Court-approved attorney hourly rates: District Court, D. Massachusetts
43 approved rates from 10 fee rulings since October 20, 2024. Latest ruling May 22, 2026. Data as of October 20, 2026.
| Role | Median | Middle half | Range | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partner | $1,148 | $945 to $1,305 | 6 | |
| Associate | $865 | $275 to $1,058 | 8 | |
| Attorney | $544 | $400 to $725 | $200 to $1,376 | 21 |
| Paralegal | $299 | $125 to $513 | 6 |
Approved rates by year
| Year | Partner | Associate | Paralegal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $1,148 (6) | $896 (7) | |
| 2024 | $500 (5) | $288 (8) |
Median approved rate by the year of the ruling (number of rates in brackets). A year shows a median at 5 or more rates. Not adjusted for inflation.
The court approved a lower rate than requested for 0 of 43 timekeepers (0%).
Cite these rates
$1,148/hr
In D. Massachusetts fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved partner rate was $1,148 an hour (6 rates).
$865/hr
In D. Massachusetts fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved associate rate was $865 an hour (8 rates).
$544/hr
In D. Massachusetts fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved attorney rate was $544 an hour (21 rates).
$299/hr
In D. Massachusetts fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved paralegal rate was $299 an hour (6 rates).
Copy these rulings as citations
Recent D. Massachusetts rulings with the rates they approved, formatted for a fee petition. Check each ruling before citing it.
Aparecido De Sousa v. Amazon Siding Application Inc., No. 4:25-cv-12046 (D. Mass. May 22, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $395 for an attorney); Insulet Corporation v. EOFlow, Co. Ltd., No. 1:23-cv-11780 (D. Mass. Feb. 5, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $945 to $1,305 for partners; $639 to $1,058 for associates; $639 for a law clerk); Murrell v. Patriot Front, No. 1:23-cv-11802 (D. Mass. Dec. 5, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $495 to $956 for attorneys; $376 for a paralegal); Donovan v. Richard W. Reid Electrical Company, Inc., No. 1:25-cv-10169 (D. Mass. Nov. 3, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $300 to $400 for attorneys); Malaro v. Roger Wilkie, Jr., Builder, Inc., No. 1:22-cv-10548 (D. Mass. Aug. 20, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $275 for an associate; $150 for a paralegal); DiFronzo v. City of Somerville, No. 1:21-cv-10867 (D. Mass. June 6, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $550 for an attorney with 49 years' experience; $400 for an attorney with 15 years' experience); Neal v. Omni Boston Corporation, No. 1:23-cv-11682 (D. Mass. Mar. 28, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $200 to $350 for attorneys; $125 for a paralegal); Insulet Corporation v. EOFlow, Co. Ltd., No. 1:23-cv-11780 (D. Mass. Dec. 23, 2024) (approving hourly rates of $662 to $1,376 for attorneys); Muehe v. Boston, City of, No. 1:21-cv-11080 (D. Mass. Nov. 26, 2024) (approving hourly rates of $500 to $725 for attorneys; $221 for a paralegal); McNelley v. 7-ELEVEN, INC., No. 1:22-cv-10046 (D. Mass. Nov. 21, 2024) (approving hourly rates of $325 to $400 for attorneys).
Rulings
Rates turn on experience, practice area, and the work done. Use these as a starting point and cite the rulings, not this page, in a fee petition.
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Sep 10, 2026 · Immigration · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $265 $265 Attorney $268 $268 The court's words
The modest rates claimed by counsel range from $265.10 in March to $268.11 in July. Doc. No. 16-1 at 10–11.
The modest rates claimed by counsel range from $265.10 in March to $268.11 in July. Doc. No. 16-1 at 10–11.
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Jun 25, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $247 $247 Attorney $195 $195 The court's words
The parties agree that attorneys Nebenzahl and Goulding should be compensated at the hourly rate of $247.19 and attorney Smith at the hourly rate of $195.
The parties agree that attorneys Nebenzahl and Goulding should be compensated at the hourly rate of $247.19 and attorney Smith at the hourly rate of $195.
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Jun 25, 2026 · Immigration · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Law clerk $150 $150 The court's words
Their objection to the hourly rate sought for the work of counsel's law clerk, seeking a reduction from $150 to $100 per hour, is OVERRULED.
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May 27, 2026 · Immigration · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $269 $269 The court's words
Petitioner seeks $269.28 per hour, for a total of $2,046.45 in legal fees and $140.98 in costs, see id., which the Court finds reasonable and will award.
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Aparecido De Sousa et al v. Amazon Siding Application Inc.
May 22, 2026 · Wage and hour
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $395 $395 The court's words
Attorney Maria Cedeno Cassinelli who recorded 24.50 hours at a rate of $395 per hour.
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Insulet Corporation v. EOFlow, Co. Ltd. et al
Feb 5, 2026 · Intellectual property
Role Experience Requested Approved Partner $1,305 $1,305 Partner $1,170 $1,170 Partner $945 $945 Partner $1,125 $1,125 Partner $1,215 $1,215 Partner $1,058 $1,058 Associate $1,058 $1,058 Associate $1,058 $1,058 Associate $1,058 $1,058 Associate $896 $896 Associate $833 $833 Associate $639 $639 Law clerk $639 $639 Associate $693 $693 Paralegal $513 $513 Paralegal $509 $509 other $315 $315 The court's words
Carroll Partner (2001) $1,305 $1,440 $1,575
Frederickson Partner (2007) $1,170 $1,260 $1,440
Bluni Partner (1998) $945 $1,013 $1,058
Valenti Partner (2012) $1,125 $1,215 $1,395
Lu Partner (2014) n/a $1,215 $1,395
Cedrone Partner (2014) $1,058 $1,170 n/a
Zhang Senior Associate (2013) $1,058 $1,143 n/a
Evans Senior Associate (2016) $1,058 $1,143 $1,233
Breen Senior Associate (2016) $1,058 $1,143 $1,233
Keegan Senior Associate (2019) $896 $1,067 $1,206
Ginther Senior Associate (2017) $833 $968 $1,157
Raince Associate (2022) $639 $783 $986
Rao Law Clerk (2021) $639 $783 $873
Maor Associate (2023) n/a $693 $873
Lessard Trial Specialist Paralegal $513 $558 $608
Fitzgerald Senior Litigation Paralegal n/a $509 $554
Scola Case Assistant $315 $342 $374
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Murrell v. Patriot Front et al
Dec 5, 2025 · Civil rights
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $956 $956 Attorney $718 $718 Attorney $676 $676 Attorney $544 $544 Attorney $495 $495 Paralegal $376 $376 The court's words
Plaintiff seeks hourly rates of $956 for Attorney Anthony Mirenda, $718 for Attorney James Gross, $676 for Attorney Allen Thigpen, $544 for Attorney Caroline Holliday, $495 for Attorney Jace Lee and $376 for Paralegal Carla Nigro.
Plaintiff seeks hourly rates of $956 for Attorney Anthony Mirenda, $718 for Attorney James Gross, $676 for Attorney Allen Thigpen, $544 for Attorney Caroline Holliday, $495 for Attorney Jace Lee and $376 for Paralegal Carla Nigro.
Plaintiff seeks hourly rates of $956 for Attorney Anthony Mirenda, $718 for Attorney James Gross, $676 for Attorney Allen Thigpen, $544 for Attorney Caroline Holliday, $495 for Attorney Jace Lee and $376 for Paralegal Carla Nigro.
Plaintiff seeks hourly rates of $956 for Attorney Anthony Mirenda, $718 for Attorney James Gross, $676 for Attorney Allen Thigpen, $544 for Attorney Caroline Holliday, $495 for Attorney Jace Lee and $376 for Paralegal Carla Nigro.
Plaintiff seeks hourly rates of $956 for Attorney Anthony Mirenda, $718 for Attorney James Gross, $676 for Attorney Allen Thigpen, $544 for Attorney Caroline Holliday, $495 for Attorney Jace Lee and $376 for Paralegal Carla Nigro.
Plaintiff seeks hourly rates of $956 for Attorney Anthony Mirenda, $718 for Attorney James Gross, $676 for Attorney Allen Thigpen, $544 for Attorney Caroline Holliday, $495 for Attorney Jace Lee and $376 for Paralegal Carla Nigro.
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Donovan et al v. Richard W. Reid Electrical Company, Inc.
Nov 3, 2025 · ERISA benefits
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $300 $300 Attorney $400 $400 The court's words
their prior counsel charged a billing rate of $300 per hour and their current counsel charges $400 per hour
their prior counsel charged a billing rate of $300 per hour and their current counsel charges $400 per hour
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Malaro et al. v. Roger Wilkie, Jr., Builder, Inc.
Aug 20, 2025 · Other
Role Experience Requested Approved Associate $275 $275 Paralegal $150 $150 The court's words
Mr. Wybieracki’s hourly rate is $275 and Mr. Sewell’s is $150.
Mr. Wybieracki’s hourly rate is $275 and Mr. Sewell’s is $150.
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DiFronzo v. City of Somerville et al
Jun 6, 2025 · Civil rights
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney 49 years $550 $550 Attorney 15 years $400 $400 The court's words
Plaintiff seeks attorneys’ fees at a rate of $550 per hour for attorney Timothy Burke and $400 per hour for attorney Jared Burke. Attorney Timothy Burke has 49 years of experience and attorney Jared Burke has been practicing for 15 years.
Plaintiff seeks attorneys’ fees at a rate of $550 per hour for attorney Timothy Burke and $400 per hour for attorney Jared Burke. Attorney Timothy Burke has 49 years of experience and attorney Jared Burke has been practicing for 15 years.
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Neal v. Omni Boston Corporation
Mar 28, 2025 · Disability access
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $350 $350 Paralegal $125 $125 Attorney $200 $200 The court's words
Neal requests $36,755 in attorney's fees for his lead counsel, Colin Meeker, who billed 115.6 hours at a rate of $325-$350 per hour.
He also requests $1,675 in fees for a paralegal, Robert Martell, who billed 13.4 hours at a rate of $125 per hour.
And he requests $1,780 in attorney's fees for local counsel, Edward Garno, who billed 8.9 hours at a rate of $200 per hour.
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Insulet Corporation v. EOFlow, Co. Ltd. et al
Dec 23, 2024 · Intellectual property
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $1,376 $1,376 Attorney $1,204 $1,204 Attorney $1,019 $1,019 Attorney $925 $925 Attorney $662 $662 The court's words
plaintiff has provided time entries for attorneys Carroll (billing at $1,376/hour), Frederickson ($1,204/hour), Keegan ($1,019.10/hour), Ginther ($924.50/hour), and Maor ($662.20/hour).
plaintiff has provided time entries for attorneys Carroll (billing at $1,376/hour), Frederickson ($1,204/hour), Keegan ($1,019.10/hour), Ginther ($924.50/hour), and Maor ($662.20/hour).
plaintiff has provided time entries for attorneys Carroll (billing at $1,376/hour), Frederickson ($1,204/hour), Keegan ($1,019.10/hour), Ginther ($924.50/hour), and Maor ($662.20/hour).
the overwhelming majority of the reported discovery hours were conducted by attorney Ginther at $924.50/hour, the Court will apply his rate to the lodestar calculation.
plaintiff has provided time entries for attorneys Carroll (billing at $1,376/hour), Frederickson ($1,204/hour), Keegan ($1,019.10/hour), Ginther ($924.50/hour), and Maor ($662.20/hour).
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Muehe et al v. Boston, City of
Nov 26, 2024 · Disability access · Fee cut details
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $725 $725 Attorney $500 $500 Paralegal $221 $221 The court's words
Plaintiffs’ counsel seek reimbursement for fees at an hourly rate of $725 for Attorney Fox, $500 for Attorney Murphy, and $221 for their paralegal – the same billable rates that this court awarded them in 2021
Plaintiffs’ counsel seek reimbursement for fees at an hourly rate of $725 for Attorney Fox, $500 for Attorney Murphy, and $221 for their paralegal – the same billable rates that this court awarded them in 2021
Plaintiffs’ counsel seek reimbursement for fees at an hourly rate of $725 for Attorney Fox, $500 for Attorney Murphy, and $221 for their paralegal – the same billable rates that this court awarded them in 2021
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McNelley et al v. 7-ELEVEN, INC.
Nov 21, 2024 · Disability access
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $400 $400 Attorney $325 $325 The court's words
W. Jacobs’ hourly rate is $400.00 and A. Jacobs’ is $325.00, and combined both attorneys billed over 150 hours in the course of representing McNelley.
W. Jacobs’ hourly rate is $400.00 and A. Jacobs’ is $325.00, and combined both attorneys billed over 150 hours in the course of representing McNelley.
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North America Photon Infotech, Ltd. v. Acquia Inc.
Aug 19, 2024 · Commercial · Older than two years, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Partner $650 Attorney $430 Paralegal $200 The court's words
Schwartz spent 1.8 hours at $650 per hour; attorney Corey Winer spent 23.1 hours at $430 per hour; and paralegal Samantha Wood spent 6.15 hours at $200 per hour.
Schwartz spent 1.8 hours at $650 per hour; attorney Corey Winer spent 23.1 hours at $430 per hour; and paralegal Samantha Wood spent 6.15 hours at $200 per hour.
Schwartz spent 1.8 hours at $650 per hour; attorney Corey Winer spent 23.1 hours at $430 per hour; and paralegal Samantha Wood spent 6.15 hours at $200 per hour.
Earlier rulings
| Case | Date | Approved rates |
|---|---|---|
| Novi Footwear International Co. Limited v. Earth OpCo LLC et al | Jul 15, 2024 | Attorney $395 |
| Nathan P. Goldstein v. National Shoring LLC | Jul 15, 2024 | Attorney $350, Paralegal $175 |
| Christopher Drennen v. Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc., | May 28, 2024 | Attorney $950, Attorney $750, Attorney $350, Paralegal $150, Attorney $850 |
| Alexander v. Mici | May 7, 2024 | Partner $600, Associate $385 |
| Brown v. The Wheatleigh Corporation et al | Apr 16, 2024 | Partner $500, Associate $300, Attorney $250, Associate $250 |
| Perrault Hamel v. The Wheatleigh Corporation et al | Apr 16, 2024 | Partner $375, Associate $275, Attorney $250, Associate $180 |
| Harris v. The Wheatleigh Corporation et al | Apr 16, 2024 | Partner $500, Associate $300, Attorney $250, Associate $250 |
| ACQIS, LLC v. EMC Corporation | Mar 6, 2024 | Partner $996, Of counsel $747, Associate $747, Paralegal $340 |
| Sonesta RL Hotels Franchising, Inc. v. Patel et al | Feb 6, 2024 |
FAQ
What hourly rate does the D. Massachusetts approve for partners?
A median of $1,148 an hour across 6 approved rates in fee rulings since October 20, 2024.
What hourly rate does the D. Massachusetts approve for associates?
A median of $865 an hour across 8 approved rates in fee rulings since October 20, 2024.
What hourly rate does the D. Massachusetts approve for attorneys?
A median of $544 an hour across 21 approved rates in fee rulings since October 20, 2024, with the middle half from $400 to $725.
How often does the D. Massachusetts cut a requested hourly rate?
For 0 of 43 timekeepers (0%) in recent fee rulings.
How do I prove a reasonable hourly rate in the D. Massachusetts?
With evidence beyond your own declaration, usually recent awards in the same district for lawyers of similar experience. The rulings on this page can be cited directly; use the citation block to copy them.
The data is free to use under CC BY 4.0. Please credit "LegalTime Fee Cut Tracker" with a link to this page. 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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