Case Details

Year Initiated/Committed

2004

Year Resolved

2004

Court

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Docket Number

C04-5341 RBL

Lead State

WA

Participating States

WA

Defendant(s)

Lewis, Robert; Sowder, James; Wear, Gerald; Yoseph,Robert

Case Description

Defendants are criminal defense attorneys in Clark County, Washington. Defendants organized a boycott by the criminal defense attorneys, in an effort to increase reimbursement rates. A written agreement appointed defendants as the exclusive bargaining representatives for rate negotiations. Prices for indigent criminal defense services increased. There was no integration of defendants’ practices. Injunctive relief prohibited defendants from jointly negotiating fees.