MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER DENYING MOTIONS FOR ATTORNEY'S FEES
DAVID NUFFER, District Judge.
Plaintiff Global Fitness Holdings, LLC ("Global") and Defendant Federal Recovery Acceptance, Inc. ("FRA") filed cross-motions seeking awards of attorney's fees and expenses.1 Each party argues that it is the "successful party" in the case and entitled to recover attorney's fees and expenses under their contracts' attorney's fees provision.2 Alternatively, each party argues that if it is the "unsuccessful party," any award of attorney's fees and expenses to the other party should be reduced pursuant to the attorney's fees provision based on the other party's rejection of a prior offer for settlement.3 Additionally, Global argues that it is entitled to prejudgment interest on its liquidated contract damages.4
Because neither party is the "successful party," Global and FRA's requests for attorney's fees and expenses5 are DENIED. However, Global is GRANTED prejudgment interest on its net judgment.
Contents
BACKGROUND 2
DISCUSSION 7
The scope of the attorney's fees provision in the parties' contracts requires consideration
of all the parties' claims and defenses to determine the "successful party" in the
case 9
Because neither party is the "successful party" in the case, neither party is entitled to an
award of attorney's fees and expenses under the parties' contracts 12
Global's relative success 14
FRA's relative success 16
Comparison of the parties' relative success 18
Global is entitled to prejudgment interest on its net judgment 21
ORDER 23
BACKGROUND
FRA is a corporation that services contracts for physical fitness centers ("gyms"). It processes contracts between gyms and their members, arranges and tracks member payments, keeps members informed of their membership status, and manages delinquent accounts.6 Global is a limited liability company that previously owned 36 gyms.7
In 2008, FRA began providing services to eight of Global's gyms—the parties entered into eight contracts for these services, each for a separate gym location.8 In 2009, the parties entered into two additional contracts that were not location-specific.9 In 2011, the parties entered into another two contracts that were not location-specific.10 By 2011, FRA provided services to all 36 of Global's gyms.11
In October 2012, Global sold its gyms to Fitness & Sports Clubs, LLC ("L.A. Fitness"), and FRA stopped providing services to Global and its members.12 Global initiated this case on October 10, 2012, alleging that FRA refused to cooperate with it following the L.A. Fitness acquisition.13 Global asserted claims against FRA for tortious interference, promissory estoppel, conversion, breach of contract, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.14 FRA asserted counterclaims against Global for breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation.15
FRA filed several dispositive motions seeking dismissal of Global's claims.16 Global also filed dispositive motions seeking judgment on its conversion claim and dismissal of FRA's counterclaims for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation.17 Before the issuance of rulings on these motions, Global was permitted to voluntarily dismiss the portion of its breach of contract claim relating to withheld member account data.18 The parties also stipulated to the dismissal of FRA's fraud and negligent misrepresentation counterclaims.19
As to Global's claims, the rulings on the dispositive motions determined:
• Global had standing and its claims were not moot;20
• FRA breached the parties' contracts by withholding funds from Global, and Global was entitled to damages in an amount to be determined at trial;21 and
• Dismissal was appropriate on Global's claims for tortious interference,22 promissory estoppel,23 conversion,24 and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.25
As to FRA's counterclaims, the rulings on the dispositive motions determined:
• Global breached the parties' contracts by failing to pay FRA contractually required termination or exit fees, and FRA was entitled to damages in an amount to be determined at trial;26
• Dismissal was appropriate on FRA's counterclaim for breach of contract insofar as it related to Global's request for early transfer of member account data and notice of termination;27 and
• FRA's counterclaim for unjust enrichment could proceed to trial.28
Following the rulings on their dispositive motions, the parties entered a stipulation regarding damages.29 The parties agreed that Global was entitled to $456,226.23 in damages as of April 30, 2015, for FRA's breach of contract.30 This amount would decrease by $199 per month due to a service fee for Global maintaining access to FRA's software.31 The parties also agreed that FRA was entitled to $2,954.84 in damages for one day of service due to Global's early termination and $7,500 under the term provisions of the parties' 2009 and 2011 contracts.32 Additionally, the parties stipulated to the dismissal of FRA's counterclaims for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and unjust enrichment.33
The case proceeded to a three-day jury trial beginning on October 13, 2015.34 The only remaining issues at trial were FRA's damages for Global's breach of contract based on:
• The number and types of accounts subject to a $5.00 per account termination fee under the parties' 2008 contracts;
• The amount of accumulated banking and late fees under the parties' 2008 contracts; and
• The amount of banking and late fees under the parties' 2009 and 2011 contracts.35
On October 15, 2015, the jury returned its verdict finding that FRA had proven 25,479 accounts were subject to the $5.00 termination fee under the parties' 2008 contracts,36 and that $153,721.38 in late fees were associated with the parties' 2008 contracts.37 However, the jury found that FRA failed to prove any banking fees or other late fees were due under the parties' relevant contracts.38
On November 5, 2015, judgment was entered in favor of Global in the amount of $163,660.01.39 This judgment represented an offset of the parties' stipulated damages and the damages awarded to FRA by the jury.40
Global and FRA now seek awards of attorney's fees and expenses, each arguing that it is the "successful party" in the case and entitled to attorney's fees and expenses under their contracts.41 And each alternatively argue that if it is the "unsuccessful party" in the case, any award of attorney's fees and expenses to the other party should be reduced pursuant to the attorney's fees provision based on the other party's rejection of a prior offer for settlement.42 Global also argues that it is entitled to prejudgment interest on its liquidated contract damages.43
DISCUSSION
In diversity cases, such as this case, "attorney['s] fees are deemed to be substantive in nature, and are determined according to state law."44 Moreover, the parties' contracts expressly provide that they "shall be governed by the laws of the State of Utah."45 Therefore, Utah law applies to the determination of Global and FRA's cross-motions for attorney's fees and expenses.46
"In Utah, attorney['s] fees are awardable only if authorized by statute or contract."47 And "[i]f the legal right to attorney['s] fees is established by contract, Utah law clearly requires the court to apply the contractual attorney['s] fee provision and to do so strictly in accordance with the contract's terms."48
Each of the parties' contracts contains the same attorney's fees provision, which reads:
In the event that either party hereto is successful in any legal action or the defense thereof with regard to this Agreement, there will be included in the judgment or decree the reasonable expenses and attorney's fees of the successful party. However, if the unsuccessful party had previously offered an amount in settlement which equals or exceeds the judgment or decree before the addition of expenses and attorney['s] fees, then the judgment of the successful party will only include its expenses and attorney's fees accruing prior to such offer and will be reduced by the expenses and attorney['s] fees of the unsuccessful party incurred after such offer. Under such formula, the judgment of the `successful' party may result in a net amount owing to the `unsuccessful' party.49
Global reads the attorney's fees provision as applying to only the parties' contract claims and defenses.50 Therefore, Global argues that the parties' tort claims and defenses should not be considered in determining which party is the "successful party."51 Global maintains that because it received liquidated damages on its breach of contract claim and a net judgment in the case, it is the "successful party."52 Alternatively, Global argues that even if all the parties' claims are considered, it is still the "successful party" in the case.53 And if it is the "unsuccessful party," any award of attorney's fees and expenses to FRA should be reduced pursuant to the attorney's fees provision based on FRA's rejection of its prior offer for settlement.54
In contrast, FRA reads the attorney's fees provision as applying to all claims and defenses in the case because the entire case was "with regard to" the parties' contracts.55 FRA further argues that because all claims and defenses in the case were inextricably intertwined and involved a common core of facts, all attorney's fees and expenses incurred in the case should be awarded to the "successful party."56 FRA maintains that when looking at the case as a whole, and considering how the parties fared on their basic litigation positions and claims and defenses, it is the "successful party."57 FRA also argues that because it is the "prevailing party," at a minimum, it is entitled to an award of its taxable costs under rule 54(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.58 Alternatively, FRA argues that if it is the "unsuccessful party," any award of attorney's fees and expenses to Global should be reduced pursuant to the attorney's fees provision based on Global's rejection of its prior offer for judgment.59
The scope of the attorney's fees provision in the parties' contracts requires consideration of all the parties' claims and defenses to determine the "successful party" in the case
"As with statutory construction, words in a contract must be interpreted according to their plain meaning unless the context justifies a different interpretation."60 Construing the plain language of the attorney's fees provision in the parties' contracts, the scope of the provision is broad—it applies to "any legal action or the defense thereof with regard to [the contracts.]"61
The use of the terms "any legal action or the defense thereof"62 in the attorney's fees provision does not support a distinction between legal actions based in contract, tort, or equity.63 The use of the terms "with regard to"64 is similarly broad. The terms "with regard to" mean "with respect to [and] concerning."65 And the terms "with respect to" and "concerning" respectively mean or "with reference to [and] in relation to" and "relating to[.]"66 Given the plain meaning of these terms, the scope of the attorney's fees provision is broad enough to encompass legal actions beyond those seeking only a contract's enforcement, termination, or the remedying of a contractual default. Under the plain language of the attorney's fees provision, whether based in contract, tort, or equity, a "legal action or the defense thereof"67 falls within the scope of the provision so long as it is with respect to or concerning the terms embodied in the parties' contracts.68
Global's claims against FRA included tortious interference, promissory estoppel, conversion, breach of contract, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.69 The allegations in each of these claims are with respect to and concerning FRA's obligations under the parties' contracts to service Global's member accounts, and to transfer to Global the funds associated with membership dues.70 Specifically, Global alleged different legal theories of liability relating to FRA's retention of Global's member account data and the funds it collected in membership dues following the contracts' termination and L.A. Fitness's acquisition of Global's gyms.71 Therefore, Global's claims and FRA's defenses to these claims are "with regard to" the parties' contracts.
FRA's counterclaims against Global included breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation.72 The allegations in each of these counterclaims are with respect to and concerning Global's obligations under the parties' contracts to provide proper and timely notice when terminating the contracts, and to compensate FRA for its services, expenses, and fees.73 Specifically, FRA alleged different legal theories of liability relating to Global's termination of the contracts and the monies FRA was entitled upon the contracts' termination.74 Therefore, FRA's counterclaims and Global's defenses to these counterclaims are "with regard to" the parties' contracts.
All the parties' claims and defenses in this case are "with regard to" the parties' contracts. Whether the terms "legal action or the defense thereof" in the attorney's fees provision of the parties' contracts75 refer to the entire case or a single claim or cause of action is therefore of no consequence. Nevertheless, if the terms "legal action and the defense thereof" are read in context with the broad terms "any" and "with regard to," the scope of the attorney's fees provision requires consideration of the entire case in determining the "successful party."76
Accordingly, all the parties' claims and defenses fall within the scope of the attorney's fees provision in the parties' contracts and must be considered in when determining the "successful party."
Because neither party is the "successful party" in the case, neither party is entitled to an award of attorney's fees and expenses under the parties' contracts
The attorney's fees provision in the parties' contracts authorizes an award of attorney's fees and expenses "[i]n the event that either party hereto is successful in any legal action or the defense thereof with regard to [the contracts.]"77
"Utah appellate courts have routinely used the terms `successful party' and `prevailing party' interchangeably."78 "Likewise, Black's Law Dictionary treats the terms `successful party' and `prevailing party' as synonyms."79 "Determining the prevailing party is often an imprecise process."80 "The determination of a `prevailing party' becomes even more complicated in cases involving multiple claims and parties ... and where the ultimate award of money damages does not adequately represent the actual success of the parties under the peculiar posture of the case."81 Therefore, Utah appellate courts "have developed a `flexible and reasoned approach' for determining which party has emerged the `comparative winner.'"82
This flexible and reasoned approach "begins by identifying `the party in whose favor the `net' judgment is entered.'"83 However, the Utah Supreme Court has "stressed the importance of not ignoring common sense when deciding which party prevailed."84 While "[t]he `net judgment rule' will usually be `at least a good starting point,' . . . it should not be `mechanically applied.'"85 Rather, the flexible and reasoned approach "requires not only consideration of the significance of the net judgment in the case, but also look[s] at the amounts actually sought and then balance[es] them proportionally with what was recovered."86 "Consequently, `a party that makes an outrageous claim and then receives only a fraction of what it demanded'—though the net judgment winner—`will not likely be deemed the successful party.'"87
The focus of the flexible and reasoned approach is on "which party ha[s] attained a `comparative victory,' considering what a total victory would have meant for each party and what a true draw would look like."88 Therefore, a number of factors must be considered.89 "These factors include the language of the contract . . . that forms the basis for the attorney['s] fees award, the number of claims brought by the parties, the importance of each of the claims relative to the entire litigation, and the amounts awarded on each claim."90
"Employing these factors as a tool for analyzing which party has prevailed permits a case-by-case evaluation by the trial court, and flexibility to handle circumstances where both, or neither, parties may be considered to have prevailed."91 "Accordingly, it is possible that, in litigation where both parties obtain mixed results, neither party should be deemed to have prevailed for purposes of awarding attorney['s] fees."92 "This is true even where [the contractual] language states that the prevailing party `shall be entitled to' fees."93
Global received a net judgment in this case in the amount of $163,660.01.94 However, this does not mean that Global is the "successful party" in the case. The plain language of the attorney's fee provision in the parties' contracts confirms that while the "successful party" is entitled to an award of attorney's fees and expenses, the use of the terms "[i]n the event that either party hereto is successful" expresses the possibility that neither party will be determined the "successful party."95 Moreover, the plain language of the attorney's fees provision confirms that all the parties' claims and defenses must be considered in when determining the "successful party."96
Global's relative success
Global asserted five claims against FRA: tortious interference; promissory estoppel; conversion; breach of contract; and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.97 Each of these claims related to the two central issues Global raised in the litigation, i.e., withheld member account data and withheld funds collected in membership dues.98 And the resolution of these issues and claims had substantial relevance to the parties' respective positions in the litigation as a whole.
Global's tortious interference and promissory estoppel claims, and the portion of its conversion claim relating to withheld member account data, sought liquidated and consequential damages in an amount not less than $9,695,459 plus prejudgment interest.99 Global also sought punitive damages on its tortious interference and promissory estoppel claims.100 The portion of Global's conversion claim relating to withheld funds collected in membership dues, and its claims for breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, sought liquidated damages in an amount not less than $466,481.78 plus prejudgment interest.101 In total, Global's claims sought $10,161,940.78 in liquidated and consequential damages against FRA,102 plus prejudgment interest and punitive damages.
Global's claims were all resolved prior to trial. Global's claims for tortious interference, promissory estoppel, conversion, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing were dismissed on summary judgment.103 The portion of Global's breach of contract claim relating to withheld member account data was voluntarily dismissed.104 And the parties stipulated that Global was entitled to $456,226.23 in damages as of April 30, 2015, on the portion of Global's breach of contract claim relating to withheld funds collected in membership dues.105
Therefore, Global was awarded damages on only a portion of one of its claims. The stipulated amount of damages is approximately 98% of the total amount that Global sought on the claim,106 and approximately 4% of the total liquidated and consequential damages sought on all its claims.107 After accounting for stipulated reductions to the amount of Global's damages, and offsetting that amount by the amount of damages awarded to FRA, Global received a net judgment in the amount of $163,660.01.108 Global's net judgment is approximately 2% of the total liquidated and consequential damages it sought on all its claims.109
FRA's relative success
FRA asserted five counterclaims against Global: breach of contract; breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; unjust enrichment; fraud; and negligent misrepresentation.110 Each of these counterclaims related to the central issues FRA raised in the litigation, i.e., Global's termination of the parties' contracts and the money FRA was entitled upon the contracts' termination.111 And the resolution of these issues and counterclaims had substantial relevance to the parties' respective positions in the litigation as a whole.
FRA initially sought damages in the amount of $4,599,125.04 plus prejudgment interest on its breach of contract counterclaim.112 However, FRA later reduced this amount to $3,675,285.45.113 On its unjust enrichment counterclaim, FRA sought damages in the amount of $185,400.114 And FRA did not identify the precise amount of damages it sought in relation to its breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation counterclaims, but the damages it sought included amounts separate from the damages amounts identified in relation to its other claims, i.e., damages related to Global's expedited request for information and punitive damages.115 In total, FRA's counterclaims initially sought $4,784,525.04 in damages,116 plus other unidentified damages amounts, prejudgment interest, and punitive damages. The total identified amount of damages was later reduced by FRA to $3,860,685.45.117
Each of FRA's counterclaims were resolved prior to trial, except for a portion of FRA's breach of contract counterclaim. FRA's breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation counterclaims were dismissed by stipulation of the parties.118 The parties also agreed that FRA was entitled to $2,954.84 in damages for one day of service due to Global's early termination and $7,500 under the term provisions of the parties' 2009 and 2011 contracts.119 The jury's verdict at trial resulted in an award of $281,116.38 in damages on the remaining portion of FRA's breach of contract counterclaim.120 The total amount of FRA's damages award was $291,571.22.121
Therefore, FRA was awarded damages on only a portion of one its claims. FRA's total damages award is approximately 6% of the total calculable amount that FRA initially sought on its breach of contract counterclaim,122 and approximately 8% of the reduced calculable amount it sought on the counterclaim.123 FRA's total damages award is also approximately 6% of the identified amount FRA initially sought on all its counterclaims,124 and approximately 8% of the reduced amount it sought on all its counterclaims.125
Comparison of the parties' relative success
Both parties alleged five claims for relief126 and the resolution of each of these claims had substantial relevance to the parties' respective positions in the litigation as a whole. Both parties were awarded damages on only a portion of their respective breach of contract claims.127 All other claims were dismissed prior to trial—either voluntarily128 or by stipulation129 or ruling on dispositive motion130—or resulted in no awarded damages at trial.131
The fact that the resolution of the parties' claims occurred at different points in the proceedings and by different means is inconsequential to the determination of the "successful party" in the case. "`[G]enuine success'—in the sense that the litigation ultimately proved worthwhile—is not the standard for determining the prevailing party for purposes of a fee award."132 The "result achieved" is not weighed "against the sacrifice in time, trouble, and expense required to attain that result."133 In determining the "comparative winner," the comparison is to the other party, not to the toll of the litigation process."134
Comparing the results achieved by the parties, the percent of the damages awarded to Global on its breach of contract claim is high in relation to the amount it sought on the claim— approximately 98%.135 This percentage is far greater than the percent of the damages awarded to FRA on its breach of contract counterclaim—approximately 6%.136 And Global's damages award resulted in a net judgment in the amount of $163,660.01.137 This favors Global's argument that it is the "successful party" in the case.
However, the total amount of liquidated and consequential damages sought by Global in the case—$10,161,940.78138—is over twice the total amount of identified damages sought by FRA—$4,784,525.04 initially, later reduced to $3,860,685.45.139 Moreover, the percent of damages awarded to Global in relation to the total amount of liquidated and consequential damages it sought is very low—approximately 4%.140 Global's net judgment is only approximately 2% of the total amount of liquidated and consequential damages it sought.141 While the percentage of damages awarded to FRA in relation to the total amount of identified damages it sought is also very low—approximately 8%142—it is double the percentage Global received. This favors FRA's argument that it is the "successful party" in the case. Nevertheless, FRA's percentage is skewed upward because it does not account for the unidentified damages amounts on FRA's breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation counterclaims.143
Under these circumstances, and considering the language of the attorney's fees provision in the parties' contracts, the number of claims brought by each party, the importance of each claim relative to the entire litigation, and the amounts awarded on each claim, neither party is the "comparative winner."144 The parties alleged the same number of claims and were each awarded damages on only a portion of one of their claims. The amount of damages awarded to Global is higher than that of FRA, but Global sought greater amount of damages than FRA. And the amount of damages awarded to each party in relation to the amount of damages they sought is very low. Therefore, neither party is the "successful party" in this case.
Because neither party is the "successful party" in the case, neither party is entitled to an award of attorney's fees and expenses under the attorney's fees provision in their contracts. Additionally, because neither party is the "successful party" in the case, the attorney's fees provision in their contracts does not apply to the parties' respective offers for settlement. Moreover, because the terms "successful party" are synonymous with the terms "prevailing party,"145 and neither party is the "successful party," neither party is entitled to an award of taxable costs under Rule 54(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.146 No attorney's fees, expenses, or taxable costs are awarded to either party.
Global is entitled to prejudgment interest on its net judgment
"[T]he purpose of awarding prejudgment interest is to compensate a party for the depreciating value of the amount owed over time and, as a corollary, to deter parties from intentionally withholding an amount that is liquidated and owing."147 Under Utah law, "[p]rejudgment interest may be recovered where the damage is complete, the amount of the loss is fixed as of a particular time, and the loss is measurable by facts and figures."148 In other words, "[p]rejudgment interest is appropriate when the loss has been fixed as of a definite time and the amount of the loss can be calculated with mathematical accuracy in accordance with well-established rules of damages."149 In the context of contract damages, Utah appellate court have held that "prejudment interest is appropriate in cases where the `amount due under [a] contract was ascertainable by calculation and it was only the method to be used in making the calculation that was uncertain."150
Global asserts that the contract damages it was awarded were liquidated and the amount was ascertainable throughout the proceedings.151 Specifically, Global asserts that on October 25, 2012, FRA had withheld $503,649.58 of its funds; by January 7, 2013, the amount had decreased to $471,650.39, by June 10, 2015, the amount had decreased to $456,226.23, and by October 20, 2015, the amount had decreased to $455,231.23.152 Therefore, Global argues that it is entitled to prejudgment interest in the amount of $156,339.91.153
FRA, on the other hand, argues that if Global is entitled to prejudgment interest, it should only be calculated using the amount of Global's net judgment—$163,660.01.154 FRA asserts that because it was awarded $281,116.38 in contract damages that were liquidated as of the termination of the parties' contracts on October 25, 2012, it is entitled to prejudgment interest on its damages.155 Therefore, FRA maintains that the prejudgment interest it is entitled to offsets any prejudgment interest Global is entitled to for its contract damages, leaving only prejudgment interest on Global's net judgment.156
Global is correct in that it is entitled to prejudgment interest on the entire amount of contract damages it was awarded before any offset for the damages awarded to FRA. However, FRA is also correct in that it is entitled to prejudgment interest on the entire amount of contract damages it was awarded. Both parties' contract damages represent losses fixed as of a definite time and their amounts are calculable with mathematical accuracy.157
Because both parties' contract damages result in an entitlement to prejudgment interest, the equitable doctrine of setoff requires that "`the demands of mutually indebted parties be set off against each other and that only the balance be recovered in a judicial proceeding by one party against [the other].'"158 Therefore, just as with the calculation that lead to the amount of Global's net judgment,159 an amount of net prejudgment interest must be determined by setting off the total amounts of prejudgment interest each party is entitled to for their respective contract damages.
However, because both parties' contract damages are fixed as of the same time—October 25, 2012, when Global terminated the parties' contracts—and because prejudgment interest is simple interest, as opposed to compound interest,160 the calculation of the net prejudgment interest is appropriately made by simply using the amount of Global's net judgment— $163,660.01. Therefore, Global is entitled to prejudgment interest at the rate of 10% per annum161 on its net judgment—$163,660.01—from October 25, 2012.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
(1) Global's Motion for Attorney's Fees162 and Renewed Motion for Attorney's Fees163 are DENIED as to Global's request for an award of attorney's fees and expenses.
(2) Global's Motion for Attorney's Fees164 and Renewed Motion for Attorney's Fees165 are GRANTED as to Global's request for prejudgment interest, but only as to Global's net judgment—$163,660.01—at a rate of 10% per annum from October 25, 2012.
(3) FRA's Motion for Attorney's Fees166 is DENIED.
(4) By no later than August 25, 2017, the parties shall meet, confer, and jointly file a motion identifying the amount of prejudgment interest on Global's net judgment—$163,660.01—from October 25, 2012.
(5) Following the filing of the parties' joint motion, an amended judgment incorporating the amount of prejudgment interest will enter.
