Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. v. State

Appellants Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. (“Searcy Den-ney”), et al. appeal the refusal of the guardianship court to authorize payment of $2.5 million in attorneys’ fees to the firms involved in the litigation of a medical malpractice lawsuit, the appeal, and a subsequent lobbying effort to secure a claims bill (also deemed a “private relief act”) from the Legislature on behalf of Aaron Edwards and his parents. The legislative claims bill placed a limitation on the use of funds to pay legal fees and costs, and it is this limitation that is the subject of the instant appeal.…