Auto-Owners Ins Co v. Ferwerda Enterprises Inc ( 2010 )

Order Michigan Supreme Court Lansing, Michigan October 27, 2010 Marilyn Kelly, Chief Justice 140735 & (94) Michael F. Cavanagh 140738 Maura D. Corrigan Robert P. Young, Jr. Stephen J. Markman Diane M. Hathaway Alton Thomas Davis, AUTO-OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY, Justices Plaintiff/ Counter-Defendant/Appellee, v SC: 140735 COA: 277574 Mason CC: 05-000436-CZ FERWERDA ENTERPRISES, INC., d/b/a HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS LUDINGTON, Defendant/ Counter-Plaintiff/Appellant, and DARYL BRONKEMA, Next Friend of JACKSON THOMAS BRONKEMA, CALEB ANDREW BRONKEMA and SAVANNAH JOY BRONKEMA, and DARYL BRONKEMA, Individually, and MELISSA BRONKEMA, Defendants. _________________________________________/ AUTO-OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff/ Counter-Defendant/Appellee, v SC: 140738 COA: 277574 Mason CC: 05-000436-CZ FERWERDA ENTERPRISES, INC., d/b/a HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS LUDINGTON, Defendant/ Counter-Plaintiff/Appellee, and DARYL BRONKEMA, Next Friend of JACKSON THOMAS BRONKEMA, 2 CALEB ANDREW BRONKEMA and SAVANNAH JOY BRONKEMA, and DARYL BRONKEMA, Individually, and MELISSA BRONKEMA, Defendants-Appellants. _________________________________________/ By order of July 15, 2010, the Mason Circuit Court was directed to file its clarification of the record on the issue of whether the trial court found that Auto-Owners’ claim was frivolous within the meaning of MCR 2.625(A)(2) and MCL 600.2591(3)(a)(i) through (iii). On order of the Court, the Court having reviewed the findings of the Mason Circuit Court, which found, under MCL 600.2591(3)(a)(ii) and (iii), that the plaintiff’s arguments were inappropriate and devoid of arguable legal merit, the applications for leave to appeal the January 28, 2010 judgment of the Court of Appeals are again considered. Pursuant to MCR 7.302(H)(1), in lieu of granting leave to appeal, we VACATE the judgment of the Court of Appeals addressing attorney fees, and we REINSTATE the trial court’s attorney fee award. I, Corbin R. Davis, Clerk of the Michigan Supreme Court, certify that the foregoing is a true and complete copy of the order entered at the direction of the Court. October 27, 2010 _________________________________________ p1020 Clerk