E.D. New York cuts wage and hour fee award 36.4%, including for vague entries
McDermott v. The Federal Savings Bank et al, No. 2:14-cv-06657. District Court, E.D. New York, Judge Lara K. Eshkenazi. Decided . Read the opinion
- Requested
- $632,235.50
- Awarded
- $402,180.74
- Cut
- 36.4%$230,054.76
Wage and hour · Fair Labor Standards Act · Fee applicant's counsel: The NHG Law Group, P.C.
What happened
The NHG Law Group, P.C. requested $632,235.50 in attorneys' fees under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The court awarded $402,180.74, a reduction of $230,054.76 or 36.4%. It deducted all hours billed after June 10, 2024, reduced fees by 40% for 35 hours of vague billing entries totaling $6,300.00, awarded travel time for 26.5 hours, reduced one timekeeper's fees by 40% for unrelated claims, and applied a 25% reduction for limited success.
What the court said
the Court recommends a 40% reduction in fees as to the 35 hours of Mr. Langeland’s impermissibly vague billing entries, totaling a reduction of $6,300.00.
The court also reduced the award for: other, travel time, unrelated claims, limited success.
Why it matters
The ruling shows that courts will examine time entries for specificity and will reduce fees for vague descriptions, even when the reduction is limited to a subset of hours. It also shows that fee awards can be cut on multiple independent grounds, including success, travel, and unrelated claims.
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
McDermott v. The Federal Savings Bank, No. 2:14-cv-06657 (E.D.N.Y. May 1, 2025) See hourly rates the E.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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