D. Maryland cuts immigration fee award, including for vague entries
J.O.P., et al v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, et al, No. 8:19-cv-01944. District Court, D. Maryland, Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher. Decided . Read the opinion
The court applied the reductions below but did not state requested and awarded totals we could check against the opinion, so no overall percentage is shown.
Immigration · Equal Access to Justice Act
What happened
The plaintiffs sought attorney fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act in an immigration case against the Department of Homeland Security. The court did not state dollar totals. It applied a 15% reduction to the total requested hours for duplicative staffing, a further 15% for vague entries, and a further 15% for excessive hours, using the agreed EAJA rates to calculate a reasonable lodestar.
What the court said
the majority of Plaintiffs' time entries fall on the "more general" side of the line, warranting some consideration in terms of a percentage-based reduction.
The court also reduced the award for: duplicative staffing, excessive hours.
Why it matters
The ruling shows that courts will reduce fee awards when time entries are too general to show what work was done, and that vague entries can draw a percentage cut even alongside other billing problems. It also shows courts may apply separate percentage reductions for distinct issues rather than one combined cut.
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
J.O.P. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, No. 8:19-cv-01944 (D. Md. July 15, 2025) See hourly rates the D. Maryland approves and attorney fee motions in Maryland 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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