The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a Georgia case to decide if it is legal for a judge to award winning lawyers extra pay based on a determination that the lawyers did an exceptionally good job. The case is an appeal of an award by a U.S. District Court judge, Marvin Shoob, who awarded the lawyers $10.5 million in attorney fees – an increase of $4.5 million over the $6 million award in the case.

The case involved a class action suit brought by child advocate lawyers to improve conditions in Georgia’s foster care system. It was settled by the state in 2005, leading to the hiring of 500 additional child welfare workers, and improvements in abuse investigations, overcrowded conditions in foster homes, and worker case loads. Judge Shoob felt the extra compensation was due to the lawyers based on their success despite the state’s resistance to reform.

Source: http://www.breakinglegalnews.com/entry/Court-to-decide-if-good-lawyers-can-get-more-money