State ex rel. Police Officers for Equal Rights v. Lashutka

Ohio Supreme Court
State ex rel. Police Officers for Equal Rights v. Lashutka, 72 Ohio St. 3d 1219 (Ohio 1995)
651 N.E.2d 1012; 1995 Ohio LEXIS 2494
Cook, Douglas, Moyer, Pfeifer, Resnick, Sweeney, Wright

State ex rel. Police Officers for Equal Rights v. Lashutka

Opinion of the Court

As a result of this court’s decision in State ex rel. Police Officers for Equal Rights v. Lashutka (1995), 72 Ohio St.3d 185, 648 N.E.2d 808, relators have filed a “Submission of Bill and Documentation in Support of Allowance of Fees, and Costs.”

The motion is granted as to the request for attorney fees, and the docket fee and security deposit will be refunded.

Douglas, Resnick, F.E. Sweeney and Pfeifer, JJ., concur. Wright, J., concurs and dissents, separately. Moyer, C.J., and Cook, J., concur and dissent, separately.

Concurring in Part

Wright, J.,

concurring in part and dissenting in part. I would agree with Justice Cook’s position in her dissent, except I would allow attorney fees of $6,600, and support-staff fees in the amount of $1,200.

Cook, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part. I would limit the award of fees to the legal work necessary to obtain the writ of mandamus. The submission by relator’s attorneys claims entitlement to fees for work done almost one year prior to the filing of the mandamus action. Counsel confirms that on March 14, 1995, attorney Frederick Gittes was informed by the city attorney that destruction of public documents would begin on March 31. Counsel’s work to obtain the writ of mandamus began on March 14. From March 14 to date, the fees for Gittes are $5,780, and for attorney Kathleen Schulte, $877.50. I would not award *1220additional fees at $50 per hour for time spent by law clerks. Respondents should be ordered to pay $6,657.50 in attorney fees and no costs.

Moyer, C.J., concurs in the foregoing opinion.

Reference

Full Case Name
The State ex rel. Police Officers for Equal Rights v. Lashutka, Mayor
Status
Published