Governor’s legal bill in unemployment benefits case exposes imbalance between who can afford justice and who cannot

Maryland will pay the large law firm of Venable LLP roughly $382,000 — a discounted rate — for its failed efforts to defend Gov. Larry Hogan’s unlawful attempt to prematurely terminate federal unemployment benefits. No doubt, the case involved significant legal work. There was the unsuccessful attempt to remove the case to federal court, followed by a hearing in state circuit court. Then, the court issued a temporary restraining order against the governor, which led to more legal motions and appeals to both the Court of Special Appeals and the Court of Appeals, all futile.