OLG SECURES AWARD FOR DEFENSE FEES AND COSTS EXCEEDING $150,000

In 2021, three months after being retained to defend real estate investors engaged in seven-year long legal battle with the plaintiff, OLG secured an order granting its Anti-SLAPP Motion and dismissing the entire lawsuit against it. OLG filed a motion for attorneys’ fees seeking compensation at the reasonable hourly rate for similarly experienced attorneys in the community as opposed to the lower negotiated insurance defense rates reflected on its bills. The Los Angeles Superior Court agreed with OLG granting an attorney fees and costs award of nearly $29,000.

Unwilling to concede defeat, the plaintiff filed an appeal. OLG’s written and oral arguments to the Court of Appeal defeated plaintiff’s appeal, and the California Supreme Court later denied plaintiff’s petition for review.

OLG subsequently filed another motion for appellate fees and costs again seeking compensation at the reasonable hourly rate for similar attorneys as opposed to the lower negotiated rate billed on insurance defense. Again, the Los Angeles Superior Court agreed with OLG’s arguments awarding OLG’s clients another $123,000. In total, OLG secured a rare order entitling it clients to over $150,000 in defense expenses.

Sherri Matta wrote and argued the two successful motions for attorneys’ fees.