Judge calls $3,000 hourly rate 'patently unreasonable' as lawyer billing soars
US District Judge Beth Labson Freeman rejected a $3,000 hourly billing rate as "patently unreasonable" in a privacy claims settlement against Google. While the judge approved over $22.6 million in legal fees from a $68 million settlement, she capped the specific attorney's rate at $1,600. This ruling comes amid rising legal costs where some Biglaw partners charge $4,000 per hour. The decision highlights a judicial limit on soaring billing rates despite general market trends in corporate and class action law.
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- ✓ Judge Beth Labson Freeman ruled that a $3,000 hourly rate was "patently unreasonable".
- ✓ The judge capped the disputed hourly rate at $1,600.
- ✓ The legal fees arise from a $68 million settlement of privacy claims against Google.
- ✓ Judge Freeman approved more than $22.6 million in legal fees.
What changed
Judge Beth Labson Freeman capped a lawyer's $3,000 hourly rate at $1,600 and approved $22.6 million in fees from a $68 million settlement.
Live updates
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California Judge Caps Lawyer Hourly Rate at $1,600 in Google Privacy Case
US District Judge Beth Labson Freeman rejected a $3,000 hourly billing rate as "patently unreasonable" in a privacy claims settlement against Google. While the judge approved over $22.6 million in legal fees from a $68 million settlement, she capped the specific attorney's rate at $1,600. This ruling comes amid rising legal costs where some Biglaw partners charge $4,000 per hour. The decision highlights a judicial limit on soaring billing rates despite general market trends in corporate and class action law.
Why it matters
The ruling stems from litigation involving Google's voice-activated assistant. It occurs as hourly fees for leading American lawyers continue to rise sharply. This case establishes a specific judicial ceiling for billable hours in high-stakes tech litigation.
What is confirmed
- Judge Beth Labson Freeman ruled that a $3,000 hourly rate was "patently unreasonable".
- The judge capped the disputed hourly rate at $1,600.
- The legal fees arise from a $68 million settlement of privacy claims against Google.
- Judge Freeman approved more than $22.6 million in legal fees.
- The case involves Google's voice-activated assistant.
Still unconfirmed
- Lawyers in the Google Play antitrust case sought fee bids of $80 million and $85 million.
- Some Biglaw partners charge $4,000 per hour.
What to watch next
- Appeal of the hourly rate cap by the affected attorney
- Further rulings on fee requests in the Google Play antitrust litigation
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (10)
- Reuters — Judge calls $3,000 hourly rate 'patently unreasonable' as lawyer billing soars
- ABA Journal — Federal judge balks at lawyer's $3K hourly rate
- Daily Journal — Judge rejects $80M fee bid in Google Play antitrust case
- TheNigeriaLawyer — “But Not To $3,000 An Hour” — U.S. Judge Rejects Lawyer’s Billing Rate As Patently Unreasonable, Caps It At $1,600
- Reuters — US judge rebuffs $85 million fee request by lawyers in Google Play antitrust litigation
- abovethelaw.com — Judge Says A $3,000 Hourly Rate Is ‘Patently Unreasonable’
- www.abajournal.com — Federal judge balks at lawyer's $3K hourly rate - abajournal.com
- thenigerialawyer.com — “But Not To $3,000 An Hour” — U.S. Judge Rejects Lawyer’s...
- squawknews.com — Judge calls $3,000 hourly rate 'patently… - SquawkNews
- courtscast.com — $3,000 an Hour Is Too Much, US Judge Tells Lawyer as Legal ...
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