Download Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law here.

Link to previous coverage here.

Ramah Final Approval Order Feb 24 2016

Ramah Final Approval Opinion Feb 24 2016

Dear Respected Tribal Leaders:

Earlier today, Judge Parker issued a final order approving the $940,000,000 Ramah class action settlement against the BIA.  We have attached the Order and Opinion. 

Congratulations to all of Indian Country!  It has been an honor and a privilege to be part of the team representing you and we look forward to implementing the settlement as quickly as possible.

As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions. 

Respectfully,

Lloyd, Don, and Lia

Hearing on Final Approval of Final Settlement Agreement (Doc. No. 1334) and on Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs (Doc. Nos. 1313 and 1335)

Things heat up on page 10 when attorneys call as a witness Professor Brian Fitzpatrick of Vanderbilt Law School to convince the court that 8.5% in attorney’s fees is fair when the Lodestar method would have awarded slightly less.  Ramah Class was awarded $940 million so that means $79 million will be fees.  Since class counsel spent just under 20,000 hours on the case the rate comes out to just under $4k/hour.  The court didn’t conduct its own Lodestar check.