NATION

NATION
Lawyers seek record feesin Microsoft antitrust case
SAN FRANCISCO -- Lawyers who persuaded Microsoft Corp. to settle their class-action lawsuit accusing the company of price-fixing are asking for $258 million in legal fees, the largest amount ever in an antitrust case.
It amounts to about $3,000 per hour for one lawyer, more than $2,000 an hour each for 34 other attorneys and $1,000 an hour for administrative work.
The lead attorney, Eugene Crew, said in legal briefs that he deserves about $3,000 for each of his 6,189.6 billable hours, "considering the enormity of this undertaking against the most powerful corporation in America." His billings amount to more than $18 million.
Levi to unload Dockers
SAN FRANCISCO -- Struggling jeans maker Levi Strauss & amp; Co. will try to lighten its debt load by selling its Dockers brand, an 18-year-old clothing line that helped make casual pants fashionable.
The decision, announced Tuesday, marks the latest sign of distress at Levi's. One investment banker estimated the brand could fetch more than $1.5 billion.
Honda to expand in Ohio
MARYSVILLE, Ohio -- Honda of America Manufacturing plans to build a $123 million paint shop in what would be the largest single investment in renovations and expansions at the company's two Ohio car plants.
Construction of the paint shop will begin later this month at the central Ohio auto plant that produces the Accord and Acura TL, the automaker said Tuesday.
Associated Press