BAYNES v. SANTANDER CONSUMER USA et al, No. 2:2017cv01369 - Document 59 (W.D. Pa. 2019)

Court Description: ORDER granting in part and denying in part 51 Motion for Attorney Fees; Plaintiff is awarded $26,965.97 in attorney's fees and $3,158.97 in costs. Defendants Del Mar Recovery Solutions, United Towing Service, Blair Johnson and Jay Johnson are jointly and severally liable for all fees and costs awarded herein. The Clerk of Court shall enter judgment in favor of Plaintiff Helen Baynes, and against Defendants Del Mar Recovery Solutions, United Towing Service, LLC, Jay Johnson and Blair Johnson. It is further Ordered that the Clerk of Court shall dismiss and terminate Defendant Santander Consumer, USA, from the docket of this action.. Signed by Magistrate Judge Maureen P. Kelly on 2/11/2019. (ndf)

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BAYNES v. SANTANDER CONSUMER USA et al Doc. 59 I N T H E U NI T E D S T A T E S DI S T RI C T C O U R T F O R T H E W E S T E R N DI S T RI C T O F P E N N S Y L V A NI A HELE N B A Y NES , Pl ai ntiff , v. S A N T A N D E R C O N S U M E R U S A, D E L M A R R E C O V E R Y S O L U TI O N S, D O U G Y U H O U S E, MI C H E L E K R E M P A S K Y, WI L KI N S B U R G P O LI C E D E P A R T M E N T, U NI T E D T O WI N G S E R VI C E L L C als o k n o w n as U NI T E D T O WI N G, B L AI R J O H N S O N, a n d J A Y J O H N S O N , D ef e n d a nts . ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Ci vil A cti o n N o. 1 7- 1 3 6 9 C hi ef M a gistr at e J u d g e M a ur e e n P. K ell y R e : E C F N o. 5 1 ME M O R A N D U M O R DE R P e n di n g b ef or e t h e C o urt is Pl ai ntiff’s M oti o n f or a n A w ar d of Att or n e y F e es a n d C osts P urs u a nt t o t h e Ar bitr ati o n A w ar d a n d A g ai nst D ef e n d a nts D el M ar R e c o v er y S ol uti o ns, U nit e d T o wi n g S er vi c e, Bl air J o h ns o n a n d J a y J o h ns o n (t h e “ M oti o n ” ). E C F N o. 5 1. Pl ai ntiff s e e ks a n a w ar d of att or n e y’s f e es i n t h e a m o u nt of $ 3 6, 2 8 8. 0 0 p urs u a nt t o t h e F air D e bt C oll e cti o n Pr a cti c es A ct ( “ F D C P A ”), 1 5 U. S. C. § 1 6 9 2 k, as w ell as a n a w ar d of c osts p urs u a nt t o F e d. R. Ci v. P. 5 4( d)( 1), i n t h e a m o u nt of $ 7 7 0. 0 0. D ef e n d a nts dis p ut e Pl ai ntiff’s e ntitl e m e nt t o att or n e y’s f e es a n d c osts o n t w o gr o u n ds: ( 1) d es pit e a n ar bitr ati o n a w ar d i n h er f a v or, Pl ai ntiff di d n ot s u c c e e d as t o h er F D C P A cl ai m, a n d t h er ef or e c a n n ot r e c o v er att or n e y’s f e es; a n d ( 2) a n a w ar d of att or n e y’s f e es, if a n y, is wit hi n t h e s c o p e of t h e ar bitr ati o n a gr e e m e nt a n d r es ort t o t his C o urt f or s u c h a n a w ar d h as b e e n w ai v e d. I n t h e a bs e n c e of a n i n d e p e n d e nt m oti o n, t h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts s e e k a n a w ar d of att or n e ys’ f e es i n t h eir f a v or f or eff orts u n d ert a k e n t o o p p os e Pl ai ntiff’s p e n di n g M oti o n. Dockets.Justia.com F or t h e r e as o ns t h at f oll o w, t h e C o urt gr a nts i n p art a n d d e ni es i n p art Pl ai ntiff’s M oti o n f or a n A w ar d of Att or n e y F e es a n d C osts, a n d d e ni es t h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts’ r e q u est f or att or n e y’s f e es .1 I. F A CT U AL A N D P R O CE D U R AL B A C K G R O U N D Pl ai ntiff H el e n B a y n es ( “ Pl ai ntiff ”) fil e d t his a cti o n f or d a m a g es a n d i nj uri es s ust ai n e d i n t h e c o urs e of t h e r e p oss essi o n of h er a ut o m o bil e. Pl ai ntiff all e g e d cl ai ms a g ai nst D ef e n d a nts S a nt a n d er C o ns u m er U S A ( “ S a nt a n d er ”), D el M ar R e c o v er y S ol uti o ns ( “ D el M ar ”), U nit e d T o wi n g S er vi c es, L L C, ( “ U nit e d ”), Bl air J o h ns o n a n d J a y J o h ns o n ( c oll e cti v el y, “t h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts ”) f or t h e vi ol ati o n of t h e F D C P A a n d t h e P e n ns yl v a ni a F air Cr e dit E xt e nsi o n U nif or mit y A ct ( “ F C E U A ”), 7 3 P. S. § 2 2 7 0. 1, as w ell as st at e l a w n e gli g e n c e, tr es p ass, ass a ult, a n d br e a c h of p e a c e cl ai ms a g ai nst c ert ai n of t h es e D ef e n d a nts. 2 As r el e v a nt t o t h e p e n di n g m oti o n, Pl ai ntiff ’s cl ai ms a g ai nst D ef e n d a nt U nit e d T o wi n g aris e o nl y p urs u a nt t o t h e F D C P A a n d t h e F C E U A ( C o u nts III a n d VI), a n d Pl ai ntiff’s F D C P A cl ai m is all e g e d as t o all D ef e n d a nts . S a nt a n d er r es p o n d e d t o t h e C o m pl ai nt wit h a M oti o n t o C o m p el Ar bitr ati o n , ass erti n g t h at t h e t er ms of a n E xt e nsi o n A gr e e m e nt t o r efi n a n c e h er a ut o m o bil e l o a n m a n d at e ar bitr ati o n of all cl ai ms arisi n g o ut of or r el at e d t o t h e e x er cis e of e xtr a -j u di ci al or s elf- h el p r e p oss essi o n. T h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts j oi n e d i n t h e M oti o n t o C o m p el Ar bitr ati o n , a n d ar g u e d t h at as 1 I n a c c or d a n c e wit h t h e pr o visi o ns of 2 8 U. S. C. § 6 3 6( c)( 1), t h e p arti es v ol u nt aril y c o ns e nt e d t o h a vi n g a U nit e d St at es M a gistr at e J u d g e c o n d u ct all pr o c e e di n gs i n t his c as e, i n cl u di n g t h e e ntr y of a fi n al j u d g m e nt. E C F N os. 3 5, 3 7, a n d 3 8. 2 Pl ai ntiff’s C o m pl ai nt als o all e g es cl ai ms p urs u a nt t o 4 2 U. S. C. § 1 9 8 3 f or t h e vi ol ati o n of h er F o urt h a n d F o urt e e nt h A m e n d m e nt ri g hts ( C o u nt I) a g ai nst Wil ki ns b ur g P oli c e D e p art m e nt a n d t w o of its offi c ers, D o u g Y u h o us e, a n d Mi c h el e Kr e m p as k y ( “ Wil ki ns b ur g P oli c e D ef e n d a nts ”), w h o r es p o n d e d t o t h e i n ci d e nt at iss u e . T h e cl ai ms a g ai nst t h e Wil ki ns b ur g P oli c e D ef e n d a nts h a v e b e e n st a y e d p e n di n g t h e r es ol uti o n of t h e cl ai ms a g ai nst t h e r e m ai ni n g D ef e n d a nts. I n a d diti o n, i n t h e c o urs e of h er ar bitr ati o n, Pl ai ntiff v ol u nt aril y dis c o nti n u e d h er cl ai ms a g ai nst S a nt a n d er C o ns u m er U S A, a n d all p arti es c o ns e nt e d t o t h e dis miss al. E C F N o. 5 7 -1 at 4. 2 a g e nts of S a nt a n d er, a r el e as e eff e ct e d as t o S a nt a n d er a p pli e d wit h e q u al f or c e t o e a c h of t h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts. Pl ai ntiff di d n ot dis p ut e t h e a p p ar e nt br e a dt h a n d s c o p e of t h e ar bitr ati o n a gr e e m e nt, a n d i nst e a d c h all e n g e d m a n d at or y ar bitr ati o n o n t h e b asis of a m or at ori u m iss u e d b y t h e d esi g n at e d ar bitr ati o n a d mi nistr at or, t h e A m eri c a n Ar bitr ati o n Ass o ci ati o n ( “A A A ”), wit h r es p e ct t o c ert ai n c o ns u m er d e bt c oll e cti o n a cti o ns . E C F N o. 3 9. S a nt a n d er a n d th e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts dis p ut e d t h e a p pli c a bilit y of t h e m or at ori u m t o Pl ai ntiff’s a cti o n a n d ar g u e d t h at t h e t er ms of ar bitr ati o n a gr e e m e nt a p pli e d e q u all y t o e a c h of t h e m, as e a c h w er e “i n v ol v e d ” wit h e nf or ci n g t h e fi n a n c e a gr e e m e nt, a n d e a c h c o ul d b e h el d j oi ntl y or s e v er all y li a bl e t o Pl ai ntiff f or cl ai ms ass ert e d a g ai nst e a c h of t h e m, arisi n g o ut of t h eir d el e g at e d e nf or c e m e nt of t h e fi n a n c e a gr e e m e nt. E C F N o. 4 6. T his C o urt gr a nt e d t h e M oti o n t o C o m p el Ar bitr ati o n, fi n di n g t h at b y its t er ms, t h e A A A m or at ori u m a p pli e d o nl y t o c o ns u m er d e bt a cti o ns i niti at e d b y fi n a n c e c o m p a ni es a n d h a d n o a p pli c ati o n t o Pl ai ntiff’s a cti o n fil e d b y h er a g ai nst t h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts. E C F N o. 4 7 at 9- 1 0. T h er e aft er, o n D e c e m b er 1 1, 2 0 1 8, t h e d esi g n at e d Ar bitr at or e nt er e d a n a w ar d i n Pl ai ntiff’s f a v or i n t h e a m o u nt of $ 1 5, 0 0 0, fi n di n g t h at wit h t h e e x c e pti o n of S a nt a n d er, all R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts w er e “j oi ntl y a n d s e v er all y li a bl e t o [ Pl ai ntiff] f or t his a m o u nt. ” E C F N o. 5 7- 1 at 5 . S p e cifi c all y , t h e Ar bitr at or c o n cl u d e d t h at “ Bl air J o h ns o n, a cti n g i n t h e c o urs e a n d s c o p e of his e m pl o y m e nt wit h U nit e d, ass a ult e d [ Pl ai ntiff], t h at J a y J o h ns o n a n d B l air J o h ns o n, a cti n g wit hi n t h e c o urs e a n d s c o p e of t h eir e m pl o y m e nt wit h U nit e d, br e a c h e d t h e p e a c e, tr es p ass e d o n [ Pl ai ntiff’s] pr o p ert y aft er b ei n g t ol d t o l e a v e a n d n e gli g e ntl y d a m a g e d [ Pl ai ntiff’s c ar].” I d. T h e Ar bitr at or f urt h er r ul e d t h at D el M ar is li a bl e f or t h e c o n d u ct of its i n d e p e n d e nt c o ntr a ct or gi v e n t h e n at ur e of t h e u n d erl yi n g w or k a n d n e e d t o e x er cis e c o ntr ol o v er t h e m et h o ds e m pl o y e d. I d. 3 T h e Ar bitr at or di d n ot disti n g uis h b et w e e n t h e cl ai ms ass ert e d b y Pl ai ntiff a g ai nst e a c h R e p oss ess i n g D ef e n d a nt i n r e n d eri n g his a w ar d i n f a v or of Pl ai ntiff, a n d r ul e d t h at all p arti es s h all b e ar t h e a d mi nistr ati v e c osts a n d c o m p e ns ati o n of t h e ar bitr at or “ as i n c urr e d. ” I d. Fi n all y, t h e Ar bitr at or st at e d t h at t h e A w ar d “is i n f ull s ettl e m e nt of all cl ai ms s u b mitt e d t o t his Ar bitr ati o n. All cl ai ms n ot e x pr essl y gr a nt e d h er ei n a n d h er e b y d e ni e d. ” I d. O n D e c e m b er 2 0, 2 0 1 8, Pl ai ntiff m o v e d t o c o nfir m t h e ar bitr ati o n a w ar d “ as t o li a bilit y a n d t h e a m o u nt of c o m p e ns at or y d a m a g es a w ar d e d, ” E C F N o. 4 8. O n D e c e m b er 2 6, 2 0 1 8, i n a c c or d a n c e wit h t h e F D C P A, Pl ai ntiff fil e d t h e i nst a nt M oti o n s e e ki n g a n a w ar d of att or n e y ’s f e es a n d c osts . E C F N o. 5 1. II. DI S C U S SI O N P urs u a nt t o t h e F D C P A, a d e bt c oll e ct or “ m a y n ot e n g a g e i n a n y c o n d u ct t h e n at ur al c o ns e q u e n c e of w hi c h is t o h ar ass, o p pr ess, or a b us e a n y p ers o n i n c o n n e cti o n wit h t h e c oll e cti o n of a d e bt. Wit h o ut li miti n g t h e g e n er al a p pli c ati o n of t h e f or e g oi n g, t h e f oll o wi n g c o n d u ct is a vi ol ati o n of t his s e cti o n : ( 1) T h e us e or t hr e at of us e of vi ol e n c e or ot h er cri mi n al m e a ns t o h ar m t h e p h ysi c al p ers o n, r e p ut ati o n, or pr o p ert y of a n y p ers o n. ” 1 5 U. S. C. § 1 6 9 2 d. S e cti o n 1 6 9 2 k of t h e F D C P A i m p os es li a bilit y u p o n “ a n y d e bt c oll e ct or w h o f ails t o c o m pl y wit h a n y pr o visi o n of t his s u b c h a pt er ” i n a n a m o u nt e q u al t o t h e s u m of “ a n y a ct u al d a m a g e s ust ai n e d b y s u c h p ers o n as a r es ult of s u c h f ail ur e, ” a n d “i n t h e c as e of a n y s u c c essf ul a cti o n t o e nf or c e t h e f or e g oi n g li a bilit y, t h e c osts of t h e a cti o n, t o g et h er wit h a r e as o n a bl e att or n e y’s f e e as d et er mi n e d b y t h e c o urt. ” 1 5 U. S. C. § 1 6 9 2 k( a)( 1), ( 3) ( e m p h asis a d d e d). D ef e n d a nts c o nt e n d t h at b e c a us e t h e Ar bitr at or di d n ot e x pli citl y i d e ntif y t h e F D C P A as a b asis f or r e c o v er y, Pl ai ntiff d o es n ot m e et t h e st at ut or y t hr es h ol d t o r e c o v er y, i. e., a “s u c c essf ul a cti o n t o e nf or c e ” li a b ilit y. E C F N o. 5 7 at 4. T h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts d o n ot c o nt e n d t h at 4 t h e F D C P A cl ai m w as e x cl u d e d fr o m t h e s c o p e of t h e ar bitr ati o n, n or c h all e n g e t h e l e g al s uffi ci e n c y of t h e el e m e nts of a n F D C P A cl ai m. I n t his r e g ar d, t h e Ar bitr at or d et er mi n e d t h at D ef e n d a nts or D ef e n d a nts’ a g e nts ass a ult e d Pl ai ntiff a n d d a m a g e d h er p ers o n al pr o p ert y d uri n g t h e att e m pt e d r e p oss essi o n of h er a ut o m o bil e. A c c or di n gl y, Pl ai ntiff h as u n e q ui v o c all y est a blis h e d t h e r e q uir e d el e m e nts of h er F D C P A cl ai m a n d , as t o e a c h R e p o ss essi n g D ef e n d a nt, t h e Ar bitr at or i m p os e d li a bilit y f or t h e vi ol ati o n of Pl ai ntiff’s ri g hts. U n d er t h es e cir c u mst a n c es, it c a n n ot b e cr e di bl y dis p ut e d t h at Pl ai ntiff h as br o u g ht a s u c c essf ul a cti o n t o e nf or c e li a bilit y p urs u a nt t o t h e F D C P A. E C F N o. 5 7- 1 at 5. N e xt, D ef e n d a nts ass ert t h at t h e p e n di n g M oti o n is i m pr o p erl y b ef or e t h e C o urt as Pl ai ntiff ’s r e q u est f or att or n e y’s f e es s h o ul d h a v e b e e n p urs u e d i n ar bitr ati o n a n d h er f ail ur e t o d o s o c o nstit ut es a w ai v er . As a n i niti al m att er, t h e U nit e d St at es C o urt of A p p e als f or t h e T hir d Cir c uit h as h el d t h at u n d er t h e F D C P A, att or n e y’ s f e es ar e n ot a s p e ci al or dis cr eti o n ar y r e m e d y b ut, r at h er, “t h e A ct m a n d at es a n a w ar d of att or n e y ’s f e es as a m e a ns of f ulfilli n g C o n gr ess ’s i nt e nt t h at t h e A ct s h o ul d b e e nf or c e d b y d e bt ors a cti n g as pri v at e att or n e ys g e n er al. ” Gr a zi a n o v. H arris o n, 9 5 0 F. 2 d 1 0 7, 1 1 3 ( 3 d Cir. 1 9 9 1); G o o d v. N ati o n wi d e Cr e dit, I n c., 3 1 4 F. R. D. 1 4 1, 1 6 1 ( E. D. P a. 2 0 1 6). A n a w ar d of att or n e y’s f e es, as st at e d i n t h e F D C P A, s h all b e “ d et er mi n e d b y t h e c o urt. ” F e d er al R ul e of Ci vil Pr o c e d ur e 5 4( d)( 2) pr o vi d es t h at a cl ai m f or att or n e y’s f e es a n d r el at e d n o nt a x a bl e e x p e ns es m ust b e m a d e b y m oti o n u nl ess t h e s u bst a nti v e l a w r e q uir es t h os e f e es t o b e pr o v e d at tri al as a n el e m e nt of d a m a g es. F e d. R. Ci v. P. 5 4( d)( 2)( A). T h e m oti o n m ust b e fil e d n o l at er t h a n f o urt e e n ( 1 4) d a ys aft er t h e e ntr y of j u d g m e nt a n d s h all s p e cif y t h e j u d g m e nt a n d t h e st at ut e, r ul e, or ot h er gr o u n ds e ntitli n g t h e m o v a nt t o t h e a w ar d. F e d. R. Ci v. P. 5 4 ( d)( 2)( B)(i), (ii). T h e F e d er al Ar bitr ati o n A ct a ut h ori z es t h e distri ct c o urt t o c o nfir m 5 ar bitr ati o n a w ar ds w h e n t h e p arti es a gr e e t o h a v e t h e ar bitr ati o n a w ar d e nt er e d as a j u d g m e nt b y t h e c o urt. Gr e e n wi c h I ns. C o. v. G off Gr o u p, I n c., 1 5 9 F. A p p’ x 4 0 9, 4 1 2 ( 3 d Cir. 2 0 0 5), citi n g Isi d or P ai e w ons k y Ass o c., I n c. v. S h ar p Pr o p erti es, I n c., 9 9 8 F. 2 d 1 4 5, 1 5 4 n. 1 1 ( 3 d Cir. 1 9 9 3). I n t his m att er, th e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts c o ns e nt e d t o t h e c o nfir m ati o n of t h e ar bitr ati o n a w ar d b y t his C o urt “ as t o li a bilit y, … f or t h e ar bitr at e d cl ai ms, a n d a m o u nt a w ar d e d f or c o m p e ns at or y d a m a g es. ” E C F N o. 5 0 at 1 ( e m p h asis a d d e d). Pl ai ntiff’s m oti o n t o c o nfir m t h e ar bitr ati o n a w ar d , as c o ns e nt e d t o b y t h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts, w as gr a nt e d o n J a n u ar y 1 1, 2 0 1 9. U n d er t h es e cir c u mst a n c es, n ot hi n g i n t h e F D C P A alt ers t h e ti mi n g or f or u m f or t h e fili n g of a m oti o n f or att or n e y’ s f e es, a n d j uris di cti o n o v er Pl ai ntiff’s ti m el y m oti o n is pr o p erl y b ef or e t h e C o urt. S e e , M o y er v. T ur n br o o k Ass o ci at es, I n c., N o. 0 5- 1 0 5 3, 2 0 0 5 W L 2 6 6 0 3 5 3 * 1 ( E. D. P a . O ct. 1 7, 2 0 0 5) ( citi n g R ul e 5 4( d)( 2)( b) a n d r ej e cti n g d e bt c oll e ct or’s ar g u m e nt t h at a s u c c essf ul F D C P A pl ai ntiff s h o ul d h a v e m a d e h er cl ai m f or att or n e y’s f e es d uri n g u n d erl yi n g ar bitr ati o n d es pit e t h e i niti al fili n g of s uit i n distri ct c o urt). B e c a us e Pl ai ntiff is e ntitl e d t o r e c o v er r e as o n a bl e att or n e y’s f e es a n d c osts, t h e C o urt m ust d et er mi n e t h e a m o u nt t o a w ar d Pl ai ntiff. I n H e nsl e y v. E c k er h ar d , 4 6 1 U. S. 4 2 4 ( 1 9 8 3), t h e U nit e d St at es S u pr e m e C o urt s et f ort h g e n er al st a n d ar ds g o v er ni n g t h e “r e as o n a bl e n ess ” of a n a w ar d of att or n e y’s f e es. “[ T] h e m ost us ef ul st arti n g p oi nt f or d et er mi ni n g t h e a m o u nt of a r e as o n a bl e f e e is t h e n u m b er of h o urs r e as o n a bl y e x p e n d e d o n t h e liti g ati o n m ulti pli e d b y a r e as o n a bl e h o url y r at e. ” I d.. T his fi gur e is c o m m o nl y r ef err e d t o as t h e “l o d est ar, ” or t h e g ui di n g li g ht i n d et er mi ni n g att or n e y f e es. T h e l o d est ar a p pr o a c h w as pi o n e er e d b y t h e U nit e d St at es C o urt of A p p e als f or t h e T hir d Cir c uit i n Li n d y Br os. B uil d ers, I n c. of P hil a d el p hi a v. A m eri c a n R a di at or & St a n d ar d S a nit ar y C or p., 4 8 7 F. 2 d 1 6 1 ( 3 d Cir. 1 9 7 3), a p p e al aft er r e m a n d , 5 4 0 F. 2 d 1 0 2 ( 3 d Cir. 1 9 7 6), a n d h as 6 “ a c hi e v e d d o mi n a n c e i n t h e f e d er al c o urts ” aft er t h e C o urt ’s d e cisi o n i n H e nsl e y . P er d u e v. K e n n y A. e x r el. Wi n n, 5 5 9 U. S. 5 4 2 ( 2 0 1 0). T h e b ur d e n of est a blis hi n g t h e r e as o n a bl e n ess of a f e e r e q u est f alls o n t h e pl ai ntiff’s c o u ns el. H e nsl e y , 4 6 1 U. S. at 4 3 7; a c c or d L o u g h n er v. U ni v. of Pitts b ur g h, 2 6 0 F. 3 d 1 7 3, 1 7 8 ( 3 d Cir. 2 0 0 1) (t h e “f e e a p pli c a nt b e ars t h e b ur d e n of est a blis hi n g e ntitl e m e nt t o a n a w ar d a n d d o c u m e nti n g t h e a p pr o pri at e h o urs e x p e n d e d a n d t h e h o url y r at es. ”). “ W h e n t h e a p pli c a nt f or a f e e h as c arri e d his b ur d e n of s h o wi n g t h at t h e cl ai m e d r at es a n d n u m b er of h o urs ar e r e as o n a bl e, t h e r es ulti n g pr o d u ct is pr es u m e d t o b e t h e r e as o n a bl e f e e t o w hi c h c o u ns el is e ntitl e d. ” L o u g h n er, 2 6 0 F. 3 d at 1 7 8 ( q u oti n g P e n ns yl v a ni a v. D el a w ar e V all e y Citi z e ns ’ C o u n cil, 4 7 8 U. S. 5 4 6, 5 6 4 ( 1 9 8 6) (i nt er n al q u ot ati o n o mitt e d)). I n or d er t o m e et t his b ur d e n, P l ai ntiff’s c o u ns el m ust pr es e nt d o c u m e nt ati o n s uffi ci e nt t o j ustif y t h e f e es. H e nsl e y , 4 6 1 U. S. at 4 3 3. T o e n a bl e a m e a ni n gf ul r e vi e w, t h e Pl ai ntiff m ust pr o d u c e a d e q u at e billi n g r e c or ds t h at d et ail h o w t h e ti m e w as s p e nt i n liti g ati n g t h e pr es e nt e d cl ai ms. I d. at 4 3 7. H er m oti o n s h o ul d i n cl u d e “s o m e f airl y d efi nit e i nf or m ati o n as t o t h e h o urs d e v ot e d t o v ari o us g e n er al a cti viti es, e. g., pr etri al dis c o v er y, s ettl e m e nt n e g oti ati o ns, a n d t h e h o urs s p e nt b y v ari o us cl ass es of att or n e ys, e. g., s e ni or p art n ers, j u ni or p art n ers, ass o ci at es. ” Li n d y Br os. , 4 8 7 F. 2 d at 1 6 7. H o w e v er, “it is n ot n e c ess ar y t o k n o w t h e e x a ct n u m b er of mi n ut es s p e nt, n or t h e pr e cis e a cti vit y t o w hi c h e a c h h o ur w as d e v ot e d n or t h e s p e cifi c att ai n m e nts of e a c h a tt or n e y. ” I d.; P a wl a k v. Gr e e n a w alt , 7 1 3 F. 2 d 9 7 2, 9 7 8 ( 3 d Cir. 1 9 8 3) (s a m e). W h er e a m o v a nt’s d o c u m e nt ati o n is i n a d e q u at e, a c o urt “ m a y r e d u c e t h e a w ar d a c c or di n gl y. ” H e nsl e y , 4 6 1 U. S. at 4 3 3. T h e f ail ur e of t h e pr e v aili n g p art y ’s c o u ns el’s t o m ai nt ai n r e c or ds t h at will e n a bl e t h e r e vi e wi n g c o urt t o c al c ul at e a pr o p er a w ar d wit h pr e cisi o n d o es n ot pr e cl u d e a n a w ar d. I nst e a d, t h e r eli a bl e i nf or m ati o n is t o b e t a k e n i nt o a c c o u nt t o m a k e a r e as o n a bl e esti m at e of t h e pr o p er di visi o n of ti m e. S e e 7 M c K e n n a v. Cit y of P hil a d el p hi a, 5 8 2 F. 3 d 4 4 7, 4 5 5, 4 5 8 ( 3 d Cir. 2 0 0 9) ( affir mi n g a p er c e nt a g e all o c ati o n b et w e e n s u c c essf ul a n d u ns u c c essf ul cl ai ms t h at w er e disti n ct w h er e “[i] n t h e a bs e n c e of s p e cifi c ti m e e ntri es t o i n di c at e h o w t h e att or n e ys s p e nt t h eir ti m e o n t h e disti n ct cl ai ms, t h e C o urt r e as o n a bl y us e d t h e i nf or m ati o n a v ail a bl e t o it t o esti m at e a pr o p er di visi o n of ti m e. ”); H e nsl e y , 4 6 1 U. S. at 4 3 3 – 3 6 ( W h er e d o c u m e nt ati o n is i n a d e q u at e a n d/ or t h e p etiti o ni n g p art y e nj o y e d o nl y p arti al s u c c ess, t h e distri ct c o urt is n ot r eli e v e d of its o bli g ati o n t o a w ar d a r e as o n a bl e f e e a n d i n d oi n g s o it m a y f as hi o n a r e as o n a bl e f e e b as e d o n t h e r eli a bl e i nf or m ati o n a v ail a bl e.); L a n ni v. N e w J ers e y, 2 5 9 F. 3 d 1 4 6, 1 5 1 ( 3 d Cir. 2 0 0 1) ( u p h ol di n g d o w n w ar d a dj ust m e nt of t w e nt y- fi v e p er c e nt f or ti m e s p e nt p urs ui n g u ns u c c essf ul cl ai ms). A g ai nst t his fr a m e w or k, t h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts s e e ks a d o w n w ar d r e d u cti o n i n t h e r e q u est e d h o url y r at e, as w ell as a r e d u cti o n f or ti m e e x p e n d e d o n n o n- F D C P A cl ai ms, cl ai ms a g ai nst p arti es t h at h a v e b e e n dis miss e d or w h o w er e ot h er wis e n o n p arti ci p a nts i n t h e ar bitr ati o n. I n a d diti o n, t h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts fi n d f a ult wit h t h e q u a ntit y of ti m e e x p e n d e d o n c ert ai n t as ks, as w ell as t h e l a c k of s uffi ci e nt d et ail f or i d e ntifi e d e ntri es. C o u ns el f or Pl ai ntiff h as pr o vi d e d t h e C o urt wit h billi n g r e c or ds, i n v oi c es a n d a n Affi d a vit i n di c ati n g t h at h e is a s ol e pr a ctiti o n er w h o h as b e e n pr a cti ci n g l a w f or a p pr o xi m at el y 5 y e ars . C o u ns el h as liti g at e d n u m er o us c as es i n st at e a n d f e d er al c o urt ; h o w e v er, t h e i nst a nt a cti o n is his s e c o n d F D C P A or c o ns u m er ri g hts a cti o ns. E C F N o. 5 2- 2. C o u ns el r e q u ests a n h o url y r at e of $ 2 5 0, a n d pr es e nts t h e affi d a vit of a m e m b er of t h e P e n ns yl v a ni a b ar w h o att ests t o t h e k n o wl e d g e a n d s kill of Pl ai ntiff’s c o u ns el, as w ell as t h e r e as o n a bl e n ess of t h e r e q u est e d h o url y r at e. T h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts st at e t h at Pl ai ntiff’s c o u ns el h as i n a d e q u at el y d o c u m e nt e d t h e r e as o n a bl e n ess of his f e e i n t h e a bs e n c e of e vi d e n c e of t h e f e es c h ar g e d b y c o u ns el of si mil ar e x p eri e n c e i n t h e F D C P A ar e n a. E C F N o. 5 7 at 1 0- 1 1. T h e R e p oss essi n g 8 D ef e n d a nts i nst e a d s e e k a n a w ar d of att or n e y’s f e es, if at all, at a r at e of $ 1 5 0 p er h o ur. H o w e v er, t his h o url y r at e is n ot d o c u m e nt e d b y a n y e vi d e n c e of t h e t y p e t h e R e p o ss essi n g D ef e n d a nts s e e k t o r e q uir e of Pl ai ntiff. T h e e vi d e n c e b ef or e t h e C o urt as t o t h e a p pr o pri at e h o url y r at e is s c a nt b ut ot h er wis e u n c o nt est e d. I n t h es e cir c u mst a n c es, t h e C o urt will “ ass ess t h e e x p eri e n c e a n d s kill of t h e pr e v aili n g p art y’s att or n e y[] a n d c o m p ar e [ his] r at e t o t h e r at es pr e v aili n g i n t h e c o m m u nit y f or si mil ar s er vi c es b y l a w y ers of r e as o n a bl y c o m p ar a bl e s kill, e x p eri e n c e a n d r e p ut ati o n. ” J a c ks o n v. Alli e d I nt erst at e , L L C, N o. 1 2- 1 1 4 4, 2 0 1 3 W L 3 9 9 0 8 7 5, at * 8 ( W. D. P a. A u g. 5, 2 0 1 3). I n 2 0 1 5, a m e m b er of t his C o urt c o n cl u d e d t h at a n h o url y r at e of $ 3 0 0 p er h o ur w as r e as o n a bl e i n a n F D C P A a cti o n f or a n att or n e y wit h f o ur y e ars’ e x p eri e n c e. C a pl a n v. Pr e mi u m R e c ei v a bl es, L L C , N o. 1 5- 4 7 4, 2 0 1 5 W L 4 5 6 6 9 8 2 * 6 ( W. D. P a. J ul y 2 9, 2 0 1 5). I n 2 0 1 3, t h e J a c ks o n C o urt, i n a n F D C P A c as e fil e d i n t his j u di ci al distri ct, d et er mi n e d t h at a n h o url y r at e of $ 2 0 0 w as a p pr o pri at e f or att or n e ys wit h 2- 7 y e ars of e x p eri e n c e. I n 2 0 1 2, a n ot h er m e m b er of t his C o urt a w ar d e d st at ut or y att or n e ys’ f e es a n d c osts i n a c o ns u m er pr ot e cti o n a cti o n a n d d et er mi n e d t h at a l e a d att or n e y r at e of $ 3 2 5 p er h o ur a n d a n ass o ci at e att or n e y r at e of $ 2 1 0 p er h o ur w er e n ot u nr e as o n a bl e f or att or n e ys pr a cti ci n g i n t h e W est er n Distri ct of P e n ns yl v a ni a. B a y n es v. G e or g e E. M as o n F u n er al H o m e, I n c. , N o. 0 9- 1 5 3, 2 0 1 2 W L 9 9 3 2 9 3 * 3 ( W. D. P a. M ar c h 2 3, 2 0 1 2). Wit h t h es e r at es i n mi n d, Pl ai ntiff’s e vi d e n c e s u p p orti n g a n h o url y r at e of $ 2 5 0 p er h o ur is wit hi n t h e r a n g e f or l e a d att or n e ys wit h mi d- l e v el e x p eri e n c e i n t his distri ct i n c o n s u m er a n d F D C P A a cti o ns, a n d is n ot u nr e as o n a bl e. A c c or di n gl y, t h e C o urt will us e $ 2 5 0 p er h o ur as its l o d est ar r at e. C o u ns el f or Pl ai ntiff st at es t h at h e h as e x p e n d e d a p pr o xi m at el y 1 3 0 h o urs liti g ati n g t his a cti o n, n ot i n cl u di n g 2 4 h o urs e x p e n d e d m a ki n g n e c ess ar y t el e p h o n e c alls, f or w hi c h a r e d u c e d 9 r at e of $ 5 0 p er h o ur is r e q u est e d. T h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts c h all e n g e t h e q u a ntit y of ti m e e x p e n d e d, a n d ar g u e t h at m a n y of t h e h o urs w er e e x p e n d e d o n cl ai ms a n d p arti es u nr el at e d t o h er s u c c essf ul F D C P A cl ai m a n d o n t h at b asis, s h o ul d b e e x cl u d e d. T h e C o urt a gr e es t h at t h e f e es attri b ut a bl e t o Pl ai ntiff’s ci vil ri g hts a cti o n a g ai nst t h e Wil ki ns b ur g P oli c e D ef e n d a nts ar e a p pr o pri at el y e x cl u d e d, a n d will r e d u c e t h e a w ar d b y $ 2, 0 8 6. 5 4. 3 Pl ai ntiff d o es n ot dis p ut e t h at s h e p urs u e d st at e l a w cr e dit pr ot e cti o n a n d U C C cl ai ms a g ai nst D ef e n d a nt S a nt a n d er , b as e d u p o n t h e s a m e u n d erl yi n g c o n d u ct of t h e u n d erl yi n g R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts . S a nt a n d er fi n a n c e d t h e u n d erl yi n g tr a ns a cti o n, r et ai n e d t h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts, a n d l e d t h e d ef e ns e of t h e i nst a nt liti g ati o n t hr o u g h t h e c o m m e n c e m e nt of Ar bitr ati o n. T h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts s p e cifi c all y a d o pt e d D ef e n d a nt S a nt a n d er’s m oti o ns a n d bri efs fi l e d i n d ef e ns e of Pl ai ntiff’s a cti o n, a n d t h er e b y n e c essit at e d Pl ai ntiff’s liti g ati o n of S a nt a n d er’s l e g al d ef e ns es t o pr es er v e h er cl ai ms a g ai nst e a c h of t h e m . E C F N os. 3 0, 3 1, 4 6 . U n d er t h es e cir c u mst a n c es, t h e p urs uit of Pl ai ntiff’s cl ai ms a g ai nst S a nt a n d er d o es n ot si g nifi c a ntl y i m p a ct o v er all f e es i n c urr e d b e c a us e s u c h cl ai ms ar e s uffi ci e ntl y i nt ert wi n e d wit h h er s u c c essf ul F D C P A cl ai ms a g ai nst e a c h of t h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts. T h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts f urt h er ar g u e t h at Pl ai ntiff’s f e e r e c o v er y m ust b e r e d u c e d b as e d u p o n h er r es ort t o t his C o urt i n t h e first i nst a n c e t o p urs u e h er f e d er all y a ut h ori z e d cl ai ms a g ai nst e a c h of t h e m. E C F N o. 5 7 at 9. H o w e v er, as is m a d e e vi d e nt b y t h e p e n di n g m oti o n, r e c o v er y of st at ut oril y m a n d at e d att or n e y’s f e e s a n d c osts p urs u a nt t o t h e F D C A P r e q uir e d h er p arti ci p ati o n i n t his f or u m. A c c or di n gl y, t his C o urt will n ot r e d u c e a n a w ar d of att or n e y’s f e es f or e x p e n dit ur es ass o ci at e d wit h p urs ui n g cl ai ms a g ai nst S a nt a n d er or c h all e n gi n g t h e v ari o us m oti o ns t o dis miss/ m oti o ns t o c o m p el ar bitr ati o n . 3 T h e c orr es p o n di n g billi n g e n tri es ar e d at e d 1 2/ 2 8/ 1 7, 1 2/ 2 9/ 1 7, a n d 6/ 7/ 1 8. 10 T h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts dis p ut e a p pr o xi m at el y 3. 5 h o urs s p e nt c o n d u cti n g l e g al r es e ar c h pri or t o fili n g t h e C o m pl ai nt i n t his a cti o n as v a g u e a n d n ot s uffi ci e ntl y s e gr e g at e d b y iss u e or cl ai m. I n a d diti o n, t h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts ar g u e t h at c o u ns el’s r e q u est f or $ 7, 5 4 1. 6 7 r e pr es e nti n g 3 0. 1 6 7 h o urs t o dr aft t h e 1 2 1 p ar a gr a p h C o m pl ai nt is e x c essi v e. E C F N o. 5 7 at 9. R e vi e w of t h e C o m pl ai nt dis cl os es t h at 5 0 % of t h e p ar a gr a p hs dir e ctl y r el at e t o Pl ai ntiff’s F D C P A cl ai m t hr o u g h f o u n d ati o n al f a cts or all e g ati o ns s etti n g f ort h t h e n e c ess ar y el e m e nts of t h e cl ai m. E C F N o. 1. O n t his b asis, t h e C o urt will m a k e a g e n er al r e d u cti o n of 5 0 % of t h e f e es i n c urr e d f or b ot h it e ms, a n d s u btr a ct $ 4 3 5. 4 8 fr o m t h e c h all e n g e d t ot al f or f e es ass o ci at e d wit h l e g al r es e ar c h, a n d $ 3, 7 7 0. 8 3 fr o m t h e t ot al f e es t o dr aft t h e C o m pl ai nt. H o w e v er, n o f urt h er r e d u cti o ns s h all b e m a d e b as e d u p o n t h e cl ai ms pr es e nt e d gi v e n t h at Pl ai ntiff’s pr os e c uti o n of t his c as e i n v ol v e d iss u es a n d a c o m m o n c or e of f a cts t h at w er e in e xtri c a bl y i nt ert wi n e d wit h Pl ai ntiff’s s u c c essf ul F D C P A cl ai m. H e nsl e y , 4 6 1 U. S. at 4 3 5. T h e C o urt a gr e es t h at $ 4 4 1. 1 8 f or s er vi c es p erf or m e d o n D e c e m b er 1 3, 2 0 1 7, s h o ul d b e e x cl u d e d . T h es e f e es ar e ass o ci at e d wit h t h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts’ s u c c essf ul m oti o n t o q u as h Pl ai ntiff’s pr e m at ur e dis c o v er y. T h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts n e xt c h all e n g e c h ar g es i n t h e a m o u nt of $ 2, 5 8 8. 0 0 f or c o m p ut eri z e d l e g al r es e ar c h, citi n g S h eff er v. E x p eri a n I nf o r m ati o n S ol uti o ns, I n c., 2 9 0 F. S u p p. 2 d 5 3 8, 5 5 2 ( E. D. P a. 2 0 0 3) w h er e t h e C o urt d e cli n e d a n a w ar d as u n a ut h ori z e d as c osts p urs u a nt t o t h e F air Cr e dit R e p orti n g A ct, 1 5 U. S. C. § 1 6 8 1, a n d 2 8 U. S. C. § 1 9 2 0. S u c h it e ms , h o w e v er, h a v e b e e n d e e m e d r e c o v er a bl e as “ att or n e y ’s f e es.” S e e , e. g. , M orris v. I. C. S yst e ms, I n c., N o. 0 6- 2 1 3 3, 2 0 0 9 W L 1 3 6 2 5 9 4 * 5 ( E. D. P a. 2 0 0 9); H a ar c o, I n c. v. A m eri c a n N at. B a n k a n d Tr ust C o. of C hi c a g o, 3 8 F. 3 d 1 4 2 9, 1 4 4 0- 1 ( 7 t h Cir. 1 9 9 4). T h e F D C P A a ut h ori z es a pr e v aili n g pl ai ntiff t o r e c o v er “t h e c osts of t h e a cti o n, ” 1 5 U. S. C. § 1 6 9 2 k( a)( 3). “ T h es e c osts 11 t y pi c all y i n cl u d e fili n g a n d s er vi c e f e es a n d e x p e ns es, as w ell as r e as o n a bl e p ost a g e e x p e ns es ass o ci at e d wit h t h e liti g ati o n. ” O v erl y v. Gl o b al Cr e dit & C oll e cti o n C or p., N o. 1 0- c v - 2 3 9 2, 2 0 1 1 W L 2 6 5 1 8 0 7 * 2 ( M. D. P a. J ul y 6, 2 0 1 1). I n k e e pi n g wit h t h e r e m e di al n at ur e of t h e st at ut e, t h e F D C P A d o es n ot li mit c ost r e c o v er y t o t h os e e x p e ns es s et f ort h i n 2 9 U. S. C. § 1 9 2 0, a n d t h us all o w a n c e is m a d e h er e f or t h e e x p e ns es ot h er wis e c h ar g e a bl e t o a cli e nt, i n cl u di n g c o m p ut eri z e d l e g al r es e ar c h f e es. Fi n all y, t h e C o urt n ot es t h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts’ o bj e cti o ns t o v ari o us fili n g a n d s er vi c e f e es i n c urr e d i n t his m att er, i n cl u di n g t h e fili n g f e e f or t h e i nst a nt a cti o n, f e es f or s er vi c e of s u m m o ns, a n d t h e c ost i n o bt ai ni n g t h e u n d erl yi n g p oli c e r e p ort d o c u m e nti n g t h e alt er c ati o n w h er ei n c ert ai n of t h e R e p oss essi n g D ef e n d a nts ass a ult e d Pl ai ntif f, tr es p ass e d i nt o h er h o m e, a n d d a m a g e d h er p ers o n al pr o p ert y. R e c o v er y of s u c h c osts s h all b e all o w e d; h o w e v er, t h e Ar bitr ati o n e x p e ns es of $ 2 0 0 s h all r e m ai n as pr e vi o usl y or d er e d t o b e b or n e as i n c urr e d a n d t h er ef or e e x cl u d e d fr o m Pl ai ntiff’s a w ar d. IV. C O N C L U SI O N F or t h e f or e g oi n g r e as o ns, Pl ai ntiff’s M oti o n f or a n A w ar d of Att or n e y F e es a n d C osts P urs u a nt t o t h e Ar bitr ati o n A w ar d A g ai nst D ef e n d a nts D el M ar R e c o v er y S ol uti o ns, U nit e d T o wi n g S er vi c e, Bl air J o h ns o n a n d J a y J o h ns o n, E C F N o. 5 1, pr o p erl y is gr a nt e d i n p art a n d d e ni e d i n p art. T h e t ot al r e c o v er a bl e f e es i n t his m att er ar e $ 2 6, 9 6 5. 9 7, a n d $ 3, 1 5 8. 0 0 i n c osts, f or a t ot al a w ar d of $ 3 0, 1 2 3. 9 7. A n a p pr o pri at e Or d er f oll o ws. 12

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