding attorney fees, the remedial purposes of the statutes in question will be thwarted. Simply put, if attorney fee awards in these cases do not provide a reasonable return, it will be
economically impossible for attorneys to represent their clients. Thus, practically speaking, the door to the courtroom will be closed to all but those with either potentially substantial damages, or those with sufficient economic resources to afford the litigation expenses involved. Such a situation would indeed be ironic: it is precisely those with ordinary consumer complaints and those who cannot afford their attorney fees for whom these remedial acts are intended.
Still, that is not to say that in MCPA or MMWA cases, a court should award the full amount of requested fees. Id. at 99. Rather, a court is to consider “the usual factors,” and “must also consider the special circumstances presented in this type of case.” Id. In Jordan, this Court concluded that the trial court abused its discretion when it failed to consider the goals of the MCPA and the MMWA and limited the plaintiff‘s attorney fees based solely on “the result obtained and the low value of the case.” Id. at 98.
The remedial nature of the MCPA and the MMWA, and the policy choices behind awarding attorney fees under those statutes, support our decision to impose the Smith framework in this case. As recognized by this Court in Jordan, 212 Mich App at 98, consumer protection cases require a “reasonable return” in order to assure that consumers can retain competent counsel to pursue claims that promise meager monetary returns. Failing to provide this reasonable return to “ordinary consumer complaints” effectively closes the courtroom door on the class of persons to whom the Legislature and Congress expressly sought to provide protection. See id. at 98-99. In order to honor the intent of the fee-shifting provisions found in the MCPA and the MMWA to assure a “reasonable return,” we find it prudent to operate under the Smith framework, which begins with the product of a reasonable hourly fee and
a reasonable number of hours expended, and makes adjustments based on a number of factors. We believe this starting point helps frame the attorney-fee award in the proper context and
C. THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION
Having determined that the Smith framework applies, we next turn our attention to the trial court‘s award of attorney fees in this case. After reviewing the trial court‘s award, we find that the court abused its discretion when it awarded $1,000 in costs and attorney fees to plaintiff‘s counsel. The court gave no consideration to the vast majority of the pertinent factors, and instead, appeared to focus myopically on the amount obtained by plaintiff, describing the case as a “nickel and dime” case.16 This was inconsistent with the remedial goals of the MCPA and the MMWA. See Jordan, 212 Mich App at 98 (reversing and remanding for further proceedings when the trial court‘s only justifications for limiting the plaintiff‘s attorney fees were the result obtained and the low value of the case). See also Smolen, 186 Mich App at 296 (reversing the trial court‘s award of attorney fees because the trial court did not consider any of the Wood factors). In addition, the court chastised
and for filing what it termed “pages and pages of stuff.”17 Further, as noted, the trial court appeared to express doubt about whether plaintiff was even entitled to attorney fees, which was incorrect. Accordingly, we are compelled to vacate the trial court‘s award of attorney fees and to remand the case to the trial court so that it may employ the proper procedures to its determination of the attorney-fee award.
III. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we vacate the trial court‘s order awarding $1,000 in attorney fees and costs to plaintiff, and we direct the trial court, on remand, to follow the framework established in Smith. In this regard, the court
should first determine the fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal services. In general, the court shall make this determination using reliable surveys or other credible evidence. Then, the court should multiply that amount by the reasonable number of hours expended in the case. The court may consider making adjustments up or down to this base number in light of the other factors listed in Wood and MRPC 1.5(a). In order to aid appellate review, the court should briefly indicate its view of each of the factors. [Smith, 481 Mich at 537 (opinion by TAYLOR, C.J.).]
Vacated and remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. We do not retain jurisdiction.
METER, P.J., and BORRELLO, J., concurred with BECKERING, J.