Freeman v. Primoris Services Corp.

Courts apply a lodestar method to calculate reasonable attorneys’ fees. (Meister v. U.C. Regents (1998) 67 Cal.App.4th 437, 448-49.) The court determines a lodestar figure based on a careful compilation of the time spent and reasonable hourly compensation of each attorney involved. (Serrano v. Priest (1977) 20 Cal.3d 25, 48-49.)

Here, Ipsen Defendants are clearly the prevailing party as the Court entered judgment for Defendants and against plaintiff Jay Arrash Salemi (Plaintiff) on each and every cause of action. (See ROA 229.) The contract upon which Plaintiff’s claims are based contains a broad attorneys’ fees clause which encompasses all causes of action asserted against Ipsen Defendants in this matter. (See Complaint, Ex. A [California Residential Purchase Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions, ¶ 25].) As such, Ipsen Defendants are entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees based on the above provision of the contract for both the contract and tort claims. (Santisas, supra, 17 Cal.4th at 608.)

The Court finds the claimed hourly rates reasonable and adequately supported by counsels’ declarations. (See Martinez Decl., ¶¶ 4, 6; Morasse Decl., ¶ 4; see also, Baer v. Tedder (2025) 115 Cal.App.5th 1139, 1160-1161—prevailing attorneys’ declarations attesting based on their years of experience practicing law in the area, their standard billing rates were reasonable, were sufficient to support a finding that hourly rates were reasonable.)

The Court has reviewed counsels’ declarations and the billing records for Fox Rothschild LLP and Morasse Collins & Clark and determines the time expended by both firms to be generally reasonable with no obvious duplication or padding. While the total amount of fees sought is substantial, the amount of time incurred is supported by counsels’ declarations and the detailed billing records. Plaintiff filed no opposition and thus has raised no argument to dispute the reasonableness of the fees claimed.

Based on the foregoing, the motion is GRANTED.

Ipsen Defendants are awarded attorneys’ fees against Plaintiff in the requested sum of $80,173.59, which is comprised of $20,385.84 for Fox Rothschild LLP and $59,787.75 for Morasse Collins & Clark.