E.D. California cuts wage and hour fee award 81.4%, including for vague entries

What happened

The fee applicant sought $5,111 in attorney fees for 9.5 hours of work in a wage and hour case. The court awarded $950, a reduction of $4,161 or 81.4%. It reduced the hourly rate based on the Fresno community rate, cut the requested hours in half to 4.75 to eliminate time not sufficiently related to the motion to compel filing, and noted that the attorney did not itemize how the 9.5 hours were spent.

What the court said

As for the hours worked, Attorney Hill fails to itemize how the 9.5 hours were spent.

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

Why it matters

The ruling shows that courts will reduce fee awards when time entries lack detail, and that vague entries can support a cut in hours even alongside other reductions such as an excessive rate or hours not tied to the motion.

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. California approves and attorney fee motions in California 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.