S.D. Florida cuts intellectual property fee award 13.5% over block billing

What happened

The fee applicant sought $1,557.15 for 4.45 hours in an intellectual property case. The magistrate judge recommended awarding $1,347.50, a reduction of $209.65, or 13.5%. The court reduced one block-billed entry of 1.5 hours by 40%, or $210, because the entry combined multiple tasks. The figures do not include costs.

What the court said

This block billed entry will be reduced by 40%

Why it matters

The ruling shows that a single block-billed entry can draw a percentage cut even in a small fee request, and that courts will apply the reduction to the specific entry rather than the whole bill.

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

See hourly rates the S.D. Florida approves and attorney fee motions in Florida 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.