Judge Holmes Tells Little Rock Lawyers to Pay Up

Judge P.K. Holmes III said in a recent order that he has "a strong impression" that attorneys Josh Sanford and Steve Rauls, shown in order on right, have directed most of their efforts "toward obtaining a settlement for Plaintiffs that includes a large fee award for attorneys appearing from the Sanford Law Firm."

The chief federal judge for the Western District of Arkansas recently ordered two Little Rock lawyers to pay a total of $4,586 in costs and fees related to two of their clients not showing up for depositions.

If you recall, in June U.S. District Judge P.K. Holmes III sanctioned lawyers Josh Sanford and Steve Rauls of the Sanford Law Firm and ordered them to pay expenses related to their no-show clients.

They represent plaintiffs in a 2016 lawsuit alleging that the Gregory Kistler Treatment Center Inc. of Fort Smith failed to pay overtime.

Sanford told Whispers last week that he doesn’t plan to fight the sanctions.

“About 20 people joined this case, and it is possible that we will settle this case in our clients’ favor,” Sanford said in an email last week.

“We always aim to put our clients first and to get cases resolved. … We are focused on giving our clients the best chance to win their case.”

An attorney for Gregory Kistler Treatment Center, S. Brent Wakefield, was seeking $6,086 for attorneys’ fees and costs in connection with the two depositions that he wasn’t able to take.

Holmes said in his order that the deposition-related expenses will be paid by Rauls and the motion-related expenses will be paid by Sanford. Holmes awarded Wakefield $4,086 for the costs and fees related to the depositions, which is what he requested.

Holmes also awarded $500 for the costs related to Wakefield’s motion asking for the sanctions, instead of the $2,000 that he sought.

“Considering the length and complexity of the motion, the Court finds that Defendant’s counsel claimed more hours than necessary for drafting the motion,” Holmes wrote.

Wakefield, who practices with the Barber Law Firm in Little Rock, declined to comment.