E.D. New York cuts wage and hour fee award 36.4%, including for vague entries

What happened

The NHG Law Group, P.C. sought $632,235.50 in attorneys' fees under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Judge William F. Kuntz, II awarded $402,180.74, a reduction of $230,054.76 or 36.4%. The court deducted all hours billed after June 10, 2024, applied a 40% reduction to 35 hours of vague entries by Mr. Langeland totaling $6,300.00, reduced travel time to a set hourly rate, reduced one timekeeper's fees by 40% for unrelated claims, and cut the total by 25% 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 a fee award can be reduced on several independent grounds at once, and that vague time entries may draw a percentage cut even when the hours involved are few. It also shows courts separating travel time, work on unrelated claims, and limited success from the lodestar before applying further reductions.

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 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.