W.D. Wisconsin cuts commercial fee award 24.9%, including for block billing

What happened

Humane Manufacturing sought $80,791 in contract fees under a fee clause, with Leo Law Firm as counsel. The court awarded $60,701.10, a reduction of $20,089.90. It cut 15 percent, $11,739.67, for unredacted block billed entries, and 5 percent, $3,913.23, because some fees involved entries with partial redactions. It further reduced the award by $4,437 for fees on fees.

What the court said

The court concludes that an additional 15 percent reduction for the unredacted block billed entries is appropriate, which amounts to $11,739.67.

The court also reduced the award for: other, fees on fees.

Why it matters

The ruling shows that block billing can draw a percentage cut even when the court does not parse individual entries, and that redacted time entries can prompt an additional reduction. It also shows courts will trim fees-on-fees requests separately from the merits work.

How to keep this out of your fee petition

• Record one task per entry, each with its own time.
• Write the entry when the work happens, not at the end of the week.
• If a task really is one unit of work, say what it was and what it produced.

Cite this ruling

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.