W.D. Pennsylvania cuts wage and hour fee award 11.2%, including for block billing

What happened

The plaintiff, represented by Connolly Wells & Gray, LLP, sought $1,106,954.50 in fees under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand awarded $982,998.25, a reduction of $123,956.25 or 11.2%. The court reduced rates by 25% for six timekeepers and by 15% for four others, and deferred to the rates in Denny's fee schedule. It excluded 3 hours that were block-billed, 1.8 hours not justified, 10.45 hours as excessive, and 9.5 hours of travel time.

What the court said

Because Mr. Held block-billed this time entry, the Court cannot determine how much of the claimed three hours was spent on mailing letters (administrative work) versus drafting discovery responses (legal work).

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

Why it matters

The ruling shows that block billing can cost a fee applicant specific hours when the court cannot separate administrative tasks from legal work, and that courts will trim rates and exclude travel and unsupported time even in a largely successful petition.

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 W.D. Pennsylvania approves and attorney fee motions in Pennsylvania 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.