Also, Co-Contributor Marc Wins 3-Day Jury Trial.
U.S. Navy Sonar Whale Settlement.
In our September 16, 2008 post, we reported on the Ninth Circuit’s decision in National Resources Defense Council, Inc. (NRDC) v. Winter, where Irell & Manella was awarded $437,584.24 in fees in the dispute to protect whales from U.S. Navy sonar use off the California coast. The case worked its way to the Ninth Circuit, where Irell won another battle in its efforts to obtain fees for its pro bono work on the case. Now, the Blawter (the Los Angeles Daily Journal’s blog) has reported that the Navy has agreed to pay Irell & Manella $1.1 million in attorney’s fees in an approval request pending before U.S. District Judge Florence Marie Cooper.
Neil Harvey Will Get Paid $1.45 Million from City of Newport Beach.
In our May 18, 2009 and June 16, 2009 posts, we discussed Newport Beach police sergeant Neil Harvey’s win over the City of Newport Beach in a gay slurs case. Mr. Harvey won about $2 million after a jury trial and postjudgment proceedings, $706,755 of the amount being attorney’s fees recoupment. Now, the City’s insurer have agreed to pay $1.45 million to settle the matter, an amount apparently accepted by Mr. Harvey. For more details, see Jeff Overley’s story “Sergeant to get $1.45 million” in the September 11, 2009 issue of The Orange County Register.
IPO Securities Litigation Settlement–$195 Million in Fees and $50 Million in Expenses Being Sought.
Lawyers representing plaintiff investors in the IPO Securities Litigation will be requesting $195 million in attorney’s fees and $50 million in expenses as part of a settlement package that will be the subject of an approval hearing on September 10, 2009 before U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin of the Southern District of New York federal court. Because the case settled for $586 million, plaintiffs’ lawyers are seeking one-third of that amount, plus expenses. (Judge Scheindlin is well known for her excellent opinions on issues relating to spoliation in the electronic discovery area.) See Reuters report.
Wal-Mart Settles Meal/Rest Break Class Action in Alameda County Superior Court.
As reported by Kate Moser in a Legal Pad post on September 11, 2009, Wal-Mart has agreed to settle an Alameda County Superior Court class action involving claimed denials of meal/rest breaks for certain employees. Wal-Mart agreed to a $77 million-$152 million settlement, less than the $172 million awarded by a jury to the class in 2005. Fred Furth, one of the lead California attorneys on the case, indicated he would seek more than $50 million in attorney’s fees (first filed in 2001) and stating he invested millions in the case. It will be up the trial judge to decide the fees that will be awarded under the settlement.
Co-Contributor Marc Wins Jury Trial.
Co-contributor Mike sends hearty congratulations to co-contributor Marc. He recently won a 3-day jury trial for three defendants in a case tried in front of Orange County Superior Court Judge Derek Hunt. Way to go Marc!