Court-approved attorney hourly rates: District Court, M.D. Tennessee
33 approved rates from 12 fee rulings since October 20, 2024. Latest ruling Oct 1, 2026. Data as of October 20, 2026.
| Role | Median | Middle half | Range | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partner | $500 | $475 to $614 | $450 to $750 | 13 |
| Associate | $415 | $300 to $494 | 6 | |
| Attorney | $325 | $250 to $700 | 7 |
Approved rates by year
| Year | Partner | Associate | Paralegal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $513 (12) | $415 (6) |
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 4 of 33 timekeepers (12%).
Cite these rates
$500/hr
In M.D. Tennessee fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved partner rate was $500 an hour (13 rates).
$415/hr
In M.D. Tennessee fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved associate rate was $415 an hour (6 rates).
$325/hr
In M.D. Tennessee fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved attorney rate was $325 an hour (7 rates).
Copy these rulings as citations
Recent M.D. Tennessee rulings with the rates they approved, formatted for a fee petition. Check each ruling before citing it.
Reguli v. Woodruff, No. 3:24-cv-00694 (M.D. Tenn. Oct. 1, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $460 for an associate; $460 for partners); FemHealth USA, Inc. v. Williams, No. 3:22-cv-00565 (M.D. Tenn. Sept. 29, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $485 to $625 for partners; $618 for of counsel; $430 to $494 for associates); Apartment Insiders, LLC v. Hensen, No. 3:25-cv-01137 (M.D. Tenn. Sept. 15, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $450 for a partner); Wilfong v. Starstruck Entertainment, LLC, No. 3:23-cv-00044 (M.D. Tenn. Aug. 21, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $700 for an attorney; $200 for a paralegal); Beekeepers Mill LLC v. Welcome Mat Vacations LLC, No. 3:24-cv-00633 (M.D. Tenn. Aug. 13, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $400 for an attorney); Rowe v. Brighter Electric, LLC, No. 3:26-cv-00243 (M.D. Tenn. Aug. 6, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $425 for an attorney; $100 for a paralegal); Lopez v. Williamson County, Tennessee, No. 3:24-cv-00245 (M.D. Tenn. Apr. 20, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $250 for an attorney; $125 for a paralegal); United States of America v. Miraca Life Sciences, Inc., No. 3:13-cv-01025 (M.D. Tenn. Mar. 5, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $475 to $750 for partners; $300 to $400 for associates; $200 for a paralegal); Burwell v. Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC, No. 3:23-cv-00734 (M.D. Tenn. July 29, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $500 for a partner); West-Luffman v. Ruff, No. 3:23-cv-00096 (M.D. Tenn. Feb. 21, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $325 for an attorney; $105 for another timekeeper); Doe v. Spencer, No. 1:23-cv-00002 (M.D. Tenn. Jan. 16, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $275 for an attorney); West-Luffman v. Ruff, No. 3:23-cv-00096 (M.D. Tenn. Oct. 31, 2024) (approving hourly rates of $325 for an attorney; $105 for another timekeeper).
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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Oct 1, 2026 · Other
Role Experience Requested Approved Associate $460 $460 Partner $460 $460 Partner $590 $460 The court's words
the discounted hourly rates requested—$590.00 for Attorney Spainhour and $460.00 for Attorneys Stephens and Sacks—extend beyond the high end of rates typically approved.
the discounted hourly rates requested—$590.00 for Attorney Spainhour and $460.00 for Attorneys Stephens and Sacks—extend beyond the high end of rates typically approved.
the discounted hourly rates requested—$590.00 for Attorney Spainhour and $460.00 for Attorneys Stephens and Sacks—extend beyond the high end of rates typically approved.
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FemHealth USA, Inc. v. Williams et al
Sep 29, 2026 · Civil rights
Role Experience Requested Approved Partner $625 $625 Of counsel $618 $618 Partner $614 $614 Partner $485 $485 Associate $494 $494 Associate $430 $430 The court's words
David Esquivel serves as the Pro Bono Partner at BBS... His hourly rate at the time of this litigation was $625.
Angie Bergman is counsel at BBS, where she has worked since 2013. Her hourly rate at the time of this litigation ranged from $530 to $618.35.
Allison Acker is a partner in the Litigation practice group at BBS... Her hourly rate at the time of this litigation ranged from $520 to $614.41.
Margaret Dodson is a partner in the Litigation practice group at BBS... Her hourly rate at the time of this litigation was $485.
Peter Rathmell was a junior associate at BBS during the pendency of this litigation... His hourly rate at the time of this litigation was $494.31.
Michael Tackeff was a junior associate at BBS... His hourly rate at the time of this litigation was $430.
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Apartment Insiders, LLC v. Hensen
Sep 15, 2026 · Other · Fee cut details
Role Experience Requested Approved Partner $450 $450 The court's words
the Court finds that the $450.00 hourly rate requested for Attorney Crowell is within the range of reasonable for partner-level rates
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Earley v. Commissioner of Social Security
Aug 31, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $256 $261 Attorney $262 $261 Paralegal $125 $100 The court's words
Plaintiff requests fees at rate of $255.90 per hour in 2025 and $262.23 per hour in 2026, which the Court finds is higher than the allowable EAJA hourly rate.
Plaintiff requests fees at rate of $255.90 per hour in 2025 and $262.23 per hour in 2026, which the Court finds is higher than the allowable EAJA hourly rate.
Plaintiff's requested paralegal rate of $125.00 is also higher than the general range of these types of cases.
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Wilfong v. Starstruck Entertainment, LLC et al
Aug 21, 2026 · Intellectual property
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $875 $700 Paralegal $250 $200 The court's words
the court will reduce the billing rate for one senior Waddey attorney from $875 to $700 per hour, which results in a deduction of $752.50 (4.3 hours x $175 difference).
the hourly rate of $250 for one senior paralegal is excessive. That rate will be reduced to $200 per hour, which results in a deduction of $2,465 (49.3 hours x $50 difference).
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Beekeepers Mill LLC v. Welcome Mat Vacations LLC et al
Aug 13, 2026 · Consumer protection · Fee cut details
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $450 Attorney $400 $400 The court's words
Counsel asserts that the original flat fee of $1,875.00 per month reflects approximately 4.2 total hours at a rate of $450.00 per hour.
Cain's declaration in support of his fee request indicates his experience and requests an award of $8,360.00 for a total amount of 20.9 hours at a rate of $400.00 per hour.
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Rowe et al v. Brighter Electric, LLC et al
Aug 6, 2026 · ERISA benefits
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $425 $425 Paralegal $100 $100 The court's words
Counsel billed Plaintiffs $6,796.70 for services in connection with the present case that included 4.0 attorney hours at $425.00, 41.6 paralegal hours at $100.00, and $936.70 in expenses.
Counsel billed Plaintiffs $6,796.70 for services in connection with the present case that included 4.0 attorney hours at $425.00, 41.6 paralegal hours at $100.00, and $936.70 in expenses.
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Jul 14, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $211 $211 The court's words
Plaintiff requests a cost-of-living adjustment in the hourly rate from the $125 presumptive maximum under the EAJA to $211.43.
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Lopez v. Williamson County, Tennessee
Apr 20, 2026 · Wage and hour
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $250 $250 Paralegal $125 $125 The court's words
The defendant does not object to plaintiff’s counsel’s rate of $250 per hour or his paralegal’s rate of $125 per hour, and the court finds that these rates are reasonable and well within the range of hourly rates approved by this court in recent FLSA cases.
The defendant does not object to plaintiff’s counsel’s rate of $250 per hour or his paralegal’s rate of $125 per hour, and the court finds that these rates are reasonable and well within the range of hourly rates approved by this court in recent FLSA cases.
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United States of America et al v. Miraca Life Sciences, Inc.
Mar 5, 2026 · Employment
Role Experience Requested Approved Partner $750 $750 Partner $475 $475 Partner $650 $650 Partner $600 $600 Partner $500 $500 Partner $525 $525 Associate $300 $300 Associate $350 $350 Associate $400 $400 Paralegal $200 $200 The court's words
His hour rate was $600 from 2018-2021; $650 in 2022; and $750 in 2023-2025. He was a partner at Neal & Harwell for almost 50 years
His hourly rate was $450 in 2013 and $475 in 2015.
William Ramsey began work on the case in 2018 at a rate of $500 per hour. His hourly rate increased to $550 per hour in 2022, to $625 per hour in 2023, and to $650 per hour in 2024.
She began work on this case in 2020 at a rate of $450 per hour. Her hourly rate increased to $500 in 2022, $575 in 2024, and $600 in 2025.
Isaac Sanders worked on this case at various points beginning in 2019 when his hourly rate was $375. His rate increased to $450 per hour in 2022; $475 per hour in 2023; and $500 per hour in 2025.
In 2018, his hourly rate was $285 per hour. That increased to $320 per hour in 2019. In 2021, he was promoted to partner. Thereafter, his hourly rates were as follows: $350 in 2021; $450 in 2022, $475 in 2023, $500 in 2024, and $525 in 2025.
He worked on the case in 2013 at an hourly rate of $250 per hour; and in 2015 at an hourly rate of $300 per hour.
She worked on the case in 2023 and 2024 at hours rates of $300 and $350 per hour respectively.
His hourly rate was $375 in 2024 and $400 in 2025.
Her hourly rates were as follows: $170 per hour in 2018; $190 per hour in 2022-2023; and $200 per hour in 2024-25.
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Burwell v. Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC
Aug 29, 2025 · Consumer protection · Fee cut details
Role Experience Requested Approved Partner $458 Associate $320 Paralegal $265 The court's words
partner J. Tanner Watkins at a rate of $458 per hour in 2023 and $495 per hour in 2024
unnamed associates at a rate of between $320 and $350 per hour
unnamed paralegals at a rate of $265 per hour
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Burwell v. Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC
Jul 29, 2025 · Consumer protection · Fee cut details
Role Experience Requested Approved Partner $680 $500 Partner $458 Associate $320 Paralegal $265 The court's words
partner Joseph Tucker at a rate of $680 per hour in 2023 and $745 per hour in 2024
partner J. Tanner Watkins at a rate of $458 per hour in 2023 and $495 per hour in 2024
unnamed associates at a rate of between $320 and $350 per hour
unnamed paralegals at a rate of $265 per hour
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Feb 21, 2025 · Commercial
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $325 $325 other $105 $105 The court's words
the declaration of counsel and supporting billing records requests an hourly rate for counsel of $325.00 and work performed by other individuals whose qualifications are not described as $105.00
work performed by other individuals whose qualifications are not described as $105.00
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Jan 16, 2025 · Other
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $275 $275 The court's words
Plaintiff sets out that a total of 3.4 hours were expended to file these motions at a rate of $275.00 per hour.
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Hill v. Commissioner of Social Security
Nov 13, 2024 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $249 $249 Paralegal $100 $100 The court's words
Plaintiff seeks the following fees: 25.6 hours of attorney work at an hourly rate of $249.32 (the Consumer-Price Index adjusted attorney rate for 2024)
and 6.2 hours of paralegal work at an hourly rate of $100.00.
Earlier rulings
| Case | Date | Approved rates |
|---|---|---|
| Tucker v. O'Malley | Nov 8, 2024 | Attorney $225 |
| West-Luffman v. Ruff et al | Oct 31, 2024 | Attorney $325, other $105 |
| Rhodes v. Social Security Administration | Aug 15, 2024 | Attorney $214, Paralegal $100 |
| Sisk v. Commissioner of Social Security | May 3, 2024 | Attorney $233, Attorney $241, Paralegal $100 |
| Nixon v. Bevini, S.R.L. | May 1, 2024 | Attorney $400 |
| Nixon v. Bevini, S.R.L. | Apr 30, 2024 | Attorney $400 |
| Daniels v. Mendbnb, LLC | Feb 15, 2024 | Attorney $250 |
| Ambrose, Jr. v. Social Security Administration | Jan 17, 2024 | Attorney $208, Attorney $216 |
| Rhodes v. Social Security Administration | Jan 17, 2024 | Attorney $214, Paralegal $100 |
| Brannon v. Social Security Administration | Jan 17, 2024 | Attorney $214, Paralegal $100 |
FAQ
What hourly rate does the M.D. Tennessee approve for partners?
A median of $500 an hour across 13 approved rates in fee rulings since October 20, 2024, with the middle half from $475 to $614.
What hourly rate does the M.D. Tennessee approve for associates?
A median of $415 an hour across 6 approved rates in fee rulings since October 20, 2024.
What hourly rate does the M.D. Tennessee approve for attorneys?
A median of $325 an hour across 7 approved rates in fee rulings since October 20, 2024.
How often does the M.D. Tennessee cut a requested hourly rate?
For 4 of 33 timekeepers (12%) in recent fee rulings.
How do I prove a reasonable hourly rate in the M.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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