US | Guantanamo Bay Gitmo Defense Lawyers See Case as a 'Privilege' They take it pro bono to 'rein in' federal abuse By Kevin Spak Posted May 27, 2008 9:32 PM CDT Copied In this image reviewed by the U.S. Military, the recreational area of Camp 5 maximum security detention facility is shown at Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, Cuba, Tuesday, May 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) Defending a Guantanamo Bay detainee isn't a normal pro bono case for Seattle corporate lawyers used to making $575 an hour, the Post-Intelligencer reports: But Harry Schneider and Joe McMillan say the "effort to rein in" what they see as President Bush's legal abuse is motivation enough. "Even a king can't do that," Schneider says of indignities forced upon Salim Ahmed Hamdan, Osama bin Laden's alleged driver. “I count it as a privilege to work on a case that in my view will redeem the United States as a country,” said McMillan. But the lawyers aren’t as optimistic about their chances. “We are doing the best we can,” McMillan adds, “but it's a system designed to be less fair than what he would get in state or federal court.” Read These Next Mark Zuckerberg's 'list' has Silicon Valley buzzing. Hall of Famer Dave Parker dies IAEA chief downplays damage to Iran nuclear sites. That 'buy now, pay later' loan may soon hit your credit score. Report an error