An expert witness charging $1,000 per hour was the star attraction last week at the malpractice trial of law firm Thompson Coburn.
Over the previous three weeks, Madison County Circuit Judge Daniel Stack had been lucky to have a single spectator in his courtroom to witness the legal malpractice case against Thompson Coburn.That changed dramatically February 27, as Stack's third floor courtroom was jammed with legal professionals from every field: trial attorneys, probate lawyers, prosecutors, public defenders and even judges came by to witness the day's proceedings.
The expert witness, attorney Tom Keefe, took the stand to explain to jurors why, in his opinion, Thompson Coburn committed malpractice while representing Magna Bank. He said he agreed to appear to "make amends for the two-week brain fart" he had when he represented fellow lawyer Stephen Tillery in a case years ago and is donating his appearance fee to charity.
The trial originally began on Feb. 4 and was slated to last four to six weeks. But lengthy examinations by Rex Carr and the constant objections and fierce bickering are slowing progress in one of the most dramatic and complicated civil trials ever held in Madison County.
From the Madison County Record
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