Research · 46 federal fee rulings in District of Columbia
Attorney Fee Motions in District of Columbia Federal Courts (2026): Judges Cut 67.4% of Requests
In this article
How often do District of Columbia federal judges cut fee requests?
In 67.4% of 46 rulings that decided a fee amount since January 2024, against 53.8% nationally.
Why do they cut?
Most often for time on the fee motion itself, excessive hours and limited success.
| Reduction | Share of rulings with a cut | Rulings |
|---|---|---|
| Fees on fees | 35.5% | 11 |
| Excessive hours | 35.5% | 11 |
| Limited success | 32.3% | 10 |
| Clerical work billed as legal work | 29% | 9 |
| Unrelated claims | 25.8% | 8 |
| Duplicative staffing | 19.4% | 6 |
| Vague entries | 19.4% | 6 |
| Other reasons | 35.5% | 11 |
What hourly rates do they approve?
Median approved rates by district, from rulings in the last two years.
| District | Partner | Associate | Paralegal | Rulings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $1,057 | $538 | $210 | 15 |
Recent fee cuts over time records
- District of Columbia cuts FOIA fee award 28.4%, including for reconstructed time (Sep 30, 2026)
- District of Columbia cuts FOIA fee award, including for clerical work (Mar 31, 2026)
- District of Columbia cuts environmental fee award, including for clerical work (Mar 19, 2026)
- District of Columbia cuts employment fee award 38.5%, including for clerical work (Sep 12, 2025)
- District of Columbia cuts FOIA fee award 34.2%, including for vague entries (Aug 8, 2025)
- District of Columbia cuts FOIA fee award 28.4%, including for reconstructed time (Aug 1, 2025)
Filing a fee motion in federal court
In federal court a fee claim is generally made by motion under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(d)(2), filed no later than 14 days after judgment unless a statute or court order sets a different time. Many districts add local rules on conferring with the other side and on the detail the motion must include, so check the district's local rules before filing.
Before filing, see what a fee declaration needs. If you are opposing one, see which objections courts accept. Other states: California, Texas, New York, Florida, Arkansas, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Maryland.
Methodology and sources
- Every ruling on GovInfo since January 2024 from a federal district court in District of Columbia that decided the amount of a fee request (46 rulings, stipulated awards left out).
- Reductions are counted once per ruling, where the court's words were found in the opinion. Rates come from rulings in the last two years.
Limitations. State courts are not included; this page covers federal district courts only. Some federal districts publish few or no opinions to GovInfo, including the Southern District of New York, the Northern District of Illinois, the Middle District of Florida, the Eastern District of Virginia, the Western District of Washington and the District of Nevada. They are missing or thin here. LegalTime sells timekeeping software for law firms. The sections on LegalTime describe our own product; everything else comes from the court rulings.
General information from public court rulings, not legal advice. Data: CSV (CC BY 4.0). Spot an error? Email team@legaltime.ai with the case name and we will correct it.
FAQ
How do I file a motion for attorney fees in federal court in District of Columbia?
In federal court a fee claim is generally made by motion under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(d)(2), filed no later than 14 days after judgment unless a statute or court order sets a different time. Many districts add local rules on conferring with the other side and on the detail the motion must include, so check the district's local rules before filing.
How often do federal judges in District of Columbia reduce attorney fee requests?
In 67.4% of 46 fee rulings since January 2024, against 53.8% nationally.
Why do District of Columbia federal judges cut attorney fees?
Most often for time on the fee motion itself, excessive hours and limited success.
What hourly rates do federal courts in District of Columbia approve?
District of Columbia: partners $1,057, associates $538.