Judge Stops Fee Pacts in Lead Paint Suit

In what could lead to a major setback for affirmative litigation in California, a Santa Clara County judge has told several cities and counties they can't contract with private lawyers on a contingency basis in their nuisance suit against lead paint manufacturers. The ruling by Judge Jack Komar says lawyers for the government are supposed to be neutral, a stance that's not possible when a contingency fee is riding on the outcome of their efforts.

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