Mitchell/Roberts Partnership v. Williamson Energy, LLC

In a case involving a long-standing and complicated legal action regarding rights to mine coal pursuant to 100-year old deeds, plaintiffs appealed, arguing that the trial court erred when it granted summary judgment in favor of the defendant and that the trial court abused its discretion when it ordered the plaintiffs to pay a substantial amount in attorneys fees to the defendant. The appellate court affirmed, finding that there was no genuine issue of material fact that would have precluded the circuit court’s grant of summary judgment and that there was no error with regard to the trial court’s adjudication of the attorney fee award. (VAUGHAN and SHOLAR, concurring)