Judge Cuts Legal Fees in Suit Against Gates

A federal judge reduced by two-thirds the attorneys’ fees requested by two lawyers who won a civil rights verdict against Orange County Sheriff Brad Gates.

Michael J. Cisarik and Meir J. Westreich had requested $307,982 for the time it took them to prepare and present the civil trial on behalf of private investigator Preston Guillory. Guillory contended that Gates orchestrated a harassment campaign against him because he was working for Gates’ political opponent.

But in a ruling issued Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Richard A. Gadbois permitted only $116,192 in attorneys’ fees, saying Guillory’s case “did not require two seasoned lawyers.”

“Mr. Cisarik is a very able and persuasive lawyer who had the ability to do all this quite well himself,” the order said. “It may have been convenient for him to lay some of it off to Mr. Westreich because of the latter’s history with some of the key players, but the county should not have to pay for the duplication of efforts.”

Westreich insisted Thursday that the $307,982 was reasonable for attorneys’ fees and said he would appeal.

On March 15, a federal jury decided the case in Guillory’s favor and held Gates and the county liable for $189,894 in damages. Under federal law, the loser in a civil suit must pay reasonable attorney’s fees to the victor.