Business Insider reports that, in addition to the $5 million, Lindell will also have to pay the guy’s attorney fees. A federal judge has ordered Lindell to pay Zeidman $4,508 in attorney fees. Zeidman had initially sought as much as $12,800 for approximately 16 billed hours, but the judge ruled that some of Zeidman’s legal discovery requests were “overly broad”
Sure, but this was legitimate. Lindell admitted he had no intention to pay the 5 million, he just wanted to gin up free publicity.
He thought that “since you can’t prove a negative” that he wouldn’t have to pay. The judge in the case however found that since the data was literally technical gibberish, that the plaintiff proved that it could not be what Lindell had claimed it was, and was owed the promised payout.
That’s not super high. Maybe a teensy bit above average, but every speciality is different. Some fields of law bill at just a few hundred bucks an hour, while others regularly go that high.
They left the best part out of the headline
His lawyer bills $800/hr? Jesus Christ, who did he hire? That seems insane to me.
5 million dollars is on the line. Paying 10k to get it is a good investment.
The lawyer probably did it on spec. He promised 5 mill to anyone who proved him wrong.
16 hours of work that gets paid by Lindell for a very-easy win? Absolutely.
one of the reasons the justice system favors the wealthy
You just explained the essence of Nigerian scam.
Sure, but this was legitimate. Lindell admitted he had no intention to pay the 5 million, he just wanted to gin up free publicity.
He thought that “since you can’t prove a negative” that he wouldn’t have to pay. The judge in the case however found that since the data was literally technical gibberish, that the plaintiff proved that it could not be what Lindell had claimed it was, and was owed the promised payout.
That’s not super high. Maybe a teensy bit above average, but every speciality is different. Some fields of law bill at just a few hundred bucks an hour, while others regularly go that high.
Good lawyers aren’t cheap, and in the grand scheme of things are well worth the money when they win.
That’s cheap.