Research · 34 federal fee rulings in Idaho
Attorney Fee Motions in Idaho Federal Courts (2026): Judges Cut 55.9% of Requests
In this article
How often do Idaho federal judges cut fee requests?
In 55.9% of 34 rulings that decided a fee amount since January 2024, against 53.8% nationally.
Why do they cut?
Most often for time on unrelated claims, excessive hours and duplicative staffing.
| Reduction | Share of rulings with a cut | Rulings |
|---|---|---|
| Unrelated claims | 52.6% | 10 |
| Excessive hours | 26.3% | 5 |
| Duplicative staffing | 15.8% | 3 |
| Hourly rate reduced | 15.8% | 3 |
| Missing contemporaneous records | 10.5% | 2 |
| Vague entries | 10.5% | 2 |
| Block billing | 5.3% | 1 |
| Other reasons | 31.6% | 6 |
What hourly rates do they approve?
Median approved rates by district, from rulings in the last two years.
| District | Partner | Associate | Paralegal | Rulings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. Idaho | $435 | $90 | 15 |
Recent fee cuts over time records
- D. Idaho cuts employment fee award 64.4% over missing contemporaneous records (Jun 22, 2026)
- D. Idaho cuts commercial fee award 10.7%, including for clerical work (Nov 14, 2025)
- D. Idaho cuts commercial fee award 3.3% over missing contemporaneous records (Nov 26, 2024)
- D. Idaho cuts commercial fee award 55.4%, including for block billing (Oct 8, 2024)
- D. Idaho cuts fee award 83.3%, including for vague entries (Aug 6, 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 Idaho that decided the amount of a fee request (34 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 Idaho?
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 Idaho reduce attorney fee requests?
In 55.9% of 34 fee rulings since January 2024, against 53.8% nationally.
Why do Idaho federal judges cut attorney fees?
Most often for time on unrelated claims, excessive hours and duplicative staffing.
What hourly rates do federal courts in Idaho approve?
D. Idaho: partners $435.