N.D. New York cuts civil rights fee award 58.7%, including for block billing
Gallagher et al v. The Unified Court System of the State of New York et al, No. 3:18-cv-01476. District Court, N.D. New York, Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. Decided . Read the opinion
- Requested
- $357,585
- Awarded
- $147,697.20
- Cut
- 58.7%$209,887.80
Civil rights · 42 U.S.C. § 1988 · Fee applicant's counsel: Dreyer Boyajian LLP
What happened
Dreyer Boyajian LLP, counsel for the plaintiffs in a civil rights case, sought $357,585 in fees under 42 U.S.C. § 1988. Judge Glenn T. Suddaby found the requested hourly rates above what has been considered reasonable in the Northern District of New York and reduced them. The court then applied a 20% reduction to the total fee to account for entries using block billing, claiming duplicative work, or covering tasks that are non-compensable for various reasons. The court awarded $147,697.20, a reduction of $209,887.80, or 58.7%.
What the court said
a 20-percent reduction is appropriate to account for various entries utilizing block-billing
The court also reduced the award for: hourly rate reduced, duplicative staffing, other.
Why it matters
The ruling shows that a single percentage cut can rest on several recordkeeping and staffing problems at once, with block billing among the entries cited. It also shows courts checking requested hourly rates against local norms before applying any percentage reduction to the total fee.
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
Gallagher v. The Unified Court System of the State of New York, No. 3:18-cv-01476 (N.D.N.Y. Dec. 30, 2025) See hourly rates the N.D. New York approves and attorney fee motions in New York 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.
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