D. Maryland cuts wage and hour fee award 18.6%, including for clerical work

What happened

The fee applicant in Cook v. Superior Assisted Living, LLC et al requested $59,347.50 for 262.2 hours in a wage and hour case. The court reduced the hourly rates for the two timekeepers and cut compensable hours by 15% because the fee petition contained multiple billing entries for administrative and clerical tasks. The court awarded $48,337.38 for 222.87 hours, a reduction of $11,010.12.

What the court said

Given the multiple billing entries related to administrative and clerical tasks contained in the fee petition, this Court finds a reduction in compensable hours is necessary.

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

Why it matters

The ruling shows that courts will reduce compensable hours when time records include administrative and clerical tasks billed as legal work, and that hourly rates are subject to adjustment on a fee petition.

How to keep this out of your fee petition

• Leave purely clerical work off the fee petition.
• Describe paralegal tasks so the substantive work is clear.
• Split mixed entries into their substantive and clerical parts.

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.