Law Firms
Colo. Governor Gave No-Bid Contract to Hogan & Hartson, His Ex-Firm
Posted Jul 14, 2009 7:21 AM CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter hired his former law firm, Hogan & Hartson, to analyze the federal stimulus bill and make sure the state gets its share of federal funds.
Ritter hired Hogan & Hartson under a no-bid contract and has so far used $40,000 in federal funds to pay the firm, the Denver Post reports.
The Colorado attorney general’s office had offered to do the analysis for only $75 an hour, but Hogan & Hartson was better qualified to handle the work, the governor’s economic recovery team spokeswoman Myung Oak Kim told the Denver Post.
Lawyers at Hogan & Hartson are charging the state $290 or $450 an hour, a discounted rate, the story says.
Ritter joined Hogan & Hartson in February 2005 after serving as Denver’s district attorney for 12 years, the Am Law Daily reports. He stayed with the firm for a year before leaving to run for governor.
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Comments
Bean Counter
Jul 14, 2009 2:15 PM CST
I am sure that Colorado has the budget to pay a higher rate for legal services. Similar to other states who can afford to have a widening budget gap for inter-governmental fights. Bravo governor! Bravo! For a fine job well done.
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B. McLeod
Jul 14, 2009 11:38 PM CST
Maybe the furloughs, freezes and budget cuts freed up funds to cover this. Not yet reported - did the firm contribute to his campaign?
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Summpump
Jul 15, 2009 8:41 AM CST
I believe the governor realizes that he needs a nice, lucrative job to fall back on once his term has expired. I am certain that Hogan & Hartson will find a way to show its gratitude for the “good governance” performed by Mr Ritter, once his term expires
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