Ford Motor Co. v. Lyons

Ford Motor Co. v. Lyons, 137 Wis. 2d 397, 405 N.W.2d 354 (Ct. App. 1987), involved a dispute between Lyons, who owned various corporations engaged in the sale, lease and rental of motor vehicles, and both the Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Credit Company. See id. at 411. The pleadings alleged over 300 causes of action. See id. at 412. After a jury trial and motions after verdict, judgment was entered in favor of Ford and Ford Credit. See id. at 416. On cross-appeal from the judgment, Ford argued that the trial court had erred by awarding Ford only statutory attorney fees and costs instead of reasonable attorney fees and costs arising from a deficiency judgment against Lyons for Ford's sale of repossessed vehicles. See id. at 458. An express contract between the parties provided for reasonable attorney fees related to the repossession and sale of the vehicles. See id. In remanding the determination of Ford's reasonable attorney fees, the Court recognized that the trial court should award only those reasonable attorney fees related to the repossession and sale of the vehicles. See id.