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DRAFT FOR ATTORNEY REVIEW — NOT FINAL

Quigley v. Winter, 598 F.3d 938 (2010)

Citation
Quigley v. Winter, 598 F.3d 938 (2010)
Parent Document
Quigley v. Winter, 598 F.3d 938 (2010)
Effective Date
2010-03-16

Other Sections in This Document (232)

Full Text

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The district court’s explanation for its award of attorney fees is puzzling. The court stated, “There is no need to discuss the lodestar calculations or the skill and experience of the plaintiffs lawyers.” Instead, the district court relied upon the “Kloberdanz theory.” This Kloberdanz theory apparently came from an unpublished district court case, United States v. Kloberdanz, No. CR 76-2013 (N.D.Iowa Nov. 30, 1976) (McManus, J.), which did not address the issue of attorney fees. According to the district court, Kloberdanz involved the criminal prosecution of a postal employee for theft, and the Kloberdanz court found there was no need for an excessive fine because, in the district court’s words, “it was a two bit case and he was going to receive a two bit fine.” The district court then noted Quigley’s case “is not a two bit case ... [but] there is still a matter of justice, there is still a matter of basic fairness, there is still a matter of equity.” The district court declared its belief that it was “appropriate to determine or consider the effect on [Winter], whether he can pay [the attorney fees] or not.” The district court concluded, “[W]hile they certainly are good lawyers and they certainly did a good job, ... attorney fees in the sum of $20,000.00 are appropriate.”