Politics & Government
Legal Fees Outweigh Settlement in Former County Spokeswoman's Lawsuit
Reaching a $110,000 settlement with the county cost $175,000 in legal fees for former spokeswoman Karla Hamner, and her attorney is asking the county to foot the bill.
The attorney for former county executive spokeswoman Karla Hamner has requested payment of $175,000 in legal fees on top of the $110,000 settlement his client accepted earlier this month.
Hamner served as a spokeswoman for former County Executive John R. Leopold from 2007-2008. She was offered the settlement from county officials in a lawsuit in which Hamner claimed she had been fired for speaking against John Leopold.
County Executive Laura Neuman issued a statement, calling the incident a "sordid chapter" in the county's history.
At the time of the settlement, Hamner's attorney was told he would have to appeal for legal costs in court.
That day has come, and John M. Singleton of Lutherville, Hamner's attorney, is requesting a total of $176,152.59, The Baltimore Sun reports. The sum comes from 338 hours of time spent on the case, at a rate of $495 per hour, plus additional costs for a paralegal, parking, transcripts and other fees, The Sun reported.
Whether the sum will be paid by the county will be decided by a U.S. District Court in Baltimore.
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