NC: top billing

From the Charlotte Observer:

Lawyer's strong work ethic not questioned, but her billings are - Earnings raised concerns; over 20% of her claimed jail visits not in records

In August 1996, Charlotte defense lawyer Chiege Okwara went into labor while delivering closing arguments in a juvenile court trial. That didn't stop her. She asked the judge if she could complete her remarks while sitting down. Hours later, she gave birth to her fourth child. Okwara's supporters say that illustrates her commitment to defending the poor. But some judges and state officials have questioned her billing...

In recent years, Okwara has been among the highest-earning indigent defense lawyers in Mecklenburg. She topped the list in 2004, collecting more than $250,000 in state and federal money. Some of Okwara's bills raise questions.

The Observer reviewed about 260 of the jail visits she claimed, and found more than 20 percent didn't appear in jail records. She contends the jail records are unreliable and that her records are accurate... Also, Okwara billed four times -- an hour each -- for the time it took her to travel to Mecklenburg's Jail Central to visit four clients on Oct. 7, 2003. Sheriff's records indicate Okwara's visits to those inmates occurred at roughly the same time that afternoon. The Observer found that on nine other days, Okwara appeared to visit two or more clients at the jail and then bill multiple times for travel...

In a related story:

Lawyers' billings get closer scrutiny in Mecklenburg - More detail required to account for work; public defender's staff could be expanded