Montana § 16-11-404 - Attorney Fees And Costs

§ 16-11-404. Attorney Fees And Costs

Attorney fees and costs. (1) In an action under 16-11-403 (2)(c), the court, upon a finding that a tobacco product manufacturer has failed to comply with its obligations under 16-11-403 (1) or (2)(a), shall award the attorney general the expenses incurred in investigating the claim, the costs of suit, and reasonable attorney fees. In cases in which outside counsel represents the attorney general, the attorney fees awarded must equal the outside counsel charges reasonably incurred by the attorney general for attorney fees and expenses in prosecuting the action. In all other cases, the attorney fees must be calculated by reference to the hourly rate charged by the agency legal services bureau for the provision of legal services to state agencies, multiplied by the number of attorney hours devoted to the prosecution of the action, plus the actual cost of any expenses reasonably incurred in the prosecution of the action. (2) Investigation expenses, attorney fees, and costs recovered under this section are allocated to the department of justice for deposit in the attorney general's major litigation account and may be used by the attorney general for any purpose for which funds appropriated to that account may be used. (Certain provisions void on occurrence of contingency--sec. 16, Ch. 397, L. 2003.)