Court-approved attorney hourly rates: District Court, D. New Jersey
76 approved rates from 23 fee rulings since October 20, 2024. Latest ruling Aug 25, 2026. Data as of October 20, 2026.
| Role | Median | Middle half | Range | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partner | $665 | $550 to $1,115 | $390 to $1,810 | 25 |
| Associate | $540 | $399 to $873 | $175 to $1,465 | 18 |
| Attorney | $500 | $338 to $561 | $175 to $800 | 15 |
| Paralegal | $191 | $125 to $200 | $70 to $330 | 13 |
Approved rates by year
| Year | Partner | Associate | Paralegal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $508 (6) | $450 (7) | $135 (8) |
| 2025 | $1,050 (16) | $910 (9) | |
| 2024 | $450 (11) | $313 (10) | $213 (15) |
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.
Attorney rates by years of experience
| Experience | Median | Middle half | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20+ years | $1,025 | 5 |
Only rates where the opinion states the attorney's years of experience.
The court approved a lower rate than requested for 2 of 75 timekeepers (3%).
Cite these rates
$665/hr
In D. New Jersey fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved partner rate was $665 an hour (25 rates).
$540/hr
In D. New Jersey fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved associate rate was $540 an hour (18 rates).
$500/hr
In D. New Jersey fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved attorney rate was $500 an hour (15 rates).
$191/hr
In D. New Jersey fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved paralegal rate was $191 an hour (13 rates).
Copy these rulings as citations
Recent D. New Jersey rulings with the rates they approved, formatted for a fee petition. Check each ruling before citing it.
K.W. v. RINGWOOD BOARD OF EDUCATION, No. 2:24-cv-08293 (D.N.J. Aug. 25, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $600 for an attorney; $200 for a paralegal); M. A. v. WALL TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION, No. 3:20-cv-05218 (D.N.J. Aug. 10, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $254 for law clerks; $573 for an attorney; $566 for partners); TRUSTEES OF THE B.A.C. LOCAL 4 PENSION FUND v. BLADE GENERAL CONTRACTING, INC., No. 2:25-cv-16111 (D.N.J. July 28, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $390 to $420 for partners; $290 to $310 for associates; $130 to $140 for paralegals); CHANG v. ABLE C&C CO. LTD., No. 2:23-cv-02590 (D.N.J. June 30, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $650 for an attorney; $285 for a paralegal); TRUSTEES OF THE SHEET METAL, AIR, RAIL, TRANSPORTATION WORKERS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION LOCAL 27 ANNUITY FUND v. CINNAMINSON MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS, INC., No. 1:22-cv-06068 (D.N.J. June 26, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $225 for an attorney; $90 for a paralegal); TRUSTEES OF INTERNATIONAL UNION OF PAINTERS AND ALLIED TRADES DISTRICT COUNCIL 711 HEALTH & WELFARE FUND v. INDEPENDENT WALLCOVERING, INC., No. 2:20-cv-07084 (D.N.J. June 5, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $175 for an attorney; $175 for an associate; $70 for paralegals); ROADTEX TRANSPORTATION, LLC v. DELLA DONNE, No. 3:24-cv-04185 (D.N.J. May 26, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $875 for a partner with 25 years' experience; $685 for an associate with 11 years' experience; $545 to $685 for associates with 7 years' experience); SCHNEIDER, FAMILY TRUST v. PNC BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, No. 1:23-cv-03146 (D.N.J. Feb. 23, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $450 for a partner with 35 years' experience); FLYNN-MURPHY v. JAGUAR LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA, LLC, No. 2:20-cv-14464 (D.N.J. Dec. 31, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $811 for another timekeeper); KHAL ANSHEI TALLYMAWR INC. v. TOWNSHIP OF TOMS RIVER, NEW JERSEY, No. 3:21-cv-02716 (D.N.J. Oct. 15, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $425 for an attorney; $125 for a paralegal); COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION v. TRADERS GLOBAL GROUP INC., No. 1:23-cv-11808 (D.N.J. July 14, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $1,115 to $1,810 for partners; $760 to $1,465 for associates); J.G. v. JONES, No. 1:24-cv-08232 (D.N.J. July 14, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $500 for an attorney).
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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K.W. v. RINGWOOD BOARD OF EDUCATION
Aug 25, 2026 · Special education
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $600 $600 Paralegal $200 $200 The court's words
the Court finds that Plaintiff has established that Mr. Epstein's requested billing rate of $600 per hour is reasonable.
$600 per hour multiplied by 153.1 hours ... added to $200 multiplied by 10.2 hours for tasks billed at a paralegal rate
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M. A. v. WALL TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION
Aug 10, 2026 · Special education · Fee cut details
Role Experience Requested Approved Law clerk $254 $254 Law clerk $254 $254 Attorney $573 $573 Partner $566 $566 Paralegal $191 $191 Partner $566 $566 The court's words
Law clerk Avery Covington billed 66.5 hours at a rate of $254.46 per hour for a total of $16,921.59 in fees;
Law clerk Gregory Eyen billed 157 hours at a rate of $254.46 per hour for a total of $39,950.22 in fees;
Principal attorney John Rue billed 36.8 hours at a rate of $572.53 per hour for a total of $21,069.14 in fees;
Partner Krista Rue billed 25.10 hours at a rate of $566.16 per hour for a total of $14,210.61 in fees;
Paralegal Megan Atkinson billed 32.9 hours at a rate of $190.84 per hour for a total of $6,278.65 in fees.
Partner Donald Souter billed 9.5 hours at a rate of $566.16 per hour for a total of $5,378.52 in fees;
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TRUSTEES OF THE B.A.C. LOCAL 4 PENSION FUND et al v. BLADE GENERAL CONTRACTING, INC.
Jul 28, 2026 · ERISA benefits
Role Experience Requested Approved Partner $390 $390 Partner $420 $420 Associate $290 $290 Associate $310 $310 Paralegal $130 $130 Paralegal $140 $140 The court's words
before December 31, 2025, they paid partners $390 per hour, associate attorneys $290 per hour, and legal assistants $130 per hour.
after January 1, 2026, they paid partners $420 per hour, associate attorneys $310 per hour, and legal assistants $140 per hour.
before December 31, 2025, they paid partners $390 per hour, associate attorneys $290 per hour, and legal assistants $130 per hour.
after January 1, 2026, they paid partners $420 per hour, associate attorneys $310 per hour, and legal assistants $140 per hour.
before December 31, 2025, they paid partners $390 per hour, associate attorneys $290 per hour, and legal assistants $130 per hour.
after January 1, 2026, they paid partners $420 per hour, associate attorneys $310 per hour, and legal assistants $140 per hour.
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Jun 30, 2026 · Other
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $650 $650 Paralegal $400 $285 The court's words
prior to September 1, 2024 – Eric S. Latzer $650 per hour; ... After September 1, 2024 – Eric S. Latzer $750 per hour
her rate will be reduced to $285 per hour. Thus, the fees in connection with the 5.9 hours of work performed by Ms. Delehanty will be reduced from $2,311 to $1,681.50.
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Jun 26, 2026 · ERISA benefits
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $225 $225 Paralegal $90 $90 The court's words
The attorneys billed at $225 per hour and the paralegals $90 per hour.
The attorneys billed at $225 per hour and the paralegals $90 per hour.
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Jun 5, 2026 · ERISA benefits
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $175 $175 Associate $175 $175 Paralegal $70 $70 Paralegal $70 $70 The court's words
[L]egal services were performed by Steven J. Bushinsky, Esquire, a member of the law firm of O’Brien, Belland & Bushinsky, LLC at the rate of $175.00 per hour
Daniel H. Mariani, Esquire, former associate, at the rate of $175.00 per hour
Diane Harman, paralegal, at the rate of $70.00 per hour; and Denielle D’ Amore, paralegal, at the rate of $70.00 per hour
Diane Harman, paralegal, at the rate of $70.00 per hour; and Denielle D’ Amore, paralegal, at the rate of $70.00 per hour
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ROADTEX TRANSPORTATION, LLC v. DELLA DONNE et al
May 26, 2026 · Other
Role Experience Requested Approved Partner 25 years $875 $875 Associate 11 years $685 $685 Associate 7 years $685 $685 Associate 7 years $545 $545 Associate 1 years $450 $450 The court's words
Mr. Humphrey, a partner with over twenty-five years’ experience, charges $875 per hour;
Ms. Noelle Torrice, a senior managing associate with over eleven years’ experience, charges $685 per hour;
Ms. Katie Burnett, an associate with over seven years’ experience, charges $685 per hour;
Mr. John Dagon, an associate with over seven years’ experience, charges $545 per hour;
Ms. Samantha Marchand, an associate with less than one year’s experience, charges $450 per hour.
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SCHNEIDER, FAMILY TRUST et al v. PNC BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Feb 23, 2026 · Commercial
Role Experience Requested Approved Partner 35 years $450 $450 The court's words
PNC requests an hourly rate of $450 per hour for attorney Daniel J. Tobin and $400 per hour for attorney William P. Reiley. ... Tobin is a partner with 35 years of experience.
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ARIAS et al v. FAMILY FIRST FUNDING, LLC et al
Feb 19, 2026 · Employment
Role Experience Requested Approved Associate $415 The court's words
1.35 hours billed at a rate of $415 per hour by litigation associate Catherine J. Costagliola for a total of $560.25 in fees
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FLYNN-MURPHY et al v. JAGUAR LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA, LLC
Dec 31, 2025 · Consumer protection
Role Experience Requested Approved other $811 The court's words
Class Counsel's blended billing rate is $811. For completeness, the Court has reviewed and determined that this is a reasonable rate based on the "geographical area, the nature of the services provided, and the experience of the attorneys."
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KHAL ANSHEI TALLYMAWR INC. v. TOWNSHIP OF TOMS RIVER, NEW JERSEY et al
Oct 15, 2025 · Civil rights · Fee cut details
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $500 $425 Paralegal $125 $125 The court's words
Plaintiffs submit that the requested blended hourly rate of $500 is warranted based on counsel's experience and expertise.
the paralegal charged $125
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YANG v. VILLAGE SUPERMARKETS, INC. et al
Aug 12, 2025 · Wage and hour
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney 10 years $475 Associate 7 years $425 Associate 4 years $385 Attorney $225 Paralegal $175 other $80 The court's words
Plaintiffs’ counsel’s fee application seeks the following hourly rates: (a) Heng Wang – $475; (b) Jacob Tebele – $425; (c) Jeremy Jackson – $385; (d) Hanling Rong – $225; (e) Paralegal – $175; and (f) Legal Assistant/Supporting Staff – $80.
at the time, his associates (Mr. Tebele and Mr. Jackson) had been practicing for 7 and 4 years, respectively.
at the time, his associates (Mr. Tebele and Mr. Jackson) had been practicing for 7 and 4 years, respectively.
Plaintiffs’ counsel’s fee application seeks the following hourly rates: (a) Heng Wang – $475; (b) Jacob Tebele – $425; (c) Jeremy Jackson – $385; (d) Hanling Rong – $225; (e) Paralegal – $175; and (f) Legal Assistant/Supporting Staff – $80.
Plaintiffs’ counsel’s fee application seeks the following hourly rates: (a) Heng Wang – $475; (b) Jacob Tebele – $425; (c) Jeremy Jackson – $385; (d) Hanling Rong – $225; (e) Paralegal – $175; and (f) Legal Assistant/Supporting Staff – $80.
Plaintiffs’ counsel’s fee application seeks the following hourly rates: (a) Heng Wang – $475; (b) Jacob Tebele – $425; (c) Jeremy Jackson – $385; (d) Hanling Rong – $225; (e) Paralegal – $175; and (f) Legal Assistant/Supporting Staff – $80.
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COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION v. TRADERS GLOBAL GROUP INC. et al
Jul 14, 2025 · Other
Role Experience Requested Approved Partner $1,810 $1,810 Partner $1,735 $1,735 Partner $1,735 $1,735 Associate $1,465 $1,465 Associate $1,305 $1,305 Associate $1,280 $1,280 Partner $1,700 $1,700 Partner $1,510 $1,510 Partner $1,115 $1,115 Associate $1,160 $1,160 Associate $910 $910 Associate $760 $760 The court's words
$1,810 for Partner Robert Zink
$1,735 for Partner Avi Perry
$1,735 for Partner Kurt Wolfe
$1,465 for Associate Dakota Speas
$1,305 for Associate Matthew Feibert
$1,280 for Associate Isabelle Sun
$1,700 for Partner Craig Carpenito
$1,510 for Partner Jeffrey S. Bucholtz
$1,115 for Partner Alexander Kazam
$1,160 for Associate T.J. Scrivo
$910 for Associate Paige Tenkhoff
$760 for Associate Nicholas Cohen
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Jul 14, 2025 · Other
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $500 $500 The court's words
Plaintiff’s attorneys request to be reimbursed an hourly rate of $500 for a total of 112.8 hours. ... I find that they are entitled to fees at their billed rates.
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ASDAL HOLDINGS, LLC et al v. IDEASOIL, LLC et al
May 21, 2025 · Commercial
Role Experience Requested Approved Partner 40 years $1,025 $1,025 Partner 40 years $1,075 $1,075 Partner 40 years $1,150 $1,150 Partner 11 years $620 $620 Partner 11 years $690 $690 Partner 11 years $750 $750 The court's words
Mr. Mintz's and Mr. Carroll's billing rates were $1,025 per hour and $620 per hour, respectively.
From October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, Mr. Mintz's and Mr. Carroll's billing rates were $1,075 per hour and $690 per hour, respectively.
effective October 1, 2024, to now, Mr. Mintz's and Mr. Carroll's billing rates are $1,150 per hour and $750 per hour, respectively.
Mr. Mintz's and Mr. Carroll's billing rates were $1,025 per hour and $620 per hour, respectively.
From October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, Mr. Mintz's and Mr. Carroll's billing rates were $1,075 per hour and $690 per hour, respectively.
effective October 1, 2024, to now, Mr. Mintz's and Mr. Carroll's billing rates are $1,150 per hour and $750 per hour, respectively.
Earlier rulings
| Case | Date | Approved rates |
|---|---|---|
| WEBBS v. GREEN | May 13, 2025 | Attorney $500 |
| SALINS v. ADILETTA et al | May 6, 2025 | Attorney $485, Attorney $510, Attorney $550, Paralegal $310 |
| THE MICHAEL E. PANEBIANCO ACC FAMILY TRUST v. VET CELLECT, LLC et al | May 2, 2025 | Attorney $275, Attorney $350 |
| JACKSON HEWITT, INC. v. KANWALDEV SRA et al | Mar 21, 2025 | Partner $610, Partner $550, Associate $430 |
| SERVICE EXPERTS LLC v. BAXTER et al | Feb 25, 2025 | Partner $665, Associate $535, Associate $410 |
| MISTER SOFTEE FRANCHISE LLC et al v. GIANNOS et al | Feb 24, 2025 | Partner $600 |
| ZAAROUR v. MURPHY | Feb 19, 2025 | Attorney $800 |
| RASTELLI BROTHERS, INC. v. NATURA FOODS, L.L.C. | Dec 13, 2024 | Partner $550, Associate $395, Partner $525, Of counsel $465, Paralegal $330 |
| CHEN et al v. RON HIBACHI GRILL SUPREME BUFFET INC. et al | Nov 27, 2024 | Paralegal $200, Law clerk $275, Associate $325, Partner $450 |
| ALLENWOOD CIRCLE EXXON et al v. BMG EXTERIOR RENOVATIONS LLC et al | Nov 18, 2024 | Attorney $325, Paralegal $200 |
| INDUSTRIA DE ALIMENTOS ZENU S.A.S. v. LATINFOOD U.S. CORP. et al | Oct 2, 2024 | Partner $995, Associate $535, Of counsel $760, Of counsel $810 |
| RIEGER v. VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC. et al | May 16, 2024 | Associate $475, Partner $950, Attorney $540, Attorney $1,075, Paralegal $280, Paralegal $445, Attorney $550 |
| LIN et al v. HUDSON CITY SAVINGS BANK et al | Apr 19, 2024 | Partner $310, Partner $450, Associate $280, Associate $375, Paralegal $128, Paralegal $155 |
| RASTELLI PARTNERS, LLC et al v. BAKER et al | Mar 6, 2024 | Partner $423, Associate $300, Associate $222, Paralegal $223, Paralegal $260, Paralegal $213, Paralegal $150 |
| DF VENTURES, LLC et al v. FOFBAKERS HOLDING COMPANY, LLC et al | Mar 6, 2024 | Partner $461, Partner $425, Partner $423, Associate $300, Associate $222, Paralegal $223, Paralegal $260, Paralegal $213, Attorney $315 |
| TRUSTEES OF INTERNATIONAL UNION OF PAINTERS AND ALLIED TRADES DISTRICT COUNCIL 711 HEALTH & WELFARE FUND, VACATION FUND, AND PAINTERS DISTRICT COUNCIL 711 FINISHING TRADES INSTITUTE et al v. LEO CONSTRUCTING, LLC | Feb 16, 2024 | Attorney $175, Paralegal $70 |
FAQ
What hourly rate does the D. New Jersey approve for partners?
A median of $665 an hour across 25 approved rates in fee rulings since October 20, 2024, with the middle half from $550 to $1,115.
What hourly rate does the D. New Jersey approve for associates?
A median of $540 an hour across 18 approved rates in fee rulings since October 20, 2024, with the middle half from $399 to $873.
What hourly rate does the D. New Jersey approve for attorneys?
A median of $500 an hour across 15 approved rates in fee rulings since October 20, 2024, with the middle half from $338 to $561.
How often does the D. New Jersey cut a requested hourly rate?
For 2 of 75 timekeepers (3%) in recent fee rulings.
How do I prove a reasonable hourly rate in the D. New Jersey?
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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