Andrew Gruel, a former judge on the Food Network, highlighted on X that billing practices in a Los Angeles homelessness case, where attorneys charged $1,295 an hour, underscore the role of high legal fees in California’s tort reform discussions.
“Rookie or Partner, All 15 Attorneys Bill L.A. $1,295 an Hour in Homelessness Case – the firm billed $1.8 million for two weeks of work, with 15 attorneys each charging about $1,300 an hour,” said Gruel, Fmr. Judge.
In a significant homelessness case in Los Angeles, at least 15 attorneys from Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP billed the city $1,295 per hour. This rate was uniform for all associates and partners regardless of seniority. According to Los Angeles Magazine, this prompted a federal judge to demand full disclosure of the contracts and question whether these billing practices may be delaying outcomes and aggravating the city’s homelessness litigation burdens. The judge ordered the city to produce the contracts after attorneys confirmed the blended rate.
According to reports by the Los Angeles Times, in that same case, the law firm invoiced approximately $1.8 million for the first 13 days of work. With 15 attorneys billing nearly $1,300 per hour, this resulted in a daily legal-cost rate approaching $140,000 per day. This significantly exceeded the city’s originally authorized two-year contract cap of $900,000.
While direct comparative data across multiple major U.S. cities are limited, disclosed billings in Los Angeles reveal that for 15 attorneys each billing $1,295 per hour, the total legal outlay exceeded $3.2 million by early August 2025. This information was reported by a confidential memo reviewed by the Los Angeles Times and underscores outsized municipal legal costs relative to more routine litigation expenses.
Gruel is a California-based chef, restaurateur and media personality who founded the Slapfish restaurant group and later joined the Huntington Beach City Council. He notes on his X profile that he is a “Fmr. Judge on Food Network,” reflecting his appearances as a judge on the Food Network series Food Truck Face Off. His broader television presence has included multiple culinary programs.
