Lawyers in D.C. Gun Case Argue for $3.13 Million in Fees

[PavePusher]

http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2010/12/lawyers-in-dc-gun-case-argue-for-313-million-in-fees.html

"Lawyers for the District of Columbia residents who successfully challenged the city's ban on handguns were in court today defending their request for nearly $3.13 million in legal fees and costs.

Alan Gura, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, urged a Washington federal trial judge to award the team the prevailing market value for attorneys who handle complex federal litigation. Gura called the fee request reasonable, citing his efficiency and his overall success in the case."


More at link, including this little gem: "Samuel Kaplan of the District’s Office of the Attorney General argued the plaintiffs’ team had failed to prove why they should receive compensation on par with major law firms in the District."

How about "Because they kicked the shit out of those candy-ass Washington woe-bleaters, proving they are worth whatever those fuckers charge, plus a hefty performance bonus, and you should sit there with your mouth shut and be grateful you don't get publically flogged for incompetence".

Or was that too understated?


Edit: Oops, gotta love this part too: "Kaplan said Gura’s team did not build the case from scratch, relying instead on what he called decades of scholarly literature on the Second Amendment."

Umm, did you just concede the plaintiffs' case post-facto? And thus further demonstrate utter ineptitude? You just can't make this stuff up...

[sharesunited]

1. So these lawyers harm the public with their antisocial nonsense AND want millions for doing so?

No. Go get it from your masters, the NRA.

[Riftaxe]

2. Instead of complaining, why don't you start

organizing to repeal the 2nd amendment?

Surely if your beliefs are even slightly rational (I hope you are not also afraid of spoons and other culinary implements, because that would really be a pain) you will get it done in record time. Now of course you will be up against not only constitutional rights groups but the majority of the American citizens, but why not try?

It's not like it has not been done before http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_in_the_United_States">prohibiton

As far as paying the lawyers, it is their right to be paid for their services.

Logically your time would be better spent protesting against the automobile, the real killer in today's society. (assuming we were to take umbrage against an inanimate object)

[lawodevolution]

8. That's like telling a KKK member to start organizing an amendment

to ban blacks from voting.

[Pullo]

13. Repealing the 2nd would be the intellectually honest approach for those who oppose liberal gun laws

Of course, the Brady's, VPC, and the Bloomberg's show no interest in following this path. That itself is quite revealing.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. What about your anti union nonsense?

[naaman fletcher]

4. The NRA opposed their efforts

only jumped on board when it was clear the case was going to move forward. The NRA is basically opposed to all cases that aren't managed through them.

And besides, they won, so I am not sure what anti-social nonsense you are talking about.

[one-eyed fat man]

5. Pay attention

Paul Helmke, the president of the Brady Campaign, suggested to D.C. before the Court granted certiorari that it modify its gun laws rather than appeal to the Supreme Court. Looks like he understood what you don't, the collective rights theory of the Second Amendment was tenuos, at best, and the by going to the Supreme Court they ran the risk of the court finding for an "individual right." He ruefully admitted that after the court ruled that the door had been shut, "the path to a complete ban on gun ownership is now gone."

You did note that the D.C. Solicitor General complained the winning legal team took advantage of "decades of scholarly literature on the Second Amendment" which underscored the individual rights argument. Put that another way, he was at the disadvantage of arguing a case that WAS NOT supported by decades of scholarship and research. They followed an age old legal tactic:

"When the law is against you, argue the facts. When the facts are against you, argue the law. When both are against you, attack the plaintiff. - R.Rinkle"

They couldn't dazzle them with brilliance so they tried to baffle them with bullshit, and LOST!

Walter E. Dellinger of the law firm O'Melveny & Myers, also a professor at Duke University Law School and former Acting Solicitor General, argued the District's side before the Supreme Court. Dellinger was assisted by Thomas Goldstein of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Robert Long of Covington & Burling and D.C. Solicitor General Todd Kim.

Those law firms are not second rate ambulance chasers from Chicago, he should certainly get the an award commensurate with what those firms charge on similar cases.

[PavePusher]

6. Well, except for the FACT that the folks who worked and won the case...

didn't work for the NRA, didn't want the NRA involved and vigorously opposed the NRA stealing some of their time in the courtroom, you might have something there. As is, you are again pontificating with nothing but smoke and mirrors and resisting folks pulling back the cutain over the man in the cornor.

Your factose intolerance is showing again...

[slackmaster]

14. What harm?

:shrug:

[Euromutt]

7. It seems a shitload of money to me, but if it's the going rate...

...then it seems to me that the complaint should concern "the prevailing market value for attorneys who handle complex federal litigation" rather than the remuneration demanded by Gura and associates specifically. And Jesus, who gives a fuck what the opposing, losing counsel thinks is appropriate compensation? If anybody's going to be biased due to plain old sour grapes, it's going to be the opposing counsel.

[PavePusher]

9. It works out to a little under $1000/hour.

Not at all out of line for current premier legal services.

And it couldn't be coming out of a better set of pockets. I wonder how you spin that in the next mayorial election? "We're the administrative team that spent X-million dollars trying to fight your Civil Rights! If you vote for us, expect more of the same!"

Now, if you are aghast at the amount that top legal firms can charge, I agree with you.

[Callisto32]

15. No kidding.

I'm getting ready to graduate from law school and I think what lawyers cost is out of line.

I think I know where it comes from, though. I'm going to be well over 100k in debt when I am done. Major incentive to charge big bucks.

[one-eyed fat man]

10. DC's hired legal talent!

O'Melveny & Myers LLP

O’Melveny has been named to The American Lawyer’s 2010 A-List, which recognizes the nation’s most elite law firms. This is our third appearance on the list of 20 firms judged best at balancing the practice of law with their obligations to the profession.

O'Melveney is a community of approximately 900 professionals. We practice law in the key US Asian and European economic and political centers. Clients commend our ability to lawyer ahead of the curve when they tackle tough obstacles an pursue challenging opportunities.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
[br />

With more than 800 lawyers in 14 offices, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is one of the world’s largest law firms. A frequent recipient of industry recognition for its strength in litigation and high-stakes appellate work, its leadership in groundbreaking transactions and its depth in public policy, Akin Gump provides a comprehensive suite of services for global companies and local individuals. Our team of litigators, dealmakers, and policy lawyers and advisors collaborate with a single goal: the success of our clients.

<http://www.cov.com/|Covington & Burling LLP>

Covington & Burling LLP represents clients in cutting-edge technology, litigation, white collar defense, transactional, governmental affairs, international, life sciences and other matters. In responding to the needs and challenges of our clients, our lawyers draw upon the firm’s expertise and experience in a broad array of industries to provide solutions to difficult, complex, and novel problems and issues, whether in litigation, transactions, or regulatory proceedings.

D.C. Attorney General Robert J. Spagnoletti hired Todd Kim as the District’s first Solicitor General. Mr. Kim was hired specifically to argue this case. Prior to becoming Solicitor General, Mr. Kim was an appellate attorney for the US Department of Justice. He is graduate of Harvard Law School.

Goliath is whining about getting whipped. To add insult to injury, he claims the lawyer that beat him and his virtual army of expensive legal talent, resources, research staff and tax payer funding is not deserving of prevailing wages for first class legal representation.

Does he mean to admit his position and arguments were so without merit that an second rate lawyer could have easily beaten them all?

"When the law is against you, argue the facts. When the facts are against you, argue the law. When both are against you, attack the plaintiff." and in this case whine that you were "out-lawyered."

[one-eyed fat man]

11. Judge requests three firms rates.

In attorneys' fees disputes, it's always amusing to see how often an attorney arguing that the other guy's hourly rates are unreasonable is actually billing at a higher rate himself. These are big firms, probably with staggering hourly rates.

D.C. Judge Requests Three Firms' Rates in Legal Fee Dispute

Hilarious!!!

The District is concerned about the “intrusive” nature of the request for billing rates from the three firms.

Fenty and his band of buffoons fight Heller tooth and nail. They unleash the combined talents of three of the largest law firms in North America, lose and don't want to pay the legal fees.

The judge also said he is hopeful he will not have to authorize subpoenas to compel Covington, Akin and O’Melveny to provide the standard billing rates for the lawyers who worked on the gun case for the District.

“I hope it doesn’t come to that,” Sullivan said. “But if it does, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

If there is any injustice it is that, in the end, money will come out of the pockets of the DC taxpayers and the Mayor and City Council will not have to bear the responsibility of their actions personally.

[virginia mountainman]

12. not to mention...

The legal bills for this on going lawsuit over proper payment...

ROFLMAO!!!!!!