Won a case through my Expert testimony last December. The Judge ordered the other side to pay ALL costs, Attorney's fees, my fees, etc. The other side balked and wanted the Judge to throw out my costs as they were "too high."
I was sworn in this morning, I testified what my hours spent were and what my hourly rate is and had copies of current contracts for Expert work for both the State Attorney's General Office and for the Federal Justice Department - all at the same rate.
Judge ruled that 100% of my fees were to be paid by the other side and he asked me how much time I had spent this morning. I replied "an hour and a half." Judge ruled that the other side owed me for an additional hour and a half at my regular rate.
Case closed.
🙂
Did you wear your seersucker suit?
Panama hat? 😉
:good: :good:
I would say you are educating the public to the value of surveying education and practice a few attorneys at a time. Would suggest the next step is a surveying for attorneys seminar including citation of this case and any similar you can find.
The judge was probably impressed with that HP41CX you brought with you. 😀
It seems to me that the appellant's attorney should have - and could have - known that you could document your billing rate so thoroughly.
Yes, indeed - actually my blue cord suit (& LSU tie). I even wore my "good" Panama hat; my Monte Cristi purchased from Meyer the Hatter on St. Charles Avenue. However, it came off before I walked into the Courtroom.
Cliff,
This is excellent and congratulations on the win. I closed on a house about a month ago and while we were waiting for some document revisions the title attorney ask me what I did for a living and we started to discuss surveying. Her comment that stuck in my head was "Surveys are so expensive".... I just laughed inside just to avoid an argument.
Congratulations again.
I gotta laugh when i hear attorney's argue about Surveyor's fees. Have you looked in the mirror lately Mr Attorney?
Well done Prof. Chuckled that your fees too high. It is a wake up call for surveyors to realise that many are prostituting their worth. Did discounted fees, causing short cuts, play a role in the court win and cost order?
Sadly bottom feeding price now only concern for most clients. It is a pity that news like awarding of cost fees does not reach Joe Public so that they return to quality work over bottom feeding carp price..
RADU
Mr. Abbot, have been missed.
You have been an infrequent visitor of late. You may actually need a written excuse.
Paul in PA
Congratulations!
Let us know when you collect payment and the check clears at the bank.
I remember going to court.
I felt lucky whenever I got probation.:-|
Don
> Yes, indeed - actually my blue cord suit (& LSU tie). I even wore my "good" Panama hat; my Monte Cristi purchased from Meyer the Hatter on St. Charles Avenue. However, it came off before I walked into the Courtroom.
ah Meyer the Hatter,.. I remember them from the time that I washed upon the shores of Isle de Orleans in the early 70s. I bought a Saint's hat at Meyers a few years ago for my son. I just wanted to take him to a hat store while we were in the city.
Such places like Meyers, Siler's and Doubleday book stores, The Pearl and Kolbs made New Orleans such an interesting city to me..
> I remember going to court.
> I felt lucky whenever I got probation.:-|
>
> Don
I have had a somewhat different experience. The only times I have been to court was as a witness or called for jury duty.
And of course the only times I have been to jail was putting someone else in the jail.
😛