Research · 38 federal fee rulings in Hawaii
Attorney Fee Motions in Hawaii Federal Courts (2026): Judges Cut 63.2% of Requests
In this article
How often do Hawaii federal judges cut fee requests?
In 63.2% of 38 rulings that decided a fee amount since January 2024, against 53.8% nationally.
Why do they cut?
Most often for clerical work billed as legal work, time on unrelated claims and a lower hourly rate.
| Reduction | Share of rulings with a cut | Rulings |
|---|---|---|
| Clerical work billed as legal work | 41.7% | 10 |
| Unrelated claims | 41.7% | 10 |
| Hourly rate reduced | 41.7% | 10 |
| Vague entries | 25% | 6 |
| Block billing | 20.8% | 5 |
| Excessive hours | 20.8% | 5 |
| Limited success | 12.5% | 3 |
| Other reasons | 37.5% | 9 |
What hourly rates do they approve?
Median approved rates by district, from rulings in the last two years.
| District | Partner | Associate | Paralegal | Rulings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. Hawaii | $395 | $250 | $130 | 11 |
Recent fee cuts over time records
- D. Hawaii cuts intellectual property fee award 21.6% over block billing (Aug 14, 2026)
- D. Hawaii cuts commercial fee award 47%, including for block billing (Aug 11, 2026)
- D. Hawaii cuts commercial fee award 1.3% over block billing (Dec 29, 2025)
- D. Hawaii cuts commercial fee award, including for clerical work (Apr 4, 2025)
- D. Hawaii cuts consumer protection fee award over clerical work (Oct 30, 2024)
- D. Hawaii cuts ERISA benefits fee award 21.8% over vague entries (Oct 4, 2024)
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 Hawaii that decided the amount of a fee request (38 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 Hawaii?
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 Hawaii reduce attorney fee requests?
In 63.2% of 38 fee rulings since January 2024, against 53.8% nationally.
Why do Hawaii federal judges cut attorney fees?
Most often for clerical work billed as legal work, time on unrelated claims and a lower hourly rate.
What hourly rates do federal courts in Hawaii approve?
D. Hawaii: partners $395, associates $250.