W.D. New York cuts fee award, including for block billing
United States of America v. Group Health Cooperative et al, No. 1:12-cv-00299. District Court, W.D. New York, Judge Meredith A. Vacca. Decided . Read the opinion
The court applied the reductions below but did not state requested and awarded totals we could check against the opinion, so no overall percentage is shown.
Fee applicant's counsel: Phillips & Cohen LLP
What happened
Phillips & Cohen LLP sought fees for 5,803.75 hours. The court applied the 2025 Fitzpatrick Matrix rates, then reduced the hours by 30% for excessive hours, block billing, duplicative staffing and top-heavy billing. The court also reduced the final award by $504,798.27 to account for the settlement of attorneys' fees with GHC. The court did not state the total fees requested or awarded.
What the court said
The Court agrees that some of the time entries are for longer than the associated activity seems to warrant, contain inconsistencies between billers, and occasionally employ improper block billing.
The court also reduced the award for: hourly rate reduced, excessive hours, duplicative staffing, fees on fees, other.
Why it matters
The ruling shows that block billing can support a percentage cut to total hours even when it is one of several problems the court identifies. Courts may apply a single across-the-board reduction rather than parse each entry, and may also adjust the award for other reasons such as a fee settlement.
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
United States of America v. Group Health Cooperative, No. 1:12-cv-00299 (W.D.N.Y. Sept. 29, 2026) See hourly rates the W.D. New York approves and attorney fee motions in New York 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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