Department of Transportation v. Randolph

This is a condemnation case in which defendants obtained judgment on a jury verdict significantly in excess of the good-faith offer of just compensation made by plaintiff Michigan Department of Transportation. Defendants sought reimbursement of their attorney fees under MCL 213.66(3); MSA 8.265(16)(3). Although defendants and their counsel had a contingent fee agreement providing for payment of one-third of the amount by which the judgment exceeded the department’s offer, the trial court ordered reimbursement to be made on the basis of the actual hours expended by counsel multiplied by…