E.D. New York cuts fee award 88.5%, including for block billing

What happened

The fee applicant sought $381,745 in fees and costs. The court reduced the fee by 62% as an across-the-board cut in hours, finding many hours excessive. The court also noted that many hours were block-billed or otherwise vague and imprecise, and that counsel spent over 80 partner and counsel hours on document review with only nine associate hours. Judge Garaufis awarded $43,900, including costs, a reduction of $337,845 or 88.5%.

What the court said

But many of these hours were block-billed or otherwise vague and imprecise.

But many of these hours were block-billed or otherwise vague and imprecise.

The court also reduced the award for: excessive hours, duplicative staffing.

Why it matters

The ruling shows that a single percentage cut for excessive hours can combine with recordkeeping problems, since block-billed and vague entries leave the court unable to check how time was spent. It also shows courts will reduce fees for staffing choices that spread review work across senior timekeepers.

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 E.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.