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August 31, 2007

Attorneys seek nearly $2.4 million from Hazleton for immigration lawsuit

WILKES-BARRE – Attorneys who represented the plaintiffs in the Hazleton immigration case filed court papers this afternoon seeking nearly $2.4 million in attorneys fees and costs.

In a 25 page brief, 37 attorneys from seven different law firms and legal organizations say they are entitled to the money to compensate them for the thousands of hours they spent interviewing plaintiffs, defendants and preparing voluminous court filings for the case.

The fees stem from a federal lawsuit that challenged the city’s Illegal Immigration and Relief Act. U.S. District Judge James Munley ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in July, striking down the act as unconstitutional.

Under federal law plaintiffs who prevail in a civil rights lawsuit can seek attorneys fees.

Attorney Michael Hethmon of Washington, D.C., one of the attorneys who represented the city, said he is certain the city will challenge the amount of fees being sought.

For the complete story, read Saturday’s Times Leader.

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