D. Maryland cuts wage and hour fee award 14.6%, including for vague entries

What happened

The plaintiffs sought $409,944.96 in attorney fees under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The court awarded $349,944.96, a reduction of $60,000 or 14.6%. It deducted about $11,000 for unnecessary entries, cited vague time descriptions and frequent overstaffing, and reduced time for trial presentation and preparation that did not prevent wasted trial time. It also deducted for work on claims against a dismissed defendant and made a further minor reduction for limited success.

What the court said

the Court does agree that several descriptions are vague

The court also reduced the award for: other, duplicative staffing, excessive hours, unrelated claims, limited success.

Why it matters

The ruling shows that courts will reduce fee awards when time entries lack sufficient detail, even if the overall request is largely granted. It also confirms that vague descriptions, duplicative staffing, and work on unsuccessful claims can each support deductions, and that courts may apply rough justice to reach an overall reduction.

How to keep this out of your fee petition

• Name the task, the document or person involved, and the purpose.
• Avoid stock phrases that could describe any day in any matter.
• Keep privileged detail general, but specific enough to show the work.

Cite this ruling

See hourly rates the D. Maryland approves and attorney fee motions in Maryland federal courts.

Figures and quotes are taken from the opinion and checked against its text. Spot an error? Email team@legaltime.ai with the case name and we will correct it. Summaries of public court opinions. Not legal advice.