Court-approved attorney hourly rates: District Court, W.D. Arkansas
26 approved rates from 7 fee rulings since October 20, 2024. Latest ruling Jan 12, 2026. Data as of October 20, 2026.
| Role | Median | Middle half | Range | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | $250 | $200 to $325 | 6 | |
| Attorney | $325 | $265 to $350 | $200 to $400 | 13 |
Approved rates by year
| Year | Partner | Associate | Paralegal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $250 (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 14 timekeepers (29%).
Cite these rates
$250/hr
In W.D. Arkansas fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved associate rate was $250 an hour (6 rates).
$325/hr
In W.D. Arkansas fee rulings since October 20, 2024, the median court-approved attorney rate was $325 an hour (13 rates).
Copy these rulings as citations
Recent W.D. Arkansas rulings with the rates they approved, formatted for a fee petition. Check each ruling before citing it.
Leal v. Glass, No. 5:24-cv-05152 (W.D. Ark. Jan. 12, 2026) (approving hourly rates of $265 for an attorney); P.A.M. Transport Inc. v. Schell & Kampeter, Inc., No. 5:23-cv-05002 (W.D. Ark. Dec. 9, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $400 for a partner with 30 years' experience; $350 for a partner; $325 for an associate with 9 years' experience); Burris v. Baxter County Regional Hospital, No. 3:23-cv-03008 (W.D. Ark. Nov. 12, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $250 for an attorney with 19 years' experience; $75 for a paralegal); Fayetteville Public Library v. Crawford County, Arkansas, No. 5:23-cv-05086 (W.D. Ark. May 21, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $200 to $400 for attorneys; $350 for an attorney with 27 years' experience; $400 for an attorney with 64 years' experience); Virden v. Crawford County, Arkansas, No. 2:23-cv-02071 (W.D. Ark. Apr. 16, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $325 for attorneys); London Luxury LLC v. Walmart Inc., No. 5:22-cv-05059 (W.D. Ark. Mar. 31, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $375 for partners; $200 for associates; $75 for paralegals); Fleet Lease Exchange Co., Inc. v. GIG Logistics, Inc., No. 4:24-cv-04070 (W.D. Ark. Jan. 14, 2025) (approving hourly rates of $200 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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Myers v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Sep 18, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $257 Paralegal $75 The court's words
Here, the Court finds the CPI-South Index authorized an hourly rate of $252 during 2025 and an hourly rate of $257 during 2026.
using the District’s approved paralegal hourly rate of $75, results in $630 for paralegal time for a total request of $11,167
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Miller v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Aug 12, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $252 $252 Attorney $257 $257 Paralegal $75 $75 The court's words
Plaintiff's Motion seeks compensation for 22.6 hours of legal work during 2025 at the hourly rate of $252.00
11.8 hours during 2026 at the approved hourly rate of $257.00
Plaintiff also seeks fees for .40 hours of paralegal time at this District's approved hourly rate of $75.00.
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Miller v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Jul 28, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $252 $252 Attorney $257 $257 Paralegal $75 $75 The court's words
Plaintiff’s Motion seeks compensation for 22.6 hours of legal work during 2025 at the hourly rate of $252.00
11.8 hours during 2026 at the approved hourly rate of $257.00
Plaintiff also seeks fees for .40 hours of paralegal time at this District’s approved hourly rate of $75.00.
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Pena v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Jul 14, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $252 $252 Attorney $257 $257 Paralegal $75 $75 The court's words
Plaintiff's Motion seeks compensation for 24.0 hours of legal work during 2025 at the hourly rate of $252.00
2.1 hours during 2026 at the approved hourly rate of $257.00
Plaintiff also seeks fees for .90 hours of paralegal time at this District's approved hourly rate of $75.00.
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Pena v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Jun 26, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $252 $252 Attorney $257 $257 Paralegal $75 $75 The court's words
Plaintiff’s Motion seeks compensation for 24.0 hours of legal work during 2025 at the hourly rate of $252.00
2.1 hours during 2026 at the approved hourly rate of $257.00
Plaintiff also seeks fees for .90 hours of paralegal time at this District’s approved hourly rate of $75.00.
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Yarbrough v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Jun 23, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $252 $252 Paralegal $75 $75 The court's words
requesting $5,465.70, representing a total of 20.35 attorney hours for work performed in 2025 and 2026 at an hourly rate of $252.00 and 4.50 paralegal hours at an hourly rate of $75.00.
requesting $5,465.70, representing a total of 20.35 attorney hours for work performed in 2025 and 2026 at an hourly rate of $252.00 and 4.50 paralegal hours at an hourly rate of $75.00.
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Evans v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Jun 16, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $252 $252 Attorney $257 $257 The court's words
Plaintiff's Motion seeks compensation for 1.4 hours of legal work during 2025 at the approved hourly rate of $252.00
and 24.0 hours during 2026 at the approved hourly rate of $257.00
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Cline v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Jun 4, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $252 $252 Attorney $257 $257 Paralegal $75 $75 The court's words
Plaintiff's Motion seeks compensation for 3.1 hours of legal work during 2025 at the approved hourly rate of $252.00
20.2 hours during 2026 at the approved hourly rate of $257.00
Plaintiff also claims .8 hours of paralegal time at this District's approved hourly rate of $75.00.
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Evans v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Jun 1, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $252 $252 Attorney $257 $257 The court's words
Plaintiff's Motion seeks compensation for 1.4 hours of legal work during 2025 at the approved hourly rate of $252.00
and 24.0 hours during 2026 at the approved hourly rate of $257.00
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Cline v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
May 20, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $252 $252 Attorney $257 $257 Paralegal $75 $75 The court's words
Plaintiff's Motion seeks compensation for 3.1 hours of legal work during 2025 at the approved hourly rate of $252.00
20.2 hours during 2026 at the approved hourly rate of $257.00
Plaintiff also claims .8 hours of paralegal time at this District's approved hourly rate of $75.00.
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Schapper v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
May 12, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $252 $252 Attorney $257 $257 The court's words
This amount includes 2.75 attorney hours at an hourly rate of $252.00 for work performed in 2025 and 26.10 attorney hours at an hourly rate of $257.00 for work performed in 2026.
This amount includes 2.75 attorney hours at an hourly rate of $252.00 for work performed in 2025 and 26.10 attorney hours at an hourly rate of $257.00 for work performed in 2026.
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Schapper v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Apr 27, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $252 $252 Attorney $257 $257 The court's words
This amount includes 2.75 attorney hours at an hourly rate of $252.00 for work performed in 2025 and 26.10 attorney hours at an hourly rate of $257.00 for work performed in 2026.
This amount includes 2.75 attorney hours at an hourly rate of $252.00 for work performed in 2025 and 26.10 attorney hours at an hourly rate of $257.00 for work performed in 2026.
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Griffin v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Apr 17, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $250 $250 Paralegal $75 $75 The court's words
requesting $6,749.50, representing a total of 26.95 attorney hours for work performed in 2025 and 2026 at an hourly rate of $250.00
and .16 paralegal hours at an hourly rate of $75.00
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Pope v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Apr 17, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $252 $252 The court's words
seeking attorney's fees and costs under 28 U.S.C. § 2412, the Equal Access to Justice Act ("EAJA"), in the amount of $5,544.00, representing a total of 22 attorney hours for work performed in 2025 and 2026 at an hourly rate of $252.00
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Petersen v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Apr 16, 2026 · Social Security · Statutory rate, not in medians
Role Experience Requested Approved Attorney $252 $252 Attorney $257 $257 Paralegal $75 $75 The court's words
19.40 attorney hours at $252.00 per hour for work completed in 2025
2.30 attorney hours at $257.00 per hour for work completed in 2026
1.50 paralegal hours at $75.00 per hour
Earlier rulings
FAQ
What hourly rate does the W.D. Arkansas approve for associates?
A median of $250 an hour across 6 approved rates in fee rulings since October 20, 2024.
What hourly rate does the W.D. Arkansas approve for attorneys?
A median of $325 an hour across 13 approved rates in fee rulings since October 20, 2024, with the middle half from $265 to $350.
How often does the W.D. Arkansas cut a requested hourly rate?
For 4 of 14 timekeepers (29%) in recent fee rulings.
How do I prove a reasonable hourly rate in the W.D. Arkansas?
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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