Mathis v. St. Helens Auto Ctr., Inc.

*649After the termination of his employment, plaintiff brought a wage action against defendant employer, which was referred to the trial court's mandatory court-annexed arbitration program. The arbitrator awarded plaintiff $3.40 in unpaid wages and $1,383.96 in penalty wages. The arbitrator also awarded plaintiff $6,310 in attorney fees under ORS 652.200(2), which generally entitles a successful plaintiff on a wage claim to "a reasonable sum for attorney fees." Plaintiff had requested a substantially greater fee award, but the arbitrator denied that request, largely due to the application of ORCP…