Heller Memo

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTFOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIADICK ANTHONY HELLER, et al.,)Case No. 03-CV-0213-EGS)Plaintiffs,)

MEMORANDUM OF

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POINTS AND AUTHORITIES

v.)

IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFF’S

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MOTION FOR ATTORNEY

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, et al.,)

FEES AND COSTS

)Defendants.) ____________________________________)

MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT OFPLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTSCOME NOW

Plaintiff Dick Anthony Heller and his undersigned counsel, and submittheir Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff’s Motion for Attorney Fees and Costs.Dated:August 25, 2008Respectfully submitted,Alan Gura (D.C. Bar No. 453449)Gura & Possessky, PLLCRobert A. Levy (D.C. Bar No. 447137)Clark M. Neily, III (D.C. Bar No. 475926)101 N. Columbus Street, Suite 405Alexandria, VA 22314Phone: 703.835.9085Fax:703.997.7665By:___/s/Alan Gura___________________ Alan GuraAttorneys for Plaintiffs

Case 1:03-cv-00213-EGS Document 42 Filed 08/25/2008 Page 1 of 38

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES.....................................................iiINTRODUCTION..............................................................1STATEMENT OF FACTS.......................................................2SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT....................................................4ARGUMENT..................................................................6I.PLAINTIFF’S COUNSEL ARE ENTITLED TO RECOVER THEIR FEES PURSUANT TO 42 U.S.C. § 1988...............................6II.THE TIME SUBMITTED BY COUNSEL WAS REASONABLY NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN THE LITIGATION...................7III.THE HOURLY RATES PROFFERED BY PLAINTIFFS ARECONSISTENT WITH ESTABLISHED RATES FOR SIMILAR WORK IN THE WASHINGTON, DC MARKET FOR LEGAL SERVICES.........10A.The Attorneys’ Billing Practices......................................10B.The Attorneys’ Skill, Experience, and Reputation........................12C.The Prevailing Market Rates in the Community..........................15IV.COUNSEL ARE ENTITLED TO ENHANCEMENT OFTHEIR FEE FOR PROVIDING HIGH QUALITYREPRESENTATION IN A CASE OF EXCEPTIONAL SUCCESS................24V.COUNSEL IS ENTITLED TO HIS REASONABLEEXPENSES IN ADVANCING THIS LITIGATION............................31CONCLUSION...............................................................32

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TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

STATUTES20 U.S.C. § 1415(i)(3)(C).......................................................2542 U.S.C. § 1988 ..........................................................passimCOURT RULESSup. Ct. R. 43.3...............................................................31CASES

Am. Lands Alliance

v.

Norton