S.D. Ohio cuts fee award 9.1%, including for vague entries

What happened

The plaintiff in Greenwald v. United States sought $37,505 in attorney fees. The court awarded $34,081, a reduction of $3,424, or 9.1%. It disallowed all time entries before the plaintiff's May 24, 2023 qualified offer, totaling 7 hours and $1,610. It also disallowed 17.6 hours and $4,314 in fees because the entries were vague. The figures do not include costs.

What the court said

These entries, totaling 17.6 hours and $4,314 in fees, are disallowed.

The court also reduced the award for: other.

Why it matters

The ruling shows that courts will strike time entries that lack enough detail to show the work performed, and will also exclude time incurred before a qualified offer. Both kinds of reductions reduce the fee award even when the overall cut is modest.

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 S.D. Ohio approves and attorney fee motions in Ohio 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.