D. Maryland cuts social security fee award 40.7%, including for vague entries

What happened

The plaintiff sought $9,000 in attorney fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act for 37.5 hours of work. The court awarded $5,333.55, a reduction of $3,666.45 or 40.7%. It cut 9.5 hours for time on file review and issue identification, another 7.0 hours as excessive, and a further 10.0 hours because the entries lacked specifics and the merits filing was short. The awarded hours totaled 22.2.

What the court said

having insufficient specifics from counsel and a short merits filing, the Court finds a reduction of additional 10.0 hours is warranted.

The court also reduced the award for: excessive hours, excessive hours.

Why it matters

The ruling shows that a fee applicant must give enough detail in time entries to let the court assess the work, and that even a modest request can be reduced when entries are vague or hours appear excessive.

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 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.