More than $11 million in fees and expenses for lawyers who filed a lawsuit that led to dramatic changes in Georgia's foster care system is in dispute.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to rehear the state's appeal of U.S. District Judge Marvin Shoob's award of $10.5 million in attorney fees. At issue is whether Shoob correctly applied a $4.5 million enhancement on top of a $6 million award.
Circuit Judge Ed Carnes, one of three who disagreed with the decision not to hear the appeal, suggested the matter should be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Jeffrey O. Bramlett, one of the plaintiff attorneys, said the award totaled nearly $11.3 million and interest has been accruing at 4.19 percent a year. Bramlett: "how would you like to not get a paycheck for three years?"
The class-action lawsuit, settled in 2005, prompted the state to reduce worker case loads, improve investigations into abuse and prevent overcrowding in foster homes.
Children's Rights, the advocacy group that brought the lawsuit, asked Shoob in August to find the Division of Family and Children Services in contempt for allegedly failing to meet court-ordered requirements to place thousands of foster children in permanent homes.
Full Article and Source:
State still owes $11 million-plus in attorney fees
See also:
Atlanta Foster Children at Risk as Georgia Fails to Make Court-Ordered Child Welfare Improvements
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to rehear the state's appeal of U.S. District Judge Marvin Shoob's award of $10.5 million in attorney fees. At issue is whether Shoob correctly applied a $4.5 million enhancement on top of a $6 million award.
Circuit Judge Ed Carnes, one of three who disagreed with the decision not to hear the appeal, suggested the matter should be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Jeffrey O. Bramlett, one of the plaintiff attorneys, said the award totaled nearly $11.3 million and interest has been accruing at 4.19 percent a year. Bramlett: "how would you like to not get a paycheck for three years?"
The class-action lawsuit, settled in 2005, prompted the state to reduce worker case loads, improve investigations into abuse and prevent overcrowding in foster homes.
Children's Rights, the advocacy group that brought the lawsuit, asked Shoob in August to find the Division of Family and Children Services in contempt for allegedly failing to meet court-ordered requirements to place thousands of foster children in permanent homes.
Full Article and Source:
State still owes $11 million-plus in attorney fees
See also:
Atlanta Foster Children at Risk as Georgia Fails to Make Court-Ordered Child Welfare Improvements
2 comments:
Government works in strange ways:
First they set up legal kidnapping for kids; then followed with the elderly.
Why? Money, money, money!
With the kids, the states get paid by the head; with the adults, they are the new "bread and butter" of the Organized Bar - providing more $$$ than family practice.
Onw question: Why would a judge allow unlawful proceedings to occur and reoccur?
Answer: Find out what the quid pro quo is.
You're right on target, Anonymous!
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