Joseph Workman v. Jerald F. Klinkenberg

FILED
COURT OF APPEALS OIV I
STATE OF WASHINGTON

2018 DEC -3 AM 9:23

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

JOSEPH WORKMAN,trustee, WCT
TRUST, a Washington trust, No. 77105-1-1

Appellant, DIVISION ONE

V.

JERALD F. KLINKENBERG and
SANDRA LEE KLINKENBURG,t
husband and wife; and CITIBANK, or
its successors and/or assigns, PUBLISHED OPINION

Respondents. FILED: December 3, 2018
.

SMITH, J. —Where use of another's property begins as a neighborly

accommodation, the party seeking a prescriptive easement must overcome the

presumption that the use was permissive and must show when and how the use

became adverse. Under Gamboa v. Clark, 183 Wn.2d 38, 348 P.3d 1214

(2015), in order to overcome the presumption of permissive use, a litigant must

either demonstrate a use that was adverse and hostile to the rights of the

opposing party or show that the opposing party indicated that an easement was

granted. Because Joseph Workmanl did not present evidence raising a genuine

1' The true and correct spelling, "Klinkenberg," will be used in this opinion.
1 We refer to each member of the Workman family by their first name to
avoid confusion.
No. 77105-1-1/2

issue of material fact that either of these circumstances happened, summary

judgment dismissal of his prescriptive easement claims was proper. Additionally,

the trial court did not abuse its discretion in awarding the Klinkenbergs attorney

fees. We affirm and also grant the Klinkenbergs their attorney fees on appeal.

FACTS

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Carolyn and Marvel (Marv) Workman,

together with Clarence and Patricia Young, owned lot 129 of the Whidbey Shores

development on Whidbey Island. In Juy 1982, the Workmans purchased the lot

next door (lot 130) and sold their interest in lot 129 but continued to use a patio

and stairway on lot 129 as guests of the Youngs. In 1990 and 1991, the

Workmans transferred their interest in lot 130 to WCT Trust.

In 1992, David McClinton purchased lot 129 through a trust. McClinton

and Mary were business partners and close friends. In about 1994, they agreed

that the patio and stairway on lot 129, between their respective decks, would be

a shared recreational space. Together they paid for and built a brick patio, fire

pit, and railroad tie stairs descending to the concrete bulkhead (the disputed

area).

When McClinton decided to sell jot 129, Man/ requested that he have a

"first crack" at trying to find a friend to buy it "because of... the joint area" and in

order to "kind of continue this open concept.. . between the two properties."

Clerk's Papers(CP) at 359, 491.

In 1999, Mary's friends, Jill and Lydell Knudson, decided to buy lot 129

with their family, Jerald and Sandra LO Klinkenberg. When the Klinkenbergs
No. 77105-1-1/3

bought lot 129, Lydell Knudson informed them "that the Workmans occasionally

used the Lot 129 brick patio and fire pit, and asked whether [they] would permit

that use to continue." CP at 817. They agreed to give the Workmans permission

to use the area. In 2009, the KnudsonS transferred their interest in lot 129 to the

Klinkenbergs.

In 2013, Joseph, as trustee of WCT Trust, sent the Klinkenbergs a letter

regarding the boundary and placementi of a wooden planter box on the patio. In

2014, he sent another letter to the Klinkenbergs asking them to move the planter

box "pending clarification of the properly lines." CP at 842.

In 2015, Joseph, on behalf of the trust, filed a complaint in Island County

Superior Court, alleging adverse possession, acquiescence, estoppel in pais,

common grantor doctrine, and seeking adjustment of the boundary line. In

October 2016, the Klinkenbergs moved for summary judgment to dismiss all four

claims. Joseph amended his complaint to add claims for a prescriptive easement

and easement by estoppel over the disputed area. At the hearing on summary

judgment, the trial court summarily dismissed Joseph's claims on adverse

possession (with the exception of a small area encompassed by a railroad tie

planter), estoppel in pais, acquiescence, and the common grantor doctrine

because there was no genuine issue of material fact that the Workmans' use of

lot 129 was adverse rather than permissive. While not ruling on the added

easement claims, the trial court did note that "it seems fairly obvious that these

claims have no merit," especially in light of the Supreme Court's recent decision

on prescriptive easements in Gamboa. Report of Proceedings(RP)(Nov. 10,
No. 77105-1-1/4

2016) at 42. In that case, the Supreme Court held that there was no prescriptive

easement where a presumption of permissive use existed and the claimant did

not rebut that presumption by demonstrating a use that was adverse and hostile

to the rights of the owners or that the owners granted the claimants an easement.

Gamboa, 183 Wn.2d at 52.

The Klinkenbergs, relying on Gamboa, moved for summary judgment,

arguing that the Workmans' use of the disputed area was permissive in its

inception and permitted as a neighborly accommodation. They further argued

that the Workmans did not make a distinct and positive assertion of a right hostile

to their rights and that they did not givel the Workmans an easement.

In opposition to summary judgment, Joseph argued that the agreement

between Mary and McClinton created "an area for joint or common use." CP at

450. In doing so, he cited McClinton's declaration, McClinton's deposition, and

Andrew Workman's deposition. The trial court granted the Klinkenbergs' motion

for summary judgment, explaining that "there is no evidence that any such

agreement was intended to be a permanent, irrevocable right to use the disputed

area." RP (Apr. 28, 2017) at 64.

Joseph moved for reconsideration, arguing that McClinton's testimony as

to McClinton's agreement with Mary inferred that their agreement was intended

to be permanent when viewed in the light most favorable to Joseph. In doing so,

he cited a new declaration by McClinton that stated the "agreement was

continuing and permanent" and that they "would never have invested the

substantial amounts of money, time and effort to construct the patio, fire pit, and

I4
No. 77105-1-1/5

stairs for an agreement for temporary use." CP at 195. On the Klinkenbergs'

motion, the trial court struck this declaration because it was not newly discovered

evidence. The trial court also denied Joseph's motion for reconsideration. In

doing so, it entered a very detailed mernorandum decision that outlined its

evidentiary rulings and thoroughly explained its ultimate decision. The court

concluded that "it would not be reasonable to construe McClinton's general

reference to 'an agreement' with [Marv] Workman to use the disputed area as
1
giving [Marv] Workman a permanent, irrevocable right to use the disputed area."

CP at 160.

The Klinkenbergs then moved for an award of attorney fees and

expenses. The trial court issued detailed findings and conclusions in support of

its award of attorney fees, which totaled $131,749, and entered judgment in the

same amount.

Joseph appeals.

ANALYSIS

Prescriptive Easement

Joseph argues that the trial court erred in concluding that there is no

genuine issue of material fact whether a prescriptive easement exists over lot
1
129. We disagree.

We review summary judgment Orders de novo. Keck v. Collins, 184

Wn.2d 358, 370, 357 P.3d 1080 (2015). "[S]ummary judgment is appropriate

where there is `no genuine issue as to any material fact and ... the moving party

is entitled to a judgment as a matter of,law." Elcon Constr., Inc. v. E. Wash.
No. 77105-1-1/6

Univ., 174 Wn.2d 157,, 164, 273 P.3d 916
1 5(2012)(alteration in original)(quoting

CR 56(c)). Although the evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the

nonmoving party, if that party is the plaintiff and he fails to make a factual

showing sufficient to establish an element essential to his case, summary

judgment is warranted. Young v. Key Pharm., Inc., 112 Wn.2d 216, 225, 770

P.2d 182(1989). Once the moving party shows there are no genuine issues of

material fact, the nonmoving party must bring forth specific facts to rebut the

moving party's contentions. Elcon Const., Inc., 174 Wn.2d at 169.

Additionally, we review a decision on reconsideration for abuse of

discretion. In re Marriage of Littlefield,'133 Wn.2d 39, 46, 940 P.2d 1362(1997).

The trial court abuses its discretion when its exercise of discretion is manifestly

unreasonable or based on untenable grounds or reasons. King County v. Vinci

Constr. Grands Projets/Parsons RCl/Frontier-Kemper, JV, 188 Wn.2d 618,632,

398 P.3d 1093(2017).

Prescriptive rights are not favored in the law because they necessarily

work corresponding losses or forfeitures of the rights of other persons. Gamboa,

183 Wn.2d at 43 (citing Nw. Cities Gas Co. v. W. Fuel Co., 13 Wn.2d 75, 85, 123

P.2d 771 (1942)). "To establish a prescriptive easement, the person claiming the

easement must use another person's land for a period of 10 years and show that

(1) he or she used the land in an 'open' and 'notorious' manner,(2)the use was

'continuous' or 'uninterrupted,'(3)the use occurred over'a uniform route,'(4) the

use was 'adverse' to the landowner, and (5)the use occurred 'with the

knowledge of such owner at a time when he was able in law to assert and
No. 77105-1-1/7

enforce his rights." Id. (citing Nw. Cities, 13 Wn.2d at 83, 85). "For a claimant to

show that land use is 'adverse and hostile to the rights of the owner' in this

context, the claimant must put forth evidence that he or she interfered with the

owner's use of the land in some manner." Id. at 52 (citing Nw. Cities, 13 Wn.2d

at 90-91). "The claimant bears the burden of proving the elements of a
1
prescriptive easement." Id. at 43 (citing Nw. Cities, 13 Wn.2d at 84).

Here, the issue is whether or not the Workmans' use of the disputed area

was adverse. "Permissive use is not adverse and does not commence the

running of the prescriptive period." Lee v. Lozier, 88 Wn. App. 176, 182, 945

P.2d 214(1997)(citing Washburn v. Esser, 9 Wn. App. 169, 171, 511 P.2d 1387

(1973)). There is "an initial presumption of permissive use to enclosed or

developed land Cases in which there is1a reasonable inference of neighborly

sufferance or acquiescence." Gamboa, 183 Wn.2d at 47. "What constitutes a

reasonable inference of neighborly sufferance or acquiescence is a fairly low

bar." Id. at 51. Where use is "permissive in its inception," there is a

presumption of permissive use that "cannot ripen into a prescriptive right, no

matter how long it may continue, unless there has been a distinct and positive
1
assertion by the dominant owner of a right hostile to the owner of the servient

estate." Id. at 45 (quoting Nw. Cities, 13 Wn.2d at 84).

Gamboa controls the outcome of this case. There, the Supreme Court

considered whether claimants in a prescriptive easement case presented

sufficient evidence to rebut the presumption of permissive use. There, a gravel

road separated parcels of land owned by the Gamboas and the Clarks. Id. at 40.

7
No. 77105-1-1/8

For more than 10 years, the Gamboasfused the gravel road, the majority of

which was on the Clarks' property, to obtain access to their house and some of

their farmland. Id. at 41. The Supreme Court held that the evidence supported a

reasonable inference of neighborly sufferance or acquiescence because both

parties used the road without any disputes for many years and each was aware

of the other's use, but no one objected to it. Id. at 51. It also held that "the

Gamboas failed to overcome the presumption of permissive use because they

did not demonstrate a use that was adverse and hostile to the rights of the

Clarks, and they did not demonstrate that the Clarks indicated that they had an

easement." Id. at 52.

Here, Joseph did not provide evidence of a distinct and positive assertion
1
of a hostile right. Rather, he argued that the agreement between Mary and

McClinton to create "an area for joint or common use" raised a genuine issue of

material fact that the McClintons gave the Workmans an easement. CP at 450.

He presented several pieces of evidence supporting this theory. The first was

testimony from McClinton's deposition in which McClinton stated:

Mary and I talked about what to do with that area between the
houses. And we ultimately came up with the brick idea. So we just
split the cost, and he would work on it on the weekend, and then I
might come up the next weekend or — so we just — we worked on it
together.

CP at 408. He also explained that the "joint area" between the properties was

"just common area" that both parties and their children used and there was "no

specific division between our properties on that area." CP at 411. McClinton's

declaration stated, in relevant part:

8
No. 77105-1-1/9

4. As I testified during my deposition, in the early 1990s Mary
Workman and I agreed the area between our decks would be a
shared recreational space or Common Area. Accordingly, we
shared the cost to build a brick patio and fire pit.

5. Mary and !along with our kids and my brother built the patio
and fire pit. We also built a 'set of railroad tie stairs descending
down to the concrete bulkhead.
I
6. As we agreed both Mary and I used the Common Area. So did
my kids and Mary's kids. I understand Mary's kids continue to
use the Common Area to this day.

7. Also as agreed, both families worked to maintain the Common
Area. This maintenance largely consisted of power washing,
weeding, cleaning out the fire pit and the like.

8. When I decided to sell Lot 129, Mary requested that because
of the agreed Common Area that I sell to one of our friends
who would continue to honor the agreement.

CP at 387. Finally, Joseph presented testimony from the deposition of Andrew

Workman. In that testimony, the Klinkenbergs' counsel asked Andrew whether

he "had permission to use the patio as guests [of] Lot 129, including the

fireplace?" CP at 420. He responded,It's always been a common area. For

years and years we always used the fire pit." Id. When asked whether lot 129

owners have "permission" to use the area on the Workmans' side, he responded,

"Yeah." Id. Again, counsel asked whether he had "permission to use the part on

129" and he responded,"Dave McClinton when he—we used it as a common

area with Dave McClinton. I haven't had any discussions with the Klinkenbergs."

Id.

Based on this evidence, the trial court did not err in granting summary

judgment because Joseph failed to present evidence to rebut the presumption of

permissive use as required by Gamboa. The evidence presented by Joseph

9
No. 77105-1-1/10

does not raise a genuine issue of material fact that McClinton or the Klinkenbergs

intended to give the Workmans a prescriptive easement over the disputed area.

Nothing in the testimony cited above indicates that the "joint" or "common" use

agreement was intended to be permanent. Therefore, summary judgment was

proper and the trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying Joseph's motion

for reconsideration.

Joseph argues that Gamboa is distinguishable because there is evidence

that the Workmans provided consideration and no such evidence existed in

Gamboa. But, while the presence of consideration can be relevant in a

prescriptive easement case, it is not determinative. The real issue is whether

Joseph provided evidence that the agreement granted his family a permanent

right to use the disputed area, not whether there was consideration supporting

that agreement. In Gamboa, a prescriptive easement was not warranted
1
because there was no evidence that the Clarks granted the Gamboas a right of

easement. Gamboa, 183 Wn.2d at 52 The same is true here. None of the

evidence provided establishes that McClinton or the Klinkenbergs granted the

Workmans a permanent right to use the disputed area.

Joseph relies on two pre-Gamboa Court of Appeals decisions to argue

that consideration is determinative: Lee and Washburn. But in both Lee and

Washburn, there was direct evidence that consideration was given in exchange

for a right of easement. Because no evidence exists in this case that the

agreement was for a permanent right to use the disputed area, the presence of

consideration alone does not require reversal.

10
No. 77105-1-1/11

In Washburn,four neighbors shared the costs to construct a road through

their properties to obtain access to a beach. 9 Wn. App. at 170. The trial court

granted a prescriptive easement, finding that the original lot owners orally agreed

to put in the road to provide beach access, shared in the cost of the road, and

after the road was put in, used the road as a "'matter of right." Id. at 171-72

(emphasis omitted). On appeal, the court explained that the "important question

is whether the landowner permitted the use as a mere revocable license or

whether an oral grant of a permanent right to use the property was intended." Id.

at 172. It held that, based on the testimony presented,"the original owners

agreed upon and jointly constructed a roadway that was to benefit and burden

each other's land. They were each to use the road as a matter of right.

Consideration was established." Id. at 173.

In Lee, a group of neighbors equally divided the cost of building a

community dock that was, in part, on property owned by William Fogleman. Lee,

88 Wn. App. at 179. Jon Lozier later purchased the property from Fogleman and

began restricting community access to the portion of the dock on his property.

Id. at 179-80. The neighbors sued, and at trial, one testified that during a

homeowners' association meeting, Fogleman promised to write a "letter" that

would appear on the title of his property, granting an easement for the neighbors

to use the dock. Id. at 180. Another nieghbor testified that when he asked

Fogleman whether he had recorded the easement, Fogleman stated he had

"taken care of" it "a long time ago." Id. at 181. The trial court found that the

elements of a prescriptive easement were met. Id. On appeal, the court held

11
 No. 77105-1-1/12

that "Fogleman's promise of filing a 'letter' against his title indicated an intent to

grant a permanent, irrevocable right to the neighbors to use the dock." Id. at 183.

Additionally, citing Washburn, the court noted that the fact that the neighbors

contributed to the cost of the dock also indicated that they were operating under

a permanent right to use it. Id. at 184.,

Here, unlike in Lee or Washburn, there is no evidence that McClinton

agreed to grant a permanent right to the Workmans to use the disputed area.

The fact that the Workmans shared the cost to construct and maintain the patio,

in and of itself, is not evidence that a permanent agreement existed. In the

absence of evidence indicating that a Permanent right was granted, there is no

genuine issue of material fact.

Joseph relies on McClinton's second declaration, filed after the motion for

summary judgment was granted, to argue that a genuine issue of material fact

existed whether the agreement was intended to be permanent. But, the trial

court granted the Klinkenbergs' motion to strike this declaration because the

testimony was not newly discovered evidence.2 Although Joseph appealed the

order denying his motion for reconsideration, he did not assign error to the

court's decision to strike this declaration nor did he argue that the trial court

abused its discretion in striking it. "Appellate courts will only review a claimed

2 The court also noted that the new testimony was inadmissible because
without personal knowledge, it speculates as to the motivations and desires of
Marv. Furthermore, the court noted MCClinton's testimony that there was an
"agreement" between McClinton and Mary that contradicted McClinton's
deposition testimony that "he did not have any sort of formal agreement with the
Workmans regarding the use of the (so-called)joint area." CP at 150.
.12
No. 77105-1-1/13

error that is included in an assignment of error or clearly disclosed in the

associated issue pertaining thereto and is supported by argument and citations to

legal authority." Vern Sims Ford, Inc. v. Haqel, 42 Wn. App. 675, 683, 713 P.2d

736(1986)(citing RAP 10.3(a)(5); 10.3(g); Bender v. Seattle, 99 Wn.2d 582,

599,664 P.2d 492(1983); Lassila v. Wenatchee, 89 Wn.2d 804, 809, 576 P.2d

54 (1978)). Because Joseph did not challenge the trial court's decision to strike

the declaration, we will not consider it On appea1.3

Joseph also argues that summary judgment was not proper because his

family's use of the property was "joint," not "permissive." This distinction, based

on McClinton's testimony, does not resolve the key issue: whether that use was

intended to be permanent or temporal-Y. Because Joseph has not presented

evidence that the agreement was permanent, this argument fails.

In his reply brief, Joseph arguest that the Workmans used the term

"permission" in their deposition testimony because they did not understand the

legal implication of that term. Even so, it is likely that the Workmans understood

the difference between a permanent right and a temporary right. None of the

testimony cited by Joseph raises a genuine issue of material fact that the parties

understood the agreement for joint use to be permanent.
I
For the first time on appeal, Joseph argues that he did assert a claim of

right in accordance with Gamboa by sending two letters to the Klinkenbergs in

2015 asking them to remove their large planter from the disputed area. But,

3 Because we do not consider this declaration on appeal, we deny the
Klinkenbergs' motion to strike references to it in Joseph's appellate briefing.
13
No. 77105-1-1/14

because this argument was not raised below, we do not consider it on appeal.

RAP 2.5(a)("The appellate court may refuse to review any claim of error which

was not raised in the trial court.").

Finally, Joseph argues that the other elements of a prescriptive easement

were met. But because he cannot show that there is a genuine issue of material

fact as to the adverse use element, it is immaterial whether he presented

evidence satisfying the other elements:

Attorney Fees at the Trial Court

Joseph argues that the trial court abused its discretion in awarding the

Klinkenbergs $131,749 in attorney fees. We disagree.

"The general rule in Washington is that attorney fees will not be awarded

for costs of litigation unless authorized by contract, statute, or recognized ground

of equity." Durland v. San Juan County, 182 Wn.2d 55, 76, 340 P.3d 191 (2014).

Whether a trial court is authorized to award attorney fees is a question of law,

which we review de novo. Gander v. Yeager, 167 Wn. App. 638, 646, 282 P.3d

1100 (2012). When attorney fees are authorized, we will uphold an attorney fee

award unless we find the trial court manifestly abused its discretion. Chuonq Van

Pham v. Seattle City Light, 159 Wn.2d 527, 538, 151 P.3d 976(2007). The trial

court abuses its discretion when its exercise of discretion is manifestly

unreasonable or based on untenable grounds or reasons. King County, 188

Wn.2d at 632. The Supreme Court has held that the use of lodestar

methodology is proper in the determination of a reasonable fee. Mahler v.

Szucs, 135 Wn.2d 398,434, 957 P.2d 632, 966 P.2d 305 (1998).

14
No. 77105-1-1/15

RCW 7.28.083(3) provides:

The prevailing party in an action asserting title to real property by
adverse possession may request the court to award costs and
reasonable attorneys'fees. The court may award all or a portion of
costs and reasonable attorneys' fees to the prevailing party if, after
considering all the facts, the court determines such an award is
equitable and just.

The statute uses the term "adverse possession," and this case involves both

adverse possession and prescriptive easements. Because these doctrines "are

often treated as equivalent[s]" and the elements required to establish adverse

possession and prescriptive easements are the same, this statute allows

recovery for fees incurred on prescriptive easement claims. Kunkel v. Fisher,

106 Wn. App. 599, 602-03, 23.P.3d 1128 (2001); accord 17 WILLIAM B. STOEBUCK
1
& JOHN W.WEAVER, WASHINGTON PRACTICE: REAL ESTATE: PROPERTY LAW § 2.7,

at 99(2d ed. 2004).

Here, the trial court entered thorough findings of facts and conclusions of

law regarding the Klinkenbergs' motion for attorney fees and expenses. It found

that under RCW 7.28.083(3), the Klinkenbergs, as prevailing parties, were

eligible for attorney fees on the adverse possession claim and its related legal

theories that were dismissed in the first order on summary judgment. The trial

court also found that they were entitled, to fees for the easement claims that were

dismissed in the second order on summary judgment because they were also the
1
prevailing party on those claims. The court then applied the lodestar method for

calculating attorney fees. First, it determined whether the hourly rates of each

attorney and paralegal were reasonable. Some of the rates charged exceeded

$400 per hour, and the court adjusted those down to $350,finding that rate to be

15
No. 77105-1-1/16

justified in the locality,. given the attorneys' experience. It then reviewed a

breakdown of the hours spent per attorney, per category and included that

breakdown in its findings. Although the number of hours charged was significant,

the trial court found that several reasons justified the additional time, including

the number of depositions needed; the time required to respond to Joseph's

discovery requests; the fact that Joseph moved to amend his complaint shortly

before the first summary judgment motion so that a second separate motion for

summary judgment was necessary; and the fact that the Klinkenbergs had to

respond to Joseph's motions for reconsideration on both summary judgment

orders. The trial court also found that Joseph failed to "identify a single billing

entry .. . as excessive" or "argue that the number of hours expended in any

particular category of work was unreasonable." CP at 1127. The court did delete

claims for time spent unsuccessfully opposing Joseph's motion to amend his

complaint (totaling $7,003), and it deducted the overall award by five percent "in

light of the fact that[Joseph] prevailed on the minor issue of adverse possession

of the small area occupied by the railroad tie planter box," which it found

encompassed 22 feet.of the over 310 foot boundary. CP at 1125, 1129. In total,

the trial court awarded $118,481 in fees expended on the litigation and $13,268

in fees for the fee petition, for a total of $131,749. CP at 1129, 1132.

Although the total amount of fees awarded is high, the trial court did not

abuse its discretion. The trial court properly calculated the lodestar, and its

decision was based on carefully reasoned findings and included a substantial

amount of detail.

16
No. 77105-1-1/17

Joseph argues that the award is excessive in comparison to the assessed

value of the property of $428,503. In doing so, he relies on Scott Fetzer Co. v.

Weeks, 122 Wn.2d 141, 859 P.2d 1210(1993), where the Supreme Court held

that an attorney fee award was unreasonable when "a total of 481.89 hours—the

equivalent of almost 3 months of uninterrupted legal work by one attorney—was

awarded, with no examination of the actual reasonableness of these hours." Id.

at 152. But here, unlike Scott Fetzer, the trial court engaged in a very careful

and well documented examination of the reasonableness of the hours claimed.

Additionally, where Scott Fetzer involved "an uncomplicated dispute over 120

vacuum cleaners worth less than $20,000," this case involved six claims to

waterfront property valued at more than $400,000 where the use at issue

occurred over a period of more than 20 years. Id. at 156. The trial court found

that had Joseph prevailed, "the Klinkenbergs would have lost seven feet of their

fifty feet of water frontage, a substantial loss of valuable property." CP at 1120.

Scott Fetzer is not controlling.

Joseph also argues that the trial court should have capped all attorney

fees at a rate of $255 per hour, the rate as his expert testified was reasonable for

the locality. In its findings, the trial court explained that, based on Brown v. State

Farm Fire & Casualty Co., 66 Wn. App. 273, 831 P.2d 1122(1992), it could

"consider its own knowledge and experience concerning reasonable and proper

fees, and...form an independent judgment either with or without the aid of

testimony of witnesses as to value." CP at 1114 (quoting Brown,66 Wn. App. at

283). The trial court was well within its discretion to find that $350 per hour was

17
No. 77105-1-1/18

justified in the locality for attorneys with the legal knowledge, education, and

experience of the Klinkenbergs' attorneys.

Finally, Joseph argues that the trial court abused its discretion in awarding

the Klinkenbergs attorney fees for defending the two easement claims on

summary judgment because the trial court previously advised the parties that it

believed Gamboa would be controlling on those claims. Regardless of whether

the Klinkenbergs' attorneys knew what case would likely be controlling, they still

had to spend time to draft and defend the motion for summary judgment. The

trial court specifically found that "the time spent by defense counsel preparing

and arguing the second summary judgment pleadings was reasonable." CP at

1126. Furthermore, the trial court explained that it did direct the parties to

Gamboa during the first summary judgment hearing and Joseph "should have

been on notice of the distinct possibility [he] may not prevail on the easement

claims." CP at 1126. Although Joseph argues that the hours spent were not

reasonable he does not take issue with any specific billing entry. Joseph has not

demonstrated that the trial court abused its discretion in finding the amount of

time spent on the second summary judgment motion was reasonable.

Attorney Fees on Appeal
The Klinkenbergs request attorney fees on appeal under RAP 18.1 and

RCW 7.28.083(3). Attorney fees may be awarded at the appellate level only

when authorized by a contract, a statute, or a recognized ground of equity.

Labriola v. Pollard Gm., Inc., 152 Wn.2d 828, 839, 100 P.3d 791 (2004). As

described above, RCW 7.28.083(3) provides such a basis. Because the

:18
No. 77105-1-1/19

Klinkenbergs are the prevailing party on appeal, we grant the Klinkenbergs their

reasonable appellate attorney fees, subject to their compliance with RAP 18.1.

In conclusion, we affirm the dismissal of the prescriptive easement claims

on summary judgment, affirm the trial court's award of attorney fees to the

Klinkenbergs, and grant the Klinkenbergs their request for attorney fees on

appeal.

WE CONCUR:

19