Lawyers File Suit Over Microsoft Settlement FeesLawyers File Suit Over Microsoft Settlement Fees

Lawyers involved in class action suits against Microsoft are continuing to fight over fees while consumers who bought Microsoft software, who were the alleged victims in the suits, have generally received little or nothing.

In the latest chapter in the cases, which involved consumer purchases of Microsoft products between the mid-1990s and mid-2006, lawyers involved in cases from a number of states are suing Iowa lawyer Roxanne Conlin for not sharing some of the money she received from Microsoft.

According to media reports, Conlin and a Minnesota law firm received $75 million from Microsoft, but a group of lawyers involved in the state-by-state litigation has sued to share in the $75 million.

Conlin, who is the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Iowa, maintains that the action against her is politically motivated. In a statement she said, "Lawyers from out of state are trying to take advantage of me and the fact that I am in the middle of a campaign. This lawsuit is without merit, (and) comes more than three years after the case was settled…"

Conlin and Minneapolis law firm Zelle Hoffman have shared fees from Microsoft. The Microsoft litigation has been a bonanza for many lawyers across the country. Microsoft settled the Iowa litigation in 2007.

The lawyers in 23 states challenging Conlin and the Minnesota lawyers have filed their lawsuit in Iowa, seeking to share in Microsoft fees and to have the case submitted to arbitration.

In earlier litigation over the Microsoft software, the majority of the proceeds to be provided to consumers were not claimed by consumers. Many of the awards were small and some consumers said they didn't like the idea that they could be locked into purchasing Microsoft in the future. Some consumer advocates said the consumer awards were little more than promotional measures designed to encourage consumers to purchase Microsoft products.

Conlin criticized the lawyers seeking more money, saying: "These lawyers did not participate in the trial and I'm surprised and disappointed that they would emerge three years later seeking payment for services they never provided."