W.D. New York cuts employment fee award 55%, including for vague entries

What happened

Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC sought $12,949 in sanctions fees for 56.3 hours in Mills v. Steuben Foods, Incorporated et al. The court awarded $5,827.05, a reduction of $7,121.95 or 55%. It found 56.3 hours significantly excessive for a straightforward motion and cut the total hours by 50%, then deducted 10% (2.815 hours) for duplicative staffing and a further 10% (2.815 hours) for vague entries and some duplication, leaving 25.335 hours.

What the court said

some duplication of time and undue vagueness in the entries requiring the court to further reduce such hours as 'fat-trimming.'

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

Why it matters

The ruling shows that a fee petition can lose more than half its hours even when the court accepts the rate, because judges scrutinize whether the total is proportionate to the motion and whether entries are specific enough to support the time claimed.

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 W.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.