- 33 - of Chief Counsel in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mr. Hochman has been practicing law since at least 1982. Respondent asks reimbursement at a rate of $200 an hour for Mr. Hochman’s time. Mr. Sulla does not question the reasonableness of that rate. All of the hours claimed for Mr. Hochman were expended after Mr. Sulla filed the status report. We believe that 21.75 hours was reasonably necessary for Mr. Hochman to do the work he described. We find that $200 is a reasonable hourly charge for Mr. Hochman’s time and that he reasonably expended 21.75 excess hours on this litigation. The lodestar amount for Mr. Hochman’s time is $4,350. The total lodestar amount for the time of Mr. Lau and Mr. Hochman is $10,500. Respondent has not itemized costs for travel expense, photocopying, or supplies used in preparing the cases. Respondent limits his request for costs to the total lodestar amount. We shall require Mr. Sulla to pay costs in that amount. 5. Conclusion We find that $10,500 is a reasonable amount for respondent’s excess attorney’s fees incurred by reason of Mr. Sulla’s unreasonable and vexatious multiplication of these proceedings. Therefore, we shall make the order to show cause absolute and order Mr. Sulla personally to pay respondent $10,500 pursuant to section 6673(a)(2), that he make payment by means of a certified check, cashier’s check, or money order in favor of the InternalPage: Previous 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011