O’Melveny Asks Judge To Grant American $139M In Legal Fees

O’Melveny & Myers, a law firm, has requested a Manhattan federal judge to grant American Airlines over $139 million in legal fees following their $1 trial win against Sabre, a flight booking company accused of anticompetitive practices.

According to a filing on Friday by O’Melveny attorneys, last year’s court win was the result of a decade-long battle. The verdict was not appealed by either party, as reported by Reuters.

O’Melveny is requesting compensation for over ten years of legal proceedings on behalf of former client US Airways, which later merged with American Airlines in 2013.

American Airlines filed a lawsuit against Sabre, claiming that the company caused harm in the flight-booking market and charged excessive fees, seeking damages of over $1 billion.

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Sabre and its legal representation at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom have refuted the accusations.

Sabres’ request to block O’Melveny from seeking fees was denied earlier this month. Sabres had argued that American Airlines was not entitled to millions of dollars in legal fees despite winning only $1 in nominal damages.

The disclosed amount being sought by American Airlines’ lawyers was made public in a court filing on Friday.

Sabre operates the largest network that travel agents use to search and book flights offered by airlines in the country.