W.D. New York cuts commercial fee award 18.1%, including for vague entries | LegalTime AI

W.D. New York cuts commercial fee award 18.1%, including for vague entries

Xerox Corporation v. Conduit Global, Inc., No. 6:21-cv-06467. District Court, W.D. New York, Judge Pedersen, M.J.. Decided . Read the opinion

Requested
$51,951.20
Awarded
$42,527.50
Cut
18.1%$9,423.70

Commercial · Fee applicant's counsel: Nixon Peabody LLP · Figures include costs

What happened

Nixon Peabody LLP, counsel for Xerox Corporation, sought $51,951.20 in fees and costs. The court awarded $42,527.50, a reduction of $9,423.70. It lowered the hourly rates for Mr. Ferrante, Ms. Tufano, and Ms. Demanchick. It also applied a 5% across-the-board reduction to the total hours because some time entries were vague.

What the court said

Vague entries · 5% reduction
The Court finds that a 5% across-the-board reduction is appropriate.

The court also reduced the award for: hourly rate reduced, hourly rate reduced, hourly rate reduced.

Why it matters

The ruling shows courts will trim fee awards both by setting reasonable hourly rates and by applying a percentage cut when time entries lack enough detail to assess the work performed.

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

Xerox Corporation v. Conduit Global, Inc., No. 6:21-cv-06467 (W.D.N.Y. July 26, 2024)

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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