Research · 74 federal fee rulings in Michigan
Attorney Fee Motions in Michigan Federal Courts (2026): Judges Cut 56.8% of Requests
In this article
How often do Michigan federal judges cut fee requests?
In 56.8% of 74 rulings that decided a fee amount since January 2024, against 53.8% nationally.
Why do they cut?
Most often for a lower hourly rate, excessive hours and time on unrelated claims.
| Reduction | Share of rulings with a cut | Rulings |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate reduced | 61.9% | 26 |
| Excessive hours | 35.7% | 15 |
| Unrelated claims | 19% | 8 |
| Duplicative staffing | 16.7% | 7 |
| Limited success | 16.7% | 7 |
| Vague entries | 9.5% | 4 |
| Clerical work billed as legal work | 4.8% | 2 |
| Other reasons | 26.2% | 11 |
What hourly rates do they approve?
Median approved rates by district, from rulings in the last two years.
| District | Partner | Associate | Paralegal | Rulings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E.D. Michigan | $500 | 16 |
Recent fee cuts over time records
- E.D. Michigan cuts consumer protection fee award 52.2%, including for clerical work (Oct 29, 2025)
- E.D. Michigan cuts employment fee award 9.3%, including for missing records (Jun 25, 2025)
- E.D. Michigan cuts civil rights fee award 0.2% over clerical work (Mar 31, 2025)
- E.D. Michigan cuts civil rights fee award 21.2%, including for vague entries (Feb 7, 2025)
- E.D. Michigan cuts fee award 56%, including for missing contemporaneous records (Oct 10, 2024)
- E.D. Michigan cuts consumer protection fee award 55.7%, including for block billing (Feb 8, 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 Michigan that decided the amount of a fee request (74 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 Michigan?
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 Michigan reduce attorney fee requests?
In 56.8% of 74 fee rulings since January 2024, against 53.8% nationally.
Why do Michigan federal judges cut attorney fees?
Most often for a lower hourly rate, excessive hours and time on unrelated claims.
What hourly rates do federal courts in Michigan approve?
E.D. Michigan: partners $500.