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Judge wants to hear $6.5M deal with Hawaii law firm
Judge asks Settlement Fund Trustee to present update on Fund status
U.S. District Court for the NMI designated judge Frances M. Tydingco-Gatewood will hear next week a joint motion to approve the $6.5-million settlement agreement with Betty Johnson’s Hawaii-based counsel Bronster Hoshibata law firm.
In an order on Friday, Tydingco-Gatewood said she will hear on Sept. 9 the motion to approve the fee agreement between Bronster Hoshibata and the CNMI government.
Tydingco-Gatewood said there are two other pending matters before the court: the final motion for attorney’s fees filed by Johnson’s San Rafael, Calif.-based counsel, Timothy R. Lord, and the motion for approval of the settlement agreement between Johnson’s original counsel, Bruce Jorgensen, and the CNMI government.
The judge placed both motions under advisement but said she does not believe a further hearing is necessary for these two.
After the hearing on Bronster Hoshibata’s fee agreement, the Settlement Fund trustee, Civille and Tang law firm, through its principal representative Joyce C. H. Tang, shall present an update on the status of the Settlement Fund.
Gov. Eloy S. Inos, Finance Secretary Larrisa Larson, the CNMI government, and Finance, through assistant attorney general Teresita J. Sablan, recently informed the court that they join Bronster Hoshibata’s motion for approval of the attorney’s fee deal.
Sablan said the Commonwealth maintains its position that Bronster Hoshibata law firm’s fees should be limited to the lodestar amount without a multiplier.
However, Sablan said, the Commonwealth also recognizes that Tydingco-Gatewood could award an amount greater than the lodestar.
The Inos administration has agreed to settle Bronster Hoshibata’s petition for attorney’s fees and costs for payment of $6.5 million (to be paid over three years).
Bronster Hoshibata’s original demand was for $17.5 million to be paid through installment.
The administration also settled for $185,000 and $800,000 the petitions for attorney’s fees and costs filed by Johnson’s other counsels Stephen C. Woodruff and Jorgensen, respectively.
The court had already approved Woodruff’s settlement deal. Jorgensen’s and Bronster Hoshibata’s settlements are still subject to court’s approval.
Lord’s initial demand for payment of fees was either $3.6 million or $5.9 million. The CNMI opposed paying any fees to Lord.
