People v. SPEEDEE OIL CHANGE SYSTEMS

Terrence A. Beard, Antioch, for Intervenors and Respondents Jon Andersen, Jerry Beezley, M.G. Han, Sam Lau, and Christopher Mack.

Craig J. Bassett, Morgan Hill, for Intervenors and Respondents Beldoon Corporation, Donald Almen, and Belva Almen.

TURNER, P. J.

Defendants, SpeeDee Oil Change Systems, Inc., NoCal, Inc., Gary L. Copp, and Kevin M. Bennett, appeal from a January 6, 2006 order awarding attorney fees on appeal to plaintiffs in intervention, Beldoon Corporation, Donald Almen, Belva Almen, Jon Andersen, Jerry Beezley, M.G. Han, Sam Lau, and Christopher Mack (the intervenors). The intervenors argue that they are entitled to fees pursuant to the attorney fees clause in several franchise agreements; all of which contain the same language. [1] The attorney fee clause provides that the party in whose favor the "final judgment" is entered is entitled to recover attorney fees. After a trial, judgment on the complaints in intervention was entered in defendants' favor. Defendants then secured a post judgment attorney fee award which we reversed on appeal at the intervenors' urging. The intervenors then filed their attorney fee motion. The intervenors argued our opinion reversing…