Post by Sapphire Capital on Jul 6, 2014 4:16:38 GMT 4
Chapter 93A Permits the Recovery of Legal Fees for In-House Counsel's Work
In Holland v. Jachmann, 85 Mass. App. Ct. 292 (2014), the Appeals Court concluded that the trial court has discretion under G.L. c. 93A to award attorneys' fees for legal work performed by in-house counsel. In this case of first impression, the Court noted that the General Counsel "actively participated at all stages of this matter as lead counsel." The Court noted by contrast the case of Arthur D. Little Intl., Inc. v. Dooyang Corp., 995 F.Supp. 217, 225 (D.Mass.1998), where there was no fee award for in-house counsel who "was merely the client," with little participation in the trial proceedings.
In Holland v. Jachmann, 85 Mass. App. Ct. 292 (2014), the Appeals Court concluded that the trial court has discretion under G.L. c. 93A to award attorneys' fees for legal work performed by in-house counsel. In this case of first impression, the Court noted that the General Counsel "actively participated at all stages of this matter as lead counsel." The Court noted by contrast the case of Arthur D. Little Intl., Inc. v. Dooyang Corp., 995 F.Supp. 217, 225 (D.Mass.1998), where there was no fee award for in-house counsel who "was merely the client," with little participation in the trial proceedings.
