E.D. Louisiana cuts wage and hour fee award 39.4%, including for vague entries
Shaw et al v. Alpha Air Heating & Air Conditioning LLC et al, No. 2:22-cv-03953. District Court, E.D. Louisiana, Judge Michael B. North. Decided . Read the opinion
- Requested
- $36,225
- Awarded
- $21,950
- Cut
- 39.4%$14,275
Wage and hour · Fair Labor Standards Act · Fee applicant's counsel: Law Office of Kevin S. Vogeltanz, L.L.C.
What happened
The Law Office of Kevin S. Vogeltanz, L.L.C. sought $36,225 in attorney fees under the Fair Labor Standards Act for 81.75 hours. The court awarded $21,950, a reduction of $14,275 or 39.4%. It set a reduced hourly rate for an attorney with 13 to 14 years of experience and declined to award 8.25 hours because the entries gave no description of the legal services performed.
What the court said
The Court cannot award these 8.25 hours given that there is no description of the legal services performed.
The court also reduced the award for: hourly rate reduced.
Why it matters
The ruling shows that a fee petition needs entries specific enough for the court to identify the work performed. Time that cannot be tied to described services may be excluded even when the overall request is otherwise supported, and the rate may be adjusted separately.
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
Shaw v. Alpha Air Heating & Air Conditioning LLC, No. 2:22-cv-03953 (E.D. La. Apr. 10, 2024) See hourly rates the E.D. Louisiana approves and attorney fee motions in Louisiana 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.
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