Opinion ID: 341476
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Class Fee

Text: It is understood that the above hourly rate ($35.00) and initial retainer is substantially less than would normally be charged for a matter of this nature. The proposed action will be filed as a class action on behalf of a class of community mental health centers, as well as the National Council. If, as a result of this litigation, a substantial benefit is conferred upon the plaintiff class, it is agreed that we will apply to the Court for an appropriate fee award from those class members benefiting therefrom. The Court-determined counsel fee would not be drawn in any measure from the National Council, whose obligations are fully stated in the preceding paragraph. In determining the appropriate amount of counsel fees to be awarded with respect to class members, the Court will be advised of and take into account the amount of funds provided by the National Council. Wagshal Brief at 12 n.15. 6 NCCMHC II, 387 F.Supp. at 993 7 Id. at 993-94 n.1 8 See also F. D. Rich Co. v. United States ex rel. Industrial Lumber Co., 417 U.S. 116, 129-30, 94 S.Ct. 2157, 40 L.Ed.2d 703 (1974); Hall v. Cole, 412 U.S. 1, 4-5, 93 S.Ct. 1943, 36 L.Ed.2d 702 (1973); Fleischmann Distilling Corp. v. Maier Brewing Co., 386 U.S. 714, 718-19, 87 S.Ct. 1404, 18 L.Ed.2d 475 (1967) 9 (F)unds can be 'expended' only by disbursing them to grantees pursuant to a billing for costs incurred, or a request for an advance payment for costs to be incurred, in the operation of grant supported projects. J.A. at 432 10 42 C.F.R. § 54.309 (1975) 11 NCCMHC II, 387 F.Supp. at 994. See also Sprague v. Ticonic National Bank, 307 U.S. 161, 164-65, 59 S.Ct. 777, 83 L.Ed. 1184 (1939); Lafferty v. Humphrey, 101 U.S.App.D.C. 222, 248 F.2d 82, 84, cert. denied sub nom. Benton County v. Lafferty, 355 U.S. 869, 78 S.Ct. 118, 2 L.Ed.2d 75 (1957) 12 NCCMHC II, 387 F.Supp. at 994 13 Lafferty v. Humphrey, supra, 248 F.2d at 84 14 The Supreme Court has recently recognized (but not resolved) the conflict arising between 28 U.S.C. § 2412 and judicially-created exceptions to the American rule when the United States or an agency thereof is a party to the litigation. Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. v. Wilderness Society, 421 U.S. 240, 265-68, 95 S.Ct. 1612, 44 L.Ed.2d 141 (1975) 15 NCCMHC II, 387 F.Supp. at 993-94 16 See also Dawson, Lawyers and Involuntary Clients in Public Interest Litigation, 88 Harv.L.Rev. 849 (1975)