D. Oregon cuts consumer protection fee award 81.7%, including for vague entries

What happened

Hernandez & Associates sought $620,725 in fees in a consumer protection case. Judge Nelson awarded $113,531.50, a reduction of $507,193.50. The court reduced vague entries and block billing, and cut hours for unrelated and unsuccessful claims. It reduced duplicative staffing by 50% on a subset of entries, deducted clerical work billed as legal work, and lowered the hourly rates for the timekeepers.

What the court said

the Court deems a percentage reduction of eighty-nine percent, or approximately eight-ninths, to be appropriate.

the Court deems a percentage reduction of eighty-nine percent, or approximately eight-ninths, to be appropriate.

All three firms charge for unrecoverable clerical tasks.

The court also reduced the award for: unrelated claims, duplicative staffing, other, hourly rate reduced, hourly rate reduced, hourly rate reduced.

Why it matters

The ruling shows that a fee award can fall far below the amount requested when time entries lack detail or combine tasks, and when hours are billed for unsuccessful claims, duplicative staffing, or clerical work. Courts will reduce rates and hours rather than accept a fee petition at face value.

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 D. Oregon approves and attorney fee motions in Oregon 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.