Court rips $8,800 an hour in attorneys' fees, State appeal panel pares DMV award to $18.2 million

SF Chronicle ^ | 7-23-02 | Robert Salladay

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Sacramento -- Several attorneys who secured $8,800 an hour in legal fees after winning a case against the Department of Motor Vehicles saw their award substantially reduced Monday by an angry state court of appeal, which branded them as greedy.

[agitator]

My first question is why would anybody voluntarily move to California in the first place? I live in Taxxachusetts and I can't think of any reason why anybody would voluntarily move here......

The politicians in these states obviously aren't interested in attracting new people, why go where you're not wanted?

[hobbes1]

"An award of $88 million in attorneys' fees was not only unconscionable but unconstitutional," Davis said. "This is a great victory for the taxpayers of California."

Hmmmm...does that mean the Tobacco Settlements are out ?

Or is there a wonderful Double standard goin on round heeeyah?

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

While you are partially correct-socially and politically we are a sewer-weather wise we can't be beat.

[evolved_rage]

Kennedy and Kerry vs Boxer and Feinstein, I guess your Swift beats our Davis, you lucky bastards!!!

[glorgau]

The DMV had been charging new residents the $300 fee because their vehicles often did not meet California's strict anti-smog rules.

It blew my mind when I heard about it and had to pay it. This was even after my car had passed the smog test. Utterly amazing that it even got through a preliminary review before the legislature voted on it.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

This is a shot across the bow for lawyers considering future lawsuits of this nature. "You tangle with our taxing authority, you make what WE say you make." I'm not a big fan of trial lawyers, but this was one case that was on the taxpayer's side.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

It's not the money , its the votes that are deciding what Davis does!

See this

California: Davis signs bill to curb car emissions

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[monkeyshine]

$8,800 an hour for crying out loud. It was preposterous to even ask for that much. It is preposterous for the arbitrator to grant it. It is preposterous that the state even paid it.