In a lawsuit that lasted seven years and cost Iowa taxpayers more than $3.5 million, the attorney for the former state workers' compensation commissioner is asking a judge to approve another $4.1 in legal fees.

Chris Godfrey

Roxanne Conlin represented commissioner Chris Godfrey in his discrimination lawsuit against former Gov. Terry Branstad. A jury last month awarded $1.5 million in Godfrey's favor. Conlin argued that Branstad had discriminated against Godfrey because Godfrey is gay, and Branstad attempted to remove him from office before his term was finished, then cut his pay.

Conlin and a team of eight attorneys and several legal assistants worked on the case, which went to the state Supreme Court twice, according to a local news report. In many tort claims, the attorney takes a share of the judgment award. The article did not explain why Conlin is asking for the additional millions.

Branstad's lawyers haven't submitted a bill for fees yet, but costs have neared $2 million and are expected to climb because they're trying to get the verdict overturned and the case dismissed or retried.

Iowa taxpayers are expected to pay the judgment and attorney fees if a judge approves, according to the Associated Press.