Kansas City attorneys file motion for attorney's fees in Melissa

Kansas City attorneys in a successful $2.1 million employment discrimination lawsuit are seeking more than $225,000 in fees.

Mark Jess, who represented Melissa Howard, filed a motion April 23 to collect attorney's fees from the city of Kansas City. Howard, a Clay County prosecutor, had alleged that the city council did not hire her for a municipal judgeship because they wanted a minority candidate.

A Platte County jury awarded her $633,000 in actual damages and $1.5 million in punitive damages. The case was originally filed in July 2007.

According to court documents, Jess requested $90,000 in fees, as well as about $131,000 in fees for Brian Niceswanger, Howard's previous counsel. About $3,700 was requested for expense reimbursement.

The filing expands upon the request by stating that both Jess and Niceswanger seek $400 per hour for the time invested in the case.

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