'Lemon Law King' Blasts New Law Limiting Attorney Fees, Says He Won’t Represent Republicans
A Milwaukee lawyer who calls himself the “lemon law king” is vowing to never take on a Republican client because of a new law limiting attorney fees in Wisconsin.
The lawyer, Vince Megna, apparently inspired Wisconsin lawmakers to pass the bill that he so abhors, the Associated Press reports. Megna was awarded more than $150,000 in attorney fees in a $12,500 damages settlement with a car dealership accused of performing unauthorized repairs on a truck. Republican critics—including the sponsor of the bill—deemed the fee excessive.
Gov. Scott Walker signed the measure into law on Wednesday. It establishes a presumption that a reasonable attorney fee is no more than three times the damages awarded, the Journal Times reports. Judges determining reasonable fees must consider factors such as the time and labor involved, and the novelty and difficulty of the case.
In a statement issued on Monday, Megna compared Wisconsin to North Korea. He told the Associated Press in a phone interview that it was unfair to cap fees for consumer attorneys, but not for corporations seeking to prolong lawsuits.
Prior coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Wis. Bill Would Limit Contingent Attorney Fees to Three Times Plaintiff’s Damages”
