Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane has hired lawyers from Littler Mendelson in Philadelphia to represent her in a civil suit filed by a former deputy in her office who alleged he was fired after testifying before the grand jury investigating Kane.

Richard Harris will lead the representation of Kane in the suit by the former head of the Office of Attorney General's appeals unit, James Barker. Littler attorneys Edward T. Ellis and Rachel Fendell Satinsky will work with Harris on the case, according to an entry of appearance filed Thursday in Barker v. Kane. Harris is the co-chairman of the litigation and trial practice group at Littler, which specializes in employment law.

Harris declined to comment Thursday, including as to who was paying for Littler's work on the case. OAG spokesman Chuck Ardo said that because Kane was being sued in her official capacity, the state will pay the legal bills. He was not immediately aware of whether a contract had been signed or at what rate Littler would charge out its work.