D. Utah cuts commercial fee award 26.6%, including for vague entries

What happened

Peters Scofield sought $375,863.86 in fees under a contract fee clause in Beesley v. Brinton. The court awarded $275,919.36, a reduction of $99,944.50. It cut $83,012.50 for time on motions in limine, $2,765 for a failed mediation, $2,645 for a short form discovery motion, and $665 for issues related to Ted Hansen's testimony. It also cut $10,857 for several entirely redacted entries that did not show what legal work was performed.

What the court said

several, entirely redacted entries do not enable the district court to determine what legal work was actually performed ... The total amount incurred in relation to these entries is $10,857

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

Why it matters

The ruling shows that a fee applicant must submit entries specific enough for the court to identify the work performed. Redacted or vague time records can be excluded even when the overall request is otherwise supported, and the court will separate time on unsuccessful or unrelated matters from the compensable work.

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. Utah approves and attorney fee motions in Utah 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.