$40M Verdict Spurs Motion for $2.5M in Legal Fees in Motel Trafficking Case

A Georgia woman who secured a landmark $40 million verdict in a sex trafficking case is now seeking $2.5 million in attorney fees, according to a motion filed in federal court on Thursday. The plaintiff, identified as J.G., claims she was trafficked as a teenager at the United Inn motel in DeKalb County, Georgia, and argues that federal law entitles her to recover the costs of the five-year litigation that led to her historic victory.

$40 Million Jury Award Under Federal Trafficking Law

In July, a federal jury awarded J.G. $10 million in compensatory damages and an additional $30 million in punitive damages after finding Northbrook Industries Inc.—the owner of the United Inn—liable under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. The judgment is believed to be the first in Georgia to hold a motel operator civilly accountable for allowing sex trafficking to occur on its property.

The motion for legal fees also includes a request for $75,000 in out-of-pocket litigation costs. According to J.G., the estimated $2.5 million in attorney fees is based on a preliminary lodestar analysis and reflects the “substantial and complex” legal work performed over the course of the case by attorneys from two firms. A more detailed breakdown of those fees is expected to be submitted to the court in the coming weeks.

Allegations of Trafficking and Motel Staff Negligence

J.G. filed her civil suit against Northbrook in 2020, alleging that she was first trafficked at age 16 by a man known as “Shaq.” After Shaq’s incarceration, an associate allegedly brought her to the United Inn, where the trafficking continued for six weeks. She claimed to have had daily encounters with multiple buyers and described conditions at the motel that enabled the abuse.

In her filings, J.G. alleged that motel staff ignored clear signs of trafficking. She stated that employees witnessed her frequently buying condoms, exchanging towels, and interacting with a constant stream of male visitors. One employee even warned her about the number of people coming to her room, but no action was taken to intervene. She further alleged that the motel was contacted by police about her location and that the establishment had a known history of tolerating prostitution and illegal activity.

Broader Legal Impact and Ongoing Efforts by Plaintiff’s Counsel

Attorney Pat McDonough, who represented J.G. at trial, previously told Law360 that the verdict marks a milestone in Georgia legal history. “This is the first jury verdict of its kind in Georgia to hold a hotel responsible for sex trafficking that occurred on its property,” McDonough said.

McDonough has been active in litigation targeting hotels and motels that allegedly turn a blind eye to trafficking. Last year, he represented 11 survivors in a federal case against two Atlanta Red Roof Inn locations. That case settled during the trial’s first week. More recently, McDonough reached a $6 million settlement with another Atlanta-area motel accused of enabling similar abuse.

What's Next?

The latest motion in J.G.’s case states that her attorneys will soon provide a full accounting of the time and expenses involved in litigating the matter. Northbrook Industries, the defendant, has not yet publicly responded to the fee request. The company is represented by Audrey D. Smith and Dana Richens of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP.

J.G. is represented by Patrick J. McDonough and Jonathan Tonge of Andersen Tate & Carr PC and by David H. Bouchard, Richard W. Hendrix, Warren Carl Lietz III, and Oto U. Ekpo of Finch McCranie LLP.

The case is J.G. v. Northbrook Industries Inc., case number 1:20-cv-05233, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.