Bankr. N.D. Illinois cuts bankruptcy fee award 1.5%, including for vague entries

What happened

Polsinelli PC sought $505,602.50 in fees for 656.1 hours. The court awarded $498,093.50, a reduction of $7,509. It cut $4,499 for seven time entries with insufficient descriptions, $2,597 for two entries that duplicated services, and $413.15, a 10% cut, on five entries that lumped tasks together. The figures do not include costs.

What the court said

The court has identified seven time entries which have an insufficient description, which seek a total amount of $ 4,499.00. Therefore, the court will reduce the total fees allowed by $ 4,499.00

The court has identified five time entries which are lumping, which seek a total amount of $ 4,132.00. Therefore, in light of the lumping, that amount will be reduced by $ 413.15 [10%].

The court also reduced the award for: duplicative staffing.

Why it matters

The ruling shows that a bankruptcy court will examine individual time entries and reduce fees for descriptions too thin to show what work was done, for duplicated staffing, and for entries that combine tasks. The reductions were itemized by entry rather than applied across the whole request.

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

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.