D. Oregon cuts fee award 56.7%, including for vague entries

What happened

Plaintiffs' counsel sought $76,777.22 in fees and costs as a discovery sanction. The court awarded $33,232.80, a reduction of $43,544.42, and the figures include costs. The court denied $7,786.50 in remaining billing entries and $2,965.62 under Exhibit 4 for vague entries, and counsel accepted $292.50 in proposed reductions. It also cut amounts for unrelated claims, including $10,476.75 in costs, $2,404.15 for a deposition, and $1,157.00 in fees.

What the court said

the Court denies Plaintiffs' counsels' petition to the extent that they seek the outstanding balance of $7,786.50 under Richardson's remaining billing entries

Plaintiffs' counsel accepted Richardson's $292.50 in proposed reductions in Defendants' Exhibit 2.

the Court denies Plaintiffs' petition for fees and expenses with respect to the remaining fees under Exhibit 3, subject to one exception

the Court denies Plaintiffs' counsel's petition for fees and expenses with respect to the $2,965.62 in fees listed under Exhibit 4.

The court also reduced the award for: unrelated claims, unrelated claims, unrelated claims, unrelated claims, unrelated claims.

Why it matters

The ruling shows that on a sanctions fee petition, courts examine whether each billing entry ties to the sanctioned conduct and whether the entry itself is specific enough to support the charge. Entries the court found vague, and costs it found unrelated to the discovery violation, were denied even where other fees were awarded.

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. Oregon approves and attorney fee motions in Oregon 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.