A recent ABA Journal post, “Judge Orders Ogletree Deakins to Turn Over Records in Billing Dispute, But Protects Privileged Info” reports that an Arizona judge order Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart to open its billing records in a legal fee dispute with Maricopa County.  Judge John Buttrick ruled Friday that the county had a right to audit Ogletree Deakins billing records, but the law firm did not have to turn over privileged information.  The lawyer who represented the law firm, John Doran, said the judge will have to appoint a special master to determine what information is privileged.  The county attorney, Julie Pace, said that wouldn’t be necessary, however.

Ogletree Deakins billed the county for $5 million in legal work over several years for the sheriff’s office and former County Attorney Andrew Thomas.  The county has refused to pay $1.1 million of the amount, and has alleged that the law firm improperly expanded its assignments.  Ogletree Deakins had balked at turning over its billing records.  The law firm had maintained the county may be trying to get confidential information about Thomas and Sheriff Joe Arpaio for federal and bar investigations.