Court-approved attorney hourly rates: District Court, S.D. Ohio
61 approved rates from 25 fee rulings since October 20, 2024. Latest ruling Sep 16, 2026. Data as of October 20, 2026.
| Role | Median | Middle half | Range | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partner | $500 | $337 to $560 | $245 to $616 | 11 |
| Associate | $350 | $225 to $425 | 7 | |
| Attorney | $375 | $350 to $475 | $245 to $645 | 33 |
| Paralegal | $178 | $125 to $206 | $95 to $385 | 10 |
Approved rates by year
| Year | Partner | Associate | Paralegal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $350 (6) | $180 (5) | |
| 2024 | $475 (7) | $175 (5) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-19 years | $475 | 5 | |
| 20+ years | $538 | 6 |
Only rates where the opinion states the attorney's years of experience.
The court approved a lower rate than requested for 2 of 50 timekeepers (4%).
Cite these rates
$500/hr
In S.D. Ohio fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved partner rate was $500 an hour (11 rates).
$350/hr
In S.D. Ohio fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved associate rate was $350 an hour (7 rates).
$375/hr
In S.D. Ohio fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved attorney rate was $375 an hour (33 rates).
$178/hr
In S.D. Ohio fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved paralegal rate was $178 an hour (10 rates).
Copy these rulings as citations
Recent S.D. Ohio rulings with the rates they approved, formatted for a fee petition. Check each ruling before citing it.
Joe Hand Promotions Inc v. Kadel, No. 1:25-cv-00813 (S.D. Ohio Sept. 16, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $300 for an attorney); Boards of Trustees of the Ohio Laborers Benefits v. Rising Son Company, Inc., No. 2:25-cv-00048 (S.D. Ohio June 29, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $350 for an attorney); Jacobs v. Miami County, No. 3:24-cv-00233 (S.D. Ohio June 23, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $300 for an attorney); Continental Casualty Company v. Vertiv Services, Inc., No. 2:20-cv-04880 (S.D. Ohio June 18, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $645 for an attorney); Erickson v. Walsh Construction Group, LLC, No. 2:23-cv-03296 (S.D. Ohio Apr. 23, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $600 for a partner with 32 years' experience); Hicks v. Crowley, No. 2:22-cv-02204 (S.D. Ohio Apr. 17, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $375 to $400 for attorneys; $125 for a paralegal); Aden v. Gemini Solar LLC, No. 2:25-cv-01076 (S.D. Ohio Apr. 15, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $375 for an attorney); Abira Medical Laboratories, LLC v. CareSource, No. 3:24-cv-00157 (S.D. Ohio Apr. 10, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $500 to $550 for partners with 20 years' experience; $385 to $485 for attorneys with 15 years' experience; $275 for an attorney); BankUnited, N.A. v. Garretson, No. 1:25-cv-00190 (S.D. Ohio Mar. 4, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $295 to $315 for attorneys); Laltitude LLC v. Dreambuilder Toy LLC, No. 2:22-cv-02911 (S.D. Ohio Jan. 8, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $575 for an attorney with 24 years' experience; $245 to $360 for attorneys; $210 for a paralegal); Central Midwest Carpenters Fringe Benefit Funds, Inc. v. WAI Construction Group, LLC, No. 2:25-cv-00264 (S.D. Ohio Oct. 28, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $275 for a partner; $225 for an associate; $95 for a paralegal); Wagner v. St Powell, LLC, No. 2:24-cv-01045 (S.D. Ohio Sept. 23, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $350 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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Joe Hand Promotions Inc v. Kadel et al
Sep 16, 2026 · Other
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $300 $300 The court's words
Plaintiff’s counsel submitted an affidavit stating that he spent 4.5 hours working on this case. (Doc. 18-8, #77). At his standard rate of $300 per hour, that totals $1,350.
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Boards of Trustees of the Ohio Laborers Benefits v. Rising Son Company, Inc.
Jun 29, 2026 · ERISA benefits
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $350 $350 The court's words
Attorney for Plaintiffs, Ryan K. Hymore, worked on this matter for 9 hours at a rate of $350.00 per hour ($3,150.00).
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Case Name in Social Security Case - Unavailable
Jun 25, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $125 $125 The court's words
Here, Plaintiff’s counsel voluntarily reduced his hourly rate to $125 and represents that “[t]he parties conferred and have agreed to settle this motion at a reduced rate shown below.”
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Jun 23, 2026 · Civil rights
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $300 $300 The court's words
Plaintiff does not dispute that the $300 per hour rate set forth by the Thens' counsel is appropriate.
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Continental Casualty Company v. Vertiv Services, Inc. et al
Jun 18, 2026 · Commercial
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $645 $645 The court's words
Vertiv's lead counsel, Marc J. Kessler ("Attorney Kessler"), had an hourly rate ranging from $530 to $645 throughout this case, which has spanned over five years.
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Erickson v. Walsh Construction Group, LLC
Apr 23, 2026 · Wage and hour
Role Experience Requested Approved Partner 32 years $600 $600 The court's words
Attorney DeRose, a partner with 32 years of experience as a trial lawyer and 19 years of experience representing employees and consumers in class and collective action lawsuits, charges an hourly rate of $600.00.
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Apr 17, 2026 · Civil rights
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $400 $400 Attorney $375 $375 Paralegal $125 $125 The court's words
Jennifer M. Kinsley, who billed at $400 per hour
Attorney Keith G. Skylar billed at $375 per hour ... Defendants do not object to the rates or work of these two people.
Paralegal Ryann L. Brann billed at $125 per hour. ... Defendants do not object to the rates or work of these two people.
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Aden v. Gemini Solar LLC et al
Apr 15, 2026 · Commercial
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $375 $375 The court's words
One entry billed Plaintiff for Attorney Peterson's services at $375 in error ... Plaintiff represents that he paid the $375 rate for 0.6 hours of work.
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Abira Medical Laboratories, LLC v. CareSource et al
Apr 10, 2026 · Other
Role Experience Requested Approved Partner 20 years $500 $500 Partner 20 years $550 $550 Attorney 15 years $385 $385 Attorney 15 years $485 $485 Attorney $275 $275 Paralegal $195 $195 The court's words
Attorney Rhinehart’s billable hourly rate was $500 until December 31, 2025, and it increased to $550 from January 1, 2026 and onward.
Attorney Rhinehart’s billable hourly rate was $500 until December 31, 2025, and it increased to $550 from January 1, 2026 and onward.
His billable hourly rate was $385 until December 31, 2025, and it increased to $485 from January 1, 2026 and onward.
His billable hourly rate was $385 until December 31, 2025, and it increased to $485 from January 1, 2026 and onward.
Attorney Teresa LaBello had a billable hourly rate of $275 for the relevant time period.
two paralegals who assisted on the matter, Natasha Wilson and Kelly Finn, each have a billable hourly rate of $195.
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BankUnited, N.A. v. Garretson et al.
Mar 4, 2026 · Commercial
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $295 $295 Attorney $315 $315 The court's words
Plaintiff notes that it was charged a flat rate of $295.00/hour for Shareholder work in January 2025, but the rate increased to $315.00/hour in February 2025 for all Shareholder and Counsel work
the rate increased to $315.00/hour in February 2025 for all Shareholder and Counsel work, "regardless of the particular billing attorney's level of experience."
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Laltitude LLC v. Dreambuilder Toy LLC et al
Jan 8, 2026 · Intellectual property · Rates from a fee matrix
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney 24 years $701 $575 Attorney $245 $245 Attorney $330 $330 Attorney $360 $360 Paralegal $210 $210 The court's words
Ms. Rodman's hourly rate exceeds the AIPLA average for an attorney with her years of experience. Ms. Rodman had 23–24 years of experience while working on this matter. Because she is on the cusp of two ranges, the Court reduces Ms. Rodman's rate to a rate of $575 per hour.
the Court finds that all Dreambuilder's legal professionals' fees are reasonable except for one
the Court finds that all Dreambuilder's legal professionals' fees are reasonable except for one
the Court finds that all Dreambuilder's legal professionals' fees are reasonable except for one
Laltitude does not challenge the paralegals' hourly rates. Nevertheless, the Court finds them to be reasonable.
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Central Midwest Carpenters Fringe Benefit Funds, Inc. v. WAI Construction Group, LLC
Oct 28, 2025 · ERISA benefits
Role Experience Requested Approved Partner $275 $275 Associate $225 $225 Paralegal $95 $95 The court's words
rates for work performed for Plaintiff by senior partners is $275.00 per hour, by associate attorneys is $225.00 per hour, and by paralegals is $95.00 per hour.
rates for work performed for Plaintiff by senior partners is $275.00 per hour, by associate attorneys is $225.00 per hour, and by paralegals is $95.00 per hour.
rates for work performed for Plaintiff by senior partners is $275.00 per hour, by associate attorneys is $225.00 per hour, and by paralegals is $95.00 per hour.
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Greenwald v. United States Of America
Oct 23, 2025 · Other · Statutory rate, not in medians · Fee cut details
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $230 $230 The court's words
Plaintiff seeks an award of attorney's fees for legal services provided to Plaintiff in 2023, 2024, and 2025; the maximum hourly rates for those years are $230, $240, and $250, respectively.
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Wagner v. St Powell, LLC et al
Sep 23, 2025 · Disability access
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $350 $350 The court's words
Mr. Wagner requests attorney's fees for 28.05 hours of work at a rate of $350 per hour, totaling $9,817.50.
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Boards of Trustees of the Ohio Laborers Benefits v. Crowe Construction Inc
Sep 5, 2025 · ERISA benefits
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $350 $350 Paralegal $180 $180 The court's words
He expended 7.7 hours in this suit at an hourly rate of $350.00.
Mr. Sponaugle, a paralegal with Mr. Hymore's firm, expended 15.8 hours at an hourly rate of $ 180.
Earlier rulings
FAQ
What hourly rate does the S.D. Ohio approve for partners?
A median of $500 an hour across 11 approved rates in fee rulings since October 20, 2024, with the middle half from $337 to $560.
What hourly rate does the S.D. Ohio approve for associates?
A median of $350 an hour across 7 approved rates in fee rulings since October 20, 2024.
What hourly rate does the S.D. Ohio approve for attorneys?
A median of $375 an hour across 33 approved rates in fee rulings since October 20, 2024, with the middle half from $350 to $475.
How often does the S.D. Ohio cut a requested hourly rate?
For 2 of 50 timekeepers (4%) in recent fee rulings.
How do I prove a reasonable hourly rate in the S.D. Ohio?
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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