OPINION& ORDER Before me is the petition of Concierge Auctions, LLC (“Petitioner” or the “Concierge”) to confirm an arbitration award granted by the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) against Respondent Newton Howard (“Respondent” or “Howard”) pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §9 (“FAA”). Because I find that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and no indication in the record that any grounds for vacating or modifying the arbitration award exist, the petition is GRANTED, and the arbitration award is CONFIRMED. I. Factual Background and Procedural History1 Petitioner Concierge is a global real estate auction marketing firm which markets, manages, and conducts auctions of high-end luxury residential properties worldwide. (Pet. 8.) Respondent Howard owns the property located at 440 Rochambeau Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island (the “Property”). (Id. 9.) On February 2, 2022, the parties entered into an agreement pursuant to which Concierge would market and sell the Property through an auction. (Id. 10; see also Doc. 1-2, “Auction Agreement”.) Howard authorized Concierge to proceed with the auction, which took place on March 22, 2022. (Pet. 11.) Concierge auctioned off the Property to the highest bidder, which was for $4,000,000. (Id.) After the auction, Howard refused to close on the sale of the Property. (Id. 12.) Pursuant to the Auction Agreement, if the sale of the Property did close due to the actions of Howard or his agents, Howard agreed that he would be obligated to pay Concierge a fee equal to 12 percent of the highest bid, in this case $480,000. (Id. 13; see also Auction Agreement 16.) On May 27, 2022, pursuant to the mandatory arbitration provision set forth in the Auction Agreement, (see id.), Concierge filed a Demand for Arbitration against Howard with the AAA. (Id. 17; see also Doc. 1-3.) On or about May 24, 2023, Concierge filed a dispositive motion in the arbitration in which it sought an award of $480,000, plus interest, an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and disbursements, and dismissal of the Counterclaims that had been submitted by Howard. (Id. 19.) On June 23, 2023, the appointed arbitrator Eli R. Mattioli (the “Arbitrator”) issued a Partial Final Award. (Id. 20; see also Doc. 1-4.) On August 16, 2023, after Concierge submitted proof of the attorneys’ fees, costs and disbursements that it incurred in connection with the arbitration, the Arbitrator issued the Final Award. (Id.
