W.D. Oklahoma cuts civil rights fee award 50% over vague entries

What happened

The fee applicant sought $12,702 in sanctions fees in a civil rights case. The court awarded $6,351, a reduction of $6,351 or 50%. The court found that a number of time entries lacked clarity that would allow it to determine how much time was associated with the City's motion to strike, as opposed to other legal work. The reduction was applied to the total fee.

What the court said

a number of entries lack clarity that would allow the Court to determine how much time spent was associated with the City's motion to strike, as opposed to other legal work

Why it matters

The ruling shows that a fee petition can be cut in half when time entries do not separate work on the specific motion at issue from other tasks. Courts need entries specific enough to tie billed time to the work that supports the fee 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

See hourly rates the W.D. Oklahoma approves and attorney fee motions in Oklahoma 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.