Judge: Armen Tamzarian, Case: 22SMCV00153, Date: 2022-12-12 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 22SMCV00153    Hearing Date: December 12, 2022    Dept: 52

Tentative Ruling:

Defendants Stefanie Warren and Marc Brutten’s Motion for Attorney Fees Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Section 425.16(c)

Defendants Stefanie Warren and Marc Brutten move for $65,122.10 in attorney fees under Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16(c). “[A] prevailing defendant on a special motion to strike shall be entitled to recover that defendant’s attorney’s fees and costs.” (CCP § 425.16(c)(1).) Warren and Brutten prevailed on their special motion to strike, which the court granted on May 27, 2022. They are entitled to recover their attorney fees and costs.

Warren and Brutten present sufficient evidence showing they reasonably incurred $65,122.10 in attorney fees. They incurred 48.10 hours of fees at $591 hourly for work by Gabriel Z. Reynoso, 16.40 hours of fees at $532 hourly for Jared M. Ahern, and 75.80 hours of fees at $369 hourly for Brenna J. McGill. (Reynoso Decl., ¶¶ 3-10, Exs. 2-4.)

Defendants Stefanie Warren and Marc Brutten’s motion for attorney fees is granted. Defendants Stefanie Warren and Marc Brutten shall recover $65,122.10 in attorney fees from plaintiff Mark K. Friedman.