The City should definitely not be able to prevent people it attacks from getting excellent legal representation, or force them to accept "Wal-Mart level" representation. At the same time, there is an important distinction between paying for the value of a service, and paying far more than necessary and in excess of the market value of a service. The attorneys who billed $125 per hour to successfully represent the other two officers were not providing "Wal-Mart level service." They were billing rates that reflect a balance between their skills and the financial means of their clients. The vast majority of attorneys in this town, including some who could provide excellent representation, would bill below $300 per hour. The premise that one is getting better legal representation by paying the highest fee is often not grounded in reality. A higher fee might reflect a higher level of skills and experience, and where relevant - connections. At some point, a high fee may just reflect inflated ego and greed. The city council, which obviously deals with many legal fees, made the right assessment in this case. It would be unfair to the taxpayers to set a precedent of paying $350 per hour for legal fees.
Jordan Kushner work downtwon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Terrell Brown" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "'Minneapolis Issues Forum'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, October 31, 2004 12:44 AM Subject: RE: [Mpls] Now: Fundraisers to pay bills the city should pay Jordan S. Kushner writes: > I believe that the city council's decision not to pay the > full $350 per hour > in charged legal fees was reasonable. This is frankly an > excessive fee in > the Twin Cities market. The decision to reduce payment by > about 25% still > comes out to about $260. This is still generous. [TB] The City, via its recently hired Police Chief, attacked her career. She deserves the best representation she can get. In a politically charged case, it seems reasonable to hire an attorney with political connections. In my limited experience in dealing with attorney fees, David Lillehaug's fee seems in line, $300 is not a rare fee in this town. He is, after all, a former US District Attorney. If the City is going to challenge her career, it doesn't also have the right to force her to accept Wal-mart level representation. This is about a Chief of Police who is out to get a female who has the guts to think that she is qualified to be Chief of Police in the City of Minneapolis. A Chief of Police who it has been reported didn't even bother to become a licensed police officer in the state of his former employment. A Chief that was hired over more than one well qualified internal candidate. Perhaps he doesn't like the idea of being challenged by such well qualified individuals? Especially if they are female? Why isn't it that Lucy Gerold should get the best representation possible? Had she not prevailed she would not only been out of a job, she wouldn't have ever gotten a police job anywhere in the country. Gerold is also the only one of the 3 who were investigated where the Chief was reported to say that he would "take her out." It was a targeted attack. The City (or the Police Chief) should pay the bill. Terrell Brown Loring Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
