Kovac v. Crooked River Ranch Club & Maintenance Ass'n

Summary

The Oregon Supreme Court held that ORS 9.537(1) immunized Tom Kovac from civil liability for attorney fees incurred by opposing counsel in responding to bar complaints filed by Kovac. The court modified the Court of Appeals' attorney-fee award by subtracting $1,080, reducing the award from $30,362.50 to $29,282.50, and affirmed it as modified.

Holdings

1. ORS 9.537(1) immunizes a person who made a Bar complaint from an award of attorney fees incurred by the opposing party's counsel in responding to that complaint. Such an award constitutes civil liability at least to the extent of the award.

Questions Presented

1. Whether ORS 9.537(1)'s immunity for a person who makes a complaint to the bar concerning an attorney's conduct bars an award of attorney fees incurred in responding to that complaint.

Disposition

affirmed