Baaron, Inc. v. Davidson

[Cite as Baaron, Inc. v. Davidson, 2015-Ohio-4217.]

STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF WAYNE )

BAARON, INC., dba TDP C.A. No. 13CA0050
CONTRACTING

Appellant
APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
v. ENTERED IN THE
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
NORMA DAVIDSON COUNTY OF WAYNE, OHIO
CASE No. 11-CV-0460
Appellee

DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY

Dated: October 13, 2015

HENSAL, Presiding Judge.

{¶1} Appellant, Baaron, Inc., d.b.a. TDP Contracting (“TDP”), appeals from the

judgments of the Wayne County Court of Common Pleas. For the following reasons, this Court

affirms in part and reverses in part.

I.

{¶2} Appellee, Norma Davidson, hired TDP to complete a remodeling project at a

home she purchased in Wooster, Ohio. Mr. “T.A.” Perrine (“T.A.”) of TDP testified that, based

on his initial meeting with Ms. Davidson at her home, he quoted her a price of $5,400 to

renovate the bathroom, install new carpeting, replace the kitchen countertop, and paint the

interior walls. According to T.A., he prepared a written estimate at their meeting that was signed

by Ms. Davidson. He could not, however, produce a copy of the estimate at trial.

{¶3} After TDP began the work, the scope of the project expanded to include many

additional items such as new kitchen cabinets and appliances. Ms. Davidson paid TDP a total of
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$6,000. T.A. testified that he told Ms. Davidson the total price would exceed $10,000 but never

discussed the entire cost of the project with her. Several months after completion of the work,

TDP sent Ms. Davidson an invoice demonstrating that the full cost of the project was $30,080.

Ms. Davidson does not dispute that TDP performed the work detailed on its invoice. Instead, she

maintains that she told T.A. she could spend no more than $6,000 and that he continually

reassured her that the additional items would fit in her budget. She further testified that their

work was deficient and performed in an unworkmanlike manner.

{¶4} TDP sued Ms. Davidson for breach of contract and unjust enrichment claiming it

was still owed $24,080 after applying Ms. Davidson’s $6,000 in payments. Ms. Davidson

answered and asserted counterclaims for violation of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act

(“CSPA”), negligence, and breach of contract. After a jury trial, TDP was awarded damages of

$15,895 on its unjust enrichment claim and Ms. Davidson was awarded damages of $18,000 on

her CSPA claim. The jury determined that TDP committed an unconscionable act involving

“gross one-sidedness” and “susceptible or unsophisticated clientele.” After a hearing, the trial

court awarded Ms. Davidson treble damages in the amount of $6,315 (after offsetting the jury’s

awards to each party) and attorney’s fees in the amount of $10,000. TDP has appealed asserting

three assignments of error for this Court’s review.

II.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I

THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING TDP CONTRACTING’S
MOTION FOR DIRECTED VERDICT/JNOV OR NEW TRIAL.

{¶5} In its first assignment of error, TDP argues that the trial court erred in denying

both its motion for a directed verdict and motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or

new trial because it was not a “supplier” as defined by the CSPA. The substance of TDP’s
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argument regarding those motions is confined to whether there was sufficient evidence to

demonstrate that it was a “supplier” under the CSPA as a matter of law. Accordingly, this Court

will review the trial court’s decision on the motion under a de novo standard. Bennett v. Admr.,

Ohio Bur. of Workers’ Comp., 134 Ohio St.3d 329, 2012-Ohio-5639, ¶ 14; Schottenstein Zox &

Dunn Co., L.P.A. v. Reineke, 9th Dist. Medina No. 10CA0138-M, 2011-Ohio-6201, ¶ 9.

{¶6} Since “[t]he CSPA is remedial in nature, having been designed to compensate for

incomplete consumer remedies available at common law[,] * * * we must liberally construe the

statute in favor of the consumer.” (Citations omitted.) Anderson v. Barclay’s Capital Real

Estate, Inc., 136 Ohio St.3d 31, 2013-Ohio-1933, ¶ 9. Revised Code Section 1345.01(C) defines

a “[s]upplier” as one “engaged in the business of effecting or soliciting consumer transactions,

whether or not the person deals directly with the consumer.” The Ohio Supreme Court has

clarified that “‘suppliers’ are those that cause a consumer transaction to happen or that seek to

enter into a consumer transaction.” Anderson at ¶ 30. A “[c]onsumer transaction” is defined as

“a sale * * * or other transfer of an item of goods [or] a service * * * to an individual for

purposes that are primarily personal, family, or household * * *.” R.C. 1345.01(A). TDP does

not dispute that its agreement with Ms. Davidson was a consumer transaction. It argues,

however, that there was no evidence it engaged in the business of consumer transactions as it

normally worked on only commercial jobs and Ms. Davidson’s project was its “first (and only)

consumer project.”

{¶7} K. Terry Perrine (“Terry”) testified that he is the president of Baaron, Inc., a

company that primarily sells industrial fasteners. TDP was formed in early 2010 as a division of

Baaron, Inc. to help it get through a significant decline in its fastener business. According to

Terry, his son, T.A., suggested forming TDP for the purpose for refurbishing foreclosed homes.
 4

T.A. testified that TDP started working for another construction company, Condor, on foreclosed

homes located throughout Ohio. TDP eventually took over the projects from Condor. T.A.

testified that TDP worked on approximately six projects before undertaking Ms. Davidson’s

renovations. Ms. Davidson testified that she was referred to TDP by her neighbor who had the

company replace her countertops.

{¶8} TDP relies upon the case of Renner v. Derin Acquisition Corp., 111 Ohio App.3d

326 (8th Dist.1996) to support its argument that engaging in a single, isolated transaction does

not qualify it as a “supplier” under Revised Code Section 1345.01(C). The court in Renner

concluded that an attorney who sent one collection demand letter on behalf of her client was not

a “supplier” under the CSPA. Renner at 337-338.

{¶9} Contrary to TDP’s representations, the evidence at trial did not establish that it

worked only on commercial construction projects. There was no evidence produced at trial that

its primary customers were either commercial or consumers; only that the projects involved the

renovation of foreclosed homes. While one could infer from the testimony that TDP worked for

banks or other companies, one could also infer that it worked for individuals who purchased the

homes at a sheriff’s sale and intended to make them their personal residences. In addition, Ms.

Davidson’s testimony concerning how she obtained TDP’s contact information indicates that

TDP did engage in at least one other residential project involving Ms. Davidson’s neighbor.

{¶10} Upon review of the record, we conclude that, because there was evidence that

TDP was a “supplier” as defined in Section 1345.01(C) of the CSPA, the trial court did not err

when it denied TDP’s motions for a directed verdict, judgment notwithstanding the verdict or

new trial. TDP’s first assignment of error is overruled.
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ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II

THE JURY’S VERDICT IN FAVOR OF DAVIDSON ON THE CONSUMER
SALES PRACTICES ACT CLAIM WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST
WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE.

{¶11} TDP states in its second assignment of error that the jury’s verdict and damages

award on Ms. Davidson’s CSPA claim was against the manifest weight of the evidence.

Although characterizing its second assignment of error as a manifest weight argument, the

substance of its argument is that it was entitled to judgment on Ms. Davidson’s counterclaim

because she “failed to present sufficient evidence to establish any unconscionable act of TDP * *

*” and because “there was no evidence of any damage caused by TDP * * *.” According to

TDP, because Ms. Davidson “presented no evidence” that she was susceptible or

unsophisticated, that the contract was grossly one-sided, or that she suffered any damages, it

“was entitled to a directed verdict/judgment notwithstanding the verdict or a new trial” under

Civil Rule 50(A) and 59(A)(4), (5), (6), (7), and (9). We will address its argument as to each of

those rules below.

Motion for Directed Verdict

{¶12} TDP argues that the trial court should have granted its Civil Rule 50(A) motion

for a directed verdict. We note that “[a] motion for a directed verdict assesses the sufficiency of

the evidence, not the weight of the evidence or the credibility of the witnesses.” Jarvis v. Stone,

9th Dist. Summit No. 23904, 2008-Ohio-3313, ¶ 7. As such, this Court will analyze TDP’s

argument using the sufficiency standard. Swedlow v. Riegler, 9th Dist. Summit No. 26710,

2013-Ohio-5562, ¶ 29.

{¶13} The Ohio Supreme Court has explained that “[t]he sufficiency of the evidence is

quantitatively and qualitatively different from the weight of the evidence.” Eastley v. Volkman,
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132 Ohio St.3d 328, 2012-Ohio-2179, at paragraph two of the syllabus. “[S]ufficiency” has been

defined as

‘a term of art meaning that legal standard which is applied to determine * * *
whether the evidence is legally sufficient to support the [judgment] as a matter of
law.’ * * * In essence, sufficiency is a test of adequacy. Whether the evidence is
legally sufficient to sustain a verdict is a question of law.

Id. at ¶ 11, quoting State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386 (1997). “When a defendant

argues that the judgment in a civil case is supported by insufficient evidence, we must determine

whether, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, a reasonable trier of

fact could find in favor of the plaintiff.” Lubanovich v. McGlocklin, 9th Dist. Medina No.

12CA0090-M, 2014-Ohio-2459, ¶ 8.

{¶14} “The Consumer Sales Practices Act prohibits unfair or deceptive acts and

unconscionable acts or practices by suppliers in consumer transactions.” Fleischer v. George,

9th Dist. Medina No. 09CA0057-M, 2010-Ohio-3941, ¶ 16, quoting, Einhorn v. Ford Motor Co.,

48 Ohio St.3d 27, 29 (1990). “In general, the CSPA defines * * * ‘unconscionable acts or

practices’ [as] relat[ing] to a supplier manipulating a consumer’s understanding of the nature of

the transaction at issue.” Id., quoting Whitaker v. M.T. Automotive, Inc., 111 Ohio St.3d 177,

2006-Ohio-5481, ¶ 10.

In determining whether an act or practice is unconscionable, the following
circumstances shall be taken into consideration:

(1) Whether the supplier has knowingly taken advantage of the inability of the
consumer reasonably to protect the consumer’s interests because of the
consumer’s physical or mental infirmities, ignorance, illiteracy, or inability to
understand the language of an agreement;

(2) Whether the supplier knew at the time the consumer transaction was entered
into that the price was substantially in excess of the price at which similar
property or services were readily obtainable in similar consumer transactions
by like consumers;
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(3) Whether the supplier knew at the time the consumer transaction was entered
into of the inability of the consumer to receive a substantial benefit from the
subject of the consumer transaction;

(4) Whether the supplier knew at the time the consumer transaction was entered
into that there was no reasonable probability of payment of the obligation in
full by the consumer;

(5) Whether the supplier required the consumer to enter into a consumer
transaction on terms the supplier knew were substantially one-sided in favor
of the supplier;

(6) Whether the supplier knowingly made a misleading statement of opinion on
which the consumer was likely to rely to the consumer’s detriment;

(7) Whether the supplier has, without justification, refused to make a refund in
cash or by check for a returned item that was purchased with cash or check,
unless the supplier had conspicuously posted in the establishment at the time
of the sale a sign stating the supplier’s refund policy.

R.C. 1345.03(B).

{¶15} TDP argues that there was no evidence presented from which the jury could

determine either that Ms. Davidson was a “susceptible” or “unsophisticated” client. It also

argues that there was no evidence that the contract was “grossly one-sided[,]” that Ms. Davidson

was “swindled in some manner,” that she was “confused by TDP,” or that the “prices charged for

the work were unfair in any manner.”

{¶16} Regarding whether Ms. Davidson was a susceptible or unsophisticated client, we

note that, under Section 1345.03(B)(1), “the focus is on whether the consumer lacks the physical

or mental ability to protect himself or herself.” Martin v. Gen. Motors Acceptance Corp., N.

Am., 160 Ohio App.3d 19, 2005-Ohio-1349, ¶ 21 (7th Dist.). Ms. Davidson testified that she

was 78 years old and retired. She previously worked as a welder in a factory and at the Apple

Creek Development Center. The jury observed her testify twice: once during TDP’s case-in-

chief and once during her own case-in-chief. Accordingly, it was able to “view [her] and
 8

observe [her] demeanor, gestures and voice inflections, and use these observations” in assessing

her testimony. State v. Persinger, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 13CA010397, 2014-Ohio-4125, ¶ 18,

quoting State v. Cook, 9th Dist. Summit No. 21185, 2003-Ohio-727, ¶ 30. See also State v.

Kilbarger, 12th Dist. Fayette No. CA2013-04-013, 2014-Ohio-2341, ¶ 18 (concerning whether

the victim’s ability to consent to sexual conduct was substantially impaired because of a mental

condition, the court noted that “the jury was able to observe the victim testify on the witness

stand and thus, was able to assess the victim’s mental condition * * *.”). The record reflects that

the attorneys and the trial court often had to refocus Ms. Davidson or rephrase questions. We,

therefore, cannot say that there was insufficient evidence from which the jury could find that Ms.

Davidson was a “susceptible” or “unsophisticated” client.

{¶17} Regarding TDP’s other conscionability arguments, we note that Ms. Davidson

testified that she was surprised and “flabbergasted” at many of the renovations as she had never

authorized them. She maintained that T.A. repeatedly told her that the additional renovations

would look nice and fit her budget. Ms. Davidson testified that the kitchen appliances were

included in the initial quote from TDP and that she never went to Lowes to pick out appliances.

She disputes T.A.’s testimony that he gave her a written estimate at their initial meeting.

According to Ms. Davidson, she initially told T.A. she could not exceed $6,000 for the entire

project. She further testified that much of the work was substandard. Ms. Davidson described

one particular incident wherein a kitchen cabinet fell off of the wall when she shut the cabinet

door after removing a glass. She identified numerous photographs depicting what she believed

was shoddy work. Ms. Davidson’s expert, Christopher Leach, also testified at trial. In his

opinion, the overall quality of the workmanship was “very poor.”
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{¶18} After reviewing the evidence, this Court cannot conclude that Ms. Davidson

presented insufficient evidence that her agreement with TDP was unconscionable. By TDP’s

own admission, it did not discuss a total cost of the project with Ms. Davidson and could not

produce a copy of the initial estimate T.A. testified that Ms. Davidson signed. A reasonable jury

could find that, in light of Ms. Davidson’s susceptibility, the evidence suggesting the work was

deficient, the fact that TDP did not discuss specific costs with Ms. Davidson, the fact that TDP

continually initiated additional renovations that Ms. Davidson did not authorize, and TDP’s false

reassurances that the work would fit in her budget, the agreement was unconscionable under

Section 1345.03.

Motion for a New Trial

{¶19} TDP argues that the jury’s damage award was “excessive” under Civil Rule

59(A)(4) because there was no evidence that it caused any damages. Similarly, it argues that,

because there was no evidence of damages, the amount of the damage award was “too large”

under Rule 59(A)(5).

{¶20} Ms. Davidson testified to several pictures that depicted what she believed was

substandard work performed by TDP. She admitted that she never informed TDP of the

subsequent problems with its work, because she was satisfied with the job for the total of $6,000

that she paid. It was not until TDP attempted to collect the balance due of $24,080 and sued her

that she thought to bring her claims.

{¶21} Mr. Leach testified that he visited Ms. Davidson’s home on two occasions for a

total of four hours. The first visit was more than one year after TDP last performed any work at

the home. He detailed numerous problems with TDP’s work that would require either repair or

replacement. Mr. Leach opined that the work was not completed in a workmanlike manner and
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that the materials used were of a poor quality. He provided an itemized estimate that totaled

$28,690.71 to repair or replace TDP’s deficient work. Mr. Leach admitted that several of the

items were upgrades from what Ms. Davidson currently had in her home. He further

acknowledged that Ms. Davidson never requested that he provide a specific itemization of the

actual damage caused by TDP.

{¶22} After reviewing the evidence, this Court does not agree with TDP that Ms.

Davidson presented no evidence of damages or that the jury’s award in the amount of $18,000

was not supported by the evidence. Ms. Davidson presented evidence in support of her claim

that she paid $6,000 for work that both she and Mr. Leach characterized as substandard. Mr.

Leach testified to specific items that required replacement and submitted his itemized invoice

detailing the cost of those items. While it is true that Mr. Leach did not itemize the damage

caused by TDP, the jury was able to glean the information from both his testimony and invoice.

{¶23} We also do not agree that the jury’s damage award was excessive, or resulted

from passion or prejudice for Ms. Davidson. See Civ.R. 59(A)(4). Although Ms. Davidson

presented evidence that it would cost $28,690.71 to repair or replace TDP’s deficient work, the

jury only awarded her $18,000 on her CSPA claim.

{¶24} Regarding TDP’s argument that it was entitled to a new trial under Civil Rule

59(A)(5) as the damage award was too large due to the lack of evidence, this Court notes that

“[a] plaintiff who alleges * * * damages to real property may recover ‘(1) reasonable restoration

costs * * *.’” Lubanovich, 9th Dist. Medina No. 12CA0090-M, 2014-Ohio-2459, at ¶13, quoting

Horrisberger v. Mohlmaster, 102 Ohio App.3d 494, 499 (9th Dist.1995). According to Mr.

Leach, the items that needed replacing included doors, baseboard, cabinets, and countertops, a

shower and tile, baseboard heaters, and ceiling registers. All of those items could reasonably be
 11

considered “fixtures” and, thus, part of Ms. Davidson’s real property. See Masheter v. Boehm,

37 Ohio St.2d 68, 72-74 (1974). The evidence Ms. Davidson presented demonstrated the cost of

replacing the deficient work. Further, TDP’s argument that Ms. Davidson thought their work

was adequate until she received the final bill belies her testimony. She clarified at trial that she

“brought [the construction problems] out” after she received the final bill, but that she was

willing to “live with the work” for $6,000. Finally, TDP argues that there was no evidence that

the property was not in the condition contemplated by the parties because two years passed

between when TDP was last at Ms. Davidson’s home and when Mr. Leach inspected it. Mr.

Leach testified, however, about each of Ms. Davidson’s complaints. He opined that both the

installation and the quality of the construction were performed in an unworkmanlike manner.

TDP neither denied that they performed the work that Mr. Leach testified to nor presented

testimony regarding the status of the quality of that work in direct contravention of Mr. Leach’s

testimony.

{¶25} TDP next relies on its arguments set forth under Civil Rule 59(4) and (5) to justify

a new trial under Rule 59(A)(6). Because this Court has already rejected its arguments

concerning the damage award, we find no merit to his arguments that the verdict was against the

manifest weight of the evidence so as to justify a new trial under Rule 59(A)(6).

{¶26} TDP’s argument under Civil Rule 59(A)(7) repeats its assertion that it is not a

“supplier” under the CSPA. As this Court explained earlier, however, there was evidence from

which the trial court could conclude that TDP was a supplier as defined by the CSPA. TDP also

argues that, even if it was a supplier, the judgment was “contrary to law” because the “damages

awarded on the counterclaim were not supported by the evidence.” We reject TDP’s argument

because, as previously stated, there was evidence in the record that Ms. Davidson was damaged.
 12

{¶27} Finally, TDP argues that it is entitled to a new trial under Rule 59(A)(9) because

the court erred as a matter of law by denying its motion for a directed verdict on the issue of

whether it was a supplier under the CSPA. This Court rejected this same argument in resolving

TDP’s first assignment of error.

{¶28} Upon review of the record, we conclude that TDP has failed to establish that the

jury’s verdict and damages award were not supported by sufficient evidence, entitling it to relief

under Civil Rules 50 or 59. Accordingly, TDP’s second assignment of error is overruled.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III

THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN AWARDING ATTORNEY’S FEES AND
TREBLE DAMAGES IN FAVOR OF DAVIDSON.

{¶29} In its third assignment of error, TDP argues that the trial court erred in awarding

Ms. Davidson treble damages and attorney’s fees. We agree in part.

{¶30} Revised Code Section 1345.09(A) allows a consumer to seek actual economic

damages as a remedy for violations of the CSPA. The damage award may be trebled if “(1) the

Attorney General has promulgated a regulation that declares the specific act or practice to be * *

* unconscionable, or (2) an Ohio court has issued a decision, made available for public

inspection that determines that the specific act or practice violated R.C. 1345.02 or 1345.03.”

Fleischer v. George, 9th Dist. Medina No 09CA0057-M, 2010-Ohio-3941, at ¶ 17. “Whether

treble damages are appropriate is a question of law. Questions of law are reviewed de novo, with

no deference to the trial court’s determination.” (Citations omitted.) Id. at ¶ 18.

{¶31} TDP argues that the trial court erred in awarding treble damages as there was no

evidence it committed an unconscionable act. It contends that the jury’s finding that Ms.

Davidson was a “susceptible or unsophisticated” consumer does not equate to the standard set

forth in Revised Code Section 1345.03(B)(1). We addressed this same argument in TDP’s
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second assignment of error and determined that Ms. Davidson presented sufficient evidence to

support the jury’s conclusion. TDP does not argue either that the Attorney General has not

promulgated a regulation that declared the specific act unconscionable or that an Ohio Court has

not issued a decision that concludes that the specific act violated Section 1345.03. R.C.

1345.09(B); Fleischer at ¶ 17. We note that, in support of her motion for treble damages, Ms.

Davidson cited to several cases, which she represented were available for public inspection,

determining that the specific unconscionable act violated the CSPA. Because TDP does not

challenge the trial court’s finding on either of the prerequisites necessary to justify treble

damages found in Section 1345.09(B), and instead reiterates its argument that there was

insufficient evidence to support the jury’s award, this Court concludes that the trial court did not

err in awarding Ms. Davidson treble damages.

{¶32} Next, TDP argues that the trial court erred in awarding Ms. Davidson $10,000 in

attorney’s fees. Section 1345.09(F) permits a trial court to award the prevailing party her

“reasonable attorney’s fee limited to the work reasonably performed * * *.” A trial court’s

determination on an award of attorney’s fees should not be reversed unless it abused its

discretion. Bittner v. Tri-County Toyota, Inc., 58 Ohio St.3d 143, 146 (1991). An abuse of

discretion “implies that the court’s attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable.”

Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219 (1983). An appellate court may not substitute

its judgment for that of the trial court when applying the abuse-of-discretion standard. Berk v.

Matthews, 53 Ohio St.3d 161, 169 (1990).

{¶33} The Ohio Supreme Court held in Bittner that

When awarding reasonable attorney fees pursuant to R.C. 1345.09(F)(2), the trial
court should first calculate the number of hours reasonably expended on the case
times an hourly fee, and then may modify that calculation by application of the
 14

factors listed in DR-106(B).1 These factors are: the time and labor involved in
maintaining the litigation; the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved; the
professional skill required to perform the necessary legal services; the attorney’s
inability to accept other cases; the fee customarily charged; the amount involved
and the results obtained; any necessary time limitations; the nature and length of
the attorney/client relationship; the experience, reputation, and ability of the
attorney; and whether the fee is fixed or contingent. All factors may not be
applicable in all cases and the trial court has the discretion to determine which
factors apply, and in what manner that application will affect the initial
calculation.

Bittner at 145-146. “When making a fee award pursuant to R.C. 1345.09(F)(2), the trial court

must state the basis for the fee determination. Absent such a statement, it is not possible for an

appellate court to conduct a meaningful review.” Id. at 146.

{¶34} At the hearing on her motion for attorney’s fees, Ms. Davidson was the sole

witness. She submitted an invoice from her prior counsel indicating that the total amount of

attorney’s fees billed to her were $3,049.04. The invoice did not itemize the fees. Ms. Davidson

also submitted an itemized list of services her current attorney performed in the case which

totaled $9,662.50. In its judgment entry, the trial court found that “[Ms. Davidson] shall also

recover attorney[’s] fees pursuant to R.C. 1345.09(F) of $10,000.00.” The trial court did not

state its basis for awarding the fees, which differed from the amount requested by Ms. Davidson.

Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand the cause for it to set forth its

basis for the fee determination. Bittner, 58 Ohio St.3d at 146. The remaining arguments set

forth by TDP concerning the attorney’s fee award are not ripe for review at this time in light of

our remand.

{¶35} We sustain TDP’s assignment of error as it pertains to the award of attorney’s

fees. Its argument concerning the award of treble damages is overruled.

1
DR 2-106 was superseded by Rule 1.5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The
factors listed in DR 2-106 are virtually the same as the factors listed in Rule 1.5.
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III.

{¶36} TDP’s first and second assignments of error are overruled. Its third assignment of

error is sustained in part and overruled in part. The judgment of the Wayne County Court of

Common Pleas is affirmed in part and reversed in part, and the cause is remanded for further

proceedings consistent with this opinion.

Judgment affirmed in part,
reversed in part,
and cause remanded.

There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common

Pleas, County of Wayne, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy

of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.

Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of

judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the

period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is

instructed to mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the

mailing in the docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.

Costs taxed equally to both parties.

JENNIFER HENSAL
FOR THE COURT
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CARR, J.
MOORE, J.
CONCUR.

APPEARANCES:

TIMOTHY B. PETTORINI, Attorney at Law, for Appellant.

MATTHEW J. MALONE, Attorney at Law, for Appellee.