Research · 46 federal fee rulings in Massachusetts
Attorney Fee Motions in Massachusetts Federal Courts (2026): Judges Cut 67.4% of Requests
In this article
How often do Massachusetts 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 excessive hours, time on unrelated claims and block billing.
| Reduction | Share of rulings with a cut | Rulings |
|---|---|---|
| Excessive hours | 45.2% | 14 |
| Unrelated claims | 22.6% | 7 |
| Block billing | 19.4% | 6 |
| Fees on fees | 19.4% | 6 |
| Duplicative staffing | 16.1% | 5 |
| Hourly rate reduced | 16.1% | 5 |
| Vague entries | 12.9% | 4 |
| Other reasons | 54.8% | 17 |
What hourly rates do they approve?
Median approved rates by district, from rulings in the last two years.
| District | Partner | Associate | Paralegal | Rulings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. Massachusetts | $1,148 | $865 | $299 | 10 |
Recent fee cuts over time records
- D. Massachusetts cuts commercial fee award over clerical work (Oct 16, 2026)
- D. Massachusetts cuts fee award 24.3%, including for reconstructed time (Jul 1, 2026)
- D. Massachusetts cuts commercial fee award, including for block billing (Oct 28, 2025)
- D. Massachusetts cuts disability access fee award over vague entries (Mar 28, 2025)
- D. Massachusetts cuts civil rights fee award 67.5%, including for block billing (Dec 11, 2024)
- D. Massachusetts cuts disability access fee award, including for clerical work (Nov 26, 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
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 Massachusetts reduce attorney fee requests?
In 67.4% of 46 fee rulings since January 2024, against 53.8% nationally.
Why do Massachusetts federal judges cut attorney fees?
Most often for excessive hours, time on unrelated claims and block billing.
What hourly rates do federal courts in Massachusetts approve?
D. Massachusetts: partners $1,148, associates $865.