Home Daily News Mayor says law firm overcharged $657K in…

Attorney Fees

Mayor says law firm overcharged $657K in 11-year case, threatens criminal investigation

The mayor and a new inspector general for a suburban Chicago city are contending that a law firm overcharged by more than $656,000 during a hard-fought 11-year eminent domain case over a 356-unit housing project.

Originally charged at $210 to $250 per billable hour when the matter began in 2005, Joliet saw billable rates for Figliulo & Silverman rise to around $400 an hour a decade later, reports the Joliet Patch.

Although the bills were approved by a former city attorney, the increase in rates was not OK’d by the city council as required, said Mayor Robert O’Dekirk at a Thursday news conference. He said that his office was considering a civil case and a criminal investigation, the Herald-News reports. A total of $5.4 million was paid by the city to the law firm concerning the condemnation case, most of which is not contested.

Partner Jim Figliulo pointed out that the firm had won a federal lawsuit allowing the city to take over Evergreen Park, a privately owned government-subsidized housing project for low-income residents, and said the city had paid the firm’s bills for years without protest.

“The fees charged were reasonable and the rates were less than market,” he said. “Joliet received detailed bills from us each month which disclosed the fees charged, the services rendered, the lawyer who performed the service, the hours spent and the hourly rates. Joliet paid those bills as due.”

Related coverage:

Chicago Tribune (reg. req.): “Joliet wins lengthy housing complex legal battle”

Herald-News: “Judge rules Joliet can take over Evergreen Terrace”