CONNECTICUT SUPREME COURT AFFIRMS ATTORNEYS FEES AWARD IN HATE CRIMES CASE

BRIDGEPORT, CT, February 14, 2006 - The Connecticut Supreme Court has affirmed a December 2004 trial court ruling, awarding over $65,000 in attorneys' fees to the Bridgeport-based law firm of Cohen and Wolf, P.C. for its successful representation of an inter-racial family that was victimized by their white neighbors.

In August, 2004, a Derby Superior Court jury found in the plaintiffs' favor, concluding that Wilfred and Michelle Chaisson, formerly of Milford, violated a Connecticut statute that prohibits intimidation based on bigotry or bias, General Statutes Section 52-571c. In reaching this verdict, the jury determined that the Chaissons threatened to do physical harm to the plaintiffs or to their property, and that, in doing so, they acted maliciously and with the specific intent to harass the plaintiffs based on their race.

Following the verdict, plaintiff's counsel filed an application with the trial court for an award of attorneys' fees, based on the jury finding in favor of the plaintiffs on their civil hate crimes claims. Despite the award of only "nominal" damages on these counts of their complaint, the trial court and the Supreme Court both concluded that because the plaintiffs were the "prevailing parties," they were entitled to an award of attorneys' fees. Both courts found that based upon the complexity of the case, the level of service provided to the plaintiffs by their counsel and the important public policy supported by the hate crimes statutes, an attorneys fees award of this magnitude was warranted. Plaintiff's counsel views this ruling as the final chapter in a terrible experience for their clients.

According to plaintiff's attorney Stuart Katz, "We are obviously pleased that the Supreme Court agreed with Judge Lager's ruling and upheld the attorneys' fees award. We look forward to collecting the entire judgment so that our clients move on past this horrible episode in their lives." Attorneys Stuart M. Katz. and Ari J. Hoffman represented the plaintiffs in the trial of this matter. Attorney Barbara M. Schellenberg argued the appeal.