Should Any South Florida Lawyer Charge More Than $1000 An Hour?

Hey, what a surprise -- they've printed all the love notes between SC Governor Sanford and his Argentinian mistress!

I particularly like this one:

“…please sleep soundly knowing that despite the best efforts of my head my heart cries out for you, your voice, your body, the touch of your lips, the touch of your finger tips and an even deeper connection to your soul.”

Man, that dude is smooth! Even I'm getting a little turned on.

I understand the Governor -- who gave an A+ press conference BTW -- has not decided whether he will step down, even though he voted for three articles of impeachment against President Clinton based on Sanford's demand for "moral legitimacy."

Oh well, the heart wants what the heart wants, right?

So, slightly late to the party, Patrick Danner files the 315th adoring profile of Miami White & Case bankruptcy attorney Thomas E. Lauria.

One tidbit that came out of Patrick's story -- Tom bills at $1050 an hour.

Should any Miami lawyer bill that much?

Bankruptcy lawyers, help me out here -- Tom has billed millions of dollars to hard-hit pensioners in what Bruce Rogow politely describes as a "quixotic venture" to derail the Chrysler reorganization, with little tangible signs of success -- strike that, there has been a huge elevation in Tom's profile.

Listen, I'm in favor of lawyers making money as much as anybody else, but I'm having some trouble understanding what Tom has achieved in this representation. Has he improved the negotiating position for the pension funds?

What exactly is the end game here?