11th Circuit OKs Follies Strip Club's $10K Verdict That Netted $280K in Legal Fe

Mar 21, 2019, 8:24 PM

The Eleventh Circuit upheld a jury’s determination that DeKalb County police officers violated the rights of Follies nude dancing club during a warrantless raid in which nearly three-dozen officers, some dressed in battle fatigues and masks, swarmed the club, handcuffed its co-owners and photographed each dancer. A jury last year awarded just over $10,000 to the club, but Northern District Judge Leigh May granted almost $280,000 in attorney fees and expenses to their lawyers, Edmond, Lindsay & Atkins partner William Atkins; Wiggins Law Group principal Cary Wiggins; and Zack Greenamyre with Mitchell & Shapiro.

The fee award has since accrued interest and is now about $286,000, and Atkinson said they plan to seek an award of their appeal costs, as well. Georgia courts are not always the most hospitable places for adult businesses, and Atkinson hailed the jury and judges for looking past any preconceptions in ruling for his clients.

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goldmongerATL6 years ago

So does a ruling like that in pocket protect them from future fucking with by the city and county? I'm talking reality. Does it protect them or doom them?

Papi_Chulo6 years ago

It's not often a club can stand up against the government and win - the result may be worth more than the $10k.

Hopefully there will be people willing and able to push back against all this anti adult-work BS.

JamesSD6 years ago

It likely will make LE seek a warrant first. That's not always that hard to get, but certainly increases the odds of a tip off

jackslash6 years ago

It's interesting how the lawyers always get more money than the injured party.

shadowcat6 years ago

Follies also has 2 pending law suits against the city of Chamblee. One for the same type of raid that DeKalb county conducted. The other over new rules aimed at shutting the club down. One of the co owners is a retired attorney that worked at the Wiggins Law offices that were part of this suit.

twentyfive6 years ago

@Jackslash I was thinking the exact same thing!

Hank Moody6 years ago

In this case the lawyers are the injured party, or at least the follies owners have a clear and close relationship to the law firm as Shadow pointed out. Follies didn’t appeal the case to get $10k. They appealed the case to try and hold their ground in a jurisdiction that is trying to put them out of business. Follies made the decision to risk paying $280k in legal fees and losing. They were rewarded and won but risking $280k to win $10k is not a decision based on the money paid to Follies. Lawyers are often bottom feeders but that’s not the case here.

twentyfive6 years ago

^ when did logic have anything to do with this;)