Calif. Appellate Court Vacates Award of Fees for Settling Tenants

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - California's Court of Appeal on Jan. 18 vacated a $15,000 attorneys' fee award after concluding that tenants who settled with a realty firm were not the prevailing party under relevant law. Vieira v. Hadley, No. B172586 (Calif. 2nd App. Dist.).

Los Angeles County Superior Court awarded the fees to Brian J. Vieira and Gregg Hall against Joan Hadley and Rossmoore Realty Inc. (doing business as Riviera Management Co.) after Vieira and Hall settled premises liability claims against their landlord for $20,001. The Vieira parties alleged nuisance, negligence and breach of the warranty of habitability, complaining of …