Research · 111 federal fee rulings in Maryland
Attorney Fee Motions in Maryland Federal Courts (2026): Judges Cut 51.4% of Requests
In this article
How often do Maryland federal judges cut fee requests?
In 51.4% of 111 rulings that decided a fee amount since January 2024, against 53.8% nationally.
In rulings that cut fees at least partly over time records, the median cut was 36.3% (19 rulings).
Why do they cut?
Most often for excessive hours, a lower hourly rate and clerical work billed as legal work.
| Reduction | Share of rulings with a cut | Rulings |
|---|---|---|
| Excessive hours | 43.9% | 25 |
| Hourly rate reduced | 31.6% | 18 |
| Clerical work billed as legal work | 28.1% | 16 |
| Duplicative staffing | 19.3% | 11 |
| Fees on fees | 15.8% | 9 |
| Unrelated claims | 12.3% | 7 |
| Vague entries | 10.5% | 6 |
| Other reasons | 36.8% | 21 |
What hourly rates do they approve?
Median approved rates by district, from rulings in the last two years.
| District | Partner | Associate | Paralegal | Rulings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. Maryland | $470 | $225 | $210 | 61 |
Recent fee cuts over time records
- D. Maryland cuts commercial fee award 3.1% over clerical work (May 22, 2026)
- D. Maryland cuts wage and hour fee award over clerical work (Jan 14, 2026)
- D. Maryland cuts wage and hour fee award 18.6%, including for clerical work (Nov 7, 2025)
- D. Maryland cuts immigration fee award, including for vague entries (Jul 15, 2025)
- D. Maryland cuts social security fee award 40.6%, including for clerical work (May 21, 2025)
- D. Maryland cuts social security fee award 40.7%, including for vague entries (May 21, 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, Tennessee.
Methodology and sources
- Every ruling on GovInfo since January 2024 from a federal district court in Maryland that decided the amount of a fee request (111 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 Maryland?
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 Maryland reduce attorney fee requests?
In 51.4% of 111 fee rulings since January 2024, against 53.8% nationally.
Why do Maryland federal judges cut attorney fees?
Most often for excessive hours, a lower hourly rate and clerical work billed as legal work.
What hourly rates do federal courts in Maryland approve?
D. Maryland: partners $470, associates $225.