Judge: Mark H. Epstein, Case: SC128126, Date: 2022-10-19 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: SC128126    Hearing Date: October 19, 2022    Dept: R

The Court has reviewed the papers including the supplemental briefing by Bank of America.  The Court notes that North has not filed any papers on this matter since June.  The Court, having reviewed the papers including the declaration and supplemental declaration from Bank of America to explain the fees agrees that the rates are reasonable and in line with community rates for cases of this level of complexity in the Los Angeles area.  As to the time spent, the Court largely finds that the time is reasonable, although there are some exceptions.  Specifically, the Court finds as follows in terms of reductions:

Defendant seeks approximately four hours of billing for administrative work.  That amount is $1532 and will be cut.  Defendant also seeks what appears to be 15 hours for appearing at a motion for judgment on the pleadings.  That will be reduced by $2000.  There appears to be 14.5 hours to attend a demurrer hearing.  That is reduced by $1500.    The entry for 51 hours of strategy seems excessive given that strategy is also included in other entries.  The amount will be reduced by $4000.  There is 61 hours for miscellaneous work.  That is excessive and will be reduced by $3000.  That is followed by another 38 hours for miscellaneous, and it, too, will be reduced.  This reduction will be $1750.  There is an 85 hour entry to strategize discovery.  It will be reduced by $3000.  There is 5.6 hours for a loan analysis by a paralegal.  It is not fully described and will be cut by $1100.  There is 61 hours for case strategy, which seems somewhat duplicative and will be reduced by $3000.  There is another administrative entry for 10 hours.  That will be reduced by $4000.  There is a 30 hour loan workout analysis by a paralegal.  The Court does not understand the entry and will reduce it by $6000 for that reason.  Finally, there is another miscellaneous entry for 48 hours.  That seems high without more and will be reduced by $7000.  That is a total reduction of $37,350.  The remainder of the fee is approved.

The Court is well aware that even as reduced, the fee bill is a hefty one.  But that is largely because North fought and fought hard.  She is certainly entitled to do so.  But Bank of America is entitled to respond.  In any event, the remainder of the request is reasonable.

Defendant to prepare an appropriate order and give notice.