Lawyers Seek More Fees in County’s Bankruptcy
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ORANGE COUNTY — Lawyers on Monday asked a federal judge to approve $48 million in additional legal fees they say Orange County owes them for handling the county’s complex bankruptcy litigation.
The request, filed by the law firm of Hennigan, Mercer & Bennett, is in addition to $26 million in fees the firm has already collected.
If approved by U.S. District Judge Gary L. Taylor, it would boost the firm’s compensation to 8.5% of the $865 million it won in settlements with Merrill Lynch & Co. and other firms accused of helping cause the county’s 1994 financial collapse.
Orange County plans to fight the request, said County Counsel Laurence M. “Lon” Watson, who had not yet seen the documents filed Monday. A hearing is set Sept. 13.
J. Michael Hennigan, a senior partner in the firm, defended the payout request, citing the difficulty and success of the litigation. There was no question about the firm’s performance during 4 1/2 years of services, he said.
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