If the legal team that represented April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse prevails, the state of Michigan will be on the line to pay them nearly $2 million in fees. The legal team filed a motion in federal court seeking $1,927,450 in fees.
Federal law allows prevailing party to receive payment from the losing party in lawsuits such as the marriage case.
The request for legal fees only pertains to the six attorneys — Carole Stanyar, Dana Nessel, Kenneth Mogill, Robert Sedler, Mary Bonauto and Vickie Henry — who represented DeBoer and Rowse. But the court filing notes that, in total, eight attorneys, seven law clerks and multiple paralegals helped during the case, The Free Press reported
"Extensive attorney hours were expended, both before and after the complaint was filed in this case, due to its novel character," the lawyers wrote, "…The questions presented were unquestionably novel, complex and difficult. This was the first trial in history challenging the Michigan Marriage Amendment, and Michigan's statutory marriage and second-parent adoption bans. It was only the third trial in U.S. history challenging a marriage preclusion for same-sex couples."
Mickey Hirten at City Pulse in Lansing reported the state of Michigan agreed to pay former solicitor general John Bursch up to $75,000 for his representation of the state before the U.S. Supreme Court. Bursch works for the law firm Warner Norcross & Judd LLP in Grand Rapids. He has been with the firm since leaving the Attorney General's office in December 2013.
The law firm has had a generous relationship with the office of Attorney General Bill Schuette.
"Since taking office, Schuette has received at least $68,000 in campaign contributions from the Warner Norcross & Judd PAC, while the law firm has received about $728,000 worth of state contracts," said a recent report from Progress Michigan which has been tracking the relationship.
Michigan's cost in defending marriage ban
Read More
Michigan Democratic Party LGBT and Allies Caucus Holds Spring Meeting
One of the most often derided cliches of political journalism is to say “a lot is at stake in this election” but it is quite literally true this [...]
Why So Many Local Queer Folks Are Flocking to Mishpacha, Temple Beth Emeth’s Thriving LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
Ari Smith was a little worried when her rabbi called to ask her about something he was noticing in her part of the sanctuary during weekly services at Temple [...]
Why a Local Academic Is Fostering Queer Discussion and Community Through an Old-Fashioned Book Club
Queer books on public library shelves have come under fire across the country in recent years, but you wouldn’t know it at the Ypsilanti District Library [...]
Biden-Harris Campaign Launches LGBTQ+ Voter Initiative at Affirmations — How You Can Get Involved in the 2024 Election
The election season is officially heating up in Michigan, with a special focus on queer voters. On April 10, local and statewide community leaders and elected [...]
Tips on Selecting a Wedding Venue When You’re Stuck on the ‘Where’
One of the most critical decisions engaged couples will make is choosing a ceremony and reception venue. These choices will impact almost every other choice, so [...]
How the Recently Passed Michigan Family Protection Act Will Safeguard LGBTQ+ Parents and Families
Michigan Democrats have held a “trifecta” of power since late 2022 when the party flipped both chambers of the House and won the governorship and [...]
