Attorneys want $9.5 million for legal work on Oklahoma DHS lawsuit

Children's Rights, a New York-based group, asked a federal judge for $8,345,588 for its attorneys' time on the case and $912,711 for the group's legal expenses.

The group asked that a New York firm that helped in the case be paid $262,120 for the firm's expenses.

The advocacy group's executive director, Marcia Lowry, is seeking to be paid at a New York City rate of $700 an hour. Other attorneys are seeking to be paid from $175 to $375 an hour.

The attorneys argued their request is reasonable and that their dedicated work achieved a historic and life-altering result for Oklahoma's children.

“But for the dedication and resources of the lawyers of Children's Rights, none of these changes would have occurred,” attorneys told U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell in their application for payment. “This historic and comprehensive reform did not come easily. The defendants employed the full resources of the state to oppose the reformation.”

Tulsa attorney Frederic Dorwart, who also helped Children's Rights in the case, did not charge for any of his firm's time or expenses.

Officials at the Department of Human Services have budgeted only $4 million to pay the group.

Children's Rights sued DHS officials in 2008 in federal court in Tulsa. The group sued on behalf of the state's foster children.

The group alleged in the lawsuit that DHS policies and practices are so bad that neglected and abused children are being harmed or are at risk of harm at state shelters and foster homes.

DHS commissioners agreed to make reforms to its child-welfare operations when they voted in January to settle the lawsuit.