E.D. Louisiana cuts disability access fee award 65.5%, including for block billing

What happened

George sought $371,600 in attorney fees under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Judge Barry W. Ashe reduced the hourly rate, then reduced total hours by 15% for block billing, travel time, vague or clerical-like entries, excessive hours, and lack of billing judgment. The court then applied a further 50% reduction because a substantial part of the requested fees went to unsuccessful claims. The court awarded $128,375, a reduction of $243,225, with 395 of 929 hours awarded.

What the court said

There is a modicum of block-billing and inappropriate billing for travel time, and there are a few vague or clerical-like entries.

There is a modicum of block-billing and inappropriate billing for travel time, and there are a few vague or clerical-like entries.

There is a modicum of block-billing and inappropriate billing for travel time, and there are a few vague or clerical-like entries.

The court also reduced the award for: hourly rate reduced, travel time, excessive hours, limited success.

Why it matters

The ruling shows that a fee award can be reduced at several stages: the hourly rate, the hours claimed, and a final adjustment for limited success. Recordkeeping problems such as block billing and vague entries contributed to a 15% hours cut, but the larger reduction came from the claims pursued.

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 E.D. Louisiana approves and attorney fee motions in Louisiana 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.