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28 ¦ JULY 27, 2020 VERDI CTS & SETTLEMENTS

Nearly $189,000 in Attorney Fees Awarded
in Connecticut Employment Lawsuit

By Robert Storace

P Delivery driver/courtesy photo
laintiffs attorney Michael Petela Jr. was suc- “The thing that professionals, even judges, of-
cessful in reaching a $233,450 settlement in a ten misunderstand about employment law cases is
class-action employment case in January. But thinking that fees have to be proportionate to the
he knew that seeking almost as much money in at- damages for the individuals,” Petela said. “It’s that
torney fees was going to be an uphill battle. way in cases like personal injury, where attorney fees
The defense in Poli v. NEHDS Logistics had argued are no more than one-third of the damages awarded.
that the $188,942 in attorney fees Petela sought was Employment cases are a different kind of law and
excessive and disproportionate to the settlement. take a little bit more time to litigate.”
Petela, a trial attorney with Hayber, McKenna & Petela continued: “Even many judges think
Dinsmore in Hartford, said it wouldn’t have been proportionality is relevant in all cases, but it’s not ac-
unusual for an arbitrator or a judge to agree with the cording to our jurisprudence. This ruling certainly
defense. adds to the body of law that attorney fees don’t have

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