In a compelling display of legal acumen, Keller Postman and McKool Smith have submitted billing statements to the State of Texas amounting to a combined $136 million. The fees are the result of their instrumental role in securing a substantial settlement of $1.4 billion from Meta, a case arising from the unauthorized use of Texans’ facial recognition data.
Keller Postman reported expending approximately 28,000 billable hours on the case, translating into $93.36 million in fees along with an additional $3.29 million to cover reimbursable expenses. Information regarding these numbers was disclosed following a request under Texas’ public records law. Meanwhile, McKool Smith, whose partners took on a significant portion of the workload, billed for half the number of hours, requesting $42.6 million in fees.
The substantial financial demand reflects the intricacies and demands of the high-profile legal battle against Meta. Legal practitioners should note that the fees, reportedly as high as $945 per hour before being multiplied by four, reinforce the significant financial commitment and strategic prowess required to navigate such complex litigation. The fee calculation factor also aligns with common contingency fee practices in large settlement cases.
This legal victory comes amidst growing global concerns over privacy and data protection, further spotlighting the integral role law firms play in safeguarding individuals’ rights against technological misuse. As privacy regulations evolve, the case against Meta may serve as a significant precedent for similar future legal actions.
For those monitoring developments in legal responses to technology company practices, this case underscores the increasingly significant role of legal professionals in steering corporate behaviors towards compliance in the burgeoning digital age.
The full article with further details is available on Bloomberg Law.