A recent New York Law Journal story, “Judge Gives Initial OK to $9.5M Fee Settlement,” reports that a federal judge has preliminarily approved New York City's agreement to pay $9.5 million in attorney fees to the attorneys that represented black firefighters in a long-running discrimination case.

Eastern District Judge Nicholas Garaufis granted preliminary approval on a December stipulation between New York City and Levy Ratner, the Center for Constitutional Rights, Scott & Scott and Leon Friedman of Manhattan.

Garaufis reserved decision on whether to schedule a fairness hearing.  In June, Garaufis approved an agreement settling allegations of intentional discrimination in the New York City Fire Department.

Though the city vigorously litigated the 2007 suit under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, it settled a "disparate treatment" claim soon after Mayor Bill de Blasio's election.

By the time the city, the federal government and the intervening group of black firefighters and applicants agreed in principle on the disparate treatment claim, a remedial order on another issue of "disparate impact" in entrance exams was already being carried out.

The case is U.S. v. City of New York, 07-cv-2067 and 13-cv-3123.