48-646 Benefits; action to recover; fees; representation. - Nebraska Statutes

48-646. Benefits; action to recover; fees; representation.No individual claiming benefits shall be charged fees of any kind in any proceeding under the Employment Security Law except as provided herein. Any individual claiming benefits in any proceeding before the commissioner or an appeal tribunal or his, her, or its representative may be represented by counsel, any other duly authorized agent, or a person of his or her choice. Any individual claiming benefits in any proceeding before a court may be represented by counsel. Such counsel may charge a reasonable fee for such services. SourceLaws 1937, c. 108, § 15, p. 399; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 48-714; R.S.1943, § 48-646; Laws 1947, c. 175, § 9, p. 577; Laws 1949, c. 163, § 11, p. 427; Laws 1977, LB 40, § 293; Laws 1982, LB 410, § 2; Laws 1985, LB 339, § 31; Laws 1986, LB 950, § 5. AnnotationsThis statute requires that the amount of attorney fees charged by a lawyer to his client be approved by the Commissioner of Labor. It does not authorize the district court to award attorney fees for which approval by the commissioner has not been sought. School Dist. No. 20 v. Commissioner of Labor, 208 Neb. 663, 305 N.W.2d 367 (1981).