Florida Faces $750,000 Legal Fees over Stop WOKE Act

Florida may incur nearly $750,000 in legal fees due to a successful challenge by businesses against the 2022 'Stop WOKE Act' championed by Governor Ron DeSantis. Attorneys representing the plaintiffs filed a motion for $749,642 in fees and $41,144 in additional costs, citing a 'resounding victory' in the case. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker ruled in August that the plaintiffs were entitled to seek these fees, following his earlier injunctions against the law's restrictions on race-related workplace training. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Walker's preliminary injunction, leading to a permanent injunction later in the year. The motion for fees highlights the case as a significant constitutional precedent for free speech in the workplace, allowing diversity training to continue without government interference. The plaintiffs were represented by attorneys from Ropes & Gray LLP and Protect Democracy, including businesses like Primo Tampa, LLC and Honeyfund.com, Inc.