N.D. California cuts consumer protection fee award 33.1%, including for block billing

What happened

The fee applicant sought $27,274.80 in a consumer protection case. Judge Chhabria awarded $18,244.75, a reduction of $9,030.05, or 33.1%. The court cut $4,545.80 for other reasons, $2,250 after a fifty percent reduction for block billing, $565 by removing one hour of fees-on-fees work because the hearing was vacated, $1,082.50 after a fifty percent cut for excessive hours, and $586.75 after another fifty percent reduction.

What the court said

The Court finds that a fifty percent reduction is reasonable. This reduces the total by $2,250.

The court also reduced the award for: other, fees on fees, excessive hours, other.

Why it matters

The ruling shows that block billing can draw a percentage cut on its own, separate from other reductions, and that courts will trim fees-on-fees estimates when scheduled events do not occur. It also shows courts applying percentage cuts to specific categories of hours rather than adjusting the whole request.

How to keep this out of your fee petition

• Record one task per entry, each with its own time.
• Write the entry when the work happens, not at the end of the week.
• If a task really is one unit of work, say what it was and what it produced.

Cite this ruling

See hourly rates the N.D. California approves and attorney fee motions in California 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.