Court-approved attorney hourly rates: E.D. Tennessee | LegalTime AI

Court-approved attorney hourly rates: District Court, E.D. Tennessee

31 approved rates from 11 fee rulings since October 20, 2024. Latest ruling Aug 6, 2026. Data as of October 20, 2026.

RoleMedianMiddle halfRangeRates
Attorney $350 $250 to $400 $135 to $550 25

The court approved a lower rate than requested for 5 of 31 timekeepers (16%), by a median 28.6%.

Cite these rates

$350/hr

In E.D. Tennessee fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved attorney rate was $350 an hour (25 rates).

Based on 25 rates. Rates approved in E.D. Tennessee fee rulings since October 20, 2024, checked against each opinion. Statutory rates are left out.

Copy these rulings as citations

Recent E.D. Tennessee rulings with the rates they approved, formatted for a fee petition. Check each ruling before citing it.

Jones v. Viviant Care Management LLC (TV2), No. 4:23-cv-00034 (E.D. Tenn. Aug. 6, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $500 for an attorney with 27 years' experience; $350 for an attorney); Torres v. Collins, No. 2:20-cv-00026 (E.D. Tenn. July 21, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $450 to $550 for attorneys; $250 for another timekeeper); Cavalry Brokerage, Inc. v. Jones (TV3), No. 3:22-cv-00356 (E.D. Tenn. July 10, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $300 for an attorney); Fountain Equipment Finance, LLC v. ZZ Energy, LLC, No. 3:24-cv-00496 (E.D. Tenn. Mar. 17, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $200 to $350 for attorneys); Volynets v. Bradley County, No. 1:24-cv-00168 (E.D. Tenn. Feb. 27, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $350 to $450 for attorneys); Torres v. Collins, No. 2:20-cv-00026 (E.D. Tenn. Sept. 19, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $400 for attorneys with 12 years' experience; $400 for an attorney with 11 years' experience; $400 for an attorney with 9 years' experience); Griffin v. Copper Cellar Corporation, No. 3:21-cv-00100 (E.D. Tenn. Aug. 22, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $375 for attorneys with 40 years' experience; $85 for a paralegal); Taber v. Lowe's Home Centers, LLC, No. 2:24-cv-00149 (E.D. Tenn. July 9, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $135 for an attorney; $75 for a paralegal); Whiting v. City Of Athens, No. 3:23-cv-00002 (E.D. Tenn. Feb. 18, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $162 to $250 for attorneys); Benton v. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc., No. 1:22-cv-00118 (E.D. Tenn. Jan. 31, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $450 for an attorney; $125 for a paralegal); North Wind Site Services, LLC v. Unified Contractor, Inc., No. 3:24-cv-00038 (E.D. Tenn. Oct. 25, 2024) (approving hourly rates of $350 for an attorney; $100 for a paralegal).

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.

  • Case Name in Social Security Case - Unavailable

    Aug 7, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians

    RoleExperienceRequestedApproved
    Attorney $239 $239
    Paralegal $125 $125
    The court's words
    Plaintiff asked the Court to grant an EAJA fee award in the amount of $7,490.90, including 28.1 hours of attorney work at $239/hour and 6.2 hours of paralegal work at $125/hour
    28.1 hours of attorney work at $239/hour and 6.2 hours of paralegal work at $125/hour

  • Jones et al v. Viviant Care Management LLC et al (TV2)

    Aug 6, 2026 · Employment

    RoleExperienceRequestedApproved
    Attorney 27 years $500 $500
    Attorney $350 $350
    The court's words
    Plaintiffs request $122,485 in attorneys’ fees based on hourly rates of $500 for attorney Douglas B. Janney III and $350 for attorney Curt M. Masker
    Plaintiffs request $122,485 in attorneys’ fees based on hourly rates of $500 for attorney Douglas B. Janney III and $350 for attorney Curt M. Masker

  • Case Name in Social Security Case - Unavailable

    Jul 30, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians

    RoleExperienceRequestedApproved
    Attorney $256 $256
    Attorney $262 $262
    Paralegal $125 $125
    The court's words
    totaled 38.6 hours with 28.2 of those hours at an attorney hourly rate of $255.90, 3.7 hours at an attorney rate of $262.23
    3.7 hours at an attorney rate of $262.23, and 6.6 of those hours at a paralegal hourly rate of $125.00
    6.6 of those hours at a paralegal hourly rate of $125.00

  • Torres et al v. Collins et al

    Jul 21, 2026 · Civil rights

    RoleExperienceRequestedApproved
    Attorney $550 $550
    Attorney $450 $450
    other $250 $250
    The court's words
    $550 per hour for work by attorneys with 4–6 years of experience
    $450 per hour for work by attorneys with 0–3 years of experience
    Coleman Powell 112.3 $250 $28,075

  • Case Name in Social Security Case - Unavailable

    Jul 20, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians

    RoleExperienceRequestedApproved
    Attorney $239 $239
    Paralegal $125 $125
    The court's words
    Plaintiff asked the Court to grant an EAJA fee award in the amount of $7,490.90, including 28.1 hours of attorney work at $239/hour
    and 6.2 hours of paralegal work at $125/hour

  • Cavalry Brokerage, Inc. v. Jones et al (TV3)

    Jul 10, 2026 · Intellectual property

    RoleExperienceRequestedApproved
    Attorney $300 $300
    The court's words
    With respect to the hourly rate requested, Plaintiff's counsel seeks $300 per hour. Plaintiff's counsel has been practicing since 2015 and has 'experience in both state and federal courts...' The undersigned is familiar with the prevailing rate for attorneys practicing in the Eastern District of Tennessee and finds that the requested hourly rate is appropriate.

  • Case Name in Social Security Case - Unavailable

    Apr 21, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians

    RoleExperienceRequestedApproved
    Attorney $239 $239
    Paralegal $125 $125
    The court's words
    She detailed the hourly rates, $239 for Attorney Julie Atkins, and $125 for Attorney Atkins's paralegal
    She detailed the hourly rates, $239 for Attorney Julie Atkins, and $125 for Attorney Atkins's paralegal

  • Case Name in Social Security Case - Unavailable

    Mar 30, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians

    RoleExperienceRequestedApproved
    Attorney $239 $239
    Paralegal $125 $125
    The court's words
    She detailed the hourly rates, $239 for Attorney Julie Atkins, and $125 for Attorney Atkins's paralegal
    She detailed the hourly rates, $239 for Attorney Julie Atkins, and $125 for Attorney Atkins's paralegal

  • Fountain Equipment Finance, LLC v. ZZ Energy, LLC et al

    Mar 17, 2026 · Commercial

    RoleExperienceRequestedApproved
    Attorney $350 $350
    Attorney $200 $200
    The court's words
    Of the $3,255 attributable to "attorneys' fees," this amount consists of 8.1 hours at a rate of $350 per hour and 2.10 hours at a rate of $200 per hour
    Of the $3,255 attributable to "attorneys' fees," this amount consists of 8.1 hours at a rate of $350 per hour and 2.10 hours at a rate of $200 per hour

  • Volynets v. Bradley County et al

    Feb 27, 2026 · Civil rights

    RoleExperienceRequestedApproved
    Attorney $450 $450
    Attorney $375 $375
    Attorney $350 $350
    The court's words
    the Court concludes that the hourly fees of $450 per hour for Mr. Clark and Mr. Brazil, $375 per hour for Ms. Manfield, and $350 per hour for Mr. Rudolph are reasonable.
    the Court concludes that the hourly fees of $450 per hour for Mr. Clark and Mr. Brazil, $375 per hour for Ms. Manfield, and $350 per hour for Mr. Rudolph are reasonable.
    the Court concludes that the hourly fees of $450 per hour for Mr. Clark and Mr. Brazil, $375 per hour for Ms. Manfield, and $350 per hour for Mr. Rudolph are reasonable.

  • Torres et al v. Collins et al

    Sep 19, 2025 · Civil rights · Fee cut details

    RoleExperienceRequestedApproved
    Attorney 12 years $400 $400
    Attorney 11 years $400 $400
    Attorney 12 years $400 $400
    Attorney 9 years $400 $400
    Attorney 5 years $350 $250
    Attorney 2 years $350 $250
    Attorney 1 years $350 $250
    other $125 $125
    The court's words
    the prevailing local market rate for Attorneys Karakatsanis, Downer, Wayne, and Mikkilineni is $400 per hour
    the prevailing local market rate for Attorneys Karakatsanis, Downer, Wayne, and Mikkilineni is $400 per hour
    the prevailing local market rate for Attorneys Karakatsanis, Downer, Wayne, and Mikkilineni is $400 per hour
    the prevailing local market rate for Attorneys Karakatsanis, Downer, Wayne, and Mikkilineni is $400 per hour
    given the significantly more limited experience of Attorneys Backer, Umana and Israni, it is appropriate for them to be compensated at the rate of $250 per hour.
    given the significantly more limited experience of Attorneys Backer, Umana and Israni, it is appropriate for them to be compensated at the rate of $250 per hour.
    given the significantly more limited experience of Attorneys Backer, Umana and Israni, it is appropriate for them to be compensated at the rate of $250 per hour.
    this court finds that Plaintiffs’ “backup rate” request of $125 per hour for Mr. Powell’s services is what should be utilized.

  • Griffin v. Copper Cellar Corporation

    Aug 22, 2025 · Employment · Fee cut details

    RoleExperienceRequestedApproved
    Attorney 40 years $425 $375
    Attorney 40 years $425 $375
    Paralegal $85 $85
    The court's words
    Plaintiff seeks $425.00 per hour for both Attorney Underwood and Attorney Hyman. Both counsel have been practicing law for approximately 40 years.
    Attorney Hyman states that '[his] time is billed at [his] standard rate of $425.00 per hour,' which he submits is 'reasonable and appropriate given [his] more than forty (40) years of legal practice.'
    Paralegal Ostrom billed at a rate of $85.00 per hour [Doc. 210-3]. Defendant does not contest this rate, and a $85.00 rate for paralegal services is reasonable.

  • Taber v. Lowe's Home Centers, LLC

    Jul 9, 2025 · Other

    RoleExperienceRequestedApproved
    Attorney $135 $135
    Paralegal $75 $75
    The court's words
    This amount includes a total of 16.2 hours addressing the Motion to Compel and Motion for Sanctions billed at a rate of $135 per hour for the attorney and $75 per hour for the paralegal.
    This amount includes a total of 16.2 hours addressing the Motion to Compel and Motion for Sanctions billed at a rate of $135 per hour for the attorney and $75 per hour for the paralegal.

  • Whiting v. City Of Athens et al

    Feb 18, 2025 · Civil rights

    RoleExperienceRequestedApproved
    Attorney $162 $162
    Attorney $190 $190
    Attorney $250 $250
    The court's words
    Sumner and Perkinson request fees at $162 per hour for Laura Beth Rufolo and Aaron Wells, and at $190 per hour for Keith Grant.
    Sumner and Perkinson request fees at $162 per hour for Laura Beth Rufolo and Aaron Wells, and at $190 per hour for Keith Grant.
    Sliger’s counsel charged $250 per hour (see Doc. 264-1, at 2), a rate which the Court has approved before.

  • Benton v. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc.

    Jan 31, 2025 · Employment

    RoleExperienceRequestedApproved
    Attorney $450 $450
    Paralegal $125 $125
    The court's words
    She requests a $450 hourly rate be applied to Hamill’s time and that a $125 hourly rate be applied to Guinn’s. After due consideration, the Court finds these rates and amounts of time reasonable.
    She requests a $450 hourly rate be applied to Hamill’s time and that a $125 hourly rate be applied to Guinn’s. After due consideration, the Court finds these rates and amounts of time reasonable.

Earlier rulings

CaseDateApproved rates
Case Name in Social Security Case - Unavailable Oct 29, 2024 Attorney $206, Attorney $223, Paralegal $55
North Wind Site Services, LLC v. Unified Contractor, Inc. Oct 25, 2024 Attorney $350, Paralegal $100
Fugate et al v. Metro Transport Group, LLC. (TV3) Oct 4, 2024 Attorney $350, Associate $350
Whiting v. City Of Athens et al Sep 24, 2024 Attorney $229
Whiting v. City Of Athens et al Sep 24, 2024 Attorney $229
Case Name in Social Security Case - Unavailable Aug 27, 2024 Attorney $155
Stoneybrooke Investors LLC v.McCurry (JRG1) Jul 23, 2024 Attorney $175
Case Name in Social Security Case - Unavailable Jul 15, 2024 Attorney $155
Case Name in Social Security Case - Unavailable Jul 2, 2024 Attorney $223, Paralegal $50
Schlosser v. VRHabilis, LLC Feb 1, 2024 Law clerk $100

FAQ

What hourly rate does the E.D. Tennessee approve for attorneys?

A median of $350 an hour across 25 approved rates in fee rulings since October 20, 2024, with the middle half from $250 to $400.

How often does the E.D. Tennessee cut a requested hourly rate?

For 5 of 31 timekeepers (16%) in recent fee rulings, by a median 28.6% when it did.

How do I prove a reasonable hourly rate in the E.D. Tennessee?

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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