In today’s Nashville Tennessean , Nate Rau and Michael Case reported that legal fees for the Nashville Convention Center have surpassed $1.1 million. Some firms have charged between $250.00 and $600.00 per hour. Here is my suggestion to solve this problem. Hire criminal defense attorneys to do the work.Here’s why.

  1. Court appointed criminal defense lawyers get paid by the State of Tennessee $40 to $50 per hour to defend citizens lives and freedom.It is a bargain rather than paying someone $600.00 per hour.
  2. Criminal Defense Lawyers are a scrappy bunch.

Miller and Martin made almost $900,000 in fees. Metro also First Tennessee lawyer’s $60,000.

The point is it’s high time to reevaluate the money paid to attorneys who are appointed to represent indigent criminal defendants. TACDL has filed a petition before the Tennessee Supreme Court to increase the fees. Tennessee criminal defense lawyers who are appointed to a case get paid squat with a cap on the total amount of fees.These high priced lawyers wouldn’t take off their silk stockings for $40.00 per hour. For now maybe Metro Nashville should hire criminal defense lawyers to do the job or use Metro Legal.