Talk about walking off with the store!
The lawyers who scored a $3.5 million overtime deal for Gristedes supermarket workers will get paid even more than that themselves, a judge ruled yesterday.
Manhattan federal Judge Paul Crotty awarded $3.4 million-plus in legal fees to the law firm of Outten & Golden and nearly $450,000 in costs dating to 2004.
Crotty rejected Gristedes’ arguments that the law firm which specializes in class-action, labor-law cases should be limited to one-third of its clients’ recovery.
He noted the vigorous approach to litigating this case ” by the supermarket chain and its billionaire owner, John Catsimatidis, saying, They cannot now complain as to the amount that plaintiffs were forced to expend in response. ”
It looks like this particular judge just hates us, ” fumed Catsimatidis, a potential mayoral candidate.
He blasted the decision as outrageous ” and totally unfair, ” adding that he will likely appeal.
Outten & Golden partner Justin Swartz said the firm was pleased ” with the ruling.