Federal jury exonerates one police officer, awards damages of only $15,000 against another; court slices requested attorneys fees award by almost 90%

In Alanna Stone v Police Department and Two Police Officers (S.D.N.Y.), after the criminal case for disorderly conduct against her was dismissed, plaintiff filed a civil rights lawsuit against the two arresting officers and their department claiming wrongful arrest and police brutality, and seeking both compensatory and punitive damages. The jury exonerated one officer and found that, although the other officer should not have arrested her, there was no police brutality. It awarded plaintiff only $15,000 in compensatory damages and no punitive damages. Prior to trial plaintiff's counsel had demanded $500,000 to settle the matter, and in summation, asked the jury to award damages of $1 million. After the trial, plaintiff's counsel sought legal fees of approximately $470,000 and legal costs of approximately $28,000. The court awarded plaintiff's counsel only $50,000 in fees and $25,000 in costs. The LCBF team was lead by Ron Joseph and included Bill Ballaine and Tina Bhatt.