Research · 135 federal fee rulings in Pennsylvania
Attorney Fee Motions in Pennsylvania Federal Courts (2026): Judges Cut 64.4% of Requests
In this article
How often do Pennsylvania federal judges cut fee requests?
In 64.4% of 135 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 17.5% (27 rulings).
Why do they cut?
Most often for excessive hours, a lower hourly rate and time on unrelated claims.
| Reduction | Share of rulings with a cut | Rulings |
|---|---|---|
| Excessive hours | 43.7% | 38 |
| Hourly rate reduced | 33.3% | 29 |
| Unrelated claims | 27.6% | 24 |
| Clerical work billed as legal work | 25.3% | 22 |
| Duplicative staffing | 19.5% | 17 |
| Limited success | 14.9% | 13 |
| Block billing | 13.8% | 12 |
| Other reasons | 36.8% | 32 |
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. Pennsylvania | $750 | $450 | $183 | 31 |
| W.D. Pennsylvania | $675 | $383 | 9 |
Recent fee cuts over time records
- E.D. Pennsylvania cuts wage and hour fee award 91%, including for clerical work (Sep 28, 2026)
- E.D. Pennsylvania cuts civil rights fee award 54.5%, including for clerical work (Sep 24, 2026)
- E.D. Pennsylvania cuts wage and hour fee award, including for vague entries (Sep 15, 2026)
- E.D. Pennsylvania cuts commercial fee award, including for clerical work (Aug 11, 2026)
- E.D. Pennsylvania cuts civil rights fee award 5.5%, including for vague entries (Jun 25, 2026)
- W.D. Pennsylvania cuts employment fee award 82.5%, including for clerical work (Jun 8, 2026)
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, Maryland, Tennessee.
Methodology and sources
- Every ruling on GovInfo since January 2024 from a federal district court in Pennsylvania that decided the amount of a fee request (135 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 Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania reduce attorney fee requests?
In 64.4% of 135 fee rulings since January 2024, against 53.8% nationally.
Why do Pennsylvania federal judges cut attorney fees?
Most often for excessive hours, a lower hourly rate and time on unrelated claims.
What hourly rates do federal courts in Pennsylvania approve?
E.D. Pennsylvania: partners $750, associates $450; W.D. Pennsylvania: partners $675, associates $383.