E.D. Louisiana cuts social security fee award 66.4%, including for vague entries

What happened

The fee applicant sought $24,749.23 in attorney fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act for 94 hours. The court awarded $8,311.53, a reduction of $16,437.70 or 66.4%. It denied 70.25 hours billed by Jesse Lind and Lily McHaley because no evidence supported the adequacy of those hours. It also found many entries by Hebert and Rees vague, and it reduced the billing attorney's hourly rate to a reasonable rate adjusted by the CPI-U.

What the court said

A review of the time sheets indicates that many of the entries by Hebert and Rees are vague.

The court also reduced the award for: other, hourly rate reduced.

Why it matters

The ruling shows that a fee petition needs evidence supporting each timekeeper's hours and entries specific enough to review. Courts will cut hours that lack support and reduce rates to a reasonable figure, so the documented record drives the award.

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 E.D. Louisiana approves and attorney fee motions in Louisiana 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.