W.D. Oklahoma cuts commercial fee award 4.8%, including for vague entries

What happened

The fee applicant sought $17,310 under a contract fee clause. The court awarded $16,472.50, a reduction of $837.50, or 4.8%. It found that entries dated November 26, 2024, December 12, 2024, December 16, 2024, and March 10, 2025 lacked sufficient detail to show the work was reasonably necessary. It also found that entries dated July 22, 2024, and March 11, 2025 reflected an excessive amount of time for the tasks described.

What the court said

entries dated November 26, 2024, December 12, 2024, December, 16, 2024, March 10 2025 do not provide sufficient details for the Court to determine whether they were reasonably necessary

The court also reduced the award for: excessive hours.

Why it matters

The ruling shows that courts will trim fee awards when time entries do not explain the work performed or when the hours logged exceed what the task required, even where the overall reduction is modest.

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 W.D. Oklahoma approves and attorney fee motions in Oklahoma 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.