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ØÝ ƒR5…$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôé5ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€The€procedure€for€the€judicial€dissolution€of€a€PLLC€is€found€in€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€ðð€48„245„903.€€òòInter€aliaóó,€theÐ ° Ðstatutory€scheme€requires€the€posting€of€a€bond€to€cover€the€defendantððs€probable€costs,€including€reasonable€attorneyððsÐ tÄ Ðfees.€€This€bond€was€not€posted.€ šÝ ƒR5…$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôé5ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€Conceded€in€oral€argument.(uhCEKQW]cioAutoList51.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.#1. °Ý ƒR5…$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôé5ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€Dr.€Rankin€was€thereafter€joined€as€a€plaintiff.- ù-(|G25…$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€G]»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôé5ò»»Ô d(|3‡}$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€G]»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3‡}$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€G]»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€G]»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼G]»»»ÔÑ8€ ¡XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îU G]ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼G]»îîU #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓAugust€9,€2001€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡X ¡X»¼G]ÔÌò òÔ#†¼G]»XX ¡ó#ÔLOUIS€A.€Ô_ÔBRUNSTINGÔ_Ô,€III,€M.D.,€òòet€al.óó€v.€PHILLIP€P.€BROWN,€M.D.,€òòetÐ úJ Ðalóó.Ô‡X ¡X»¼G]Ôó óÐ  ^ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ  ^ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€98„663„I€€€€€€Irvin€H.€Ô_ÔKilcreaseÔ_Ô,€Jr.,€ChancellorÐ ú J ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` AßÐ ¾  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2000„00888„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€October€4,€2001Ð ¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ ‘á  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓFour€physicians€formed€a€Ô_ÔPLLCÔ_Ô.€€Eventually€personal€and€professional€conflicts€arose.€€VariousÐ ŒÜ Ðclaims€were€asserted€that€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€had€violated€the€Operating€Agreement€of€theÐ xÈ ÐÔ_ÔPLLCÔ_Ô;€Dr.€Ô_ÔBrunstingÔ_Ô€sought€declaratory€relief,€and€monetary€damages€for€breaches€of€contract€andÐ d´ Ðfiduciary€duty;€Dr.€Rankin€alleged€that€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€had€effectively€withdrawn€from€theÐ P  ÐÔ_ÔPLLCÔ_Ô.€€The€Chancellor€found€the€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€by€their€actions€constructively€withdrewÐ <Œ Ðfrom€the€Ô_ÔPLLCÔ_Ô€which€he€declined€to€dissolve.€€The€fees€awarded€to€the€plaintiffððs€attorneys€are€theÐ (x Ðprincipal€issue€on€appeal,€together€with€issues€involving€the€continuing€viability€of€the€Ô_ÔPLLCÔ_Ô.Ð d ÐÓÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Affirmed€ó óÐ ì< ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼G]»àX ¡À#ÔÔ‡X ¡X.¼G]ÔWilliam€H.€Ô_ÔInmanÔ_Ô,€Sr.€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòWilliam€B.€Cainóó€andÐ Ä ÐòòPatricia€J.€Cottrell,€Ô_ÔJ.J.Ô_Ôóó,€joined.Ð ° ÐÌClarence€J.€Gideon,€Jr.€and€Thomas€A.€Ô_ÔWisemanÔ_Ô,€III,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellants,Ð ˆØ ÐPhillip€P.€Brown,€M.D.€and€Ben€R.€Barton,€M.D.Ð t Ä ÐÌWilliam€T.€Ramsey€and€A.€Scott€Ross,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Louis€A.€Ô_ÔBrunstingÔ_Ô,Ð L"œ! ÐIII,€M.D.Ð 8#ˆ" ÐÌRobert€E.€Parker€and€Ô_ÔGarrettÔ_Ô€E.€Asher,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€J.€Scott€Rankin,€M.D.Ð %` $ ÐÓ‰ ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼G]»XX ¡¸ #ÔÔ‡X ¡X»¼G]ÔÐ è&8"& ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼G]»XX ¡2 #ÔÔ€X ¡X»¼G]Ôòòò òÓ  ÓÓ  ÓThe€Complaintó óóóÐ À($( ÐÓÁ ÓÌà  àDr.€Louis€Ô_ÔBrunstingÔ_Ô€alleged€that,€effective€March€1,€1996€he€and€Drs.€Rankin,€Brown,€andÐ ˜*è%* ÐBarton€formed€a€Ô_ÔPLLCÔ_Ô€known€as€Ô_ÔCardiothoracicÔ_Ô€Surgery€Associates€[Ô_ÔCSAÔ_Ô]€under€the€terms€of€anÐ „+Ô&+ ÐOperating€Agreement€which€included€these€provisions:Ð p,À', ÐÐ \-¬(-ý ÐÔ_ÔÓ€ (× 83ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£bÝÔ2× Ô(Ú  ÚaÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝMembers€agree€not€to€practice€medicine€outside€the€operations€of€CSA.݃3£b›ÝŒÐ°` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£†ÝÔ2× Ô(Ú  ÚbÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝMembers€pay€an€equal€share€of€common€expenses€such€as€office€rent,€sharedÐ ˆØ Ðemployee€salaries,€office€supplies,€but€members€are€to€pay€their€own€personalÐ tÄ Ðexpenses€such€as€malpractice€insurance,€and€office€furniture.݃3£†¿ÝŒÐ`°` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£bÝÔ2× Ô(Ú  ÚcÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝMembersðð€income€is€based€on€productivity€within€an€agreed€upon,€writtenÐ 8 ˆ Ðgoal€to€equalize€reimbursement€by€an€equal€distribution€of€cases.݃3£b›ÝŒÐ$ t` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£áÝÔ2× Ô(Ú  ÚdÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝMost€decisions€to€change€the€Operating€Agreement€require€a€two„thirdsÐ ü L  Ðmajority€vote€of€the€members.݃3£áÝŒÐè 8 ` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£7ÝÔ2× Ô(Ú  ÚeÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝThe€hiring€of€new€partners€and/or€entering€into€new€contracts€requires€a€voteÐ À  Ðof€all€members,€less€one.݃3£7p݌Ьü ` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£‘ÝÔ2× Ô(Ú  ÚfÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝChanging€the€mechanism€to€distribute€income€among€members€requires€aÐ „Ô  Ðunanimous€vote.݃3£‘ÊÝŒÐpÀ` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£ØÝÔ2× Ô(Ú  ÚgÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝAll€members,€less€one,€have€the€ability€to€vote€out€any€single€partner€withoutÐ H˜ Ðcause.݃3£ØÝŒÐ4„` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà  àThe€plaintiff€alleged€that€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€failed€to€assign€to€CSA€certain€office€leasesÐ  \ Ðthey€owned€as€required€by€the€Operating€Agreement,€notwithstanding€that€CSA€was€making€theÐ øH Ðrental€payments.€€Conflicts€developed€and€in€December€1997€Dr.€Brown€notified€Drs.€Brunsting€andÐ ä4 ÐRankin€that€he€wanted€to€dissolve€CSA.Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àDr.€Brown€assigned€surgical€cases€within€CSA.€€The€plaintiff€alleged€that€for€eighteenÐ ¨ø Ðmonths€the€case€assignments€did€not€afford€parity€to€the€members€of€the€PLLC€thus€resulting€in€anÐ ”ä Ðuneven€distribution€which€affected€cash€flow€and€hampered€the€development€of€reputations.Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àThe€complaint€further€alleged€that:Ð X ¨ ÐÌØ! !ØÓ€ (¶Ù88 ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£ÝÔ2¶ÙÔ(Ú  Ú1Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝOn€January€12,€1998,€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€stated€that€they€did€not€wish€to€continueÐ 0"€  Ðpracticing€with€CSA.݃3£/ÝŒÐ#l!(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£JÝÔ2¶ÙÔ(Ú  Ú2Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝOn€January€16,€1998,€the€plaintiff€received€a€letter€from€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€requestingÐ ô$D # Ðthat€he€and€Dr.€Rankin€vacate€the€CSA€office€space€by€February€1,€1998.݃3£JwÝŒÐà%0!$(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£Ë ÝÔ2¶ÙÔ(Ú  Ú3Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝOn€January€16,€1998,€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€notified€the€CSA€business€manager€that€theyÐ ¸'#& Ðwere€changing€their€billings€to€an€outside€service.݃3£Ë ø ݌Ф(ô#'(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£4"ÝÔ2¶ÙÔ(Ú  Ú4Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝDrs.€Brown€and€Barton€intended€to€partition€the€assets€of€CSA,€and€deliberately€took€actionsÐ |*Ì%) Ðcontrary€to€the€Operating€Agreement€in€reckless€disregard€of€patient„care€issues.݃3£4"a"ÝŒÐh+¸&*(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£Á#ÝÔ2¶ÙÔ(Ú  Ú5Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝDrs.€Brown€and€Barton€refused€to€be€on„call€for€patients€of€the€plaintiff€and€Dr.€Rankin.݃3£Á#î#݌Мì(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£å$ÝÔ2¶ÙÔ(Ú  Ú6Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝDrs.€Barton€and€Brown€are€attempting€to€expel€the€plaintiff€and€Dr.€Rankin€from€CSA€inÐ tÄ Ðviolation€of€the€Operating€Agreement,€and€that€they€have€violated€other€provision€of€theÐ `° ÐOperating€Agreement.݃3£å$%ÝŒÐL œ(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£œ&ÝÔ2¶ÙÔ(Ú  Ú7Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝThat€Section€11.4€of€the€Operating€Agreement€provides:݃3£œ&É&ÝŒÐ$ t(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àAs€a€material€inducement€of€each€Member€to€execute€thisÐ ü L  ÐAgreement,€each€Member€covenants€and€represents€to€each€otherÐ è 8  ÐMember€that,€during€the€period€beginning€on€the€date€of€thisÐ Ô$  ÐAgreement€and€ending€on€December€31,€2035,€no€Member,€nor€hisÐ À  Ðor€her€heirs,€representatives,€successors,€transferees,€or€assigns,€shallÐ ¬ü  Ðattempt€to€make€any€partition€whatever€of€any€Company€assetsÐ ˜è  Ðwhether€now€owned€or€hereafter€acquired,€and€each€Member€waivesÐ „Ô  Ðall€rights€of€partition€provided€by€statute€or€principles€of€law€orÐ pÀ Ðequity,€including€partition€in€kind€or€partition€by€sale.€€The€MembersÐ \¬ Ðagree€that€irreparable€damage€would€be€done€to€the€goodwill€andÐ H˜ Ðreputation€of€the€Company€if€any€Member€should€bring€an€action€inÐ 4„ Ða€court€to€dissolve€the€Company.€€The€members€agree€that€there€areÐ  p Ðfair€and€just€provision€for€payment€and€liquidation€of€the€interest€ofÐ  \ Ðany€Member,€and€fair€and€just€provisions€to€prevent€a€Member€fromÐ øH Ðselling€or€otherwise€alienating€such€Memberððs€interest€in€theÐ ä4 ÐCompany.€€Accordingly,€each€Member€hereby€waives€and€renouncesÐ Ð  Ðhis€or€her€right€to€such€a€court€decree€of€dissolution€or€to€seek€theÐ ¼  Ðappointment€by€court€of€a€liquidator€or€receiver€for€the€Company.Шø` x` x ÐÌà  àThe€plaintiff€sought€a€declaratory€judgment€that€the€provisions€of€the€Operating€AgreementÐ €Ð Ðare€enforceable,€that€CSA€may€not€be€partitioned€or€dissolved€unless€all€members€agree,€and€that€ifÐ l¼ ÐDrs.€Brown€and€Barton€no€longer€wish€to€practice€with€CSA,€they€should€resign.Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àThe€plaintiff€alleged€that€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€breached€the€terms€of€the€OperatingÐ 0"€  ÐAgreement€which€resulted€in€damages€by€the€plaintiff€for€which€he€seeks€recompense€includingÐ #l! Ðattorneys€fees€as€provided€for€in€the€Operating€Agreement.Ð $X" ÐÌà  àThe€plaintiff€further€alleged€that€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€breached€their€fiduciary€duty€underÐ à%0!$ Ðthe€Tennessee€Limited€Liability€Act,€thus€entitling€him€to€damages.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àThe€affirmative€relief€sought€was:Ð ¤(ô#' ÐØ! !ØÓ€ (÷ 88ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÝ‚3£2ÝÔ2÷ Ô(Ú  ÚaÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` x` xàÝ  ÝA€declaratory€judgment€as€alleged;݃3£2j2ÝŒÐ)à$(¸ x¸ x ÐŒÝ  ÝÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÝ‚3£13ÝÔ2÷ Ô(Ú  ÚbÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` x` xàÝ  ÝMonetary€damages€and€attorneysðð€fees.݃3£13~3ÝŒÐ|*Ì%)¸ x¸ x ÐŒÝ  ÝÐ h+¸&* Ðòòò òÓ  ÓThe€AnswerÐ ° ÐÌóóó óÓf4Óà  àDrs.€Brown€and€Barton€moved€to€dismiss€because€the€plaintiff€failed€to€join€Dr.€Rankin€asÐ ˆØ Ðan€indispensable€party.׃%×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Most€of€the€allegations€of€the€complaint€were€denied.€€They€denied€theÐ tÄ Ðallegation€that€surgical€cases€were€unevenly€assigned,€asserting€that€patient€cases€are€generally€basedÐ `° Ðupon€the€referral€of€another€physician€to€another€specific€physician.€€The€defendants€alleged€that€theÐ L œ Ðcomplaint€should€be€dismissed€for€failure€to€state€a€claim;€that€the€public€policy€of€TennesseeÐ 8 ˆ Ðpermits€judicial€dissolution€of€CSA,€the€most€viable€way€to€resolve€the€dispute;€that€the€plaintiffÐ $ t Ðbreached€the€Operating€Agreement€by€self„dealing€and€has€engaged€in€a€pattern€of€unauthorizedÐ  ` Ðtransactions,€thereby€entitling€the€defendants€to€damages.Ð ü L  ÐÌòòò òÓ  ÓThe€Counter€Complaintó óóóÐ Ô$  ÐÓ”8ÓÌà  àDrs.€Barton€and€Brown€counter€claimed€against€Dr.€Brunsting,€alleging€that€in€November€andÐ ¬ü  ÐDecember€1997€he€began€to€secretly€investigate€leaving€the€practice€of€CSA€and€set€up€a€privateÐ ˜è  Ðmedical€practice,€and€admitted€that€he€wanted€to€leave€the€practice€and€promote€himself.€€ConflictsÐ „Ô  Ðabounded,€according€to€the€counter€claimants,€all€resulting€in€breaches€of€the€Operating€AgreementÐ pÀ Ðby€the€plaintiff,€and€thus€CSA€should€be€dissolved,€together€with€an€award€of€damages€and€attorneyÐ \¬ Ðfees.Ð H˜ ÐÓ  ÓÌò òòòThe€Answer€to€the€Counter€Complaintó óóóÐ  p ÐÓP;ÓÌà  àDr.€Brunsting€admitted€that€he€discussed€with€various€physicians€and€staff€the€possibility€thatÐ øH Ðhe€might€resign€from€CSA,€and€generally€denied€the€allegations€of€the€counter€complaint.Ð ä4 ÐÌò òòòÓ  ÓThe€Judgmentó óóóÐ ¼  ÐÓ¦<ÓÌØ! !ØÓ€ (eh88ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£Œ=ÝÔ2ehÔÚ  Ú1Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝJudicial€dissolution€was€denied.݃3£Œ=¹=݌Дä(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£u>ÝÔ2ehÔÚ  Ú2Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝDrs.€Brown€and€Barton€were€declared€to€have€constructively€withdrawn€from€the€PLLC.݃3£u>¢>݌ЀÐ(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£‘?ÝÔ2ehÔÚ  Ú3Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝThe€Centennial€office€space€is€not€an€asset€of€the€PLLC.݃3£‘?¾?ÝŒÐl¼(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£’@ÝÔ2ehÔÚ  Ú4Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝDrs.€Brown€and€Barton€did€not€breach€the€Operating€Agreement.݃3£’@¿@ÝŒÐX ¨(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£˜AÝÔ2ehÔÚ  Ú5Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝDrs.€Brown€and€Barton€did€not€breach€their€fiduciary€duties€to€the€PLLC.à x à݃3£˜AÅAÝŒÐD!”(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£µBÝÔ2ehÔÚ  Ú6Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝDr.€Brunsting€did€not€breach€his€fiduciary€duty€to€the€PLLC.݃3£µBâBÝŒÐ0"€ (#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£ºCÝÔ2ehÔÚ  Ú7Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝDr.€Brunsting€did€not€breach€his€fiduciary€duty€to€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton.݃3£ºCçCÝŒÐ#l!(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà  àPursuant€to€a€litany€of€motions€and€orders,€Drs.€Brunsting€and€Rankin€were€awarded,Ð ô$D # Ðrespectively,€$225,611.29€and€$80,130.90€for€attorney€fees,€assessed€against€Drs.€Brown€and€BartonÐ à%0!$ Ðwhose€application€for€attorney€fees€was€denied.€€The€issues€on€appeal€are€(1)€whether€the€ChancellorÐ Ì&"% Ðerred€in€finding€that€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€constructively€withdrew€from€the€PLLC,€(2)€whetherÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€PLLC€should€have€been€judicially€dissolved,€(3)€whether€attorney€fees€should€have€beenÐ ¤(ô#' Ðawarded.€€Review€is€òòde€novoóó€on€the€record€with€a€presumption€that€factual€findings€are€correct€unlessÐ )à$( Ðthe€evidence€otherwise€preponderates.€€Rule€13(d)€T.R.A.P.€€There€is€no€presumption€of€correctnessÐ ° Ðas€to€questions€of€law.Ð œì ÐÌÌòòò òÓ  ÓAnalysisóóó óÐ `° ÐÓ>HÓÌà  àPersonal€and€professional€conflicts€arose€within€this€PLLC:€€two€members€essentially€againstÐ 8 ˆ Ðtwo€members.€€It€would€not€be€productive€to€record€the€myriad€instances€of€discord,€disagreement,Ð $ t Ðand€dissension€between€the€members.€€After€five€days€of€testimony€the€Chancellor€was€enabled€toÐ  ` Ðweigh€and€gauge€its€worth€and€weight€to€an€extent€not€achievable€by€this€Court,€which€is€limited€toÐ ü L  Ðthe€printed€word.€€So€it€is€essential€to€repeat€the€venerable€principle€that€with€respect€to€the€vitalÐ è 8  Ðelement€of€credibility€in€the€decisional€process,€we€must€defer€to€the€fact€finder€who€heard,€observed,Ð Ô$  Ðand€evaluated€the€witnesses.Ð À  ÐÌò òòòÓ  ÓDissolutionó óóóÐ ˜è  ÐÓŒKÓÌà  àSection€11.4€of€the€Operating€Agreement€prohibits€dissolution€by€judicial€action.€€Both€sidesÐ pÀ Ðacknowledge€this€fact.€€But€the€defendants,€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton,€argue€that€T.C.A.€ðð€48„245„902Ð \¬ Ðauthorizes€a€court€to€dissolve€the€PLLC€on€equitable€grounds.€€The€Chancellor€considered€theÐ H˜ Ðstatutory€authority€to€decree€an€equitable€dissolution€if€it€is€not€reasonably€practical€for€the€PLLCÐ 4„ Ðto€carry€on€the€business€in€conformity€with€the€Operating€Agreement,€and€concluded€that€anÐ  p Ðequitable€dissolution€was€inappropriate,€pointing€out€that€the€stated€purpose€of€the€PLLC€shall€be€Ð  \ Ðto€render€medical€services€in€Tennessee€and€elsewhere,€and€that€the€rendering€of€such€services€canÐ øH Ðcontinue€ð ðabsent€certain€members.ðð€€This€record€is€voluminous,€and€we€have€carefully€sifted€it;€weÐ ä4 Ðdo€not€find€that€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€finding€that€it€is€reasonably€practical€for€theÐ Ð  ÐPLLC€to€continue€to€carry€on€the€business€of€rendering€medical€services.Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àWe€note€that€the€Operating€Agreement€provides€that€a€member€may€resign€upon€writtenÐ ”ä Ðnotice€to€other€members,€all€of€whom€agreed€upon€the€compensation€a€resigned€member€would€beÐ €Ð Ðentitled€to€receive.€€Thus,€the€Operating€Agreement€envisioned€continuation€of€the€PLLC€withoutÐ l¼ Ðall€signing€members.€€We€further€note€the€significant€fact€found€by€the€Chancellor€that€Drs.€BrownÐ X ¨ Ðand€Barton€resolved€to€ð ðcircumvent€the€constructs€of€the€Agreement€by€forcing€a€dissolution.ðð€€ThisÐ D!” Ðfinding,€which€is€not€seriously€disputed,€strongly€influences€the€conclusion€that€judicial€dissolutionÐ 0"€  Ðmay€not€be€ordered.€€The€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€finding€of€the€Chancellor€thatÐ #l! Ða€judicial€dissolution€of€the€PLLC€is€not€appropriate.׃!×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð $X" ÐÌò òòòÓ  ÓConstructive€Withdrawaló óóóÐ à%0!$ Ðâ âÓKTÓò òòòó óóóÐ Ì&"% Ðà  àThe€appellants€argue€that€the€Chancellor€had€three€potential€solutions€to€the€PLLC€schism:€Ð ° Ðâ âmaintain€the€status€quo,€judicial€dissolution,€or€adopt€the€constructive€withdrawal€claim.€€TheÐ œì ÐChancellor€found€that€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€constructively€withdrew€from€the€PLLC€because€theyÐ ˆØ Ðcontracted€with€an€outside€firm€to€bill€patients,€they€refused€to€share€call,€they€asked€Dr.€BrunstingÐ tÄ Ðto€vacate€the€principal€business€office,€they€refused€to€allow€Dr.€Rankin€to€move€the€St.€ThomasÐ `° Ðoffice€to€the€Centennial€office€as€agreed,€and€they€refused€to€meet€with€Drs.€Brunsting€and€RankinÐ L œ Ðto€ð ðdiscuss€these€matters.ðð€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àThe€Chancellor€made€a€specific€factual€finding€that€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€intended€toÐ  ` Ðð ðcircumvent€the€constructs€of€the€Agreement€by€forcing€a€dissolution,ðð€noting€that€Dr.€BartonÐ ü L  Ðadmitted€that€ð ðall€of€the€January€events€were€in€an€effort€to€dissolve€the€PLLC,ðð€and€that€the€decisionÐ è 8  Ðto€stop€sharing€call€duty€was€part€of€ð ðwanting€to€separate€ourselves€from€them.ðð€€He€further€notedÐ Ô$  Ðthat€Dr.€Brownððs€actions€and€statements€were€similar€to€those€of€Dr.€Barton.€€These€findings€areÐ À  Ðdocumented€in€the€record,€and€hardly€admit€of€any€reasonable€conclusion€other€than€as€determinedÐ ¬ü  Ðby€the€Chancellor.òòóóÐ ˜è  ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€found,€as€we€have€noted,€that€the€actions€by€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€wereÐ pÀ Ðtaken€to€circumvent€the€constructs€of€the€Operating€Agreement€and€to€force€a€dissolution.Ð \¬ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIt€is€obvious€that€the€defendants€[Dr.€Brown€and€Dr.€Barton]€areÐ 4„ Ðattempting€to€circumvent€the€constructs€of€the€Agreement€by€forcingÐ  p Ða€dissolution.€€For€example,€defendants€removed€their€billing€from€theÐ  \ Ðinside€billing€practices€of€the€PLLC€to€an€outside€billing€managementÐ øH Ðfirm.€€They€also€refused€to€share€call;€advised€Dr.€Brunsting€to€vacateÐ ä4 Ðthe€principal€business€office;€refused€to€allow€Dr.€Rankin€to€relocateÐ Ð  Ðthe€St.€Thomas€office€to€the€Centennial€office€as€previously€agreedÐ ¼  Ðand;€refused€to€meet€with€the€plaintiffs€to€discuss€these€matters.€€InÐ ¨ø Ðaddition,€the€defendants€suggested€dissolution€at€the€January€12,€1998Ð ”ä Ðmeeting€and€reiterated€their€position€in€a€January€16,€1998€letterÐ €Ð Ðforwarded€to€Dr.€Brunsting.Ðl¼` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àMoreover,€defendant€Dr.€Barton€testified€that€they€(Dr.€Barton€andÐ D!” ÐDr.€Brown)€were€trying€to€separate€themselves€and€that€ððhe€wanted€toÐ 0"€  Ðsee€if€lawyers€could€get€him€out€of€the€March€1,€1996€OperatingÐ #l! ÐAgreement.ðð€€òòSeeóó€Barton€Dep.€At€175:5„6.€€Defendant€Dr.€Brown€alsoÐ $X" Ðtestified€that€he€and€Dr.€Barton€where€[sic]€trying€to€separateÐ ô$D # Ðthemselves€from€the€other€members€and€that€it€was€not€a€coincidenceÐ à%0!$ Ðthat€he€removed€his€billing€soon€after€he€suggested€dissolution.€€òòSeeóóÐ Ì&"% ÐBrown€Dep.€At€29:1„11.и'#&` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àTherefore,€after€careful€consideration€of€all€the€facts,€this€Court€is€ofÐ )à$( Ðthe€opinion€that€the€defendants€constructively€withdrew€from€theÐ |*Ì%) ÐPLLC.Ðh+¸&*` x` x Їà  àDrs.€Brown€and€Barton€do€not€dispute€these€findings.€€They€rationalize€their€actions€byÐ ° Ðarguing€that€the€Operating€Agreement€did€not€forbid€them€from€trying€to€separate€themselves€fromÐ œì Ðthe€PLLC€in€this€manner.€€They€argue€that€the€reason€why€they€arranged€for€Medical€ManagementÐ ˆØ Ðto€process€their€billing€was€because€there€had€been€errors€in€prior€billings,€although€neither€had€everÐ tÄ Ðsuggested€the€switching€of€billings€to€another€source.Ð `° ÐÌà  àDrs.€Brown€and€Barton€rationalize€their€refusing€to€share€call€with€the€other€members€of€theÐ 8 ˆ ÐPLLC€by€insisting€that€being€a€member€of€the€PLLC€did€not€require€the€sharing€of€on„call€duty.€€TheÐ $ t Ðproof€indicated€that€from€the€formation€of€the€PLLC€until€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€refused€to€do€so,Ð  ` Ðthe€members€of€the€PLLC€shared€call€with€each€other.€€It€is€significant€that€not€only€did€Drs.€BrownÐ ü L  Ðand€Barton€refuse€to€share€call€as€they€had€done€during€the€years€prior,€they€specifically€entered€intoÐ è 8  Ða€call€sharing€arrangement€with€a€physician€òòoutsideóó€of€the€group.Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àDr.€Barton€admitted€that€he€and€Dr.€Brown€sought€to€force€a€dissolution€instead€of€followingÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€Operating€Agreement.€€Dr.€Barton€testified€that€he€and€Dr.€Brown€ð ðwere€unwilling€to€take€thisÐ ˜è  Ð[the€Operating€Agreement]€at€face€value€without€spending€more€money€with€attorneys€to€see€if€thereÐ „Ô  Ðwas€a€way€to€dissolve€it.ððÐ pÀ ÐÌà  àò òòòCowan€v.€Maddinóóó ó,€786€S.W.2d€657€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989)€involved€a€Nashville€lawÐ H˜ Ðpartnership€formerly€known€as€Gracey,€Madden,€Cowan€&€Bird.€€The€Partnership€Agreement€inÐ 4„ Ðò òòòCowanóóó ó€provided€for€the€withdrawal€of€a€partner,€and€stated€that€withdrawal€would€not€result€in€aÐ  p Ðdissolution€of€the€partnership.€€The€Partnership€Agreement€contained€terms€of€what€a€withdrawingÐ  \ Ðpartner€is€entitled€to€receive€upon€withdrawal.€€After€months€of€dispute€among€the€partners,€two€ofÐ øH Ðthem€decided€that€they€wished€to€separate€from€the€partnership.€€Instead€of€withdrawing€accordingÐ ä4 Ðto€the€terms€of€the€Agreement,€however,€the€two,€Mr.€Cowan€and€Mr.€Bird,€served€documentsÐ Ð  Ðpurporting€to€dissolve€the€firm.€€The€Chancery€Court€rejected€this€attempt€to€circumvent€theÐ ¼  ÐAgreementððs€withdrawal€provision.€€It€further€held€that€the€acts€actually€constituted€a€withdrawal€asÐ ¨ø Ða€partner€from€the€partnership.€€This€judgment€was€affirmed.Ð ”ä ÐÌà  àThe€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€findings€that€Drs.€Brown€and€BartonÐ l¼ Ðconstructively€withdrew€from€the€PLLC.Ð X ¨ ÐÌò òòòÓ  ÓThe€Attorney€Feesóóó óÐ 0"€  ÐÓ oÓÌà  àThe€Chancellor€was€inundated€on€this€issue€with€post„trial€proposed€findings€of€fact€andÐ $X" Ðconclusions€of€law,€again€in€connection€with€a€post„trial€motion€to€alter€or€amend,€again€followingÐ ô$D # Ða€protracted€hearing€on€the€precise€issue,€and€yet€again€following€the€hearing.€€The€award€of€attorneyÐ à%0!$ Ðfees€is€reviewed€under€the€abuse€of€discretion€standard.€€òòSee,€ò òAlbright€v.€Merceróóó ó,€945€S.W.2d€749,Ð Ì&"% Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).Ð ¸'#& Ðâ âÐ ¤(ô#' Ðà  àAt€the€outset,€we€note€that€neither€the€reasonableness€nor€the€amount€of€the€fees€is€questionedÐ ° Ðon€appeal.׃"×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€appellants€insist€that€òònoóó€fees€should€have€been€awarded€because€the€ChancellorÐ œì Ðâ âallowed€equitable€relief€only.€€Secondarily,€we€note€that€the€hereinafter€quoted€contractual€provisionÐ ˆØ Ðis€an€exception€to€the€Rule€against€awarding€attorney€fees€to€successful€litigants.€€òòò òGoings€v.€AetnaÐ tÄ ÐC€&€S.€Co.ó óóó,€491€S.W.2d€847€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1972).Ð `° ÐÌò òòòÓ  ÓAs€to€Dr.€Brunstingó óóóÐ 8 ˆ ÐÓ2tÓÌà  àSection€12.4€of€the€Operating€Agreement€provides:Ð  ` ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€the€event€any€party€hereto€fails€to€perform€any€of€its€obligationsÐ è 8  Ðunder€this€Agreement€or€in€the€event€a€dispute€arises€concerning€theÐ Ô$  Ðmeaning€or€interpretation€of€any€provision€of€this€Agreement,€theÐ À  Ðdefaulting€party€or€the€party€not€prevailing€in€such€dispute,€as€the€caseÐ ¬ü  Ðmay€be,€shall€pay€all€costs€and€expenses€incurred€by€the€other€partyÐ ˜è  Ðin€enforcing€or€establishing€its€rights€hereunder,€including,€withoutÐ „Ô  Ðlimitation,€court€costs€and€reasonable€attorneysðð€fees.ÐpÀ` x` x ÐÌà  àThe€defendantsðð€principal€argument€in€opposition€to€the€allowance€of€this€fee€is€based€on€theÐ H˜ Ðassertions€that€Dr.€Brunsting€did€not€prevail€on€all€of€his€claims,€and€that€he€is€entitled€to€recoverÐ 4„ Ðonly€those€fees€which€can€be€attributed€to€claims€upon€which€he€prevailed.€€The€Chancellor€rejectedÐ  p Ðthis€argument€because€all€of€the€claims€and€counterclaims€ð ðarose€from€a€common€core€of€facts,ðð€andÐ  \ Ðthat€the€plaintiffððs€case€could€not€be€evaluated€as€a€series€of€discrete€claims.€€A€secondary€argumentÐ øH Ðposited€against€the€award€of€fees€is€that€the€Operating€Agreement€does€not€provide€for€attorney€feesÐ ä4 Ðwhere€only€equitable€relief€is€awarded.Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àA€contract€for€attorney€fees€should€be€construed€as€any€other€contract.€€òòSee,ò ò€Alexander€v.Ð ¨ø ÐInmanóóó ó,€903€S.W.2d€686€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).€€Parsing€the€contract€in€the€case€at€Bar,€it€providesÐ ”ä Ðthat€the€party€not€prevailing€in€a€dispute€concerning€the€meaning€or€interpretation€of€any€provisionÐ €Ð Ðof€the€Agreement€shall€pay€the€fees€of€the€other€party€in€enforcing€or€establishing€its€rights€under€theÐ l¼ ÐAgreement.€€This€is€heady€language,€broad€and€sweeping,€and€clearly€encompasses€equitable€relief.€Ð X ¨ ÐA€further€parsing€of€the€contract€reveals€an€additional,€or€alternate,€provision€for€the€allowance€ofÐ D!” Ðfees:€a€defaulting€party€is€one€who€fails€to€perform€any€obligation€required€by€the€Agreement€and€isÐ 0"€  Ðliable€to€the€other€party€for€fees€incurred€in€enforcing€or€establishing€his€rights.Ð #l! ÐÌà  àDrs.€Brown€and€Barton€argue€that€the€plaintiff€claimed€that€they€violated€the€Agreement€orÐ ô$D # Ðacted€improperly€in€ten€separate€instances,€viz.:Ð à%0!$ ÐÌØ! !ØÓ€ #(uh88ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£µÝÔ2uhÔÚ  Ú1Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝDrs.€Barton€and€Brown€decided€to€hire€Medical€Management€of€Nashville,Ð ¸'#& ÐInc.,€to€perform€billing€services€for€their€practice€billings.݃3£µî݌Ф(ô#'` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÐ )à$( ÐÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£@ÝÔ2uhÔÚ  Ú2Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝDrs.€Barton€and€Brown€treated€patients€with€ð ðrecklessðð€disregard€and/orÐ ° Ðdisrupting€services€to€patients€and€the€medical€community€generally.݃3£@y݌Мì` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£Ä‚ÝÔ2uhÔÚ  Ú3Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝDrs.€Barton€and€Brown€breached€Section€4.1(e)€of€the€Operating€AgreementÐ tÄ Ðregarding€equalization€of€expected€reimbursement.݃3£Ä‚ý‚ÝŒÐ`°` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£0„ÝÔ2uhÔÚ  Ú4Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝDrs.€Brown€and€Barton€assigned€or€subleased€the€lease€for€office€space€atÐ 8 ˆ ÐCentennial€Medical€Center€to€the€PLLC€when€it€was€formed€and€thereforeÐ $ t Ðcould€not€claim€it€as€an€asset€of€any€other€entity.݃3£0„i„݌Р`` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£ú…ÝÔ2uhÔÚ  Ú5Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝDr.€Rankin€had€a€right€to€install€a€new€telephone€line.݃3£ú…3†ÝŒÐè 8 ` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£‡ÝÔ2uhÔÚ  Ú6Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝDrs.€Barton€and€Brown€breached€their€fiduciary€duty€to€the€other€members€ofÐ À  Ðthe€PLLC€and€to€the€PLLC€itself.݃3£‡H‡ÝŒÐ¬ü ` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£mˆÝÔ2uhÔÚ  Ú7Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝDr.€Brunsting€was€entitled€to€$1,256,318€in€monetary€damages.݃3£mˆ¦ˆÝŒÐ„Ô ` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£ˆ‰ÝÔ2uhÔÚ  Ú8Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝDrs.€Brunsting€and€Rankin€were€entitled€to€damages€because€Drs.€Brown€andÐ \¬ ÐBarton€did€not€continue€to€take€weekend€call.݃3£ˆ‰Á‰ÝŒÐH˜` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£ñŠÝÔ2uhÔÚ  Ú9Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝDrs.€Barton€and€Brown€breached€the€Operating€Agreement€by€seekingÐ  p Ðjudicial€dissolution€of€the€PLLC.݃3£ñŠ*‹ÝŒÐ \` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ"‚3£ "ÝÝ  Ýà8  àÝ‚3£FŒÝÔ2uhÔÚ  Ú10Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` Ð Ð àÝ  ÝDr.€Barton€and€Brown€constructively€withdrew€from€the€PLLC.݃3£FŒŒÝŒÐä4` Ð ` Ð  ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà  àThe€argument€continues€that€of€these€ten€claims€asserted€by€the€plaintiff€against€Drs.€BrownÐ ¼  Ðand€Barton€the€Chancellor€ruled€in€favor€of€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€on€every€issue,€save€theÐ ¨ø Ðconstructive€withdrawal€claim.€€Stated€differently,€that€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€prevailed€on€90Ð ”ä Ðpercent€of€the€claims,€and€should,€therefore,€not€be€liable€for€100€percent€of€the€plaintiffððs€legalÐ €Ð Ðexpenses.€€While€the€plaintiffs€lost€some€fact„based€battles,€they€won€the€war€and€hence€emerged€asÐ l¼ Ðthe€prevailing€party.€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àDrs.€Brown€and€Barton€counterclaimed€against€Dr.€Brunsting,€as€we€have€noted,€assertingÐ 0"€  Ðthat€he€breached€the€Operating€Agreement,€and€breached€his€fiduciary€duty€of€the€PLLC,€in€aboutÐ #l! Ðeleven€instances.€€All€of€these€claims€were€decided€favorably€to€Dr.€Brunsting.Ð $X" Ðà  àÌà  àThe€pleadings€are€exceedingly€prolix.€€The€parties€essentially€pleaded€their€evidence,€whichÐ à%0!$ Ðeventually€segued€into€disputed€factual€issues,€some€of€which€were€dispositive,€others€of€littleÐ Ì&"% Ðimport.€€For€instance,€the€purported€issue€of€whether€Dr.€Brunsting€had€a€right€to€install€a€telephoneÐ ¸'#& Ðline€required€an€interpretation€of€the€Operating€Agreement€thus€triggering€the€application€of€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðattorney€fee€provision,€albeit€with€little€or€no€impact€on€the€adjudication€of€the€relief€sought.Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àThe€Chancellor€determined€that€Dr.€Brunsting€filed€this€action€to€enforce€his€right€to€continueÐ ° Ðâ âpracticing€in€the€PLLC€in€ð ðlight€of€the€defendantsðð€constructive€withdrawalðð€therefrom.€€TheÐ œì Ðargument€that€the€finding€of€constructive€withdrawal€by€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton€was€the€sole€issueÐ ˆØ Ðaffirmatively€adjudicated€is,€in€a€narrow€sense,€correct;€but€all€of€the€contested€issues,€whetherÐ tÄ Ðdispositive€or€not,€were€adjudicated,€either€on€the€basis€of€preponderant€proof€or€failure€of€proof.€€Ð `° ЀDr.€Brunsting€was€the€prevailing€party€on€a€dispositive€issue€for€which€he€had€the€burden€of€proof,Ð L œ Ðand€he€was€the€prevailing€party€on€all€of€the€counter€claims€asserted€by€Drs.€Brown€and€Barton.€€TheÐ 8 ˆ Ðcontract€provides€for€fees€incurred€(1)€in€enforcing€or€establishing€rights€under€the€Agreement,€and€Ð $ t Ð(2)€in€any€dispute€over€the€meaning€or€interpretation€of€the€Agreement.€€We€agree€with€the€appelleesÐ  ` Ðthat€declaratory€and€injunctive€relief€are€primary€methods€to€enforce€a€contracted€provision€orÐ ü L  Ðresolve€a€disputed€interpretation€of€it.€€The€Chancellor€found€that€Dr.€Brunsting€took€this€action,€andÐ è 8  Ðwe€cannot€find€that€the€evidence€preponderates€against€his€conclusion.Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àWe€have€considered€the€remaining€arguments€directed€to€the€alleged€error€in€awardingÐ ¬ü  Ðattorney€fees€to€Dr.€Brunsting,€and€have€determined€that€none€of€them€has€merit.Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àWe€find€no€abuse€of€discretion€on€the€part€of€the€Chancellor€in€awarding€Dr.€Brunsting€hisÐ pÀ Ðattorneysðð€fees.Ð \¬ ÐÌò òòòÓ  ÓAs€to€Dr.€Rankinóóó óÐ 4„ ÐÓÕšÓÌà  àThe€brief€submitted€on€behalf€of€Dr.€Rankin€contains€a€pithy€summary€which€is€worthÐ  \ Ðrepeating:Ð øH ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àGenerally,€when€an€employee€no€longer€wants€to€work€for€a€company,Ð Ð  Ðthe€employee€resigns€his€or€her€position€and€goes€elsewhere.€€WhenÐ ¼  Ða€shareholder€no€longer€wants€to€be€associated€with€a€corporation,€theÐ ¨ø Ðshareholder€sells€his€or€her€shares.€€When€a€partner€in€a€generalÐ ”ä Ðpartnership,€such€as€a€law€firm,€no€longer€wants€to€be€associated€withÐ €Ð Ðthe€firm,€the€partner€withdraws.€€Similarly,€a€physician€member€of€aÐ l¼ ÐPLLC€who€no€longer€wishes€to€practice€with€his€partners€resigns€andÐ X ¨ Ðworks€elsewhere€or€on€his€own.ÐD!”` x` x ÐÌà  àThe€extensive€record€in€this€case€reveals€that€counselððs€time€was€devoted€to€the€litigation€asÐ #l! Ða€whole.€€As€the€Chancellor€found,€there€was€a€common€core€of€facts€involved,€and€such€a€lawsuitÐ $X" Ðcannot€be€viewed€as€a€series€of€discrete€claims.Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àWe€have€considered€the€proportionality€argument€of€the€defendants€at€length.€€òòSee,ò ò€JDFJÐ Ì&"% ÐCorp.€v.€International€Racing,€Inc.óóó ó,€870€P€2n€343.€€(Wash.€App.€1999).€€We€do€not€disagree€withÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€reasoning€of€the€Washington€Court€that€ð ðwhen€a€case€consists€of€distinct€and€severable€claimsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€Courts€must€apply€a€proportionality€approachðð€that€is,€the€fees€awarded€to€the€plaintiffððs€attorneyÐ )à$( Ðfor€the€claims€it€prevailed€upon€must€be€offset€from€those€awarded€to€the€defendant€on€its€prevailingÐ |*Ì%) Ðclaims.€€But€in€the€case€at€Bar,€the€ð ðclaimsðð€were€not€discrete;€they€formed€a€pattern€of€conductÐ h+¸&* Ðdesigned€for€a€single€purpose.€€Consequently,€we€must€look€at€the€case€as€a€whole,€and€not€oneÐ ° Ðbroken€down€into€segments.Ð œì ÐÌà  àBoth€sides€of€this€litigation€have€referred€us€to€the€recent€case€of€òòò òBeaty€v.€McGrawóóó ó,€15Ð tÄ ÐS.W.3d€819€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998)€which€involved,€òòinter€aliaóó,€an€issue€of€attorney€fees€governed€by€Ð `° ÐT.C.A.€ðð€29„30„110€which€allows€fees€as€exemplary€damages€for€the€wrongful€suing€out€of€aÐ L œ Ðpossessory€action.€€The€counsel€claiming€fees€defended€a€breach€of€contract€action€andÐ 8 ˆ Ðsimultaneously€prosecuted€a€wrongful€possession€claim.€€Part€of€their€work€was€defensive€and€partÐ $ t Ðoffensive,€each€easily€identifiable.€€We€remanded€the€case€for€a€determination€of€the€time€ð ðspent€onÐ  ` Ðthe€wrongful€possession€claimðð€as€authorized€by€statute.€€òòò òBeatyóóó ó€is€inapposite€to€the€case€at€Bar.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àWe€cannot€find€that€the€Chancellor€abused€his€discretion€in€the€award€to€Dr.€Rankin€of€hisÐ Ô$  Ðattorneysðð€fees.€€The€judgment€is€accordingly€affirmed.€€Costs€are€assessed€to€appellants€and€the€caseÐ À  Ðis€remanded€for€all€appropriate€purposes.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð \¬ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àWILLIAM€H.€INMAN,€SENIOR€JUDGE