Disabled firefighter brought breach of contract action against city police and fire pension fund seeking increased pension benefits. Following a bench trial, the Circuit Court entered judgment for firefighter. The Circuit Court awarded appellate attorney fees. Board of trustees filed motion for review.
The District Court of Appeal held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by applying to the appellate attorney fees awarded to law firm that represented firefighter the same 1.5 fee multiplier it previously applied to the trial level attorney fees awarded to law firm, even though special appellate counsel was retained. Law firm provided approximately 75% of the legal services performed on appeal, and multiplier was not applied to the fees awarded to special appellate counsel.