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Britney to Birkhead: I Feel Your Pain

Posted Aug 18th 2008 6:52PM by TMZ Staff

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.

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61. For once I am totally backing Britney. That lawyer, first of all, was happy to represent her because she made a name for herself doing so, secondly that bill is so outrageous this woman should be disbarred, period.

Posted at 5:44AM on Aug 19th 2008 by Brad

62. Giggle....I just have to add something about her excuse that $700/hr. is what Julia Robert's character got in Pretty Woman: Yeah, and both of those paying got royally scre*ed!

Posted at 5:57AM on Aug 19th 2008 by Joy

63. I would love to see this lawyer gunned down in the streets! Wonder if she would bill for that?

Posted at 6:39AM on Aug 19th 2008 by Dan

64. Let's be fair here first of all. If Britney's camp wasn't given quotes on how much Stacy's "services" would cost them, they have a right to complain. On the other hand, if they did know what they were getting into being most lawyers tell their clients what they charge, than Britney camp should pay the bills. What is it? I don't know, but one side is obviously wrong!

On another note, Kfed is giving classes this weekend on how to transform your average newspaper into a makeshift hut! PLUS he's even going to talk about the intricacies of doing a hobo dance and the techniques to pry that extra buck out an audience member!!!!! Email me for directions!

Posted at 8:04AM on Aug 19th 2008 by a k-fed who never dated Britney=a kfed living in a shelter slurping on mouthwash

65. Let's be fair here first of all. If Britney's camp wasn't given
quotes on how much Stacy's "services" would cost them, they have a
right to complain. On the other hand, if they did know what they were
getting into being most lawyers tell their clients what they charge,
than Britney camp should pay the bills. What is it? I don't know, but
one side is obviously wrong!

On another note, Kfed is giving classes this weekend on how to
transform your average newspaper into a makeshift hut! PLUS he's even
going to talk about the intricacies of doing a hobo dance and the
techniques to pry that extra buck out an audience member!!!!! Email
me for directions!

Posted at 8:24AM on Aug 19th 2008 by a k-fed who never dated Britney=a kfed living in a shelter slurping on mouthwash

66. POOR ATTORNEY I SAY!! Ought to charge the twit TWICE as much for just haveing to put up with her! Here's a poll....who are you more sick of hearing about?
A) Britney Spears crotch
B) Tom & Katie's Alien Spawn

Posted at 9:03AM on Aug 19th 2008 by badhatharry

67. Our Detroit mayor is paying $700 an hour for one of his attorney's, Dan Webb, so it sounds like that must be the going rate for that caliber of an attorney.

Posted at 9:12AM on Aug 19th 2008 by ck5150

68. I agree with post #1, and #2 people have short memories. Britney did nothing to help her case. It took her how long just to do the deposition? How many Cout dates did she miss (all) ? Well guess what lawyers bill out for all their time even if the client does not help or in Britney case makes things worse with all the press , driving ect. Britney has to be watched 24/7 by her dad (and he gets paid to full time job) guess what the lawyer is on call 24/7 for her to. Maybe after all the bills are paid Britney will one day look back and finally understand how 1 1/2 years of doing stupid things regardless of the reason mental or otherwise has cost her but hey I am Britney Spears Bitch.

Posted at 9:24AM on Aug 19th 2008 by COMMANDER

69. Britney just pulled another stupid move by hiring this clown. The stupid move is just one more in a long long list of stupid moves. People take advantage of Britney because they know she is not very bright.

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

70. 67. What the F**K are you? An Attorney / Psychologist? How many years did it take to get those titles?

68. What the F**K are you? A representative from the MENSA society?

Posted at 10:02AM on Aug 19th 2008 by a k-fed who never dated Britney=a kfed living in a shelter slurping on mouthwash

71. Okay, let's break this down. $700/hour for four months. If this attorney worked 40 hours a week that would be $28,000. $28,000 times 4 weeks is $112,000. Now multiply that number by 4 (representing the four months) and you have $448,000. I work for an attorney and there is no way that attorney spent 40 hours a week for four months on that case. That is crazy!! The President of the United States of America, the person that runs our great nation only make $400,000 a year while in office! This nut has made that in 4 months. There is something wrong here! Am I the only one that sees it?

Posted at 11:43AM on Aug 19th 2008 by Stephanie

72. Who cares what the train wreck has to pay? She has multi millions stashed away as a result of fools paying good money to listen to the rubbish "music" she has produced. Let her flitter it away on legal fees and maybe she'll go bankrupt and get a job as a goat herd in outer Mongolia.

Posted at 11:44AM on Aug 19th 2008 by Al

73. Aren't "outrageous" and "typical for lawyers" the same thing?

Posted at 11:46AM on Aug 19th 2008 by your mother

74. Stacy sucks a@@!!! She is a major b***h and is two faced. That is why she cant keep a man, and they all cheat on her behind her back.

Posted at 12:06PM on Aug 19th 2008 by haha

75. Do the research , the average going rate for this type of attorney in Los Angeles is $300-$500 per hour. Your defending a crazy celeb like Britney and doing everything you can to save her ass, $700 is a bargain .

Posted at 1:19PM on Aug 19th 2008 by Nick

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