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Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Ind. Courts - "Geist lawyers backing out"
That is what the headline reads today, to John Tuohy's story in the Indianapolis Star that begins:
Legal proceedings in Fishers' battle to annex 2,200 homes near Geist Reservoir hit a snag Tuesday when the homeowners' attorneys said they want out.An opponent of annexation said they wanted more cash.
"They wanted a $75,000 retainer, and we don't want to pay that," said Joe Weingarten, a member of Geist United Opposition.
The attorneys for Krieg DeVault, Carmel, wrote in a filing to Hamilton Superior Court Judge Steven Nation that "the attorney-client relationship with the petitioners has been terminated and has become untenable."
The attorneys asked that a trial date in two weeks be pushed back 30 days.
Attorney Brian J. Zaiger, who filed the motion, could not be reached for comment, nor could co-counsels Robert Schein and Matthew Strzynski.
Geist United representative Rachel Quade said the group would hire another lawyer to continue the case if needed but said "we are still hoping that we can work something out" with Krieg DeVault.
Donations from homeowners pay Geist United's legal fees -- $100,000 to Krieg DeVault over two years, Quade said. The group still has money on hand, but Quade would not divulge how much. She estimated the trial and appeals would cost another $100,000.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on September 17, 2008 07:52 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts