Arkansas Blog: Follow the Wal-Mart lawyers' money

Federal Judge Bill Wilson put his signature yesterday on a previously announced $17.5 million settlement of a lawsuit against Wal-Mart alleging race discrimination in hiring of truck drivers. It's a big win, not just in payments to a class of plaintiffs, but better jobs and, very important, a change in future employment practices.

But enough of that. Our nosy readers had a question not addressed in news coverage.

The judge signed off on paying up to 36 percent of the settlement --
$6.2 million -- in attorney fees (33 percent of the award) and litigation costs. Settlement language is on the jump. The named plaintiffs' lawyers: John Walker, Hank Bates and Chip Welch. They may have firm members to share fees with. One tangle remains to be resolved by the judge. Little Rock lawyer Ricky Hicks is claiming a portion of the settlement for bringing a client to Walker for the case.

FRM THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

The Company has agreed not to object to the Class Counsel’s application for reasonable attorneys’ fees, litigation expenses, and costs so long as such application does not exceed the amount of $6,283,000 for work performed and costs and expenses incurred through the termination of this Consolidated Litigation. Included in this amount is $5,833,000 (one third of the QSF) for attorneys’ fees and up to $450,000 for litigation costs and expenses incurred by Class Counsel. This amount fully satisfies any arguable obligation the Company may have to pay attorneys’ fees, litigation expenses, and costs for and on behalf of the Plaintiffs, Class Representatives and the Settlement Class for any and all work performed and costs and expenses incurred through and including Final Approval.

Comments

OMG you hate Wal-Mart, too?

I'm sorry, but when is the last time you saw a truck driver that wasn't a white guy?

BORING.

Posted by: Santa | July 9, 2009 09:52 AM

Dear Santa Douche:

Ummmm, all the time? Unless you're only talking about Wal-Mart. You must not get out much?

Posted by: Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler | July 9, 2009 10:08 AM

Well, I don't know how much the advertising / production company who made this ad received, but if you buy your cases of Evian water at Wal-Mart (or even if you don't) you'll enjoy.

Drink plenty of water in this heat. And chill out with clicky before getting all serious again.

Posted by: NormaBates | July 9, 2009 10:21 AM

I am so off-topic this morning, Razorbabies, but I'm adding to my iPod and want to SHARE, as that's my Life Mission and stuff.

So I'm putting this and my previous post in the currently top thread whilst regretting not attending law school so I could be sharing in the $6.2 million attorney fees. But one cannot live in the past.

If you didn't attend Michael Jackson's Memorial Service, here is the last and forever final word about it from me. (My only other brief comment was on the day he died.)

You can cut through the fat and clutter of the Memorial Service, all the celebrity eulogies and the overwrought Mariah Carey and over-produced Jennifer Hudson . . . and get to the 3:21 heart of it at clicky.

Here, at clicky, are the only 3:21 seconds that really mattered, or that will still be played fifty years from now. Usher singing "Gone Too Soon."

If you want it on your video iPod after playing it at clicky, Tooble it there. Tooble is free, fast and flawless. Here's the link:

http://tooble.tv/

Okay. Back to blogger battles, babies!

Posted by: NormaBates | July 9, 2009 11:15 AM

I suppose this sends a message to Chickenopolis' J.B. Hunt Trucking too.

And that secret highway from Mexico to Canada that Bush was building on the sly, will
call for more Hispanics behind the wheels. Uno Americono!

Posted by: eLwood | July 9, 2009 11:56 AM

Arkansas Blog

Follow the Wal-Mart lawyers' money

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