GreatAmerica Leasing Corp. v. Cool Comfort Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc.

STREIT, Justice.

Troubled that the State of Iowa pays attorneys only $50 per hour to defend the indigent in criminal cases, the district court limited a paralegal’s fee award in a civil case. The plaintiff seeking the fees now appeals. To the extent the district court adopted a policy capping litigation expenses for paralegals in civil cases, it abused its discretion. We reverse and remand for further proceedings.

I. Facts and Prior Proceedings

GreatAmeriea Leasing Corporation sued Cool Comfort Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Inc., after Cool Comfort breached a lease for a telephone system.…