Lawyers in caucus case charge as much as $275 an hour
10:24 AM 10/30/01
AP, State Journal staff
Lawyers representing legislative employees accused of illegal campaigning have billed the state as much as $275 an hour, according to recently released records.
That's "a little on the high end" said Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard, who is leading an investigation of the employees.
Names of caucus workers under investigation were deleted from the billing records. But the records confirmed that a secret court proceeding, known as a "John Doe" hearing was held recently in Dane County. Several bills said clients were involved in the hearing.
The bills also showed that soaring legal costs from the investigations had reached $119,375 Monday.
The lawyers include some of the Madison area's most politically connected lawyers. Several charged more than $200 an hour, with one - John Walsh of the Madison law firm Axley Brynelson - asking $275 an hour.
"That is a high rate for even specialized legal work in Madison, Wis.," Blanchard said.
A recent survey by the State Bar of Wisconsin determined the average hourly lawyer fee in the state was $146, although the actual figure varies according to location, experience and area of practice.
Blanchard and Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann are investigating allegations that caucus staffers violated state law by doing campaign work on state time or with state resources.
Madison attorney Stephen Eisenberg said he didn't find the costs exorbitant. While he is charging $200 an hour, he defended his rates and those of other attorneys because experienced lawyers can spend less time on a case.
"Depending on your experience and your relationships with people who are in the seat of power, I don't think that's an unreasonable amount," he said. "Is cheaper always better or more cost effective? Not in some situations."