Celebrity Justice
Britney to Birkhead: I Feel Your Pain

So you thought Larry Birkhead's legal bill was sky high? The lawyer who repped Britney Spears for a grand total of four months wants more than $481,000 in attorney's fees -- and she didn't even go out for lobster.
Attorney Stacy Phillips filed a declaration, claiming her $481,627.37 bill is a bargain, since she graciously discounted her fees by more than $126,000.00.

In court docs obtained by TMZ, Phillips whines she was completely put out by repping Brit, moaning that she was called back from her "pre-honeymoon" to attend a hearing in "non-Court attire." We're wondering if that was the day we saw her appear before the judge, wearing a sleeveless cocktail number.

Phillips says in her declaration that her rate is $700 an hour, similar to what Richard Gere paid Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman."

Now compare Phillips' bill to that of disso-queen Laura Wasser, who settled the whole case after Phillips was fired. Wasser's two-month bill is $59,700.

Sources say Phillips is ready to sue Britney, because her peeps are refusing to pay the bloated bill.

Who'd you rather? Click to vote!

Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 6) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. To: compulsive proofreader

You're right, sorry for the misspelling, I knew better.

Posted at 8:33PM on Aug 18th 2008 by I worked for stacy

17. Less than 1/2 a mill is pocket money to Brittney. Can you imagine being at the beckoned call of that ditz? When Brittney's "people" hired this woman, they knew who she was, what she was capable of doing for Brittney, and exactly what she was going to get paid to do it. Brittney did not walk around town knocking on doors looking for someone to represent her for free.

As for how much Opri charged Birkhead, and the fact that she charged him for groceries, dry cleaning, and gifts to people she was staying with when she was in Florida.. she's allowed to charge for her expenses when she is working on the case. Why the hell would she incurr these expenses? She was in Fla on behalf of her client. He didn't have to be there to mucky up the waters. Whatever Birkhead was charged was a deal. He got his daughter, who is coming into 90 something million dollars in just 16 years. He was being irresponsible when he "did" Anna without a condom. Like I said, he got the deal of the centry.

Posted at 8:35PM on Aug 18th 2008 by Vanessa

18. Britney = deep pockets. This means lawyers overbill.

Posted at 8:41PM on Aug 18th 2008 by Ian

19. Just shoot all lawyers

Posted at 8:49PM on Aug 18th 2008 by bill

20. 4. I worked for Stacy for a short while and though the amount may seem absorbitant to a lot of people she is a very high profile attorney, an excellent attorney and has a sterling reputation. She represents many "celebrities" and luminaries and totally devotes herself to her clients. I no longer work for her, but I will tell you that she is an amazing lady. Also, she was involved when the case was in complete crises. Though Ms. Wasser is also an excellent attorney, she came back into the case after a great deal of stuff had simmered down and settled into a more manageable state. I'm just sayin' ... there's almost always much more to a story than what we get as the public.

Posted at 7:25PM on Aug 18th 2008 by I Worked For Stacy



Sweetheart, no domestic attorney is worth $700.00 an hour. I don't care who it is. Also, her rep is obviously not sterling, unless you consider a rep for overcharging good. Her license to practice carrys no more weight than any other attorney's. She needs to get a grip.

Posted at 8:50PM on Aug 18th 2008 by One5thOfwhiskey

21. High class lawyers should know the risk of representing a celebretard. They take the case for the publicity and then whine that their overrated clients can't pay them. The only money Bitchney has is to pay for her father, cancer sticks, personal trainer, and hot Cheetoes for her kids.

Posted at 8:55PM on Aug 18th 2008 by betduke

22. what can a goose do that a duck can't and a lawyer should? stick it's bill up its a_ _!
need I say more.

Posted at 9:06PM on Aug 18th 2008 by bob

23. First off.....dear "worked for Stacy" whoever you are - do you seriously expect anyone to believe you REALLY worked for some high power attorney, when you don't even know it is EXORBITANT not absorbitant?

Ok, so $481,627.37 at $700 an hour works out to 688 hours worked. Sure, over a period of 4 months, I absolutley believe this shyster actually worked 40 or more hours a week every single week for that 4 month period. SURE. She would have to average about 42 hours a week every single week. Yeah, that is believable. She apparently had NO other clients while representing Britney.

I never thought I would side with Britney, but in this case, this so-called bill is ridiculous.

Posted at 9:03PM on Aug 18th 2008 by Stacy

24. Vanessa -

I can't fix everyone's grammar tonight.

First of all, if you're going to criticize her, spell the overexposed celebrity's name correctly - It's "Britney", one 't'.
Secondly, the phrase is, "Beck and Call", not beckoned call...
Next - "incur", leave off that 2nd 'r'.
Lastly - I believe you meant CENTURY, (not Centry which isn't a word, or Sentry, as in guard.)

Posted at 9:06PM on Aug 18th 2008 by compulsive proofreader

25. Dear I worked for Stacy...please buy yourself a dictionary, it will do you good and help you find a new job.

Posted at 9:09PM on Aug 18th 2008 by Cathy

26. Geez Bryon...With that crappy attitude of yours towards an innocent child, I sure hope you have no kids, or they'll come out as classless and rude as you!!! Why bring up the child, she had absolutely no choice on being here in the first place, but to call her cross eyed and autistic is wrong. She is a beautiful little girl, in the middle of an outrageous mess. Pick on someone your own size, not a little girl! I'm thinking once a bully, always a bully, but guess what...karma is going to kick your ass, and hopefully it'll be a front page ass kicking, lol....

Posted at 9:20PM on Aug 18th 2008 by Terri

27. THE LAWYERS ALWAYS SCREW THE CLIENT . I HAD A LAWYER
AND THAT DUMBASS WAS TRYING TO SCREW ME OUT OF $10,000
I PROVED HIM WRONG . HE WAS PISSED , BUT THAT'S TO BAD .
SO NEVER SAY LAWYERS DOESN'T LIE OR SCREW THERE CLIENTS
OUT OF THERE MONEY BECAUSE THAT'S NOT TRUE.

I KNOW SEVERAL OTHER LAWYERS , WHO SCREWED THERE CLIENTS, OUT OF MONEY
AND THESE LAWYERS PLAY GOLF TOGETHER , BUT THEY DON'T WANT
ANYONE KNOW THAT . THEY SAID THAT WOULD BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

LAWYERS TALK WITH EACH OTHER DAILY.

Posted at 9:55PM on Aug 18th 2008 by CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS ALWAYS HAPPENING .

28. brittany your lawyers paying to much. For that much money
I could be debt free with alot less money.

Posted at 9:57PM on Aug 18th 2008 by brittany your lawyers paying to much.

29. You have to count the dicsount when you calculate the hours.
Attorney Stacy Phillips filed a declaration, claiming her $481,627.37 bill is a bargain, since she graciously discounted her fees by more than $126,000.00.

The real bill is $607,627 according to her press release; therefor the hours she billed where 868 hours.

No way did she clock that on this case. I hope Brit can prove fraud

Posted at 10:20PM on Aug 18th 2008 by Typical lawyer

30. "A fool and his money are soon parted." Uh, are we supposed to feel sorry for Cheetogirl? Her stupidity and lack of common sense are the root of all her troubles. She should thank her lucky stars that she made all the money she did. It's not like she can ACTUALLY SING.

Posted at 9:39AM on Aug 19th 2008 by Carlito

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