Research · 62 federal fee rulings in Minnesota
Attorney Fee Motions in Minnesota Federal Courts (2026): Judges Cut 58.1% of Requests
In this article
How often do Minnesota federal judges cut fee requests?
In 58.1% of 62 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 17.8% (11 rulings).
Why do they cut?
Most often for a lower hourly rate, time on unrelated claims and excessive hours.
| Reduction | Share of rulings with a cut | Rulings |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate reduced | 41.7% | 15 |
| Unrelated claims | 30.6% | 11 |
| Excessive hours | 25% | 9 |
| Clerical work billed as legal work | 22.2% | 8 |
| Vague entries | 16.7% | 6 |
| Duplicative staffing | 16.7% | 6 |
| Limited success | 13.9% | 5 |
| Other reasons | 38.9% | 14 |
What hourly rates do they approve?
Median approved rates by district, from rulings in the last two years.
| District | Partner | Associate | Paralegal | Rulings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. Minnesota | $625 | $397 | $185 | 18 |
Recent fee cuts over time records
- D. Minnesota cuts immigration fee award 50%, including for block billing (Aug 26, 2026)
- D. Minnesota cuts immigration fee award 6.6%, including for vague entries (Aug 7, 2026)
- D. Minnesota cuts sanctions fee award 46.1%, including for block billing (Aug 3, 2026)
- D. Minnesota cuts consumer protection fee award 2.2%, including for clerical work (Dec 9, 2025)
- D. Minnesota cuts ERISA benefits fee award 29.4%, including for clerical work (Sep 11, 2025)
- D. Minnesota cuts commercial fee award 11.3% over reconstructed time (Jun 30, 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, Maryland.
Methodology and sources
- Every ruling on GovInfo since January 2024 from a federal district court in Minnesota that decided the amount of a fee request (62 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 Minnesota?
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 Minnesota reduce attorney fee requests?
In 58.1% of 62 fee rulings since January 2024, against 53.8% nationally.
Why do Minnesota federal judges cut attorney fees?
Most often for a lower hourly rate, time on unrelated claims and excessive hours.
What hourly rates do federal courts in Minnesota approve?
D. Minnesota: partners $625, associates $397.