Overall, the city appears to be coming through the bankruptcy experience better than would have been expected. Judge Stephen Rhodes said: 'In utter contrast to the community sense when the case was filed, the residents of the city as well as its community and political leaders now justly feel and express a strong and genuine sense of enthusiasm, optimism and confidence about the city's future.' 

Appreciation

Turning to the advisers, he said: 'They [the citizens] should also feel and express a strong and genuine sense of appreciation for these professionals and their service.' He went on to highlight the 'singular and extraordinary contribution' of Jones Day. The manager of Detroit, Kevyn Orr, had been a Jones Day partner and he used Jones Day as the principal legal adviser.

Bills cut

Controversy over fees was blunted after Jones Day agreed to cut some US$17.7m from its final bill. At one stage, the judge had ordered the lawyers into mediation over the fees. The cut represents a 25% cut on the bill as first presented and which ended up being reduced to $53.7m. Dentons and other advisers also took cuts.