I’m No Lawyer…
By Mitch Berg
…so I don’t know if I’m right to bag on DFL-training-ground law firm Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi for bragging up an award for their “pro-bono” work in blocking an AT&T cell tower near the Boundary Waters…:
The case centered around a 450-foot cell-phone tower AT&T proposed to build near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The tower would have despoiled the scenic and aesthetic resources of the protected Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for miles and would have posed a significant threat to migratory birds. The Friends challenged the project under the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act, which gives citizens the right to sue to block projects that have the potential to diminish environmental quality.
Our representation culminated in a four day bench trial with 15 live witnesses and 17 witnesses by deposition. After carefully considering the evidence, the court issued a 58-page order, ruling in favor of the Friends and permanently enjoining AT&T from constructing any tower in this location taller than 199-feet.
…while demanding court costs for the case.
I mean, it’s not “pro bono” if they get paid, is it?
December 8th, 2011 at 8:45 am
And RKMC will be tackling all those evil windmill generators that actually kill birds next.
December 8th, 2011 at 8:50 am
I’m no lawyer either, but pro bono literally means “for the [public] good”, so if they can get paid by recovering court costs from their target, well, it’s just collateral damage. And Kermit, you know as well as I that no windmills will be attacked…unless visible from the Kennedy Estate on Cape Cod.
December 8th, 2011 at 10:02 am
Well Teddy is dead now, so they make take a more enlightened view.
December 8th, 2011 at 10:37 am
No cell tower near the BWCA, so how can I call for help if my snowmobile breaks down in the BWCA? Ha ha ha ha ha
December 8th, 2011 at 10:53 am
Lawyers distinguish between Fees and Costs.
Fees are what you pay the lawyer.
Costs are what you pay other people connected to the lawsuit – mileage for witnesses, photocopy costs, filing fees, court reporter charges, etc.
I haven’t read the Order but it may be the law firm volunteered the lawyers’ time but requested the court reimburse them for out-of-pocket expenses. That would be consistent with Pro Bono Publico representation.
.
December 8th, 2011 at 11:26 am
Governor Walker and the Republicans in Wisconsin just passed a bill that says a lawyer can’t charge fees that are more than 3 times the award (for lawsuit cases). It started when a $5,000 unneeded car repair judgement netted the lawyer $150,000 in fees.
I would like to ask Ciresi, how much money does he need? He already made millions on his no-bid contract working for the state against tobacco companies.
December 8th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
A cell phone tower poses a significant threat to migratory birds? Why, are they blind? Do they migrate in the dark and can’t see the flashing lights? Does it have a Phalanx CIWS on it? What planet do these imbeciles live on?
December 8th, 2011 at 7:22 pm
What planet do these imbeciles live on?
Planet DFL.
December 13th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
So you lose your life bleeding to death or dehydrating because you can’t call for help with an arterial injury or broken leg in the BWCA because your iPhone is out of range. Great. And what’s with towers “blocking” migratory birds? Just go around the thing!
Jamie