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.
- 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.
- 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.