D. Colorado cuts employment fee award 28.8%, including for vague entries
Culp et al v. Remington of Montrose, LLC et al, No. 1:18-cv-02213. District Court, D. Colorado, Judge Regina M. Rodriguez. Decided . Read the opinion
- Requested
- $303,640.42
- Awarded
- $216,112.71
- Cut
- 28.8%$87,527.71
Employment · Title VII · Fee applicant's counsel: Killian Davis
What happened
The plaintiff in a Title VII employment case, represented by Killian Davis, requested $303,640.42 in attorney fees. The court awarded $216,112.71, a reduction of $87,527.71 or 28.8%. The court excluded $63,515.19 in appeal-related fees. It then applied an additional 10% reduction for vague entries, duplicative staffing, clerical work billed as legal work, and travel time, noting the amounts had already been discounted by the plaintiff.
What the court said
Taking into consideration that the amounts have already been discounted by Plaintiff, the Court finds an additional 10% reduction is warranted.
Taking into consideration that the amounts have already been discounted by Plaintiff, the Court finds an additional 10% reduction is warranted.
The court also reduced the award for: other, duplicative staffing, travel time.
Why it matters
The ruling shows that courts will reduce fee awards when time records contain vague entries, duplicative staffing, clerical work billed as legal work, and travel time, even after the applicant has already discounted the amounts. It also shows that appeal-related fees may be excluded from a fee 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
Culp v. Remington of Montrose, LLC, No. 1:18-cv-02213 (D. Colo. Sept. 23, 2026) See hourly rates the D. Colorado approves and attorney fee motions in Colorado 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.
More rulings like this
- D. Arizona cuts wage and hour fee award 5.3% over clerical work Zommick v. Lewis Construction Company LLC et al · Oct 2, 2026
- M.D. Tennessee cuts intellectual property fee award 12%, including for vague entries Livingston v. Jay Livingston Music, Inc., et al. · Sep 28, 2026
- E.D. Pennsylvania cuts wage and hour fee award 91%, including for clerical work LIN v. LEES HOUSE RESTAURANT INC et al · Sep 28, 2026